Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-10-06
THE STORY or WALKER
HIS CAPTURE AND OCCUPATION OF MICA
RAoUA, AND INCIDENTS CONNECTED
WITH 1T, AS RELATED by AN EYE
WITNESS.

WITH 1T, AS RELATED by AN EYE
WITNESS.
The history Of Walker and his ca
rccr at Nicaragua, in 1855, is again
brought before the public by the mar
rative of one of his officers, Col. Frank
Anderson, who tells the story in brief
as follows:
AT Rivas the first important battle
occurred, and it was disastrous to
Walker and his party, particularly to
Anderson, who was shot in the head
and leg, and had two ribs broken
Anderson says that Walker was the
bravest man q soldier ever followed.
Nothing ever excited daunted, or
frightened him. He hesitated at no
obstacles, and although he attempted
desperate things, such as fighting one
thousand men with fifty, he never lost
his GOODNESS and self.possession. In
Rivas, when surrounded by the whole
army Of the enemy, who had fired the
building in which with his men he had
taken refuge, he said, in the most de
liberate and moderate tone: A."F
aWell, boys, ! think it is about time
we were getting ont Of here" Then
hv burst ops~ chs des-, ~.-a ---isl f-;5L.
fsi ,-siis, fsllowed By HE shnnfing com-
rades, he dashed through the enemy's
lines, sweeping about him with his
sword, and shooting rapidly with his
navy revolver. The natives were no
match for such bravery, and Walker
escaped, leaving nearly half of his
force on the field dead or wounded
Anderson got away with him, although
terribly wounded. Those who escaped
were more or less used up. Some
were wounded, all were hungry and
worn with fatigue, and their feet
were full Of thorns. They were in a
swampy forest or jungle, going they
knew not whittier, and momentarily
fearing they would be overtaken and
slaughtered by the natives. 1t was
Walkers purpose TO reach Costa Rica,
which he thought was thirty miles
distant, He knew hc would be safe
there on neutral ground, But the
party were unequal To the journey,
and after hobbling along in the des-
peration TO defeat and fear Of death
for about fifteen miles, the leader
struck for the coast. Fortunately for
him and his followers, II brig laden
with coffee lay-to near the shore for
water. II was the work Of half On
hour to capture the brig, and the
crew, numbering a half dozen men,
were sent ashore to shit for them
selves. The half.starved adventures
then sailed away. They landed at
San Juan del Sur--Anderson at the
point Of death and Walker swinging
In his hammock and burning with
fever. Here they met n man named
Girard, who gave Anderson, whose
wounds were full Of fly blows, two
eggs, q cup of coffee, and thin soup,
1 which he thinks saved his life. Dr.
II would be interesting TO follow the
fortunes of the flibusters. They
fought again and again, sometimes as
winners, sometimes as losers Walker
had natives Under him. but they were
as a rule cowardly. However, he
finally succeeded, and became master
of the country, as though he had beer
its acknowledged ruler Anderson
got we'll An ambassador, Parker ii
: French, who lost an arm in the Mex
lican war, was sent TO Washington
. and Nicaragua was at peace for Sly
: months, with Walker at the helm o
State. Anderson was sent to thu
= United States TO recruit a regimen
for Walkers service, and opened
nm office at No. 3 Broadway, New
York He said be had 400 or 5O'
men, and every arrangement mad
; for shipping them on Morgan 4
Garrison's line 70 Nicaragua. Thi
J firm had agreed TO assist Walker il
! every way possible, and Anderson
said that George Law was one o
I the most active and liberal friends o
the Nicaragua undertaking. ial
To one cause, and only one, doe
Anderson attribute the failure o
: Walker. But for this he think
Walker would have owned and con
. trolled the whole of Central America
! That one cause was the opposition Q
d Mr.. Vanderbilt. The latter owed th
Nicaraguan government s1O0O0.-
0 Walker demanded payment MI
8 Vanderbilt refused 10 pay, and
!, quarrel arose between them MI
' Vanderbilt, as the story goes, bougb
y up all opposition, the steamers {
d Morgan Il Garrison were withdraw
L and the regiment Of Col. Anderso
r remained IN New York. Wake
d never got his 10000 Mr. vandel
y bilt monopolised the Nicaraguan trad
I, and finally Walker lost hrs life. A
u though Anderson could not take b
d regiment, he embarked alone as 500
It he could to Join Walker. Before !
10 reached Nicaragua the story Of Wall
y er's failurc overlook him. His Chi
p surrendered and suffered Nh ignomin
.: Gus death. II was no place for Al
ID derson. i-I iA'N .N.N
mi Tho Democrats have majoritics
G the Congressional delegations Of TIVE
ty.two States, the Republicans
10 thirteen. One State, Louisiana,
"A -.--..I.- Is~.<l.I ..d oUo Msaofaasx,s