Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-11
The BURNING OF AsPINWALL.

An Eye-witness NiVidly Describes the Bat
tie and the Conflagration.
NEW ORLEANS, April lO.-Mr. Mitchell
of the firm of Rogers L Ballantine, has just
reached here on the steamer Australian, d.
rect from Colon. When he reached Panama
on the 24th, he found battle imminent
He saws The rebel camp was situated among
the hills three miles from the town, and at
night their camp fires could be plainly seen
from the deck of the ship. The Govern
ment troops occupied two strongly built
churches with two towers that overlooked
the town, and which had been turned
into fortresses. On March % the Gene
ral commanding the rebels notified all
foreigners that the next day he intended to
attack the town. His intention was carried
ont ard on the 26th the rebels marched
down from the hills to the square in front OF
the Grand Pacific Hotel and the fight be-
oan in the open streets The government
troops held their ground, and after fight
of several hours duration the rebels. 1t is
claimed, exhausted their ammunition and
retired to the hills. On Sunday, 18th OF
March we left Panama and returned to
Colon, and found that the town was still IN
the hands of the rebels who had taken
. no,ition on the hills two miles
from town. On Monday night the gov
eminent troops attacked the rebels at
Monkey Hill. who tore up the track OF tue
railroad and cut the telegraph wires. The
rebels however, were driven back into the
ioWn, and the fight began on the streets aud
cansed the greatest terror among the c1tl'
IONS and persons could be seen closing
stores and fleeing in every direction. In a
sSn-t time the rebels were forced to seek
SbeIter behind their barricsdes, and their
Ere was directed against the troops from be
hind these barrieades, from windows aud
bonsetops. The battle ragged for ii hours:
Suddenly smoke was seen arising from the
rsbeI barricades, and as there was q strong
wind blowing at the time,
The Fire
sprssd rapidly in all directious. Up to this
time the light was confined to one portion
IS the town, but as it spread the rebels be-
90 20 scatter and retreat, and as they ap,
S5ssred in the streets they were fired upon
until the fight ragged oil over the town. Ine
g. event from. street to street and from the
L,,iId;ngs to ths docks and wharves. Crowds
IS women and children could be seen NOV
inc from place to place among the Whisthns
bn1lets and those who managed to escape
bs;ng shot down in the streets soagas
nrotsction on board the ships IN the
barbor but great number per
- IN the flames. We also
80 large number of civilians who were
T;gsd by stray bullets before they could
sssf sbelter. II would be impossible to es'
innate the number of lives lost In the con-
az. for The reason that the day after the
hsttls when the rebels had retreated, VS.
80 the town and saw the streets strewn
With dead bodies and also the easrred re-
r.a;rs of those who had been burned to
JSatb From what saw the loss will not
t"Ii abort OF $l0.000.0JO or $4,000 0oo,
because only three or four shansies were lett
Do;n;nTed The Panama railroad lost Eve
~bsIyes its Office and freight depot, 259 box
cars ~ 9Oa cosl cars loaded with coal and 100
S%n,v fat cars and g great deal Of track
sbicS had beeu destroyed By rebels. The
Royal Mail Packet Company lost wharf
an3 some other property. The action oil
p-ss,on IN burning Colon is heartily con
dsmped by Colonel Dizperi, the commander
- ths rebel forces about Panama. as that oi
: eommcn brigand. and he says that il hs il
s.nsured he VIII be shot The rebels Are