The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-25
VICTORY FOR THE NORTHERN LEADER.
HlPpolyte Turns the Defeat OF His
Army Into Success.
His Dark Skinned Troops Swarm
over LegItIme's Ramparts.
Recent Progress OF the War In the
War In the Black Republic.

PoRr AU PRINCE, July 10.--Affalrs at
Port au Prince during the past week have
assumed phases Of every possible degree Of
alarm and terror. Hippolyte has been be-
fore the very outworks. He has been hurled
back into the interior, only to again advance
with impetuous rushes on the beleagured
city. Legitime is straining every nerve to
crush the enemy. but the hold of Hippolyte
is too powerful to be easily shaken off.
Arcabial, the strongest fortress before
Prrt au Prince, has been captured. Tie
news Is Just In. Excitement Is running fever
high, and another panic is threatened. The
forces which held Arcabial were under tho
command of Legitime's most trusted general,
and the place was considered little short Of
impregnable. The first news that ArcabIal.
had fallen was conveyed by the garrison it.
self struggling into Port au Prince. The
road to Port au Prince from the north is
now entirely open, Arcablal being the last
remaining fortress which stood in the way
of the enemy. Hippolyte has clearly out
maneuvred Legitime. The Northern leader
was doubled up and hurled back in his as
sault on Port au Prince, and in this sudden
retreat gave every evidence Of being In
most demoralized condition. Hippolyte,
however, suddenly swings his forces to one
side, and while Legitime and the garrison of
Arcabial believe him TO be dragging his way
northward he suddenly appears before Area
bial itself, and in person leads an assault on
this strong position. Taken by surprise the
garrison Is thrown into state Of panic. 1t
rallies for time and sharp skirmishing en-
sues. Communication with Port au Prince
Is cut off. There Is no chance for reinforce
ments now to come. Hippolyte bombards
with his field pieces. His forces creep nearer
and nearer and lust as ,Srg gra16 tha Ss tbs
Southern general orders hurried evacua-
tion, which is hardly effected before Hippo
lyte's men come clambering over the In
trenchments.
A pursuit is at once started, which has the
effect Of sending Legitime's garrison flying
pell-mell into Port au Prince, spreading con-
sternati0n and alarm on all sides. Immedi-.
ately all the forces of Port au Prince
are called to the intrenchments, but Hippo
lyte, either intoxicated with success
or judging it inadvisable to follow up the
victory, stops the pursuit, and for the second
time suffers Port au Prince to escape imme-
diate capture. Today 1000 new Remington
rifles are being distributed among Legitime's
meu, and what with 1000, 900 metallic cart
ridges received for the same, Legitime Is In
no pressing want Of ammunition.
All the foreign vessels have been ready
throughout the last week to lower boats with
armed crews at moments notice. The sig
nal station on shore in communication with
the American minister's residence Is still
maintained, and although there has been no
occasion since the day Of the great panic to
fear an attempt on the lives Of foreigners, the
American, English, and Spanish warships
have not relaxed one whit their close surveil-
lance. Every effort possible has been made
to bring about settlement of the war be-
tween Leyitime and Hippolyte. but all to no
avail. Legitime believes himself as capable
as ever of beating the northern leader, and
during the few days that Hippolyte's forces
were withdrawn from before the city he
even planned for an invasion Of the north.