The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-04
MARTINETTrs MONKEY STORY.
The Initiative AnthrOpOid as n Factor
in Central American Revolution.

A reporter met a rare stOry-teller the
other day, one Giuseppe Martinetti up
from Honduras with twenty-three trained
monkeys. Mr.. Martinetti had entered
the service of Gen. NaSqueZ as against
Gen. Bonilla, and had taken with him
pet monkey that had become skillful in
military drill. At this point we may ad-
vantageously take up Mr.. Martinetti's
narrative. Mr.. Martinetti said:
Il was in Tegucigalpa when news Of
serious engagement was received in the
interior, near Oldnchito. Vasquez got
the worst of the battle, and it was re-
ported at the time that he had been de-
feated, and a body Of troops was hastily
assembled and sent to his help, myself
forming a part of it. Jake, the monkey,
went with the column. Between Te-
gucigalpa and OlanchitO we reached
hamlet called Santa Maria de Flores,
where the ascent of the mountains had
TO be undertaken. A very dense under
brush clothes all this section of country,
and the animals there are very numerous
AT this place the column was divided,
and while a portion pushed on at once
a small squad, numbering eighty men,
was left under my command with in
structions to press on as rapidly as the
country permitted, but by another route,
which led through the lower spurs of the
range, and, while not so direct, was not
so likely to lead into the foe. This was
done in order that if one section of the
force was demoralized by meeting the
rebel forces the other might reach Vas
quez in good time. After leaving Santa
Maria the party under my command
pressed forward. We bivOuacked in the
evening in a pretty g-ade, with the Sier-
ras just in front. Jake, who was still
with me, took great interest in the eXpe-
dition and seemed to be aware that 9TH
ers of his kind were numerous in the vi
cinity.
ION awakening in the morning failed
to find Jake, and on further search also
failed to find the rifles with which the
soldiers had been armed. l did not con-
meet these losses with each other, but
concluded that the monkey had de-
camped with his friends, and that the
villagers from Santa Maria must have
followed and robbed us under cover or
darkness. We were, however, in Sc
riOus situation, but determined to con-
tinue our advance, especially as rumors
very encouraging to our army had been
brought in about the recent battle.
ION the morning of the fourth day
following we were awakened by the
sound of heavy firing some distance
away and. as we had been approaching
the camp Of the army judged, and
rightly, that a second engagement was
taking place. After the battle of Olan-
chito there was no regular fighting be-
tween the two forces. but Gen. Vasquez
in conducting his retreat toward Teguci-
galpa, was frequently in active skirmlsh-
ing with the enemy. 1t was one of these
encounters in which we participated in
novel fashion.
"a small number Of the command vol
unteered to go with me in the direction
of the firing in order to ascertain what
was taking place. We pushed through
the underwood in the direction from
which the firing proceeded, and made
slow progress, arriving about CLOCK
e ala
walton which commanded a clear view
of a broken country, where the two armies
were firing at each other. Immediately
in front at a distance of about halt
mile, was established a battery of how
tiers and as we watched, strong
force of the rebel troops was formed In
column and began furious assault upon
it. It was clearly going against the
loyal soldiers, and as we watched they
were driven back, end eventually made
a stand within less than hundred yards
of our position. Almost before we were
aware of what was taking place l found
myself and my command mixed in the
fight. and, forgetting entirely that my
men were unarmed, | gave the word to
fire.
preparing their guns for general dis
charge. and on our side there was lull
in the uproar. But. as L uttered the
word 'Firer a rapid discharge of musk
etry broke from the tIeelopS anu Win
telling effect, decimating the enemy's
ranks The diversion came so unexpect-
edly that the rebels were easily broken
and driven off,
KNOWING the unarmed situation of
my men. the firing from their direction
surprised me greatly. and, forgetting the
battle. / glanced toward the place from
which it seemed to proceed. Judge of
nv establishment when / saw the trees
fairly alive with monkeys my own Jake
prominent among them, all armed with
my stolen rifles, wearing my soldiers
belts. but all firing with the steadiness
of veterans. And Jake was giving the
motions of command as he had been
taught to do long before.
''Now, this statement seems odd, but on
my honor, il is strictly true. When the
brief conflict ended. Jake. perceiving me,
returned readily TO mis- master and did not
leave me during the campaign. We
Joined the main body during the same day,
but the corps of monkeys, twenty-five in
number. were faithful to Jake. They were