Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-03-19

Managua, Nicaragua, March II, via
Galveston, Tex. The Nicaragua gov
eminent troops have won another i'm
portapt victory over the forces of the
rebellious Leonists and there is great
rejoicing here in consequence.
The battle took place at and about
Pital, not far from Momotombo Be-
tween 1000 and 5000 men were en-
gagged. The fighting was severe and
the troops from Leon, Chichegalpa and
Chinandega, the three strongholds of
tho Leonists, numbering about 1900
men, were completely routed with the
loss of about 200 killed and wounded.
Only about so Of the government troops,
which numbered about /, 200 men, were
killed or wounded. Tho rebels were
commanded by Gen. Ortiz, the COM
mander in-chief Of the Leon forces, but
Baca, the rebel president. was at Leon,
IL is believed, supervising the work OF
putting that city In as complete state
OF defence as possible previous to the
arrival of the government army and the
army which the government OF Hon.
duras has sent to the support of the
troops Of President Zelaya. The gov
eminent troops were commanded by
Gems. Paiz and Bodan.
Pital is a small town near Lake
Managua. OF the 300 or 30 buildings
which compose the town many are OF
wood and others Of coarse mudlike
bricks, with red clay tiles. But out
side the town is high ridge Of ground
which forms an admirable point OF
vantage against an advancing foe.
The government troops began the
advance from Nagarole on Wednesday,
after the slSirmish with the enemy
which resulted in the Leonists being
driven backward with the loss OF 50
killed and wounded. The government
forces approached Pital yesterday morn.
ing. The firing upon the part of the
rebels commenced as soon as the troops
were within range, but tho government
forces, acting under explicit orders.
reserved their fire and continued their
advance, taking advantage OF all the
inequalities of the ground in order to
obtain protection from the bullets OF
tho Leonists, which, as a rule, either
fell short or flew high above the heads
OF the troops. Tho result was that
President Zeaya g troops were able to
get within good striking distance of
Pital with the loss Of only three men
killed and seven wounded. The Leon
lists, however, kept UP the firing
throughout the advance.
Tho government forces moved on
Pital III four columns, each OF about
300 men, and took up positions in half
circles before the town. The first and
third columns opened hot fire on the
rebel positions and under its cover
columns two and four pushed forward
"a thu ~ until that, raant,a1 Ixnt
positions half sheltered by an IN
equality in the ground. From there
they opened fire on the Leonists, en-.
ablinR columns one and three to push
onward. During this advance, thanku
to tho well-directed fire OF the govern
ment troops, the loss of the latter was
trifling.
All four columns then concentrated
their fire on tho ridge occupied by tho
Leonists and then began series Of
short PUSHES forward and eventually
there was charge up the ridge, a
short bayonet fight, when the summit
was attained and then the Leonists
broke and ran for Pital pursued by the
troops of President Zelaya.
ADDITIONAL NEWS.
Managua, Nicaragua, March A.
via Galveston. When the Leonists
reached the shelter of the town they
made stand, but by this time the two
guns with the government columns bad
boon brought into action and the Leon
lists were cannonaded very cleverly con-
sidering tho lack of training Of the
| government gunners
The rest of the fight was not walk
over for the government soldiers The
| Leonists defended tho place stubhornly
but the troops pushed and eventually
entered the town, driving the Leonists
before them at the point Of the bayonet.
The enemy afterwards scattered and, in
small bodies, fled towards Leon, after
making a short stand outside Pital and
| firing at long range upon the victorious
soldiers Of President Zelaya. A few
shots from the artillery, however, COM
pleted tho rout of the Leonists, WIN
left about 200 killed and wounded on
the field, besides taking away with
them large number of men who were
slightly wounded.
The government troops also captured
over so prisoners in the houses Of Pital
the rebels in nearly every instance
| throwing down their arms as soon aa
tho soldiers broke in the doors of the
buildings.
There is much rejoicing here to-day
at this further success of the presi-
dents soldiers; and he ia receiving
congratulations on all sides. The
church bells have been kept constantly
ringing ever since the glad news was
made public and battery of artillery,
in the small park in front OF the palace,
has already fired three presidential
salutea. The blue and white colors Of
| Nicaragua are floating from every
building of any Importance and even the
smallest mud novels have displayed
some kind OF decoration in honor of
the victory OF the Nicaraguan troops.
Tho success of the government troops
at Pital is more pleasing to the in
habitants of this city because many Of
the men engaged were Managuans and
Gen. Paiz is great favorite here.
The garrison Of Managua was paraded
this morning in marching order and
| the commanding officers read TO the
troops the Presidents message announo.
ing the victory. Tho news was en-
Enthusiastically received.
The soldiers then marched tbroueh
the capital, cheering for the govern.
ment and President Zelaya
The government troops arc now being
concentrated for the advance upon
Leon, which, it is expected, will com
mence in few days time.
Although no official announcement
has been made on the subject Il ia
understood that the troops from Hon,
duras will soon be in touch with those
OF Nicaragua, and as both republics
suffer from the Vaccinations of Ihe
clericals, who are the main sprinps of
the present rebellion, they will prac-