Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-03-18
REBELS ARE ROUTED.
A Decisive Battle Fought ct Pital,
a Little Town on Lake
Managua.
Copyrighted. 1896. by the Associated Press.

Copyrighted 1896 by the Associated Press
Managua, Nicaragua, March IA, via
Galveston, Textile Nicaraguan gov
eminent troops won another important
victory over the forces of the rebellious
Leonists and there is great rejoicing here
i'll consequence The battle took place at
and about Pital. not far from Mono
tombo. Between 1000 and 5000 men
were. engaged. The fighting was severe
and the troops from Leon, Chichegalpa
and Chinandega, the three strongholds
of the LeoniSts, numbering about 1900
men, were completely routed, with the
loss of about 200 killed and wounded.
Only about 90 of the government troops,
Which numbered about 1900 men, were
killed or wounded.
The rebels were commanded by Gen.
ORTIZ, the commander-in-chief of the
Leon forces, hut Baca, the rebel presi-
dent, was at Leon, it is believed, super
vising the work of putting that city in
as complete state of defense as posi-
bic previous to the arrival before it of
the government army and the army
which the government of Honduras has
sent to the support of the troops of Presi-
dent Zelaya. The government troops
were commanded by Gems. Paiz and
Bodan.
Enemy Behind High Ridge of Ground.
Pital is a small town near Lake Man
aqua. OF the 300 or so buildings which
compose the town many are of wood
and others of coarse, mud-like bricks
town is high ridge Of ground which
forms an admirable point of vantage
against an advancing foe. The govern
ment troops began to advance from Ma
grOle on Wednesday, after Il skirmish
with the enemy which resulted in the
/ Ic-%e, hoH,, <l,,,1- Il
loss of fifty killed and wounded. The
government forces approached PitaI yes
tcrday morning.
The firing upon the part of the rebels
commenced as soon as the troops were
within range, but the 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 protec-
ton from the bullets of the Leonists,
which as a rule either fell short or flew
high above the heads of the troops. The
result was that President Zelaya's troops
were able to get within good striking dis
lance of Pital with the loss of only
three men killed and seven wounded.
The LeOnists however, kept up the firing
throughout the advance.
The government forces moved on Pital
in four columns each of about 800 men
and took up positions, in a half circle be,
H.
columns opened a hot fire on the rebel
positions and under its cover columns
two and four pushed forward at the
charge until they reached much better
positions. half sheltered by an inequality
in the ground. From there they opened
fire on the LeOnists. enabling columns
one and three to push onward. During
this advance, thanks to the well-directed
fire of the government troops, the loss Of
the latter was trltilnS.
Troops Concentrate Their Fire.
All four columns then concentrated
their fire on the ridge occupied 10y the
Leonists and then began a series of
short rushes forward. Eventually there
was a charge upon the ridge, short
bayCnet fight when the summit was at
tanned. and then the LeOnistS broke and
ran for Pital. pursued by the troops of
President Zelaya. When the Le0nists
reached the shelter of the town they
made a stand, but by this time the two
guns with the government columns lad
been brought into action and the Leon
lists were cannOnaded very cleveriy, con-
sidering the lack of training of the gov
eminent gunners.
The Fest of the fight was not walk
over for the government soldiers The
Leonists defended the place stubbornly,
but the troops pushed on and eventually
entered the town. driving the Leonists
before them at the point Of the bayonet
The enemy afterwards scattered and in
small bodies fed towards Leon. after
making a short stand outside Pital and
firing at low range upon the victorious
soldiers of President Zelaya A few
shots from the artillery, however. COM
Dleted the rOut of the Leonists. who left
about 200 killed and wounded on the
field, besides taking away with them a
large number of men who were slightly
wounded The government troops also
captured over 800 prisoners in the houses
of Pital. the rebels in nearly every in
stance throwing down their arms as soon
as the soldiers broke in the doors of the
buildings
There is much rejoicing here today at
TINS further success Of the Presidents
soldiers and he is receiving congratula
IONS from all sides. The church bells
have been kept continually rims cling 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 salutes.
Great Rejoicing Over the Victory.
The blue and white colors of Nicara-
qua are floating from every building of
any Importance and even the smallest
mud novels have displayed some kind of
decoration III honor of the victory of the
Nicaragua troops. The success of the
government troops at Pital is all the
more pleasing to the inhabitants of this
city. as many of the men engaged were
Managuans and Gen. Paiz is a great
favorite here. The garrison of Mana
qua was paraded this morning in march
ing order and the commanding officers
read to the troops the Presidents mes
sage announcing the victory. The news
was enthusiastically received. The sol
diers then marched through the capital
cheering for the government and Presi-
dent Zelaya. The troops are now being
concentrated for the advance upon Leon.
which, it is expected, will commence in
a few days. Although no official an
nouncement has been made on the sub
iect. it is understood that the troops from
Honduras will soon be in touch with
those of Nicara qua, and as both repub-
lies suffer from the machina tons of the
Clericals. who are the mainsprings of
the present rebellion, they will practical
~ be fighting for q common cause and
the result should not be long in doubt.
although it is understood that Leon and