Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-16
BATTLE AT PITAL.
The Leonists Defeated by the
Troops Of Pres. ZeIaya.
Great Rejoicing at Managua--Rebe|s
Driven from Strong Position.
Victory Considered Of Great Importance 10 The
Government Cause.

Managus, March 15.-The Nicarapuan
government troops have won another i'm
pOrtant victory over the forces Of the re-
bellious Leonists, and there is great re-
joicing here in consequence The battle
took place at and about Pital, not far
from MonotOmbo. Between 1000 and 5000
men were engaged, the fighting was se-
we're, and the troops from Leon, Chche-
galpa and Chinandega, the three strong
holds of the Leonists. numbering about
l5OO men, We're completely routed, with
the loss OF about 200 killed and wounded
Only about so of the government troops,
which numbered about 1900 men, were
killed or wounded
The rebels We're commanded by General
Ortiz, the commander-in-chef of the
Leonlsts; but Baca, the rebel president,
was at Leon, it is believed, supervising
the work of putting that city in ms com
plete state of defense rs possible, prev-
Gus to the arrival before it of the govern
ment army and the army which the gov
eminent of Honduras has sent to the sup
port of the troops of President Zalnya.
The government troops We're commanded
by Generals Paiz and Bodan
Pital is u small town near Managua.
or the 800 or so buildings which compose
the town many are of wood and others OF
courses of mud like bricks, with clay
tiles But outside the town is high
ridge of ground which when occupied By
troops, forms n natural defense, as the sol
ders can practically fire upon an advanc-
ing force without exposing themselves in
return.
The government troops began the al
vance from Nagarote on Wednesday, at-
ter the skirmish with the enemy, which
resulted in the Leonsts being driven
backward, with the loss Of 80 killed and
wounded.
The Attack.
The government force approached Pital
Friday morning. The firing upon the
part of the rebels commenced rs soon as
the troops were within range; but the
government forces, acting under orders.
reserved their fire and continued their adj
vance, taking advantage of all the in
CAPABILITIES of the ground in order to obtain
protection from the bullets of the Leon
lists, which rs n 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 striking
distance of Pital with the loss of only
three men killed and seven wounded.
The Leonists, however. kept up the fir
ing throughout the advance. The gov
eminent forces moved on Pital in four
columns, each of about 800 men, and
eventually took up positions in a half cir
Gle before the town. The first and third
columns opened q hot fire ON the rebel po-
sitions, and under its cover the second
and fourth columns 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 the first ana
third columns to push onward. During
this advance, thanks to the well-directed
fire from the government troops, the loss
OF the latter was slight.
All four columns then concentrated
their fire on the ridge occupied by the
Leonists, and then began series of short
rushes forward. and eventually there was
a charge up the ridge, short bayonet
fight when the summit was obtained, and
then the Leonists broke and fled for Pital,
pursued by the troops of President he
laya When the Leonists reached the
. shelter of the town they made a stand
government columns had been brought
into action, and the Leonists were can
nonaded very cleverly considering the
lack of training Of the government gun
ners.
The Victory.
The rest of the Sight was not a walkover
for the government soldiers. The Leon
lists defended the place stubbornly; but
bn baH lv
tered the town, driving the Leonists be-
fore them at the point of the bayonet
The enemy afterward scattered, and in
small bodies fled to Leon, after making a
short stand before Pital and firing at long
range upon the victorious soldiers of
President Zelaya. a few shots from the
artillery, however, completed the rout of
the Leonists, who 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 500 prisoners in the houses of Pital.
the rebels in nearly every instance throw
ing down their arms osoon as the soldiers
broke in the doors of the buildings.
There is much rejoicing here at this
further success of the presidents soldiers.
and he is receiving congratulations on all
sides The church bells have been kept
continually 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
salutes The blue and white colors OF
Nicaragua are floating from every build
ing of any importance, and even the small
est mud novels have displayed some kind
of decoration in honor of the victory of the
Nicaraguan troops.