The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-14
NO SERIOUS FIGHTING
PROGRESS OF THE CIVIL WAR IN
THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.
Hasty Retreat of LeOnists from Maya
rOte-Baca Proclaimed President
by the InsurrectiOnists.

copyrighted 1896, by the Associated Press)
CURINTO, Nicaragua, March 1S.-The fol-
lowing are notes taken on a horseback jour-
ney through the district of Nicaragua now
disturbed by civil war, commencing on the
morning of Feb. Is, on which date your cor
respondent left Managua, the capital:
At noon / was with President Zelaya's
army at Metiare, and passed his outposts.
three miles west of Nagarote at p. m, ar
irving at Nagarote. which was occupied by
troops of either side, at p. m. learned.
however, that the insurgent General Basa's
cavalry had occupied the place during the
18th and had evacuated II on the morning Of
the 2S;h. On Feb. q Nagarote was occupied
by about thirty of Zelaya's cavalry, fol-
lowed by the infantry. When arrived at
Leon 1 learned that Gen. Anistacio Ortez
had arrived from Guatemala City, where he
has been in exile, on Feb. g. and had con-
ferred with the chiefs Of the western d.
vision of the Liberal political party, who de-
clare that they are contending for 'the su-
premacy of the civil laws against a dictator
ship by Zeaya or any one else"
On Feb. "a the President and Secretary of
Congress and an alleged majority of the legal
Congress of Nicaragua. no substitutes. who
had adjourned for over Sunday at Managua
on Feb. p. convened at Leon, and pro
claimed that Gen. j. Santos Zelaya, whom
the legal Congress of Nicaragua had appoint
ed to be President of Nicaragua in Septem-
Der, 1893. had violated the constitution of
Nicaragua, and, therefore, they decreed, that
the appointment of j. Santos Zelaya to be
President of Nicaragua be revoked, and that
Vice President Francisco Baca, jr., is hereby
appointed legal President of Nicaragua for
the unexpired term" about two years
Baca's Cabinet of Ministers We're appointed
and approved, as follows: Foreign relations,
Modesto Barrios; internal government, Jose
Madriz; war, Gen. Pauline Godoy; treasury,
Samuel Mayorga; public works, Francisco
Balladares Teran; assistant. General Duarte;
judges Of the Supreme Court. Chavarria,
Godoy. Heradora and Rivas.
All available troops were armed and sent
to Nagarote about forty miles west of
Managua and fourteen miles ives Of Metaire),
La Pas Pueblo Nueva and Momotombo.
On Feb. % there was much excitement and
enthusiasm at Leon and volunteering in
Baca's army, reported about 1900 strong.
The departments Of Chinandega, Matagalpa,
Jenotega, Esteree and Nueva Segovia, Joined
the insurgents government at Leon and for
warded soldiers and volunteers. Nagarote
was then occupied and evacuated, as has
been indicated.
On March 1 division of Bacas troops.
about one thousand strong, under General
Escalon, a Salvadorian attacked Ma
garote about noon and carried several OF
the barricades, fighting until dark losing
two generals killed and several officers and
OF ammunition and found that ZeIayas
troops were being supported from Metaire,
four leagues distant They consequently
commenced a retreat about p. m, which
became a rout and panic that ended in the
rebels throwing down their guns. At Pue-
bio Nueva they killed two of their generals,
who endeavored to stop the panic. and they
declared that General Escalon had said
TO them at Nagarote, when ordering a re-
treat, that they had been betrayed by the
other generals in Baca's army and should
go home"
On March there was a panic at Leon,
citizens fleeing in fear of the arrival of
Zelaya's army. Baca's army was largely
wera considering plans for an armistice.
peace, etc. March the panic at Leon was
subsiding and the government was active
in efforts to reorganize the army. Ortiz re-
signed and Godoy was made general in
chief of the army. Elscalon resigned and
hurried on horse to Honduras. Duarte was
made Secretary of War
March the United States war ship Alert
arrived in the port of Corlnto. Baca's
troops arrived near Nagarote recovering
flight on the 1st inst, and which had re-
NAMED undsturbed lin the road within a
mile Of Nagarote.
March Vice President Bonilla of Hon
duras. entered Nicaragua with about loo
Honduran soldiers. in favor of Zelaya, and
occupied Pueblo 'Nueva, about twenty-four
leagues north of Leon. Baca protested and
sent troops to oppose them.
Baca's and Zelaya's troops at Nagarote,
al of Zelaya's outposts being recalled with
in the barbados of the Pueblo
The correspondent within Paca's lines has
been too closely watched to escape
threatening the cities of Chinandega and
Leon. Baca has about an equal number OPP
posing them