The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-16
WHEN 1900 YENEZUELANS FELL
BRAVERY IN MOODY RATTLE
THAT ENDED THE REVOLT.
Every Inch OF the Ground NJ Clulad Bolivar
stubDornIy Contest ti-Pxrt the y. y.
aslinbOat Bancroft Took I'm tho AFFAIR
American Sturgeon Cared forwounded

American Surgeon cared forWounSieti
SAN JUAN, Y. r.. Aug. 4--The gun
beat Bsstx-sft, Capt. A. Il. Culver command
ink, has returned to her station here after
successfully performing her mission to
the OriDoco River the release OF three
American steamships of the Orinoco Steam
ship Company, which had been captured
and held by the Venezuelan insurgents.
The Bancroft arrived at Ciudad Bolivar
early in the morning OF July Is, on the
day set for an assault upon the city by the
Government troops and Just in time TO
release the American ships before the
battle and to protect American citizens
and interests. She took of the consular
agents and others, rescued number
of women of French citizenship from dan
ger Of bombardment, and furnished a
surgeon and hospital corps TO care for the
wounded OF both armies
ahe responded at night TO an alarm
signal from the American Consulate
loisted by frightened citizen OF
ingbsh birth. The Bancroft took sta
'vn In a position where she could re-
spond Immediately 20 a call for assistance
"a location where the bullets few around
her. struck her sides and lodged in her
deck. Her position gave her officers and
men fine opportunity to see the most
important battle and no doubt the hloodiest
fight OF the rebellion a battle which
ended the revolution and would have done
credit to the courage and fighting quali' les
Of trained armies,
The armies which faced each other were
dirty, jagged and without uniforms, but they
proved themselves in the subsequent two
days fighting to be the equal of any other
soldiers in the world In bravery, in logged
persistence and In total lack Of fear OF
death A large percentage on either side
we're mere boys, vet they were seen TO
charge again and again, to meet and repel
each charge over and over again while
their fellows covered the ground under
their feet
The Government troops the "fellows,
numbered from 1000 10 5000, under COM
mand az Gen. Gomez, Vice President OF the
republic The revolutionists had between
1000 and 5000 troops in their fortified
posts and within the city, which was well
barricaded Many private houses were
fortified. This army was commanded by
Gen Rolando, commander of the revolu-
tionary army Of eastern Venezuela, and
Gen. Ferreras. commander Of the revou-
tionary army OF Guayana
On arrival Capt. Culver made immediate
demand upon Gen Rolando for the surrender
of the American ships. The terms Of this
demand were such az to bring prompt COM
pliance. The Venezuelan Government COM
mander, Gen. Gomez, gave assurances that
the ships would be permitted to go through
the blockade and down the river to San
Felix This promise was subsequently
broken, as one OF the ships. the Socorro,
was detained. The Government gunboat
Restaurador, which came up the river the
following day, said in reply to an inquiry
that the ships had all gone down. Later
when the falsity OF this statement was
learned, Capt. Culver sent an officer to the
Restaurador and demanded that the ship be
sent to her destination at once, This de-
mand had immediate effect
At this time the reVolutionists were in
possession Of Bolivar The city, with a
population Of $4,000, lies on the south side
of the Orinoco River. The revolutionists
had made elaborate preparations for its
defence. East OF the city low section Of
land was formerly a deep lagoon. The
water had been cut of by levee built
along the river bank. The lagoon had
dried up and the land was settled by poor
people. As part Of the defsnces this levee
was cut and the low lands flooded, driving
out 200 inhabitants. The other defsnces
included two round topped hills on the
south the old Spanish Quartet, or barracks,
and cemetery with heavy stone wall
which encircled the city from the lagoon
on the east around to the river at the north
west. The hills were we'll fortified and
garrisoned. In the centre of the city and
on its highest point was the old and strong
Capitolia fortress.
The Government troops, gunboats and
field pieces completely surrounded the city
The infantry formed a Gordon from north
east TO northwest; the three gunboats
Rest aurador, Bolivar and Mranda--were
in the river. Directly across the river in
Soledad artillery was stationed to COM
mRnd the entire river front of the city
This river front consisted of board street
down to the waters edge. In this street
we're located nearly all foreign concessions
and consulates, as well az the market, which
had been stationed below the city, Early
in the morning. however, the .'iranda
had succeeded in running past the revolu-
tionsts guns and took her station az the
northwest of the city
All was in readiness for the attack at
10 o'clock. but at the request of Capt Culver
il was postponed for day in order to give
the Bancroft opportunity TO take Off
American and British citizens and TO give
the French gunboat Joufroy. which was
then on her way up the river, time to ar
rive and protect French citizens and in
terests. The Joufrroy arrived. took of all
who wished to go, dropped down stream
some distance and anchored. The Ban
croft anc.sored just above Soledad and
awaited developments. This delay gave
the opposing, armies opportunity to open
negotiations for peace, Gomez guaranteed
amnesty to all rebels, excepting Ferrcras,
who were willing 10 surrender on these
terms. They We're all willing to surrender
except Ferreras. He naturally held out
and his army stood by him. But Capt.
Culver who was intent upon protecting
property and preventing bloodshed again
asked for delay Another day was granted
and Roando telegraphed directly TO Castro,
Offering 10 surrender the whole army If the
Government would include FerreTas in the
amnesty, Castro replied at length de-
claring all revolutionists traitors to their
country, repudiating Gen Gome2s offer OF
amnesty and ordering an attack Ro-
10 arms Casfro's proclamation had
wounded the pride Of the rrvoution-ts
and Roando's appeal was answered 10y
every officer and soldier springing TO arms
officers as well a. men taking guns and
using them