New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-12
ESTRADA PUSHES ON
AMERICAN RECRUITS.
Nicaraguan Rebels Undis-
mayed By Recent Defeat.


BIuefelds, Nicaragua, Feb. lion the
arrival of General Zeledon at Moogan yes
ter7ay preparations were begun immediate
" for another forward movement of Cen
eral Mena's division. the progress of which
was checked by the government forces in
the recent engagement at Santa Clara
Walter Gordons aid has been sent to
Panama to recruit fifty more Americans
who, armed with Winchester rifles, are ex-
nected to ioin General Mena in three weeks.
This move suggests that there will be no
further actual fighting until the reinforce
ment of American sharpshooters.
The provisional troops say that they
not disheartened by the repulse experienced
nv General Mena and that he accomplished
his purpose of diverting part of the gov
eminent forces from their movement
against General Chamcrro in spite of the
fact that misinterpretation of the COM
mander's orders forced a retreat earlier
thsn had been anticipated. They point out
that the insurgents were greatly outnum-
bered by the enemy and that the former
gave a good account of themselves.
The death of General Plandon IS a severe
loss. but his courage has given inspira-
ton.
There is great rejoicing here over the
news that General Chamorro had occupied
Mataealpa, as that department is q fruit
full source of supplies. The city or Mata-
gapa is about seventy-fve miles from
Managua, the objective point of the revo-
Iutionists.
General Blandon died as he held in his
hand General Luis Mena's order to stand
and fight. A misinterpretation of this
order by another is held by the insurgents
to be responsible for the retreat OF their
troops following their repulse by the gov
eminent forces at Santa Clara. Inc IN
surgents do not admit defeat, and say that
the way to Managua is open to them
PLANS OF REBELS FAIL.
1t is explained that General Mena had not
expected to defeat the enemy with his small
force. but planned to keep the govern
ment forces engaged with the idea that
the enemy would draw reinforcements from
Acoyapa, only ten miles distant, and so be
unable to send an augmented army against
General ChamorrO in the province OF Mald-
gapa. This purpose was effected out lhe
plan did not work out exactly as had peeh
expected. There was conslderaole coii-
fusion among the insurgent officers, and
the advantage of the subsequent SITUATION
was in doubt 1t is plain, however, that
fire of the enemy with courage, and &C
quilted themselves well as far as PelSoliai
bravery was concerned.
A review Of the details shows that the
campaign was well planned and energeu-
callv carried out. While General Chamorro
was operating in the province of Mata-
galpa. where he has since occupied the
capital. General Mena. with only 100 men
and no field guns. attacked the enemy ooo
strong intrenched at {, hill commanding
Las Garitas. Deceived regarding the
strength of the rebels, the enemy feH PACK,
taking a stand at Santa Clara General
Mena pursued. Fighting continued OH I Gu
ruary 8 at long range with no great Dahl
age done At 9 o'clock on the following
morning the insurgents made desperate
attack on the fortified position OF lhe
enemy, being reinforced by the timely ar
rival of General BlandOn, with 2eo men anu
one Maxim gun.
INSURGENTS ATTACK REFUSED
The enemy's position was in the form OF
= semi-circle. The government troops had
been reinforced over night by 200 men and
two Maxim and two Hotchkiss guns.
These guns were well placed and, using
snool.eIess powder could not be located
definitely by General NIena. General
Mena's right wing, including Gordon
American sharpshoOters, took an exposed
position within the enemys semlclrcle'
while his left wing was sent to the rear OF
the enemy at the right of the steep NIL.
During the forenoon the fighting was
chiefly between Mena's left and the nemy's
right the latter repulsing every attack.
General Conrad, of the PROFESSIONALS. COM
manded the Maxim gun which was posted
in an exposed position 800 yards from one
of the enemys Maxims and 1000 yards
from the other. Back of the insurgents
guns was a little group composed of Gen
eral Blandon, the members of his staff.
and the half dozen men of Conrads gun
crew The enemy's nearest Maxim and one
of the Hotchkiss guns had a perfect range
on this little party and moved down the
heavy vegetation by which the insurgents
were partly concealed. IT is considered
marvellous that Colonel Conrad escaped in
Jury as long as he did. Two of his men
were wounded early in the fight. one being
shot in the leg and the other in the arm.
General Blandon constantly exposed him
self as he searched the position of the
enemy with his glasses in effort to 10
cate their guns. At 2 o'clock in the after
noon he received a bullet through the
brain.
DEATH OF GENERAL BLANDON.
The fall of Blandon was a great msfort-
une TO the PROFESSIONALS. as he had Just re-
cered orders from General Mena to hold
his position Following his death the or
derS We're nIisinterpreted. resulting in
retreat to Mocgan. General Menas written
order tersely instructed him to mold the
hills. General Blandon had just finished
reading the message from his superior
when the enemy's nearest Maxim, having
been moved further to the left, began
raking the hitherto half-sheltered spot
General BlandOn's body was accompanied
to the rear by Colonel Roche. who said
that Mena had ordered Blandon to abandon
| the right wing and reinforce the left wing
which had been unable to make any prog
ress against the governments position.
| the column began to move for a new posi-
! ton in plain sight of the enemy. which
| quickly took advantage of the situation
General Mena saw the mistake and. gal
| Looping to the front of the moving column.
| ordered it back to its original position
| which 1t was Instructed to hold at any cost
But the time lost fatal. Those who
! reached their former position found the
! enemy with two Maxim guns at distances
| of fifty and one hundred yards under cover
! and pouring a murderous fire upon the posi-
| ton which the insurgents were attempting