Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-06
AMERICAN FORCE
MOVING ON LEON
Following Victory Near Mas
ava, Last Rebel Stronghold
Will Be Attacked.
DETAILS OF BATTLE ::
ON CAYOTEPE HILL
Stronghold Never Taken Until
American Assault.
LIEUT.. G. w. MARTIN INJURED
State Department Officials Are Fully
Prepared to Meet Adverse Criti-
cism Of Interposition in
Nicaragua.
Stronghold Never Taken Until
American Assault.
LIEUT.. G. W. MARTIN INJURED

SAN JUAN DEL SUR. Octo-
Der 5.-American marines and
sailors assaulted and captured the
insurgent fortresses of Masaya on
Barranca and Cayotepe hills yes
terday morning. The federal gov
ernment force afterward defeated
the insurgents in the city and
drove them out.
The two hills, which lie Just
outside Masaya, have been an in
surgents' stronghold since the
outbreak of the revolution. Both
were strongly fortified with can
non and machine guns.
Cayotepe is goo feet high and
Barranca 200 feet. The railroad
from Managua to Granada runs
between and is commanded by
the hills. This fact led the Ameri-
can admiral, H. H. Switzerland,
to demand the surrender of the
fortresses. This was refused by
Gen. Zeledon, commanding the
insurgents.
Bombardment Began Thursday.
At o'clock Thursday morning the
Americans began bombardment of the
two hills. This continued all day. but
apparently with little effect. During the
night the American forces moved around
to the opposite side and before daybreak
were in position. Maj. Smedley ID. But
ler's battalion Of marines was on the
east side Of Cayotepe. Maj. McKelvey's
command on the northeast and bat
talon of sailors on the north. Col John
II. Pendlean was in supreme command.
At daybreak they had gained a posi-
ton 800 yards from the entertainments.
and, as the light came up over the Mills.
rired one volley and charged.
Not Expecting Attack.
The rebels. not expecting an attack
from that quarter, were taken by sur
prise. Many Of them fled; others stood
and fought fiercely with machine guns
and rifles. The onward rush of the
American troops could not be stopped.
In thirty-seven minutes they had gained
the crest of the hill.
The fierceness of the fight can be
judged by the fact that forty insurgents
were killed and seventy-five wounded.
Only fifteen were taken prisoners.
In the charge four marines of Com
pany c, under Capt. Fortson. were Kill
ed by the fire of a machine gun and
eight were wounded Two or three of
the wounded are in a serious condition.
including Lieut.. Martin. who was shot
in both feet. The names Of the dead
marines are Bobbett, Durham, McGill
and Pollard.
All in Company c.
+ All of the killed and eight wounded
men were in this company, which was
advancing through gully down which
the machine gun was trained.
Eventually bullet struck the ma
chine gun. putting it out OF commis-
sion.
The rebels fought like tigers. and q
number Of Americans in other companies
were slightly wounded.
Having effected the capture of Cayo-
tepe the guns were turned on Barranca,
which was taken without much trouble
by the American forces. The rebels re-
treated to the city of Masaya.
The government forces had formed In
line waiting for the word to advance and
attack the city. This was done hnime- ,.,,,e
The federals gained an entrance to the
city and threw up barricades. Then be-
gan fighting in the streets with the rebels
massed at the church in the plaza. The
federals finally drove them within the
walls of the church. About noon they
succeeded in breaking down the church
door with q well directed shot from
heavy gun, and rushed inside.
Slaughter Was Terrible.
The slaughter was terrible. Practical
ly all the rebels were killed or wounded
and many of the federals shared Ike
fate.
Cen Zeledon made his escape from
Masaya wounded, but was overtaken
about ten miles away by squad OF
federal cavalry. In fierce encounter
which followed he was killed. Gen. Zele-
don bombarded Managua in August
bombardment which resulted in the death
of 1856 women and children.
Cayotepe hill is noted in Central Ameri-
can warfare as impregnable. 1t was never
captured by assault until the Americans
took 1t.