Record Data
Transcription
Important from Nicaragua---Walker’s Star in the Ascendant.
The steamer Empire City, at New York, brings news confirming the dispatches via New Orleans of the success of Walker’s troops on the San Juan in Nicaragua. A letter dated Greytown, Feb. 20, says:
After the capturing of the river boats the other day Mr. Scott, the agent, with surprising speed and energy, prepared a boat (called the Rescue) and dispatched her up the river; but from her not having returned, reasonable fears were entertained of her having fallen into the hands of the Costa Ricans, but which were dispelled by her making her appearance.
On Sunday (15th) news reached Greytown that Walker had repossessed himself of Serapiqui. From inquiries I have made of those here it would appear that on the 13th Walker’s party attacked that place at 5 A.M., with a force of 200 men and two nine-pounders, the Costa Ricans holding on till about the same time the following day, when they evacuated, and Walker’s people took possession, after sustaining a loss of two men killed and three wounded. From a statement of a prisoner in the hospital, it appears the Costa Ricans had a loss of 11 killed and 20 wounded. The Rescue, above referred to, confirmed the Serapiqui accounts, and brought further news of the fll of Castillo into the hands of Waler’s party on Monday, with a loss of 8 killed and 60 wounded. It is stated that the Costa Ricans lost no less than 32 killed and 60 wounded. Some of the accounts say many more. They also repossessed themselves of the J. N. Scott, but her machinery had been so much injured that they were unable to bring her down till repairs are effected. The Rescue had on board Col. Lockridge, who came down for provisions, of which there are plenty at present at Greytown.
The Aspinwall Courier says:
We have a statement in private letter, declaring Serapiqui, Costillo and San Carlos to have been taken by Walker’s forces. This account gives the number of killed and wounded as follows:- 7 killed, 10 or 12 wounded of filibusters; 100 killed, 200 to 250 wounded of the Costa Ricans.
We are informed that among the papers taken at the fort were dispatches signed by General Mora addressed to President Mora, supplicating for reinforcements, and declaring it impossibl to hold out much longer without them.
Lieut. McDonald, of the second rifles, speaking of the capture of the Serapiqui fort says:
Captain De Brissot and a volunteer called Kentuck went over in a canoe, pulled down the Costa Rican glad and hoisted the lone star of Nicaragua, all the enemy having abandoned the point in the night, and upwards of 400 stands of English Minnie muskets were left scattered on the ground. Col. F. Anderson’s command crossed in the steamer and took possession, finding 13 dead bodies in the principal fort, probably all killed by the artillery of Gen. Wheat.- Fifty men of this command were detached for burying the dead of the enemy amounted to 33.
Five pieces of artillery, 4 brass 6-pounder pieces and 1 iron 9-pounder piece, with corresponding ammunition were found; also 50,000 rounds of Minic rifle cartridges in good condition, and a large quantity of damaged ammunition; 250 pairs pantaleons, 40 bushels beans and six barrels salt beef, and enough kettles and pans for 2,000 men.
Gen. Lockridge had issued a proclamation announcing that the San Juan river was open to trade as far as Castillo rapids, and offers every one full protection in navigating said river.