| CHAPTER I. THE VESTA AND HER PASSENGERS. |
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| The Revolution of 1854—Organization of Provisional Government—Grounds of the Contest—The two Constitutions—Democrats and Legitimists—Siege of Granada—Retreat of Jerez—Death of Chamorro—Policy of Honduras and of Guatemala—Lower California Expedition—Its Objects and Purposes—Its Termination—Contracts of Cole with Castellon—Crabb Contract with Jerez—Legality of the Cole Grant of Colonization—Charter of the Vesta—Her Difficulties and final Departure—Her Voyage—State of Parties in June, 1855—Arrival of the Vesta at Realejo—Landing of Passengers—Walker’s Visit to Leon—Castellon and Muñoz—The American Phalanx—Its Organization—Expedition to Rivas | page 13 |
| CHAPTER II. RIVAS, JUNE TWENTY-NINTH, 1855. |
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| Preparations for the Rivas Expedition—Native Troops—Ramirez and Mariano Mendez—Maximo Espinosa-Departure from Realejo—Landing at El Gigante—Difficulties of the March—Appearance of the Camp—Skirmish at Tola—March from Tola to Rivas—Effect of Scenery on the Americans—Plan of Attack—Action at Rivas—Desertion of Ramirez—Loss of the Americans—Retreat to San Juan del Sur—Embarkation on the Schooner San José—Burning of the Cuartel—Departure for Realejo—Execution of Dewey—Its Effects on the People—Transfer to the Vesta and Return to Realejo—Despatch to Castellon—His Reply-Visit of Mariano Salazar—Castellon’s Anxiety—Americans at Chinandega—Cole and Von Natzmer—March to Leon—Arrival there—State of the Capital—Policy of Muñoz—Danger to the Falange—Necessity for Caution—Counter-march to Chinandega—New Contract with Castellon | page 42 |
| CHAPTER III. VIRGIN BAY, SEPTEMBER THIRD, 1855. |
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| Discontent of the Americans—Sale of the Vesta—March of Muñoz toward Segovia—Movements of Guardiola—Walker’s Plans for Returning to Rivas—José Maria Valle—His Friendship to the Americans—Reports of the Enemy—Departure from Chinandega—Despondency of the People—The Cholera—Valle on the Vesta—Distress of Castellon—Action at Sauce—Death of Muñoz—Sailing for San Juan del Sur—Arrival at San Juan—Parker H. French—Relative Strength of the Democrats and Legitimists in the Meridional Department—Action at Virgin Bay—Good Conduct of the Natives—Results of the Action—Death of Castellon—His Character and Policy—New Director—Contribution Levied—Sources of Revenue—Don Guadalupe Saënz—Rumors of Corral’s Advance—Ambush on Transit Road—Intercepted Despatches—Corral Ready to Treat for Peace—Arrival of Gilman—Re-organization of the Falange | page 76 |
| CHAPTER IV. GRANADA, OCTOBER THIRTEENTH, 1855. |
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| Hornsby gets Possession of the Steamer La Virgen—Democrats embark for Granada—Landing above the Town—Surprise of Granada—Flight of the Legitimists—Fury of Native Democrats—Conduct of the Americans—Release of Prisoners—Fermin Ferrer and Carlos Thomas—Niña Yrena—Father Vigil—Negotiations with Corral—Mediation of Mr. Wheeler—Arrival of Fry—The Lake Steamer fired on—Shooting of Mayorga—Corral at Masaya—Comes to Granada as Commissioner—Treaty of 23d October—Macdonald’s Loan of Twenty Thousand Dollars—Entry of Legitimists to Granada—Rivas Inaugurated—Walker Commander-in-Chief—Formation of the Cabinet—Nature of the Treaty—Intercepted Letters of Corral—His Trial and Execution—Narciso Espinosa—Rivas’ Government recognized by Mr. Wheeler | page 109 |
| CHAPTER V. THE ADMINISTRATION OF RIVAS. |
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| Policy of Rivas—His Appointments—Course of the Clergy—Colonization
Decree—El Nicaraguense—Military Enlistments—The Accessory Transit Company—Its Mercenaries—Kinney and His Schemes—Negotiations with the Company—Garrison and Morgan—Course of the Company—Edmund Randolph and Parker Crittenden—Revocation of the Company’s Charter—Justice and Policy of the Act—The Randolph Grant—How Americans were carried to Nicaragua—Sickness at Granada—Circular of Rivas—General Trinidad Cabañas—His Influence over Jerez—Resignation of Jerez and Selva—Course of the Four States of Central America—Commission to Costa Rica—Policy of the United States—Policy of Great Britain—British Consul at Realejo—British Aid to Costa Rica—Declaration of War by Costa Rica—Its Effects on the Country |
page 142 |
| CHAPTER VI. THE COSTA RICAN INVASION. |
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| State of the American Force on March 1st, 1856—Arrival of Goicouria—Col. Padilla—Proclamation of General-in-Chief—Expedition to Guanacaste—Rout at Santa Rosa—Its Effects—Headquarters at Rivas—Government removed to Leon—Address to the Troops—C. J. Macdonald—Goicouria as Intendente-General—The Americans at Granada—Mora at Rivas—Walker marches to Rivas—Action of 11th April—The Americans retire—Effects of the Action—Action on the Serapaqui—Appointment of Father Vigil as Minister to Washington—Sickness at Granada—Arrival of Hornsby with Recruits—Cholera at Rivas—Depression of the Costa Ricans—Mora leaves Nicaragua—Letter of Cañas—Cholera in Costa Rica—Expedition through Chontales—Execution of Ugarte—Effects of Fever—Difficulties of the Americans—Affairs at Leon | page 177 |
| CHAPTER VII THE DEFECTION OF RIVAS. |
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| Communication from San Salvador—Reports from Northern States of
Central America—Walker at Leon—Proposal of San Salvador—Effect
of Vigil’s Reception at Washington—Arrest of Salazar—Goicouria
and Guerrero—Election Decree—Movement at Leon—Flight of
Rivas to Chinandega—The Course of the Americans—Ferrer as Provisional
President—Election and Inauguration of Walker—Forfeiture
of the Schooner San José—The Granada in Commission—Lt. Fayssoux—Cabinet
of Walker—The New Administration recognized by Mr. Wheeler—Cruise of the Granada—Capture of Salazar—His Execution—Letter of Manning—Arrest of Dr. Livingston—Course of the American Minister—Hon. Pierre Soulé—Desertion and Fate of Turley—State of the Allies at Leon—Disease and Dissensions—Murder of Estrada—Arrangements with Morgan and Garrison—The Cubans in Nicaragua |
page 216 |
| CHAPTER VIII. THE WALKER ADMINISTRATION. |
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| Necessity for Social Re-organization—Difference of Language—Decree of Forfeited Estates—The Registry Decree—The Slavery Decree—Colonial Systems of Spain and England—Anti-Slavery Feeling in Europe and America—How Produced—Effects on Spanish American States—The Negro in Tropical America—Policy of the Decree—Its Relations to Parties in the United States—The Anti-Annexation Character of the Decree—M. Ange de St. Priest—Interest of Continental Powers—Interest of England—Feeling against the Slave Trade—True Character of the Commerce—Africa and America—Experiments of Hayti and Jamaica—Position of the Slave States—Their Apathy—The Course of the South—Her Proper Policy—Efforts of the Anti-Slavery Parties and Powers—Southern Interest in Nicaragua | page 251 |
| CHAPTER IX. THE ADVANCE OF THE ALLIES. |
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| The Army in September, 1856—Death of Ubaldo Herrera—March to San Jacinto by McDonald—Attack on San Jacinto by Cole—Death of Cole and Callahan—Reinforcements for Belloso—The Allies march to Managua—State of the American Force at Masaya—Its Withdrawal to Granada—Belloso occupies Masaya—Attack by the Americans—Zavala attacks Granada—Action of the 13th October, 1856—Conduct of the Allies at Granada—Murder of Lawless—Other Murders—Treatment of the American Minister—Shooting of Lainé—Execution of Valderraman and Allende—Arrival of Henningsen—His Appointment as Brigadier General—State of the Meridional Department—Lieut. Fayssoux and the Granada—Action of the 10th November—Action of the 12th—Effects of these Actions—March to Masaya—Fighting there—Return to Granada | page 281 |
| CHAPTER X. THE RETREAT FROM GRANADA. |
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| Preparation for Retreat—Causes of Delay—Force at Virgin Bay—The Granada and the Once de Abril—Promotion of Fayssoux—The Attack of the Allies on Henningsen—His Defence—Charge of O’Neal—Henningsen’s Difficulties—Destruction of the Town—Loss of the Fort—The Americans abandon the Plaza—They take Possession of the Guadalupe—Henry and Swingle—Disease in Henningsen’s Camp—Strategems of the Allies—Henry’s Entrenched Position—Cholera and Typhus—Commissary and Ordnance Stores—The Hospital at Omotepe—The Attack of Indians on the Island—Exaggerated Report—Reinforcements from San Francisco and New-Orleans—Organization of them—Landing of Waters at Granada—His Relief of Henningsen—Embarkation of the whole Force—Justice and Policy of Destroying Granada | page 313 |
| CHAPTER XI. OPERATIONS ON THE SAN JUAN. |
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| Spencer’s Attack on the Serapaqui—He takes the Boats at Punta Arenas—Course of Capt. Erskine of the Orion—Mora’s Force on the San Carlos—Occupation of Castillo—Capture of Fort San Carlos—Full Possession of the Lake by Mora—Spencer’s Services—His Employers—Connivance of Mr. Marcy—Violation of Neutral Rights by Costa Rica—Causes of Mr. Marcy’s Action—British Fleet at San Juan del Norte—The Costa Rican Decree—Lockridge at Punta Arenas—Interference of British Officers—Arrival of Titus—Action at Serapaqui—Desertions—Difficulties of the Costa Ricans—Titus at Castillo—Effects of his Misconduct—Instructions sent to Lockridge—Reinforcement under Capers and French—Failure to attack Castillo—Disorganization of the Force—Explosion of the J. R. Scott—Subsequent Attempts to open the Transit | page 342 |
| CHAPTER XII. THE DEFENCE OF RIVAS. |
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| Force at Rivas in December, 1856—State of the Allies—Charges against
Belloso—Rangers at Nandaime—Rivas prepared for Defence—Advance
of the Allies to Obraje—Skirmish at Obraje—Allies occupy San Jorge—Henningsen’s Attack on San Jorge—March to San Juan del Sur—The Americans at Virgin Bay—Attempt to carry San Jorge by Surprise—Proclamation of Mora—Cannonade of San Jorge—Desertion—Its Causes—H. B. M.’s Steamer Esk at San Juan del Sur—Sir Robert McClure and Capt. Fayssoux—Commander Davis and the U. S. Sloop St. Mary’s—Davis’ Visit to Rivas—Encounters near the Transit and at Jocote—Red Star Guard—Address to the Troops—Action of 16th March—News by the Orizaba—Attack of the Allies on Rivas, the 23d March—Their Repulse and its Results—Rations at Rivas—Second Attack of 11th April—Women Leave Rivas—Conduct of Davis—Treaty with Walker—Capture of the Granada—Conclusion |
page 367 |