[XVI-60] Laws of Feb. 27 and 28, 1856; Costa R., Col. Ley., xiv. 7-14, 16; U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 34, Sess. 1, Sen. Doc., 68, 121, 133-49, vol. xiii.
[XVI-61] Nominally; the real commander was a German officer named Baron Bulow. Perez, Mem. Camp. Nac., 2d pt, 34; Costa R., Pap. Sueltos, no. 8; Wells' Walker's Exped., 169.
[XVI-62] Perez, quoted above, 42, gives the 21st.
[XVI-63] According to Costa Rican reports, only 480 of their men took part in the action, the enemy's defeat being the effect of a surprise and a bayonet charge. Their casualties were set down at 4 officers and 15 soldiers killed. The filibusters had upwards of 20 slain. Id., 42-5; Salv., Gaceta, Apr. 3-24, 1856; Nic., Boletin Ofic., Apr. 9, 16, 1856. In California the report received was of 90 killed in the fight and 19 executed. S. F. Alta, May 2, 1856; Belly, Le Nicaragua, 283; Wells' Walker's Exped., 153-68.
[XVI-64] As armed invaders not serving under the flag of any recognized nation. Costa R., Mem. Rel., 1856, 4; Astaburuaga, Cent. Am., 94. However correct the logic, it was an imprudent act, as Walker might retaliate on Costa Rican and other Cent. Am. prisoners. Wheeler, without instructions from the U. S. govt, took upon himself to officially say to Mora that the execution of these men was a cold-blooded murder, assuming at the same time that the men serving under Walker were citizens of his own country. Wells' Walker's Exped., 170-5. The fact is that only two or three were natives of the U. S.
[XVI-65] He was accused of cowardice and even of treachery, and arrested for trial, but escaping afterward from prison, was sentenced to death as a deserter. He turned up in Teustepe, where he was allowed to serve in the legitimist force. Wells' Walker's Exped., 257-8.
[XVI-66] Commanded respectively by majors Alfaro Ruiz and Escalante, and Col Salvador Mora.
[XVI-67] 'Triunfó completamente sobre ellos, escarmentándolos, y poniéndolos de nuevo en vergonzosa fuga.' Costa R., Mem. Rel., 1856, 5. According to Astaburuaga, Cent. Am., 96, the Costa Ricans had 120 killed, and Walker upwards of 200. Perez, Mem. Camp. Nac., 2d pt, 48, gives the Costa Rican casualties to have been 150 killed and 300 wounded; and Walker's 60 killed and 70 wounded. Wells, claiming a glorious victory for his hero Walker, says that the Costa Rican loss could not have been less than 600 killed; and that of the wounded and deserters no precise estimate could be formed. Walker's loss he sets down at 30 killed and as many wounded. There is no honor or profit in such mendacity. Walker's Exped., 175-88, 245-7; S. F. Bulletin, June 2, 3, 1856; S. F. Alta, June 2, 1856; Sac. Union, June 4, 1856. Belly, Le Nicaragua, 283-4, states that though the battle cost the Costa Ricans 700 men, 'mais qui fit éprouver de telles pertes à l'envahisseur, qu'à dater de ce moment, il perdit confiance dans sa destinée.' His letter of April 15th to Senator Weller of Cal. proved this.
[XVI-68] Minister Salinas' circular Apr. 15, 1856. Nic., Boletin Ofic., Apr. 16, 1856.
[XVI-69] Perez says: 'Trató con humanidad á los soldados que le fueron encomendados.' Mem. Camp. Nac., 2d pt, 49-52. Jerónimo Perez, Memorias para la Historia de la Revolucion de Nicaragua, y de la guerra nacional contra los filibusteros, 1854-1857. Managua, 1865, 8vo, pp. 173, 21. This first part of this author's work is a historical account of the civil war in Nicaragua, in the years 1854-5, during which latter year the filibuster chief, William Walker, appeared on the scene, taking part with one of the two parties to the strife, and temporarily destroying the power of the other. The political and military events of this period are concisely though vividly depicted, so that the reader may become fully informed on the mode of carrying on the war, and on the miserable condition of the country, as well as bitter animosity exhibited by the opposing parties. Memorias para la Historia de la Campaña Nacional contra el filibusterismo, 1856-1857. Masaya, 1873, 8vo, i.-iv., and 216 p., is a sequel or second part to the preceding by the same author, in which he furnishes a detailed history of Walker's filibustering schemes and career in Nicaragua during 1856-7, till his final surrender and removal from the country; ending with a short account of Walker's two other attempts to invade Central America. Perez took a part in the operations against Walker, and later has occupied high positions in his country.