This
proportion of losses shows how fatally effective was the rifle and
revolver fire of the Californians. Indeed, so wonderful was it that
when some years ago I visited the towns and cities captured by the
filibusters, I found that the marksmanship of Walker's Phalanx was
still a tradition. Indeed, thanks to the filibusters, to-day in any part
of Central America a man from the States, if in trouble, has only to
show his gun. No native will wait for him to fire it.
After the fight at Virgin Bay, Walker received from California fifty
recruits--a very welcome addition to his force, and as he now
commanded about one hundred and twenty Americans, three
hundred Nicaraguans, under a friendly native, General Valle, and
two brass cannon, he decided to again attack Rivas. Rivas is on the
lake just above Virgin Bay; still further up is Granada, which was
the head-quarters of the Legitimists.
Fearing Walker's attack upon Rivas, the Legitimist troops were
hurried south from Granada to that city, leaving Granada but
slightly protected.
Through intercepted letters Walker learned of this and determined
to strike at Granada. By night, in one of the lake steamers, he
skirted the shore, and just before daybreak, with fires banked and
all lights out, drew up to a point near the city. The day previous the
Legitimists had gained a victory, and, as good luck or Walker's
"destiny" would have it, the night before Granada had been
celebrating the event.
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