The New York Times
June 2, 1856, page 1

Expedition to Chontales to Suppress a Servile Movement

From El Nicaraguense, May 10

Some ten days since, Gen. Goicouria, with Capt. Raymond's company of Light Infantry Battalion, left Granada to suppress the movement of the Servilists in Chontales. The expedition landed at Santa Baldo, where they discovered a party of Lancers. The latter were immediately fired upon with effect, when they quickly dispersed in every direction. Proceeding to Acoyapa, they found the town deserted, but after some search a few persons were found, and a proper example was made of one who was known to be deeply implicated in the rising. After levying a contribution of one thousand dollars upon the town, an amount long due to the Government-the party proceeded to Juigalpa, where they met and quickly defeated a large force of the Legitimists. Here, too, an example was made, and the contributions due from certain parties in that region were collected.

Proceeding down to San Lorenzo Hacienda, several prisoners were taken, and one body of Serviles of considerable number was dispersed. From San Lorenzo the party proceeded to Comolapa, where another example was made, and where the party made collections of money and effects to a considerable amount. From Comolapa the Company came gradually to Granada without meeting any serious resistance from the Serviles, and upon the whole the party was highly successful in the objects of their expedition, as well as fortunate in their escape from loss in killed or wounded, only one man of the party, Lieut. Wm. Lewis being hurt and he was but slightly wounded in the cheek. The killed of the Servilists amounted in all to ten, their wounded being quickly concealed by their friends.

The success of the party was greatly promoted by the presence and counsel, as well as energy and perseverence of Gen. Goicouria, the Intendencia General, and the troubles in Chontales may be said to be ended for the present. The bravery and good conduct each and all of the command, is highly praised, and the Serviles have received a lesson for their future behavior which they will do well to remember. The present wise and Provisional Government of Nicaragua is too strong to be shaken by any effort the Legitimists can make to overturn it, and they can only bring destruction upon their own heads by their unwise and treasonable combinations.

Later

During the absence of Gen. Goicouria to the Department of Chontales and Juigalpa, they frequently heard of a band of unaffected troops, one hundred and fifty in number, who paraded the country, robbing and harassing all the quiet people of the district. They took every description of property and frequently pressed the indians into their ranks as soldiers. Two Frenchmen, who left this city to mine near Libertad, were also forced to join the party. Two officers of the bandit-one holding a first lieutenant's commission under Chamorra, and the second a captain's-were taken and shot by Gen. Goicouria.

The country through which our troops marched was wholly deserted by the inhabitants, through fear of the bandit crowd arrayed in opposition to the Government. Gen. Goicouria, with twenty-five men, challenged them to fight, but they always fled; and it is the opinion of the people that these stragglers intend robbing until they are satisfied of closely chased, when they will go into Honduras. Major Rogers has promised us a full description of the route.