First Battle of Rivas
Encyclopedia
The First Battle of Rivas occurred on June 29, 1855 as part of the struggle to resist William Walker, an American
filibuster
, adventurer, and soldier of fortune
who arrived in Nicaragua with a small army of mercenaries in June 1855 in support of the democratic government of General Castellon in the Nicaraguan civil war.
His army with local support was able to defeat the Legitimist party (Aristocratic) and conclude the Nicaraguan civil war.
was then raging in the Central America
n republic of Nicaragua
. The Liberal party (Democratic) and the Legitimist party (Aristocratic), were constantly warring with one another as they continually tried to gain political control through violent means. “During a period of six years Nicaragua had had no fewer than fifteen presidents”
territories of Baja California and Sonora
. Back in California
, he was put on trial
for conducting an illegal war. In the era of Manifest Destiny
, his filibustering project was popular in the southern and western United States and the jury took eight minutes to acquit him.
While in America working as an editor at a local paper, Walker came to know Byron Cole. Cole had lived for several years in Central America, including Nicaragua. He convinced Walker that because of the ongoing civil war in the country, Nicaragua would be the perfect place to start an empire. Walker agreed and sent Cole to Nicaragua on August 15, 1854 to negotiate with the local parties. Cole was able to enter into an agreement with revolutionary Castellon whereby Walker was authorized to engage three hundred men for military duty in Nicaragua. The men would be paid a monthly wage and a certain amount of land after the campaign finished.
When Cole returned to America, Walker balked at the terms as it would violate the Act of Congress of 1818 commonly known as the neutrality law. However he told Cole that if he returned to Nicaragua and was able to get from Castellon a contract of colonization, Walker could act. Cole sailed a second time to meet Castellon and was able to get the colonization grant and an act stating that Walker's men would be guaranteed forever the privilege of bearing arms.
Walker sailed from San Francisco on May 3, 1855 with 57 men, to be reinforced by 170 locals and about 100 Americans upon landing, including then well-known explorer and journalist Charles Wilkins Webber
.
and took control of the country.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
filibuster
Filibuster (military)
A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution...
, adventurer, and soldier of fortune
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
who arrived in Nicaragua with a small army of mercenaries in June 1855 in support of the democratic government of General Castellon in the Nicaraguan civil war.
His army with local support was able to defeat the Legitimist party (Aristocratic) and conclude the Nicaraguan civil war.
Background
A civil warCivil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
was then raging in the Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
n republic of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. The Liberal party (Democratic) and the Legitimist party (Aristocratic), were constantly warring with one another as they continually tried to gain political control through violent means. “During a period of six years Nicaragua had had no fewer than fifteen presidents”
William Walker
William Walker was part of a failed attempt to conquer the MexicanMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
territories of Baja California and Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
. Back in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, he was put on trial
Trial (law)
In law, a trial is when parties to a dispute come together to present information in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court...
for conducting an illegal war. In the era of Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was the 19th century American belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. It was used by Democrat-Republicans in the 1840s to justify the war with Mexico; the concept was denounced by Whigs, and fell into disuse after the mid-19th century.Advocates of...
, his filibustering project was popular in the southern and western United States and the jury took eight minutes to acquit him.
While in America working as an editor at a local paper, Walker came to know Byron Cole. Cole had lived for several years in Central America, including Nicaragua. He convinced Walker that because of the ongoing civil war in the country, Nicaragua would be the perfect place to start an empire. Walker agreed and sent Cole to Nicaragua on August 15, 1854 to negotiate with the local parties. Cole was able to enter into an agreement with revolutionary Castellon whereby Walker was authorized to engage three hundred men for military duty in Nicaragua. The men would be paid a monthly wage and a certain amount of land after the campaign finished.
When Cole returned to America, Walker balked at the terms as it would violate the Act of Congress of 1818 commonly known as the neutrality law. However he told Cole that if he returned to Nicaragua and was able to get from Castellon a contract of colonization, Walker could act. Cole sailed a second time to meet Castellon and was able to get the colonization grant and an act stating that Walker's men would be guaranteed forever the privilege of bearing arms.
Walker sailed from San Francisco on May 3, 1855 with 57 men, to be reinforced by 170 locals and about 100 Americans upon landing, including then well-known explorer and journalist Charles Wilkins Webber
Charles Wilkins Webber
Charles Wilkins Webber was an United States journalist and explorer.-Biography:Webber was born at Russellville, Kentucky. He was the son of Augustine Webber, a well-known physician in Kentucky. His mother, who was the daughter of Gen. John Tannehill, passed on to him a fondness for outdoor life...
.
First Battle of Rivas
On September 1, Walker defeated the Nicaraguan national army at La Virgen and, a month later, conquered the capital of GranadaGranada, Nicaragua
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
and took control of the country.