Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1885 — FIGHTING IN EARNEST. [ARTICLE]

FIGHTING IN EARNEST.

Bloody Engagement Between Government Forces and Revolutionists in Colombia, Admiral Jouett has sent to the Navy Department at Washington from , Bavanilla a report of the condition of affairs in the United States of Columbia. He makes mention of a recent battle between the Government forces and the revolutionists in which I,OQO men. were said to have been killed. The Admiral says: “The Government troops, numbering about 4,000, have advanced from Cartagena to Calomar, on the banks of the Magdalena River, where they are strongly intrenched. Calomar is sixty-six miles above Barranquilla. In addition to this land force, the Government has now an efficient steamer called the Caucar, which is armed as a vessel of war and is ready to patrol the coast or to perform any naval service which may be required of her. - ' “The revolutionary forces number only 2,500 men, but the Revolutionists hold a number of large river steamers and are therefore able to move about freely on the Magdalena River, while the ' Government forces, having but two small steamers, are obliged to move by land, and are therefore much impeded. “June 10 Gen. Cnmargo, a very prominent Colombian politician and leader, arrived at this port in an English steamer. 1 and, upon landing, immediately assumed command of the revolutionary army. The arrival of Gen. C.imargo, who is a violent Liberal, effectually defeated the efforts to secure peace by treaty, although there is no doubt but that these efforts would have been successful if he had remained away a while longer. Gen. Camargo attacked a force of about 1,500 men with his whole army, and, although he claims to have won the battle, admits he suffered a severe loss, which includes seven of his best Generals. It is reported each side lost about 500 men. “The revolutionists clearly intend to confine their operations to the Magdalena River and the interior. This, together with the fact that tho Government has now a steamer vessel of war on the coast, insures the Isthmus and vessels on the high seas against any chance of disturbance by the revolutionists. “All reports from the Isthmus of Panama indicate that political matters remain settled, and that peace and good order prevail there. There is, however, an alarming epidemic of yellow fever prevailing at Aspinwall and all over the Isthmus. ” Admiral Jouett says the crews of all the vessels of the squadron that have remained are much debilitated by their long stay in the tropics and the unavoidable confinement on board ship and deprivation of recreation.