Chapter I: Preface

_The rise and fall of the American Filibusters belong to the history of the Nineteenth Century. From time to time their deeds have been recounted by actors in the stirring scenes, by contemporary observers, and, incidentally, by travellers in Spanish America who lingered for a moment over the romantic legend of the modern Vikings._

_Among the works consulted in the preparation of this volume are: "A History of Miranda's Attempt to Effect a Revolution in South America," by one of his officers; Yokum's "History of Texas"; Green's narrative of the Mier Expedition, and Kendall's of that to Santa Fe; Henri de la Madelaine's "Life of Raoussett-Boulbon"; Wells' account of Walker's expeditions to Sonora and Nicaragua; Walker's "History of the War in Nicaragua"; and the several works relating to the latter country of Squier, Scherzer, Stout, Captain Pim, Chevalier Belly, M. Nicaisse, and many other travellers._

_From such sources, as well as from the periodicals and official documents of the day, and from the lips or pens of living comrades in the more recent of those tragedies, have been gathered the facts told in the following pages. It has been no easy task to sift the grains of truth from the mountain of myth, prejudice, and fiction under which the actual deeds of the Filibusters long lay buried._

_Forty years ago it would have been well-nigh impossible, in the heated atmosphere of the slavery conflict, to view such a subject with philosophical impartiality. To-day we may study the Filibuster dispassionately, for he belongs to an extinct species. The speculator has supplanted him without perceptibly improving the morality of the world. Even the word "filibuster," transformed to a verb, is degraded to the base uses of politics. It is time to write the history and the epitaph of the brave, lawless, generous anomaly on civilization._

Boston, November, 1900.
J. J. R.

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I

Etymology of the word Filibuster--Norse Adventurers--The Buccaneers --Miranda--Services under the Directory--First Expedition from the United States--Dr. Jenner and the King of Spain--Miranda's second expedition and death, 1

CHAPTER II

Aaron Burr--The McGregor and his kingdoms--Mina's expedition and fate--The Alamo massacre--Travis, Bowie, and Crockett--The tragedy of Goliad--Houston and Santa Ana--Victory of San Jacinto--The Santa Fe and Mier expeditions, 12

CHAPTER III

The Lopez Expedition--Landing at Cardenas--Pickett's Fight--An Exciting Chase--Last Expedition--Execution of Lopez and Crittenden, 34

CHAPTER IV

The Count Raoussett-Boulbon--A father "de la vieille roche"-- Raoussett's contract to garrison Sonora--Proclamations and pronunciamientos--Battle of Hermosillo--Negotiations with Santa Ana--Expedition to Guaymas--Engagement and defeat--Last words of a noble adventurer--Death of the Count, 42

CHAPTER V

William Walker--Boyhood and education--Doctor, Lawyer, Journalist --Goes to California--Personal appearance and characteristics-- Departure of the Sonora Expedition--A government proclaimed--Stern discipline--Retreat from Sonora--Bad news at San Vincente--The adventurers cross the boundary--Walker resumes the pen, 56

CHAPTER VI

Nicaragua--"Mahomet's Paradise"--Buccaneering visitors--Philip II. and Isthmian canal--Nelson defeated by a girl--The apocryphal heroine of San Carlos, 73

CHAPTER VII

British intrigues on the Isthmus--Morazan and the Confederacy--The Mosquito Dynasty--Bombardment of San Juan--Castellon calls in the foreigner--Doubleday and his free lances--Cole's contract approved by Walker, 81

CHAPTER VIII

Purchase of the _Vesta_--May 4th, 1855, sailing of the "Immortal Fifty-six"--The American Phalanx--First battle of Rivas--Punishing a desperado--Trouble in Castellon's Cabinet--Battle at Virgin Bay --Death of Castellon. 93

CHAPTER IX

A Servile victory in the North--Walker in the enemy's stronghold-- Negotiations for peace--Execution of Mayorga--Rivas chosen Provisional Director--Corral's treason and punishment--Newspaper history, 108

CHAPTER X

Filibusterism abroad--Kinney's Expedition--The Filibusters and their allies--An aristocracy of leather--Pierce and Marcy--A rupture with the United States--Costa Rica declares war-- Schlessinger's fiasco--Cosmopolitan adventurers--Steamers withdrawn--History of the Transit Company--Vanderbilt plans vengeance--The printing-press on the field, 117

CHAPTER XI

The Costa Ricans invade Nicaragua--Second battle of Rivas--The enemy meet a new foe--Rivas orders an election--Walker a candidate --Treason of Rivas--Murder of Estrada--Coalition of the Northern States against Nicaragua--Walker chosen President--Inauguration and recognition by the United States minister--Tradition of the "Gray-eyed Man," 133

CHAPTER XII

Administration of President Walker--The Allies advance towards Granada--Naval victory--Review of the filibuster army--Filibusters and their allies--Assault on Masaya--Civil government--The slavery decree--Antiquated logic 146

CHAPTER XIII

Henningsen--Early service with Zumalacarregui--Campaigning with the Prophet of the Caucasus--Joins Kossuth--Arrival in America--Omotepe --A Gallant defence--Watters carries the barricades, 159

CHAPTER XIV

Vanderbilt joins issue--Titus outwitted--Siege of Rivas--Death in the Falange--Desertion--Captain Fayssoux and Sir Robert McClure --Battle of San Jorge--Allies assault Rivas--Famine and devotion --Commander Davis as a peacemaker, 170

CHAPTER XV

Ultimatum of Commander Davis--Evacuation of Rivas--Statistics of the campaign--Henningsen's opinion of his men--Characteristic anecdotes--Frederick Ward--A filibuster's apotheosis, 185

CHAPTER XVI

Walker returns to the United States--Crabbe's expedition--Renewed attempts of Walker--The expedition to San Juan del Norte, 202

CHAPTER XVII

Walker's "History of the War"--Lands at Ruatan and takes Trujillo --Retreats before the English forces--Surrender--Trial and execution of the last of the Filibusters, 215

CHAPTER XVIII

Character of Walker--A private's devotion--Anecdote--After fate of the filibusters--Henningsen's epitaph--Last Cuban expedition--The _Virginius_ tragedy--An Englishman to the rescue--Finis, 227