No. 58.
Mr. Scruggs
to Mr. Fish.
Bogotá, October 8, 1876. (Received Nov. 13.)
Sir: Since the date of my No. 191, of the 27th ultimo, there have been no very important military changes. General Trujillo’s official report of the battle of Los Chaucos, since received, merely confirms the statements previously transmitted.
In Tolima, the State administration, which was “conservative” at the beginning of the war, has been overthrown, and the local government is now in the hands of the “liberals.” General Delgado, while crossing the Quindio Mountains, on his march to forma junction with Trujillo, [Page 97] near Manizáles, was intercepted by a conservative force about 2,000 strong. A sharp skirmish ensued, resulting in considerable loss to both sides, but in the rout of the conservatives. At latest accounts, Delgado was continuing his march toward Manizáles, where the next general battle is expected very soon.
The guerrilla forces of the insurgents at Guasca and Canóas are still harassing the plains of Bogotá and menacing this capital. Their strength is probably between 2,500 and 3,000 men. The national force stationed here is about 2,500 effective men, well armed and equipped.
At Naire, on the Magdalena River, the insurgents still maintain a considerable force. The steamers, however, succeed in making occasional trips between Honda and the coast, but always attended with more or less risk and delay from the guns of the rebels. Hence all communication between Bogotá and the coast is irregular and uncertain.
Some days since two Catholic priests, while attempting to reach the coast, were picked up by a detachment of government troops near Mompox. They had with them $60,000 in Colombian gold, and were, it seems, emissaries commissioned by the State of Antioquia to purchase arms in the United States for the use of the insurgents.
The available force of the national government now under arms in the States of Cauca, Tolima, and Cundinamarca is estimated at 20,000 men; that of the insurgents is, perhaps, not much less, but not so well armed.
Both parties seem alike determined to push matters to the last extremity. Both are levying contributions and forced loans upon the adherents of the other. Even families are being turned out of their houses, and their dwellings converted into barracks and hospitals. To such a pitch has the spirit of retaliation arrived, that the property and persons of the adherents of neither party within the lines of the other are respected.
I apprehend, however, that notwithstanding its financial and other embarrassments, the government will ultimately triumph, in which case the church property will probably be appropriated to pay the greater part of the war debt.
I have, &c.,