We Must All Suffer Colombia
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On April 7th, 1885 the first shots were fired in the Colombian-American war. Admiral Jay Worthington sailed the Atlantic fleet into the Gulf of Mexico with the express mission of engaging and destroying whatever Colombian naval forces were arranged against him. This would clear the way for American landings on the north shore of Colombia. Specifically the target of the landing was Barranquilla, which would provide the Americans with access to the river system of Colombia. Meanwhile the river covered region of Magdalena would guard the American rear, as no large Colombian army could cross the region with any type of strength to hit the American rear. It was the perfect point from which the Americans would launch an assault into the heart of Colombia.
Then General Sherman threw a wrench into the plans. Using what influence he had, Sherman took five companies and, using Sheridan's added influence, gained access to transport. Sailing South, this second American armada landed off the coast of Panama. Even as American naval forces bombarded coastal defenses on the North shore of Colombia, Sheridan, Sherman and thousands of American troops poured into Panama, greeted as liberators. General Wesley Merritt actually commanded the US troops on the ground while Sheridan and Sherman commanded from the fleet. It was Merritt who led the quick victories against the Colombian armies located in the region. It was also Merritt who attempted an assault on the Coclé region.
Wesley Merritt, American General.
On the southern coast of Coclé was the city of Rio Hato, just to the south of the capital city of Penenome. The capital itself fell quickly to Merritt who easily had control of the entire Panamanian region to himself. The only present enemy force was trapped within the fortress of Rio Hato. The fort had been established to extend Colombian influence into the rebel torn region, and provide a base for Colombian strikes into the United States of Central America. The fort was well constructed, and decently stocked, but the number of Colombian troops was insufficient to challenge Merritt on the field. Merritt, being of the old school of cavalry, felt that he could easily flank the fortress and sweep its defenders from the walls. TO him it would be the dramatic gesture that finished the Colombians quickly. So, he planned his assault.
Meanwhile in the South, General Miles began his own plan for driving the Colombians back. By this point Miles was aware of the American landing in Panama, and despite the outrage from President Hayes, Miles knew the landing would only serve his assault. A full three quarters of the Colombian military had been in Colombia, and now most of that was shattered and without a hint of moral. Those forces that still stood against him were ill trained, and most now knew of the American presence. Miles struck quickly, using his naval supremacy and the presence of artillery to devastate Colombian forces. Miles' advanced forces shattered the Colombian armies, and the main force of the American army took control of the region in a matter of weeks.
The Assault on Rio Hato
By the end of Spring in 1885, the Americans were pressing on both ends of Colombia, that was until two pivotal events occurred. First, President Hayes revoked the commission of both General Sheridan and General Sherman, sending them home in disgrace for disregarding orders. Merritt was excused, as he was following the orders of his superior officer, and now was ordered to finish his operation in Panama so he could join his forces with Miles and finish the sweep. Unfortunately for all involved the assault on Rio Hato would not go as planned. The Colombians knew what was coming, and General Salvadore Soto, Colombian military commander, was prepared. Soto had prepared a draining defense of the city, and the large guns on the wall were well trained on the approaching Americans.
Merritt advanced with speed, driving through and over the outer works, the Colombians fell back, seemingly in rout. But it was all part of Soto's plan. As the Americans drove forward they found traps, ploys and heavy embankments guarding their way. The heavy guns from the fort blasted the American advance. General Merritt himself was slain during the final drive towards the walls. The advance was so costly that succeeding General Joseph Booker ordered the American forces to fall back, with the final casualties numbering over thirty percent. It was a bloody fight, and in the end the Colombians held the field. As the Americans fell back, the Colombians regrouped and fled south en masse to stop the bleeding on the mainland. It was a boost in moral and numbers that was needed. General Miles' advance had slowed due to long supply lines and bad weather.
All of this meant that Colombian troops, who knew the land, were able to strike and retreat before the Americans could mass to drive them back. Despite all of this, the American advance continued. By November of 1885, the Americans were within 10 miles of Bogota. And then came the Battle of Quibdo. It was here, near the Colombia-Panama border, that the American advance came to a halt. General Soto was able to unite the majority of the Colombian armies and threaten the American supply lines. Miles was afraid to face another situation like Merritt faced up north. So instead of assaulting, he fell back. It was to cost him his job, but it saved thousands of American lives. Nevertheless the momentum was broken, the war would never be as it was. From January of 1886 until May of 1887 the Americans fought a slow costly retreat across the nation.
However high the cost for the Americans, the Colombians paid even more. For every American life lost, the Colombians lost two, and the damage done was immense. President Rafael Nunez sued for peace with the Americans. The peace conference did not last long, President Hayes, embarrassed by the outcome of the conflict, demanded a heavy toll, and the Colombians had no choice but to pay it. The arrival of Fresh American troops in May gave Hayes all the encouragement he needed. All of Panama went to the United States, and the Colombians agreed to allow the return of American businesses into the country. The war had re-established American control over the economy of Central America. And despite the casualties, the press and the American people praised Hayes as a victor. He had vanquished the crafty and treacherous Colombians and brought the men home in victory.
