Walker quickly attacked the city of Rivas, and after being driven off by Legitimist troops, he withdrew down the coast of Lake Nicaragua, in the direction of the small town of La Virgen.

Confident in the superiority of his numbers, Guardiola stated that he would, "drive the Filibusters into the lake and drown them and save his ammunition".

Instead of completely chasing them off, Walker brought his men to the aid of his native subordinates, perhaps lending credibility to the claims of his growing appreciation of his ally's fighting abilities.

Walker dealt mercifully with the captured Legitimist prisoners, refusing to run them through with bayonets, as was the Nicaraguan custom.

News of the Democratic victory reached the city of Leon, and many eager young recruits from the countryside quickly swelled Walker's ranks as he marched back to San Juan del Sur.