The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-12-13 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE,

FRANCE.
DEFEAT AND RETREAT OF THE FRENCH ARMY SENT AGAINST

THE BEY OF CONSTANTIXH.
It would seem from all the official and non-official accounts
which reach us, that the French army, and the French colony
at Algiers. are both in a very sad way.
The French army, which had left Algiers to make war on the
Bey'of Constantine, has been defeated and compelled to re-
treat. Not only have the tribes which had submitted to the
French, and befriended thorn, been attacked and defeated, cut
to pieces and destroyed, with their wives and their properties,
during the absence of the French army, by the Arabs who ap-
proached Algiers,—but, besides the loss of these friendly tribes,
and the destruction of the lives and properties of the French
colonists, the great French army marching with Marshal Clau-
sel and the Duke of Nemours at its head, was at the date of
the last dine tches in full retreat upon Bona. The first intima-
tion we received of this event was contained in the Paris Sun,
in the following terms:—
"Wo regret to have to announce evil tidings from the
French possessions in Africa. The Phare steamer, which left
Bona on the 28th of November, arrived at Toulon on the first
instant. She brings intelligence to the effect that the had
weather of several successive days had induced sickness in the
army, which - was on its route to Constantine,—that the Mar-
shal had been opposed to greatly superior Arab forces,—that the
enemy had an extensive train of field pieces,—that some of the
French guns had fallen into their bands,—and that the Mar-
shal and his army were in full retreat to Bona. A friend has
allowed us the privilege of making the subjoined extract from a
letter written to him by his correspondent at Bona, under date
of the 2i th nit., and which leaves little room fur doubt as to
the reverse sustained by the French army:—
" 'I have further to inform you, that this news was brought
by some deserters from the Marshal's army. They were im-
mediately placed in confinement. So great have been the ex-
ertions to conceal this news, that it is with the utmost difficulty
I am able to send you this account, which has been collected
from the different reports we have received. The effective force
of the enemy is variously stated at from 12 to 16,000 men, well
provided with arms and artillery. They have offered a most
determined resistance to the advance of our troops, who have
suffered considerable loss from this continual skirmishing.—lt
is rumoured that an action had taken place near Ras-El-Agha,
which is one of the most favourable points to oppose the march
of an invading army. It is situated on the Ackaray monntains,
which are difficult of ascent, and being covered with underwood
afforded protection to the defenders of the pass. It is added
that the Marshal was defeated with considerable loss, and that
the greater part of our artillery remained in the power of the
victors. One thing is, however, certain, that our army is in
full retreat on Bona; and this circumstance in some degree
justifies the belief of the accounts I send you, as it is easily to
be conceived that such a step would only have been resorted to
by the INtrshal in the last extremity, or in the event of his ,
having rdteived a serious check. We wait with the utmost
anxiety for the arrival of fresh communications from the army.
The utmost consternation reigns in the town, where, from the
previous knowledge of the couutrv, and of the efficiency of the
forces of the Bey, (chiefly consisting of Kabailes, who are per-
sonally much attached to him,) these unfavourable reports have
gained general credence,'"
SPAIN.
(Front the Correspondence of the Standard.)
PARIS, Dec. s.—The French government has received a tele-
graphic dispatch from Bayonne, dated the 2d inst., to the fol-
lowing effect :
The courier from Madrid was stopped two days by the pas-
sage of Cabrera. on the 27th, at Soria.
The Brigadier Vera, a deputy. has been named Minister of
War.
" Letters from St. Sebastian of the 30th inst., announce, that
in order to arrive at Bilboa, Espartero is about to throw a bridge
of boats across the river.
" Twenty-four cannon, arrived from England, ammunition
and a company of artillery, have been landed at St. Se bastian
and are destined to arm the fort and port of Passages."
This, I suppose, Lord Palmerston will not deny looks some-
thing very much like open interveation.
In addition to the above the Munitear published the following
telegraphic dispatches :
" Bayonne, Dec. 3, two o'clock, p m.
"On the 30th Espartero crossed the river on a bridge of boats,
opposite the Desierto. Villareal passed it at Olaviaga, and they
are now in presence of each other on the right hank, at a dis-
tance of three leagues from
" General Eguia had sent to Villareal all his disposable forces
and is continuing the siege. The convent of the Conception
the present point of attack, was not taken on the let, and the
city still held out."
The Msniteur of this morning publishes the following second
telegraphic dispatch received from Bayonne :
"Bayonne, Dec. 3, half-past four, p.m.
"Irribaren has marched upon Azagra, and Gen. Closnard
upon Puente la Reyna, to prevent the passage of several hun-
dreds of horses taken in Andalusia, and the money of Cabrera.
(Interrupted by the night.)
A letter from Bayonne, dated Nov. 30, says—" The news
spread Yesterday that the General Ituralde was surprised with
his family in the environs of Vittoria, appears to be true. It is
certain that the capture of this distinguished officer would be
a great loss for the Carlists, but as they have in their hands
some Christinos chief, there will be doubtless an exchange
of prisoners."
Peters, Dgc. 4.—The Charts de 1830 published last night the
following telegraphic dispatch from Bayonne :
Bayonne, Dec. 1, half-past three.
" According to the official report of Villareal, the affair of the
2701 was of little importance; but Espartero could not force the
bridge which led to Bilboa. The convent of St. Augustin was
taken, with the garrison. Esparteio again attempted on the
25th to attack the bridge; but he was again repulsed. The town
was summoned to surrender on the 29th. It refused to do so.
The firing against the town was continued on the morning of
the '29th."
The Sierra de Ronda, in which Gomez has established himself,
was during nearly two years of the Spanish War of. independ-
core, a position which could not be taken ; and there Ballas-
. taros defied all the French army."
An Englishman of the name of Hawkins; who was some time
ago arrested at the moment when he was setting off for London,
with documents for a loan to be managed by M. Ouvrard, and
detained once more within the last fortnight at the frontier on
his return from London, is now in confinement at the gen-
darme's barracks at Bayonne ; he had, at first, been directed to
Bordeaux,
(Private Correspondence of the Morning Herald.)
AINHOA, DEC. 3.—SIEGE of BiLuoA.—This morning I re-
teived the following communication from the royal head-quar-
ters. It will be seen that Espartero, driven from the left bank
of the river, had, thanks to Lord Palmerston, succeeded in
effecting a landing on the right bank
Royal Head-quarters, Durango, Dec. 1.
" Espartero, after his defeat on the 28th, sought refuge in
Portugalette ; but a portion of his column, about 4,000 men,
having been cut off, with difficulty reached Villasana.
" Yesterday the Christinos, assisted by two steam boats and
several Trincaduras, threw a bridge across the river from Portu-
galette to El Desierto ; and at three o'clock p.m. the whole of
the army marched over to the right bank. The instant Eguia
was informed of this movement of the enemy, he placed four
pieces of artillery on the heights of Las Banderas, supported by
fire battalions of infantry. Shortly after this position was re-
inforced by the brigade of General Goni. In fact we are pre-
pared fur the enemy.
" We have opened the breach in Fort Conception, but not
sufficient to render the assault practicable.
" Our brave troops have made themselves masters of Fort
Santa Clara, and the houses adjoining it.
" The enemy are in the position taken up by them yesterday,
supported on the side of the river by several steam-boats and
Trincaduras. It is to be hoped they will advance; they will be
•
well received."
General Chichester passed through Bayonne yesterday. for
Paris.
Cabrera entered Soria onethe 27th.
MADRID, Nov. 29.—1 send you translations of dispatches re-
ceived from Generals Ribero and Narvaez, and avail myself of
the departure of a private courier to forward vim a hasty ac-
count of the occurrences that had taken place here last night
anti this morning.
The first battalion of the 4th Regiment of the Guards (part of
the Granja heroes) broke out into open insurrection in their
barracks
.yesterday evening;, and several shots were fired at the
Colonel (Pastor), none of which most fortunately took effect.
He was able to make his escape through the activity and de-
votions of' Col. Benjamin Barrie, a countryman of ours, and se-
cond commandant of the regiment. It appears that these
worthies were in the habit of disposing of part of their dreeeand
accoutrements, and the colonel, anxious to put a stop to this
shameful proceeding. passed reviews twice a week, when the
soldiers were obliged to produce every article belonging to
them, and those who did not were punished. As the corps was
in a very undisciplined state, Colonel Pastor took them out to
exercise every' day, and hence a fresh motive for discontent on
the part of the soldiers. Yesterday evening at roll-call, some of
the soldiers broke out into murmurs, and even cried out that
they would nut he commanded by a colonel who was a Carlist at
heart. [lt may be here observed, that Colonel Pastor was
forced to emigrate in consequence of his political opinions in
1823.] It was then that five or six ruffiens fired at the colonel,
who was obliged to decamp.
The drums beat to arms, and all the National Guards speedily
assembled. General Infantes (the Governor) made his ap-
pearauce in the Puerta da Sol, at about seven o'clock, not on
horseback, but in a coach, from which he issued his orders. The
great exertions of Colonel Barrie proved successful, and at nine
o'clock the soldiers quietly went to bed and all the warlike pre-
parations of General Seoane proved unnecessary. At ten
o'clock everything appeared tranquil, although heavy patroles
paraded the streets during the night.
The Queen Regent, on being made acquainted with what had
occurred, resolved that the 4th regiment should not do duty this
(lay at the palace, and the necessary orders were issued to this
effect. However, at the usual hour this morning 100 men of
the 4th formed in the barracks, and as no officers attended, they
set oat under the command of their serjeant to relieve their
comrades on guard at the Palace. They compelled an ensign,
nevertheless, to bear the colours. Upon their arrival at the
Palace, the fellows inside refused to be relieved, and called upon
the others to join them. Several obeyed, but the remainder
were prevailed upon by General Narciso Lopez to follow him
to the barracks, where they laid (town their muskets, and were
then allowed to walk about the streets with their sabres. When
the soldiers of the 4th. inside the Palace-square refused to be
relieved, an officer of Cuirassiers ordered his men to charge
them. He was-eliot through the knee and fell from his horse;
two of his men were killed, and several of the soldiers of the
4th and some Nacionales dreadfully wounded. The heroes of
the 4th are still in possession of the palace, which is encompassed
by Nacionales, and the few faithful troops of the garrison. No
kerson thinks about the Queen, who must base passed a sad
time of it. Whilst I write to you, the streets are full of
Nacionales, and strong patroles are met in every direction.
Possibly nothing further of a serious nature will take place;
but this is mere conjecture, as it is thought that ministers will
not prove more firm on the present occasion than hitherto. As
is natural, the greatest alarm prevails through the town.
General Seoane, who hoped to calm the effervescence of the
mutineers by his presence, was fired at, and obliged to retreat
with hie staff.

MADRID, Nov. 30, Half-past Nine ~m.
I learn this moment that a government courier starts in an
hour's time for Paris and London ; I hasten, therefore, to repeat
to you what I mentioned per post at two o'clock this afternoon,
.that the mutineers of the 4th regiment of Guards were this
morning surrounded in their barracks in Calle Fuen Carrel,
and, after a short fusilade and cannonade, compelled to surrender
at discretion, and that three of the ringleaders were immediately
the
shot Que, or,
en as others
The Ai assert
de-, decirbated, and the rest pardoned by
• de-Camp of General Seoane arrived
with it after three had been shot, and prevented the work of
death being carried any further outside the gates,
rest and that the
Sal is to be regularly tried and put into the prison of El
adero.
The goverment and the capital-have escaped a great danger,
supposed to be connected with the intrigues of the Carlists on
one side, and of the Secret Societies and Republicans on the
other.
•

The sentence of Polirinse has been commuted to twenty
years' banishm'nt from France; but M. Guernon de Itonv2e
will ba allowed to reside on his estate of lianville, on parole.