New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-04-27
From Blaclwood's Magazine for April
THE HOLOCAUST.
offered.
Ax ErIsopE oF ne PENlNsrLAR wa.


X the various histories that been written Of the Pc
unsuar War comparatively little mention made OF the dit
crcnt guerilla corps which, under the EmPcclnaso, Nagu
nez Merno and other leaders Oh or less note hung
pon the skirts OF the French armies attacked their rear
guards cut of their and dispatches and contributed
IN and small degree the annoyance and
final expulsion Of the enemy that had ovcrrun Spain nc
iSconduc, the Spanish troops OF the ine ire
ocnty provoked y the cowardicc netcency OF their OF
eccrs rendered them little be depended in their coop
GRAFTON with the British forces: but it is not the less certain
that the services rendered by OF the guerilla chieltans
were highly important and worthy OF notice than has
been accorded them by the historians of that period
The knowledge possessed by those daring parsans OF eve
nv by-road and shccpack every mountain pass and deie
in The dictin which they operated frequently enabled them
keep employed their pursuit large bodies Ell the enemy ard
finally escape the very moment when they appeared IN
eyi,aby en:rappcd Who does not remember the famous
exploit the Empccnado whcn at dozen leagues from
Madrid he allowed himself 20 be surrounded 10y upwards OF
twenty Thousand French troops, who hcmmed hun m as they
though, completely and lit their bvouac fires IN the m ex-
pec;ation oi breakasng the next morning Oh the terrible
guerilla chief and his band Nothing indeed appeared more
probable The Spaniards about three thousand toot
and twelve fifteen hundred horse. But before midnight
the Infantry of by road unknown 70 and ui'-
guarded BY the whilst the Empecinado and ms cav
arv passing unobserycd through the midst OF the French
made forced march on Madrid and surprised the palace OF
the Parc The confusion terrific. Joseph Bonaparees-
capped in ms shirt; and the Emrccnado entering La Man
cha proceeded Join his infantry who were waiting Tor
the nj ucnca ne Ers ultcu-tICc IT,
cciyed y the French general Of the whcreaboui OF ms slip
perry foe was by an express from Madrid, desiring his pres
enco 20 defend the capital against the Empecinado In tins
nigh; affair an officer of the Empecnado German rode
through Madrid with only thirty going in at the Pado
gate and coming out that Toledo AID sabring all whom
he encountered his passage.
Spain is Of all the Of Europe, perhaps the best
adaped to Il war of gueras. The nencss OF the climate
renders bivouac rather luxury than hardship during inc
greater part the Straw and barley or maze are 10
he found in ever pay village and secluded hamlet and 1t
that skins OF wine, and oaves OF that hne white breaa
peculiar Spain, forthcoming at 'e same Tune
those who demand them belong TO the party when hnds Ia
yor in the the pcasantry Add 10 this the mountains
ou character of the coua;rvhe and the stranger
eve seemingly inaccessible erras-and we vca once SUI
,ent explanation o. he obtained IN the lcnsu-
lar war by the guerrilla bands. which rapidly formed them
selves around Inc banners adventurous and popular
leaders These bands AT rst OF dozen or twenty men, III
creased rrodigiousy fast and towards the end .: the war
any of them rather re>cinbed small corps arae or at
least brigade>, than guerilla companies Nina IN Va
yrr was at the he'd of fifteen eighteen thousand men,
hs Enpecinado and Mrno had from tour to SIX thousand
Marsuiez before his death headed two thousand excellent
cavalry Nor were the discipline and drill OF these troops
unattended to- Merno especially, himself passionate lover
of horses took great pains bring his cavalry TO perfection
In his stronChod mountainous districts OF Bargos and
Sora he had besides nanufacory of muskes and other
arms vast numbers tailorS, shoeakcr and saddlers CON
nuoy at work Here he caused be prepared complete
ssa uniforms ample coaks, and ever other necessary and
II Obliged 10 absent 'ea'S
MS stores and arsenas unprotected nc mad immense caye
and hiding places II winch he caused every thing OF value 10
be deposited ard the which were euily con
ccae Aware the necessity OF having good officers II
order good troops, ne spared pains IN the isrnc
ton of the former The brgadie blanco, and few suPe-
ror officers we're sent TO him from the regular ARM and
these employed themselves forming the captains and SUD-
aerrs selected by Nerino hmsef-youug men OF talents
Application and courage animated by sincere and patriotic
desire to their country from the invader They were
nearly all education; many OF them young law stu
dents. Santan. the late minister OF finance, was In MS
Younger DAYS of Mernos officers He joined a vol
nteer conquered several grades and al that Pc
Rod reckoned the best cavalry officers IN Spain
On the march when the troops halted for the night and
the ra;ions and bets had been distributed the trumpet
would sound the call instruction OF officers and sersean
,nl certain devoted this important branch OF
Alsr>o system. By these and other udicions arrange
the Cua band rendered efficient that iaerly
he did hesitate attack large bodies of the French, and
unrequently came off the victor.
The greater part of his cavalry douby moun;ed
ina; IS with horses every Halt OF these were
usually left stables which he had the erras, in order
thai; coming off long march, he might DC able 10 start
again immediately iyon frame himself he took htie
ofthc OF his rather the possibility