New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-04-27

f their being fteed Sometimes for forced march he
would cause his cavalry lead with them their spare horses
and IN this would accomplish expeditions OF upwards
Spanish leagues (seventy or eghy mics without
hating 10 the establishment and conservation OF the FRENCH
70 whom the rapditv OF his movements unaccountabe
\ correct history OF exploits and adventures OF Acrno
would ;on work lar more interesting and romantic thah
any fictitious 1t would hc dhcu = obtain the
necessary materials unless the >y old priest himself con-
descended to furnish them. ~ the time there are
many persons now living who could give curious de-
tails of portions his although may not have been
their fate or their choice follow through the whole OF
his fortunes. 1t by Of these officer who
served under Mcrino during part of the Pennsuar war
and who for acted lis aidee-camp that the
incident which forms the ubcc: % the following sketch was
narrated TO the writer.
In the wear IS division Of French troops occupied the
town of Amanda del Duero and neghborhood Merino
observing them from his Businesses in the >lerTS o San
Lorenzo San Milan and Piqucra. the latter of which NOUN
tain chains little the north of Amanda. ne French
general the vicinity of the Cura anxious 10
surprise him. and possible obtain possession OF his
son and with this object he mad spies out IN all directions,
to whom ne promised great rewards should their information
enable MN accomplish the c0up-de-main he mcditaed
For some DAYS however nothing could be ascertaned and
he might almost have doubted that Merino still in his
neghbohood mad the troops OF the latter daily taken
prisoners his pckeS and patrols intercepted ms dispatches
and araSed his outposis. No quarter given by the
Spaninrds the prisoners they took Mercy was but ;tle
The order Of the day nor had the French thought proper to
set the example Merino especially noted tor his Sin-
dicvc and cruel disposition; and al this moment ne was
ragac ike tgrc<s robbed of her young for the una which
he had formed for conducting the affairs OF the province OF
Brro and drawing the best advantage from IL resources,
had been surprised bv the French and members shot
Auoncs, them were personal friends and on rcceiv-
ing intelligence. ne fearful oath, that tor every
their heads he would nave the blood oil trenchnan
At length after one or uitcss night excursions and
ambucadc on the part of the French troops, their general
rcccvcd information from spy whom he could depend
that Mcrino would pass the following night at village about
leagues from Amanda and that having sent the greater
part of his forces another direction ne would hive with
him s2ly a very small escort The proptious
for the French commander accomplish his longchersed
plan and he accordingly gave the necessary orders TO that
effect.
About an hour before nish,ta on Sunday evening the
peaSartry of small village situated the foot OF the Sierra
Pouer- were dancing the music of couple OF guitars on
the open Plaza which to be found in nearly every Spanish
town or village however small and which on the week
DAYS as market lace-on Sundays and tfteS as bail
room The casanets rafting and the dancers throw
ing themselves the various graceful attitudes oil the DO
ero when sudden stop put their amusement by the
arrival OF small party horsemen to the foremost OF whom
the peasants Immediately uncovered saung him with the
deepest respect.
He was man Of thirty eight forty years OF of grave
and stern and OF spare and sinc"y frame
His dress was lang froccoa ard watcoat OF rusty black,
blue trousers. and round hat. pair OF black cavalry
spurs were screwed his boo; heels sabre hung at ms
side and long light carne, of exquisite workmanship was
str,rpcd TO his sadde-bow His whole appearance was not
calculated TO attract much attention which was ioe likely
to be paid to the horse which he besrode The animal was
from one OF the finest studs Analusa the ustrous black
of his skin was free from the smallest spccN o any other
color and he stood paving the ground arcng his proud
neck and campng his bit, the pccks ot snoS-"hc loan
adering ike stars his broad chest and flowing name, he
presented perfect model OF equine beauty few PAGES to
the rear aneter equally fine charger led ready saddeS
and brited, by orderly.
The new conner in whom the reader will probably have
already recognized the Cura Merno cnqrcd Tor the acadc
of,h at nm
began conversation with him. which he mad not yet term
mated when the head OF column OF troops appeared Inc
FIRST that arrived cavalry well mounted ard equipped
hussars whose blue pclsses richly braided with white well
shed arms and fine horses would have done no d'scrcdt
10 the more regular Frenck troops which were opposed to
them Each squadron mounted on horses OF an assorted
coor-onc squadron black, bay one grey and SO on
Nearly thousand horse having passed tie 'anE appear
cd thci rlain grcy uniforms, with red iacng having
ceonv and ,crycc-ke appearance. On the front OF their
black leather sakos the OF Burgos, painted IN
white and surrounded by the word; Rcgimento de Ar
lama taken from small rlver winch runs 't!
70 the south of the above named city -Four oattaons
marched through the plaza and the rear was brought Up by
another squadron of hussars The whole OF the troops on
oviYr the village followed lane turning the lett, winch
f:cr march half league, led to an open heath OF
small extent bounded the north by the mountains Oh u'
west BIZ thick rnc wood. and on the south by some pasture
lands in one corner which had been erected an extensive
corrdI or stable for cattle and sheep; sort OF 'hed con-
s,rctcd OF wood and with large doorway or opening al
one end Here the cavalry who first arrived pet up tne
horses whilst the infantry and about three hundred nusar
VINO formed the rcarguad of the column disposed them
selves for bvouac better spot could hardly have been
selected To the south Of the pasture and in the direction
of Amanda del Duero, small rising ground the slopes
of which were covered with lofty trees Lnder the shelter
of these the infantry established themselves the cavalry
pickeed their horses in the Hat wood collected and
fires lighted perfect ecurty-he uneyen and mountainous
nature the country precudng the possibility OF their beng
seen By the French Ever thing done with the greatest
order and regularity The horses in the corral were allow
ed to be unsadded but the squadron which was TO ovouac
merely un4rided in order he ready in case OF
surprise When horses had had their corn and the men
had refreshed themselves, the later lay down IN as good
order - If bey were expecting to be Immediately reused and
called into acon the infantry by companies !. the rear of
their piled arms the cavalry front OF their horses winch
we're cNecd in line. The fires that had been lighted were
allowed die away and the nosy mum OF more tnah 4oV9
- LIZ rlnre,l hv the rrcatest silence. ONLY inerruped