The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-25
Correspondence OF the Newark Daily Advertiser,
AUSTRIAN AND HUNGARIAN AFFAIRS.

FaAsKroRT, My |, le49.
or all the wonderful events Of the past fl-
teen months in Europe, there have been
none more fraught with interest and impor-
lance than those at present going on 10 Hun
gary. Not only because the liberty OF a
brave people is at stake, but because the
destiny Of many races, if not in measure the
fate, of Europe itself, hangs in the balance.
IL the Hungarians should be victorious, POI
land would not remain long in her present
humiliation. Moldavia and Valachia would
probably then throw of completely the Rus
sian and Turkish yoke, which would be fol-
lowed by a general regeneration Of the
hitherto oppressed race of central Europe.
But the fall Of the Maygars would be not
only fatal to the freedom Of Hungary and the
Sclavonian countries around, but would most
probably react upon Germany, and the whole
Of Europe,
In view Of the recent marvellous success
Of the Hungarian arms, il may not be amlss
to glance at the principal events of the war
from the beginning TO the present time. 1t
will show on the side Of the Hungarians, an
energy and force Of character, that have
rarely been witnessed in tile annals OF ma
tiona struggles.
AT the beginning Of the contest everything
was uniavorable to them. Not only were
they opposed by the overwhelming forces Of
Austria, but two-thrds Of the inhabitants Of
their own territory Of other races, were,
on the provocation of the Imperial govern
ment, in open rebellion. The insurrection Of
Vienna indeed turned to their account for
time, but in the end il proved contrary; for
It served to call out and concentrate the
whole military force at the command Of the
Emperor, which was afterwards, when flusa-
ed with victory, directed upon them. The
whole military force Of Hungary Of the Sd Of
October, when the Imperial manifest and the
appointment Of Jellachich as civil and mill
tary Governor, produced the final rupture,
was but 10000 men, and only $4,000 Of
these took decided part for the nation. Even
the officers Of many regiments that proved
true, either went over to the lmperialists or
retired. About &C, 900 men, and more than
half Of these militia, were all it is said that
Roputh could assemble to march to the as
sistance Of Vienna. Onreaching the Leitha,
the officers refused to cross over into Austria
They were in consequence removed, and
most of them sent back to Pesth as prisoners.
When at last the Hungarian army, after
waiting in vain for the call OF the Vienna
Assembly, crossed over to the cid Of the
city, It was too l2te, 10000 troops with
o72 cannon, beset the capital After losing
| 1000 men, in vain attempt TO enter the
latter, they fell hack into their own country.
Now, every effort was made to prepare for
the storm which they knew was coming
There was no lack Of men; but arms and
ammunition failed greatly. Manufacturers
for these were there almost unknown, for
Austria had always discouraged their estab-
lishment, wishing to keep the country in this
respect dependent. They were soon, how
ever, established in every part of the coun-
try In one at Pesth 500 muskets were
turned out daily Metal was also rare, but
the bells Of the churches were taken to sup
ply the necessity. Under the extraordinary
expenses of the government, money soon also
failed in the treasury, but to supply this
paper was issued which was taken like gold
and silver In two months more than %
millions were in circulation. This has fuc-
tuated in value since, but at the present mo-
ment at Pesth il stands at par. The great
est enthusiasm prevailed among all classes,
particularly were the mobiles devoted to the
cause Of the country. Many Of them armed
whole regiments at their own expense and
took the command in person. There is an
instance Of Countess not unknown at the
court Of Vienna, who did the same. Even
women secretly took service in the ranks.
1t is said that among lao prisoners made BY
the Austrians at the taking Of Leopoldstadt,
IL were found to be females.
Thus at the end Of December more than
100, 900 men were under arms but large
part Of these were obliged to be sent against
the rebellion Of the North, East, and South,
SO that but very inferior force could be OPP
posed to the Imperiaists, who marched upon
the Hungarian capital TO the number of more
than hundred thousand 1t was determin-
ed therefore 10 risk nothing uselessly. On
the 3lst Of December, the Diet, with the
whole military force, arms, ammunition, and
whatever Of public utility could be removed,
left Pesth, and took the route for Debreczen
beyond the Thess, which became then the
capital and headquarters. Seven days after
Windischgratz entered Pesth without oppo-
sition, The extremely cold weather, such
as has not been known for fifty years, favored
the march Of troops and artillery into coun-
| try that would have otherwise been impas-
sable from its marshy nature in many parts,
and the precautions taken to destroy the
only good road through it. Had the same
weather continued, the rest Of the campaign
would have been more favorable to the Aus
\ TRANS.
Arrived al Debreczn, the Hungarians, in
military council in connection with the
Diet, laid down their plan of operations,
which seems to have been as follows: To
keep flying body Of cavalry between the
Danube AMI the Thesis, to haiass continue
ally the main body Of the lmperialista with
out coming to an engagement, while strong
bodies Of troops should proceed to Transyl-
vania behind, to Servia AMI Banatia on the
South, and the Slovack country on the
"a. l.