The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-29

an aIable and familiar treatment towards his toll
lowers procured for Patz great popularity and
nmi ed sway the minds Of his wild soldiery No
leader was better calculated TO command their love
and efpect He was one of the best riders in dis
t1ct OF country celebrated for good hors0men and
understo Cd The management Of the lance his fayorte
weapon. almost to perfection. He possessed great
bodiy strength and agility and few could compete
with him IN the wildHpor,s Of the Llaneros inhabi-
tHnts Of the inmenSe plains OF Venezuela. These
LlsDeros brave and robust race OF men, accus-
tened nom tally youth TO tend immense droves OF
cattle On the plains Their occupation requires them
70 be continually horseback and thus they become
most export ridtrs. AS the plains OF Venezuela
taverstd by many rivers. deep creeks and streams
which are mostly not fordable, they in the con-
slant habit of sing these by swimming with their
hoftes by their sides and carrying the lance ia one
baud Often in these passes they attacked by the
alligator or Amer lear crocodile and are com PEELED 10
defend not only their own persons but their horses
from these and other wild animals with which these
plains abound
Paez conceived the plan Of going through the centre
OF New Gran ada to the plains OF Casanare This plan
was the result OF experience, which convinced him
that the patriots ceuld not triumph, Notwithstanding
their unheard Of efforts. while the Spaniards held
possession of the plains and controlled the supply of
horses The possession Of the plains gave the supe-
rioriy to the spaniards by of It, they had
source Of supplies and a Fate retreat Paez deter
mined therefore, TO make the plains of Oasanare, in
New GlaDada, the basis of his military plans and
operations and with this view, of his own
military movements, resolved to meet the enemy
there and if possible, bring him to an engagement
On the 10th of February, 1916 he commenced his
march In pursuit of the royalst chief, Don Rafael
at place called Nata de la Mel, on the right
bar k Of the river Apure The roy alist leader had
two pieces Of artillery and 600 men, whom he
drew at in order OF battle. 1t was evening and
the night fast advancing and this account many OF
the companions OF Paez desired to put off the engage
msnt until the day following This very reason how
ever determined Paez to enter at into action
be eartd that his soldiers observing the great superb
ority of the enemy In numbers might take advantage
Of the night TO eesert He divided his forces In
columns placing the composed ofNew Grana dams
der comm and Of Captain Genaro Vazquez and the
ne nd IA ntafn ann
NoDato Perez. Nothing can be sad than battle
In the darkness Of night because In such engagement
meritorious actions not witnessed and pass over
inglorieusy those who fall excite compassion; no
aid can be given by friends and bravery and skill
can avail az amt the attacks of the Such
the action OF Mata d. la Mel The royasts were COM
pletely routed and during all that mig and the two
following days Psss pursued Don Rafael Lopez There
were LETT dead on the field 40 royaGs and the victor
captured AGO prisoners about $500 horses and nearly
ell the enemy's arms Four months afterwards in
June Lopez again crossed the Apure with 100 horse
ana 400 ini5ntry but Paez having met him near
the place called Nautical obliged him retreat after
having lost many men and horses.
The result of the campaigns OF 1914 1915 and 1915,
was the less OF Venezuela New Granada and the plains
OF C@ansre, to the patriots In 1916 very numerous
emigration of patriots consisting Of men women aud
children, in state Of great destitatien and suffering
fed from the persecution Of the royslists and took
refuge h the of Paez 10 the town Of Trinidad dc
Ariehuna Paez provided for all. and Obliged to
procure means not only for their support, but for
transporting them with the army. Many persons Of
distinction 20 be found among this fugitive emf
grafton. end kind If government established for
the regulation OF affairs. meeting OF officers
bsid and Paez appointed supreme chief with the
rank Of General Of Brigade He applied himself i'm
mediaely TO raise sufficient forces oppose ON Ra-
fal Lopez and TO acquire II possible resources
in his extreme want The hsrdships and priyations
endured by the patriot army the plains
ly be conceived The soldiers were so destitate Of
clothing a. TO be compelled 70 for covering the
hides OF the cattle freshly killed. very had hats
none shoes Their ordinary and only food beef,
without salt snd without bread There were, in addi-
tiun TO all this continual rains aud the rivers and
creeks hAd syerhowed 81 covered the country.
They wanted horses and there Indispensable to
the Llansros they munt be obancd before anything
clse. Only wild horses could be procured and they
had 10 be famed and broken THE done ia squad
rons and II was curious spectacle to see ave six
hunsrtd riders at time struggling Go subdue these
Wild animals Around the ground we're stationed se.
yeral ofetre mounted on well trained horses, whose
duty IL was to go after those horses who escaped
nom their rderR to prevent them from carry
irg away the saddles, although these were made Of
wood. with thongs 81 raw hides Many years after
these scenes an eyewitness wrote I'VE courted dan
ger In oIecr to put an end, with honor, to such
Being mpsed to give battle. and hndins II to his
advantage not 70 delay IL long in order, st least to
occupy The attention Of his soldiers Paez commenced
60 march towards Aohaguaa. over the plains called
CaJOB de Arausa. although the season still very
severe. The march SLOW, a. besdes the difficulty
of the road, they were ensumbercd by the numerous
emigration. and compelled, at step TO
supplies on account 81 the want Of stores The great
multitude OF men, women and children. moving with
the army, Represented TO the life the picture Of
madic people, without home or country. Who, after
having consumed the OF the district they
have occupied raise their tents to conquer another
In this manner they arrived NJ the fand hills OF Ara
quay una where having left ths emigration under the
protection Of chosen band Of horsemen PasE
Incorporated all the men capable Of bsariug arms
IN his ranks and marched agninEt Rafael Lopez,
whom he supposed 20 be at Achaguas But after
proceeding short distsnce be learned that the
my TO the number OF l5CO horsemcn aud 400 infantry
at the cattle estate called Yagual. Pasz than
changed his and took his position between the
enemy aud the city OF Achaguas. Ills army was d.
yidsd into three columns, commanded BY Generals
Urdsnsta and SERVER and by Colonel Santanicr they
nearly all armed with lanc-s very few with mus
keis or carbines. ana the supply OF ammunition was
scnIty On the sth Of October they came IN sight Of
the susmy and although their number much ex-
ctsded that Of the patriot forces, Paez did not
hesitate 10 give thsm battle. The conflict was long
RAiatl Lopez compelled TO abandon his position,
and on the psxt day refused 20 renew the battle and
alter sustaining severe loss fell bach upon the city
Of Achsguas. having previously shipped the river
Arsnca. sI bis srtillsry and wounded for San Fer.
nAndo On the 18th. Lopez having made n short
sistancs abandoned the city OF Achagaas. Of which
Pasz took possession shortly sfter this Lopez being
attacked BY turprtse ON the banks OF the Apure. was
completely defeated his forces dispersed and he him
sell iust his lite
AZ tie head Of his brave soldiers Pasz rescued the
province 81 Apurr part Of that Of Barinas in Veue
aueia end that Of Casassre In New Granada
Having nereaed his force by the levie- raised 10
thee provinces and in others he formed thai army
phch subsequently rendered such important services
IN the esuse Of freedom and who're exploits have been
much admired
ancsnt and wsglike power Having braveiy expelled
the frsneh invaders from her Territory and Ferdinand
VII being reftored 10 throne OF MS ancestors
planned and sent out strong military expedition
aEaintt Nenezusls. commanded by the Lieutenant
Gtnsra Don Pablo Morillo. IL set sail frou Csdia
the 18th cay Of February. 1915 II consisted Of 05
trsrsptI ships and other smaller vessels conveyed By
ths line a battle ship San Pedro Alcantara mounting
- guns. and having on board the regiments Of Leon
Victoria Estramadura, Barbastro Union afterwards
kbown a. Nasnceyl, Cazaiores Of Castillo, and the
general battalion or infantry Caradores; the reg
ments 81 Dragons Dc Ia Union and the hussars q
fddinabd VII OF infantry. squadron Of artillery
MIN ~ peces two companies Of fortress srtillsry,
ur'e OF sappsrs and park provided With All that
requisite TO besiege second class for'ress The total
numbsr OF men composing this expedition. including
The maringst amounted 20 ZOO TIE ships carrying
ths formidable expedition cast sDrhor the ca April
1913 In PuertoSabto. TO the wind ward Of Carupano
Morilo. the commander q this expedition, vas =
brave actve and 'neigetic officer cool In action q
disciplinarian aud beloved By his soldiers
Beside th force there was aroyaiist army Of 900
men In Venezuela commanded by Morales.
At first General Morillo met with little or no opposi
tion until goug into the Interior he met Peer the
prius In 1915 1917 and 1878 Paea msde the plains
Apure the basis Of his military operations aud theirs
thu % freedom began torevive The inhabitants