Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-19
A SKETCH OF EsPARTERO, "DUKE
OF VICTORY.

We copy from the Baltimore Sam Of yester.
day, the following letter of its Washington cor
respondent Y, which contains a brief but very
satisfactory sketch of Espartero, at present the
great leading spirit Of Spain. We are salts
fed that we can present to our readers nothing
that would be more acceptable: I" Don Balds
meredo Espartero is of low extraction was
born in la Mancha, in 1892, and from his
weak constitution was first destined for the
church. He left the convent where he was
educated in 1903, and entered the army, then
organising against the French. In 1911, he
became lieutenant of engineers; but not be.
ing able to pass his examination, was trans
ferred to the infantry at Valladolid, where he
resigned his commission.
{" In 1915, he joined, as captain, the expedi-
ton Of General Morillo against the revolted
colonies Of South America, and fought with
success and courage in Peru, where he ad.
vanced to the rank of colonel. After the ca.
pitulation Of Ayacucho, in 1924, he returned
to Spain, where he was promoted to the rank
Of brigadier general.
ain 1892 he declared for the succession of
the daughter Of Ferdinand VII, the present
Queen Of Spain, and in tho civil war which
subsequently ensued, joined the army Of the
Christmas in Biscay. In 1886 he saved the
capital from the insurgents, for which achieve
ment he was made commanderin chief Of the
army of the north, Viceroy of Navarro,
and captain-gencral Of the Bask provinces.
In 1887 he again saved the capital from
the army Of Don Carlos whom he threw
back across the Ebro, occupied the hills Of Luz
china, and relieved Bilboa, which had been be.
sieged by the Carlists. For this feat he was
made Count Of Luchana. In 1923 be annihi-
lated the expedition Of the Carlist general
Negri.
His fortunate campaign Of 1889 won him
the titles Of Grandee Of the FIRST class, Duke Of
vi,toria, and Grand Cross OF the French lie.
gion Of Honor lis negotiations with Moroto
at last caused Don Carlos to Quit the soil OF
Spain.
I" In 1910 he defeated the Carlist expedition
under Cabrera, after having previously caused
the resignation Of Narreas ms a member Of
Donna Christmas cabinet. In that year the
Qacen Regent, having large majority in the
Cortes, ventured to circumscribe the munici.
palties (Ayuntamentos) Of Spain. Espartero
advised her in Barcelona not to sign the Law,
aud when an instruction followed the promul-
cation, returned to Madrid, who're he was
elected President OF the ministerial council.
On the 10th Of October, 1910, the Queen Re
gent abdicatcd and went 20 France. The Cor.
ties on the 9Th Of May, ls4l, declared Espar-
tero Sole Regent OF Spain.
"As Regent Espartero opposed both the
pretensions Of the Pope and Of the Reppbli-
cans, crushed the rising Of o'Donnel, who had
declared for the Queen Regent, and prevented
the elopement from Madrid q the present
Queen. ofthe two generals involved in the
plot, Leon and Concha, (the latter subsequent
ly captain-general Of Cuba.) he ordered the
first 10 be shot
AS Regent, Espartero became tho decided
friend and ally OF Epglsnd, in the same man.
nsr that the Queen Regent bad been that Of
Francs. He remained true TO the constitution
Of 1897, but at the same tune put down rspub-