The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-05
A Spanish Generals View OF tho Uni0K

INTERESTING LETTER OF GENERAL LANA, WRITTEN
-, AFTER VISIT TO OUR ARMY or THE POTOMAC.
TRANSLATED from the ario de Ia Marina, Of HAVANA for
the NEw YORK HERAID.1
WASHINGTON, July 81, 1861.
You will he surprised on seeing my letter dated from
TINS city, since perhaps You supposed was already in
Madrid IL would have been had 1t not happened That
ltound, on my arrival at New York, that tho famous
steamship Great Eastern was expected circumstance
which created IN me hope Of making my trip TO LIVER
pool in that colossus. In tho meantime In order 10
make tho most Of my limo, visited Saratoga, where
Great Eastern does not sail from Quebec till the 9th OF
August, felt curiosity to see what was going on,
that these people appear 10 be Fighting in carnes ami at
one bound planted myself IN the capital OF the OLD
Union. -
y Her Catholic Maesty's Mnistor sr. Tassara received
very we'll and did everything in his power 10 post
fully as possible in regard to the military and political
state of this country, from which Information believe
have formed sufficiently accurate idea OF the actual stu
alton, although hcrcabouts they silent the dead
on certain matters, and have very little OF what Is
taking place on the other side OF the Potomac. -
II is necessary to this place to be convinced or
what IS occurring and to form M idea OF what kind Of
affair an army is composed OF without any Hilary
habits and led by olcerscheis and generals-who
for the most part devoid T the knowledge necessary.
Excepting the material in the transportation depart
ment, such as wagons gun carriages ambnlmces, &c
&c, which is magnificent all else is confusion OF
ilclad men without any military instruction, and what
Is worse, without trying TO acquire it, according to APP
pearanc since during the time remained there have
seen thom pass days and nights in the camps without
doing any thing with the exception Of battalion
drii for short white ia the morning and again in the
evening AS far az ! have been able TO observe, they
have no large nclds for manmuvring target exer-
cses, which surprises me, since know the fondness
they have Tor II IN this co;ry. Nothing npresses you
that there seventy thousand in tho neghborhood
preparing for war; Silence and tranquility reign in the
city and camps neither more nor less than il everything
were IN a normal state.
For all have searched, have not succeeded in finding
either cavalry or artillery True, the latter they aban
tho former they have never had except in
comparatively Insignificant numbers. What they have
is draughtratc such have any where the
harn p,n tsaIt oil bran
since they lost those they previously had in tho battle,
and that, too, in great numbers as every says.
To-day mere than Thousand most beautiful
mules, good the best which bred in the pastures
Of Ia Mancha (New Castilc) All Of them destined
for drangh service in tho army; they had Just come from
Kentucky Certainly all that money can procure Is had
her0n abundance; but there things which cannot DO
inrovised Hence Is that according TO my opinion,
these gentry will be beaten as often as they so into bat
tie; at eas. for the present
Nothing Of ali that is said by the Southern
papers the result Of the battle Is exaggerated Hcrc
IL is known perfectly well tbnt the fede, as.s besides
having away heller scelter, lost about 1900
kos, seventy odd d. all their wagons and pro-
sacks 1t Is only necessary TO take peep at encanp
10 notice thai not OF these latter Is 20 be
The soldiers moro clothing uniform than what
understand by barraci dress and their clothes
clnmsly worn, dirty and motley that il Is necessary to
TO believe. Boards and long hair also very much
in fashion wonder If they imagine the enemy will
no frightened by showing them dshevclled heads and
dirty, hairy faces. would require to write many pages
to relate some out of the much which Is seen about here
IN these days Of the remarkable and strange But
neither STARE Sufficient time for that, nor would you
have patience to read it.
by the time you receive this letter IL is very
probable the scene may have been transferred
more the northward. | believe II the South
efners avail themselves duly Of time and cir
cumstances they will very soon oblige their enc
mics 30 evacuatc Irpers Ferry, offer battle TO the corps
Of federal troops marching through Western Virginia,
ard also present themselves Baltimore threatening
the forces in possession there. In that the army
whchis here cncanpcd will have TO retire Philadelphia
and then Virginia and Maryland will remain in the power
of the Southern Coniederates am thoroughly convinced
that this must happen very soon.
endcavored in vain to get glimpse OF tho Southern
troops and convinced myself lint u was useless at
tempt it. Their pckcts allow To pass not
the country people In which TO penetrate the
country ii would necessary take great round for
which have not sufficient time.
TO morrow start for New York and after resting there
day will make excursion to Niagara TO the bridge
which the English have butt over the river ST. Law.
rence{ proceeding The 9Th to Quebec 10 embark for