New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-07-10
RnICnia.

letter TO a friend Of the editor 1Iarper's Week
" gives tie ;o ow ing account Of a celebrated negfl
clief,ain whose fame survives In the Argentine Re-
public Ike that Of Toussaint LOuverlure in 81. Do
miugo. The historian Meuezes praises biz consan-
mate ehill and the devotion and intrepedy Of hi.
followers:
You desir. 10 know Of Colonel Dsrcala, who'e
name you Lave ,een in the letter which ! wrote
to -. know perfectly well that your Interest
in lin il not a mere idle curiosity, bat Ia born OF
your profound love TO the good cause, and OF yonr
wish 10 PIT ~ acton whatever may contribute ia
any way 20 elevate the oppressed negro race.
"You think that IT may he useinl and interesting
10 know something OF this feilow-cOuntryman oi
mine-a man eminent by his talen',, viftuc', aud
heroic deeds. Well, then, will make yon atketc.
of tuat negro, mr. noble ant brave tho Bayari OF
France. am only Girai1 that II viii be- very io'-
perfect, because ! an far from those who could gave
me dates, GGd must depend only on my memory.
Bu. the few details that can relate TO Jou Of The
MARTYR for liberty will enable you to Judge Of hun.
"COlonel Barcala was born 10 tho city u MEMO
"a, where his parents were slaves. Tho owner Of
them loved the little negro. seeing lin 30 iatell
gent, snd gave bin ago0d edncstion Ibe War 81
hide neudence revolu0nized the society 81 the vice.
royaty Of Bueuos Ayres, and when the fret congress
et in 1915. 1t declared free every one born after
that day in tho Argentine Republic, md also forbade
the introduction Of Gihves. Tho love oil liberty III
epred the hearts Of most Of the citizens, who gave
Elmed ely freedom 20 tbci. Dct rOos begging them
only 10 help 10 maintain The liberty and independ-
enco Of the now republic.
"Msny 81 ths negrOes marched to the eDcamp-
peuts aud offered themselves Id prvsies, and among
them was Barcala 1Ley were organiledIuto batial-
IONS with white officers. General San Martin parsed
tie Ande. the most splendid feat Of tho military
history OF South America, aud fought The m,nprn-
Bile battle o. Cbacsbuco 90 disastrous for tho SraD-
iards In tlis battle Barcala was made a corporal
for bis distinguished gelisnIry.
"A short time after tho lbsrating army was sur
Irsed IN the night, aud, unfortunately, nearly all
disper sed. Corporal Barcals was mEds Sergeant
Tor The activity which he displayed on this occaslon.
Seven oays aiterward the Spanish army was at
tackled greatly - their StOnishmon, III tho hold o.
Maypu, by The army which they tLonght they had
destroyed Ia the recent action, and which was now
reduced TO one-thirj the number Of the enemy.
"Tho battle Of Msypu was one Of the most bloody
and desperate ever fought by tho SpsDlards on the
South American continent. and Ia l0siug 1t they lost
the possession of Chill. Ia that battle the negro
bsttshons performed exploits very similar to those
that distny uisled tho Rhode Island regimon's under
Gen burnside at ADtleiam.
/" For his behavior in tho battle Barcala was
made Lieutenant. He was the Gfst negro officer Ia
our army, and nad at that time three decorations on
LIS breast.
"Cons'antly battling without rest the liberating
nrnv followed The epsniards 70 Bolivia 9nd PERI.
/ returned TO Duenos Ayrss in tho year 1873. Bar
Gala had made eight years OF continued campaigns
and when lo returned "a bic fatber-laud from which
he went out As private, he came az Colonel Il "a
Regiment, covered with glory with fifteen decora
tioas snd with tho love and esteem Of oil the army
at ID Necessary TO understand that the chiefs ard
officers Of Ito army were from The mott notable and
select portions Of society, in order iu.ly 10 nppro
cate the merit OF BaIcala, an emGucipated negro
slave. who raised Lnself TO 20 high a rank by his
talents, beroiam, knowledge, and virtues.
ain lie war with Bfazi., in 1923, you know the
figure that he nade because you have read the let
ter which have written " -----.