The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-31

have heard men say that the number Appropriated
seven thousand men.
Ollo and Dorregaray were reported to be making
for the Amescuas Mountains after their unexpected
appearance before Miranda and Nouvilas, with his
two columns, was now starting in hot pursuit
across the beautiful and rich plain OF Vittoria.
SPANISH TROOPS
march wen at all times but the soldiers OF Nouvas
seemed spurred on by q common ambition or AMI
mated by one sentiment, for they tore over the
chalk-white roads in most extraordinary fash
ion They had been three months after the Carlists
marching distractedly here and there under vari
Gus chiefs, but invariably the Carlists escaped.
The Generalin-C Chief was always frustrated in his
plans the best laid schemes for the capture OF the
maraudng force Of OHIO oil collapsed, and the cause
OF all this was that some chiefs column had not
come up to time to close the gates, according to
the instructions OF Nouvilas. Five brgadiers were
returned to Madrid who had been tried and found
to be useless. This time, however, N0uvtlas, the
Generalin-Chief was almost sure; he had found
after much Encouragement, faithful and true re-
publican men as brigadiers 70 command columns
and the confidence with which he seemed to be
possesse d inspired the soldiers. Leaving
THE HISTORIC PLAIN OF vITroRIA
behind us, we were soon confronted by the natural
buttresses, spurs or hog's-backs as they may be
compared OF the formidable plateau OF the Ames-
cuas, whose sides were perpendicular rocky walls
rising almost sheer 1900 feet above the turnpike
road along which we were then marching Natur-
ally enough when ] saw this long line Of rocky
scarp and rugged ruin Of the plateau my mind
reverted to
ABYssINIAN MEMORIES,
and l remembered well the saying OF veteran
British oficer who had witnessed the Carlist war
OF 1888, when he saw some Of the worst passes
there Said he, This portion OF Abyssinia reminds
OF Pyrenees and II this country were peopled
with Carlsts very few OF u.s. venture to say, would
ever see Magdala-"
AS WE ROSE
higher towards the clouds we obtained succession
OF magnificent views Of extensive tracts Of level
plain. which seemed 10 be land out in garden
beds for horticultural exhibition, SO kindly had
haZy distance hidden irregularities OF hedge and
fence and uncultlvated tracts. The excellent
turnpike roads resembled sandy footpaths, and
were fringed with the serpentine lines Of
tall, vigorous poplars and well cropped box
hedges. Over all nOated the haze, like a
tenuous azure veil; and when a halt was ordered
for the relief OF weary foot soldiers struggling up
the zigzag road, the sweet metallic sound oftower
clocks added to the holy beauty OF the scenes on
which our delighted eyes rested.
At eight p. M. the column commanded BY the
General-in-Cbief in person entered the village OF
Maestu, while the column Of Port'lla found refuge
for the night In neighboring village. Nouvilas
had very kindly taken your humble special under
his own protection and lodged him with far more
consideration than hts merits state deserved
Classed as an official on the staff, was lodged,
with my courier in a very respectable house, and
a lancer was detailed to look after our horses.
Rations OF grain, bread, wine and meat were
served out for us in a most generous manner, 80
thar though the room was poorly furnished and
the walls but whitewashed. and the floor creaked
dismally under our footsteps, we had no cause to
be disconnected with the situation, taking into
consideration the fact that the Commanding Gene
raj was lodged no better.
II was wonderful how quickly the troops were
quartered. Though there were only forty-eight
houses IN the village, 1000 troops and about three
hundred horses were accommodated ana that very
evening every man in his heart blessed the gods
that provided such an abundance.
Who that has been following the American army,
with its long lines OF wagon trains, loaded with
provisions, tents and ammunition, will not remem
Der the many inconvenience the soldier and the
camp follower suffered Who that has been in
such situation will not remember the hours-the
long, weary. drOwsy hours-0ne had TO wait, after
camp was reached, before his supper was ready,
and not envy the readiness with which fresh
wheaton bread, good rosy wine and fresh meat
were served to us?
QUARTERING THE TROOPS.
How different also the mode Of equpping an ex-
petition The soldiers start out from large
town like vittora with one change of clothing and
40 rounds of ammunition their backs, careless OF
their fate when they arrive In camp, so confident
are they that at each village on the way accOmmo-
dation and food for man and beast will be found.
There are no wagon trains and bucking mules
and mud-drowned animals to impede the way;
there are no tents to PITCH no 1res to be lighted,
no suppers to be cooked, no heavy, indigestible
biscuits bilious, greasy, fried meat to be eaten
and kill mans future powers OF deglution and
digestionl No; but, In striking contrast, the
Spans soldiers march as II on parade-light, SER
viceable and compact. from village to village and
from point to point
THE CARLIsTS WALK OFF.
We found that the Carlists had passed Maestu,
on the road towards Estsla. 5000 strong, and that
two hours only before our arrival at Maessu a body
OF seventy Carlists had taken rations and followed
the same road.
Leaving Maestu next morning, the turnpike
chalky, white and hard iron--led to a very diff
ferent country from the plains OF vittoria. 1t
wound among the defles and narrow ravines, on
each side OF which rose steep upright walls OF
rock or enormous hills, like blunt lengthy
lines Of iorest-clad slope; but the SUBMITS Of
these hills we're ever half Obscured by mist and
cloud.
Those who know what a guerilla war is know
what kind OF danger surrounds the passage Of such
a road a. the one l have attempted to describe,
and can imagine well how many hundred pairs OF
eyes were directed towards the snllen SUBMITS
hidden in the shadow and how mems hearts must
have beaten as they advance towards the base Of q
more than ordinarily horrent rock or scarp. But
fortunately not q shot startled us most wicked
looking places we're passed safely; we even passed
that place of terrible "reminiscences for Espartero,
the Bridge OF Urcija, and still
SIGN OF LURKING ENEMY.
We passed Santa Cruz de Campezu at noon and
were soon beyond the confines OF Alava and in the
Kingdom Of Navarro, the stronghold OF Carlism
Not an eye now looked on US kindly save from CON-
pulsion or dread OF consequences. We were as
AAA hv