The New York herald., 1873-08-23
A Silent City Awaiting the Attack
of the Government Forces.
TWO VIEWS OF A SUBJECT.
A Herald Correspondent in Search Of
Actual Fighting.
CAN THE CITY BE TAKEN I?
FONDA DE PARIS,


VALENCIA DEL CID, July 80, lS78.)
IL lacks but little OF four years since was In this
same hotel in this city on the same errand thas
finds me here now.
The city OF Valencia, in September 1859, rose in
revolt against the attempts OF the monarchst
chiefs-Prim, Serrano and Topete-to bring in
monarch. After nine days stubborn nghting IN
the streets the revolutionsts surrendered to
Aamnios and Primo de Rivera, with q loss Of over
i've hundred killed and about fifteen hundred
wounded, while the soldiers lost as many more
At the end of July, 1873, nnd myself again in
valencia,-the brave. and beautiful city, which
boasts of the finest women, the finest fruit the
finest soil and the bravest men in Spain-to report
once more on the violent scenes which we expect
viii come In few hours in the wake Of the revo-
luton which broke out last Saturday, the 2eth Of
the month.
waited at Madrid just one day after the news OF
the rising at Cadiz ana Seville expecting that
Valencia would pronounce in favor Of Cartagena
and the independence OF the cant0ns. did nSt
heed the revolt OF the city OF Malaga
nor pay much attention to the fact Of
the harbor OF Cartagena being blockaded
by the Prussian irigates, because ! remembered
the stubborness OF the valencianos IN 1869, but
when the telegram arrived at Madrid stating that
Valencia had risen in arms against the govern
ment said to myself:-"Ah, here is a chance Ior
earnest battle; the valencianos are brave; Cadiz,
Seville and Malaga hold out but q few days. VAL
encia holds out for weeks; Madrid is cruel in re-
volt, Barcelona is faint hearted, but Valencia Is
city OF warriors. go to Valencia"
took a ticket for Valencia the evening Of the
day the news was delivered at Madrid, but the in
surrectionsts had already torestaed us and de-
stroyed tie railroad and telegraph, SO that at
I'm iunnt I haH IN M
to Alicante and then, by sea, as op-
rortunity offered, to Valencia. Fortune favors
not only the brave but those who seek her lavors,
and the opportunity l sought was offered the day
after arrival The steamer Guadiana was bound
from Seville and Cartagena for Valencia, Tarragona,
Barcelona and Marseilles; and, though deeply
laden with freight and iugitves from the disturbed
cities OF Southern Spain, there was room for one or
two republicans more, and was one OF those who
obtained passage in her. AS we were about start
ing from Alicante in the evening news came that
the valencianos had surrendered TO the govern
ment troops under Martinez Campos and velarde,
and that the rebel chiefs had all escaped. but my
knowledge Of the valor OF the people of Valencia
led me to doubt the veracity Of the report, and
held on my way.
At sunrise we sighted the port "El Grao,n as it
is called, and near approach to the long lines Of
ucW JULIUS anu plcTS UeluK constructed ulSSlpate0
the last doubt that may have remained in my
mind of the courage OF the rebels OF Valencia.
The works now in process of construction were all
empty and desolate, while the wharves Of FL Grao
were full OF people, all enjoying holiday or flying
from danger. There was no need to ask any ques-
tions OF those pallid-1aced people. OF those fear
stricken women and girls, OF those whte-iaced
fugitives, laden uown with beds and pillows.
or of the dense crowds Oi well-dressed men
who endeavofed to appear calm by
faint attempt at nonchalance. Correspondents
who have seen wars and seges, battles and revOlu.
tions recognize the signs OF disquiet and fear In
stinctively, so that glance OF the eyes and the
exercise of experienced judgment satisfied me how
affairs stood at the capital whose numerous
church towers we're seen above the long avenues
OF poplar and plane and above the vegetation
which gives the gardens OF Valencia such luxurl-
ant and Eden-ike appearance.
TERROR IN THE CITY.
saw my friend Pascua, the tartana driver, who
speaks English (he always likes to be known by
this quallncation), and, inviting him to cate to
partake of bottle of beer,.I asked him the news.
bad, very bad, Sefior Dlio," said he.n The re-
publcans have command Of the town and there
are not troops enough in Spain to take the city.
They have twenty cannon from the Artillery Park;
all the soldiers IN the town, the cavalry, artillery
marines are with us, and 1t IS said that as soon
the troops are ordered to the attack the soldiers
will revolt and join the republicans. Generals
Martinez Campos and Velarde are now at Silla and
Catarroga waiting for siege trains so they cannot
begin the attack Tor about two days yet. Valencia
is deserted 1t is like big city left to the dogs
it is quite empty"
Thanking my friend Pascual at once engaged
him to convey me to the gates which was as far
as he would venture to go, a distance
of about two miles and half from
the grao, or port All the tartanas of
the city seemed to be out on that white road,
which led up to the city, half shaded by four rows
OF plane trees, and they were laden with people
wearing very anxious faces. II was like unto
general exodus from plague or general emigra-
ton Of the people to seek their fortunes, except
that the old and the young the ugly and the fair
looked too much alarmed for people voluntarily
quitting their homes for better lands. 1t
was very sad to see the small children
with their little bare and brown feet half hidden In
the burning white dust carrying portions OF the
family treasure in the rear OF their heavily laden
mammas; as sad as it was to see others who, with
their great beautiful eyes half veed by sorrow
weighted eyelids wistfully looking forward and be-
hind, as If they knew not where to 90, having aban
doned their ALL
SPOILED BULL FIGHT.
On approaching the spacious alameda OF the city,
which, to stranger, is always feature, from the
unrivalled wealth OF LEAKAGE which hangs from the
great trees, we saw an immense frame building,
newly put. up and gay with streamers and nsgs.
A question as to its purpose brought Pascual out
with some more news.
Said he, "Dd you not know that there was going
to be great fair. we were going to have two
bull fights In the Plaza de Toros, but when the
troops came to the suburbs the volunteers occu-
pied the building, and they took TO killing men in.
stead OF bulls. Four carbineers were shot dead
close to the bull ring. 1 saw them myself You
see the booths that have be>h erected; the river
has been damned, too, and boats brought from the
grao for the people to row about. All, we should
have had gay time had there been no fighting.
Music and dancing rom morn till eve cake, wine.
and fruit and kisses from the c0,ntrY crls,