The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-26

earth.
DON AlfonsO's COmmand-His Zouaves,
Guides, star, &c.-Saballs and His
Men-Csstells and His Troubles-How
We Marched, Lodged and boarded
Language, Manners and Hospitality OF
the Natives.
In THE WOODS, NEAR BERaA,(
June s, 1878. J
little dlfnculty with the enemy at Ol0 COM
PEELED change OF base before was enabled to
finish my correspondence dated from that town. 1t
win be forever matter OF surprise and conjecture
for me, unlearned in scientific warfare, why we
should have remained in that town till the enemy
arrived there without having made ever 30 slight
an EFFORT to prevent his arrival We were fully 1000
men and occupied splendid position, which was
the town OF Santa Maria de Olo being situated upon
two peaks-one quite c0nical the other less so,
but equally defensibe. II was known at ten
O'Clock A. NJ. that the enemy, with q force
inferior to ours, was marching upon US,
and yet we remained in q state Of complete mac
tivity till two O'Clock P. NJ, when the order was
given to march. We left the town by path be-
tween the two peaks and wound along the base
Of the higher, presently gaining the crest OF a
steep hill quarter OF q mile distant. But before
the last man was out of the town, an honor which
FELL firmly believe to your correspondent. the
advance Of the enemy was entering BY the
side opposite to that by which we were making
our exit, the remainder or his force being
stretched along mountain parallel and quite
close to the town. SO coon, therefore, as the
head Of our force showed itself upon the
hill we had gained the enemy opened
brisk 1re from the opposite height, as
brisky replied to, both parties firing across
the very deep ravine which separated them. For
my part, l must confess to having retreated in
win tobo tho colIv ~
the enemy's cavalry were actually in the town
and might easily have seen me. The better to con-
ceal my humble person. boldly took to the river
which flows north OF the town, small tributary OF
the Estany, wide. but not deep. There the pre-
cpitous side of the sugar-loaf peak soon concealed
me. and waded and nOundered as best could
for distance of mile, occasionally taking look
at the enemy, till / thought might safely try
terra trina. l was shortly after joined by an
acquaintance whom the firing had compelled to
dismount, and who lost his charger in some unac-
cOuntable manner. The firing continued about
two hours, resulting on our side in the loss
of horse killed and three men slightly
wounded. On the part of the enemy the
casualties were equally insignificant. possibly
less 80, for we heard afterwards that they
boosted In the town OF not having had q man
touched. About five O'Clock we could hear his
trumpets sounding the departure, which he took
In the direction OF Aviny6 Now. there is no doubt
whatever in my mind that hundred determined
men, properly posted, could have annihilated that
column of seven or eight hundred men, or, at the
very least could have inflicted very serious loss.
We were 1900, under the enterprising Sabals,
and, with everything in our favor, did nothing.
Some explain our inaction by asserting that Don
Alfonso and the Princess are
UNWILLING TO SHED BLOOD
ha ny,pka A hvr
name reason; but then war is war, and should be
made with ungloved hands. Others say there were
several other columns moving upon u.s. and there.
fore Saballs thought 1t more prudent to move
from this point OF rendezvous. In fact, at about
six O'Clock the same evening another column did
meet us in the mountains, near the mighty Peak
OF Rod0s which towers to height Of 1000 feet;
but our force and position inspired respect, and
after an insignificant sktrmisn. the enemy retired
THE zOUAvEs AND GUIDES.
When the illmannere0 enemy interrupted me
was engaged in an attempt to describe what
have seen, and now, in this quiet retreat, which
must leave tomorrow or next day, will try to
resume the thread OF my narrative. It has already
been stated that Don Alfonso's personal command
is composed chiefly OF the Zouaves and Guides.
The former are splendid body OF young men,
most Of whom were In the Papal service prior to
September, 1870. They wear the uniform worn by
. them In Rome, with scarlet b0mas and every one
carries upon his breast the handsome badge Of the
Sacred Heart of Our Redeemer or the Papal arms.
Many OF them served under De Charrette during
the war between France and Prussia, and carry
French decorations. One of these heroes has as
many as six medals strung along his breast. 1t is
needless to saythey are well armed some with Chas
sepots, others with Remingtons, the latter weapon
being preferred by most. The entire force OF these
fatigung marches of the Prince oblging all in
turn to drop out Of the ranks and rest in some re-
tired country house. The number usually present.
therefore, will not exceed one hundred and twenty.
Anxious as they naturally are to see their num-
bers increase, they are, nevertheless, remarkably
exclusive. All nationaities are admitted, but the
candidate must possess certain moral as well as
physical qualities. young man presenting him
self without high recommendations in regard to
morality stands no chance Of admission. know
OF more than one instance where admission
refused. And If member should show the white
feather on the field he would have his discharge In
half an hour.
THIS CORPS D'ELITE
is commanded by a young Hollander, Ignatns
Mary WILL of Rotterdam. One may be sure that he
deserves his post If devoted courage and fervent
piety can make man deserve nything on earth.
Apparently not more than twenty-five years old
he Is already a veteran. He fought at Rome,
served through the late war in France, has been
many months IN Catalonia and bears the scars Of
no less than thirteen bullet wounds His uniform
is curiosity, being rIdded and cut by balls which
have passed through it In all directions without
even scratching him. In short, Commandant Will
has pretty good record In fight he is as much
as possible on horseback, and exposes himself in
the most reckless manner, not at all through a
spirit of senseless bravado but through profound
and pious faith in the Divine protection. He says
he has asked God not to spare him wounds and sui
fering, but to spare his life, that he may see Rome
once more.
The Guides are about as numerous as the
Zouaves and, with only two or three exceptions
are all Spaniards Their uniform is showy-scarlet
jacket, light blue pants, white bona and red
leggings BY the way, all the Carl'sts in Catalonia
red cloth Observation-Disclosures in the lanQua