Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-07-09
Death OF Marshal La Concha.
From the san Francisco Guardian.

ans which has been the glory and the
pride of Spain for ages, has lost his life
in the fierce heat of sectional strife.
La Concha was q soldier worthy of
rank by the side of Leopoldo UDon-
nell. Although in chief command of
the Republican forces of the North, he
was, at heart, u firm adherent to the
cause of Prince Alfonso. He was re-
garded with suspicion by Serrano and
the Republican Cabinet, and it was
only the fame OF his great generalship
and the popular ignorance of what side
he espoused that placed him in the
supreme command of the army of the
North. Success was only to be had by
great general. The Carlist forces
were advancing in strength, and Con-
cha alone could have arrested their
course. The best military leaders had
failed of success. Moriones and Primo
de Rivera all retired from the COM
mand, and the aged La Concha was,
perhaps, the only man in Spain equal
to the occasion. OF his success we
have already learned. Manuel Cutter
rez de la Concha was born at Tucu-
man, the ancient viceroyalty of Bue-
nos Ayres, in the year 1908. He was
the son of General Juan de La Concha
himself a distinguished soldier of
Spain. After an education at the best
military Schools he became cadet of
the Spanish Guards in 1920, and shortly
afterwards an ensign in the Royal
Guard of 1925, and in 1882, lieuten-
ant of infantry. At the outbreak of
the seven years war of the Dynasties
in 1882, he sought and obtained an inn
portant position in the army of the
nj cd n Il I in, iSh o1
part in the engagements which took
place in the Basque Navarro prov
inces. He was gazetted a captain of
infantry in October, 1889. For his
meritOrious services at the battles of
Mendaza and Zuniga, he was elevated
to the rank of Commandant. Then
rapidly rising to q lieutenant-colon-
elcy-for he needed only the occasion
to display wonderful strategy and
superior military abilities-atter the
siege of Belascoain and the battle of
the Pass of Arga, on the 2Sth of June,
1888, he was appointed n colonel of in
fantry. The Government highly APP
preciating his worth elevated him to
the high rank of Brigadier-G General in
1889, and after his success at the TAX.
ing of CasteIlote in 1910, the baton Of
Field-Marshal was placed in his hands.
In the same year he was appointed
Commander-Gener of the provinces
of Cuenca, Guadalajara and A lbecte.
On the 18th of June, by splendid
coup de main, at Olmedilla, he COM
pletely routed the factions of Balma-
ceda and Palacois, numbering 5000
infantry and 1000 cavalry. This was
most important movement, for it
was the intention of the Carlist troops
to make prisoners of the family of
Queen Christina, who were at Nlaga
cete, short distance from the scene
of the engagement, and but one days
journey from the Carlist stronghold.
The royal family would, undoubtedly,
have been captured but for the bold
stroke of La Concha in the very heart
OF the enemy's ter itory. Not long
afterwards he was made Commander
in-Chief of the expedition to Portugal,
having for its object the restoration Oh
the throne Of that kingdom Dona Ma
ria de la Gloria. In this, as in all
other achievements, he was eminently
successful. He overcame the forces of
Count Das Antas at Oporto on the 30th
of June, 1917, quieted the spirit of re-
bellion, and left Dona Maria in full
and undisturbed possession of her
rights. For this signal achievement
he was created Marquis of Duero, with
the rank of Grandee of the First Glass.
Again, in 1913, he terminated the un-
equal fortune of the second Carlist war,
in the province of Catalonia. On the
2lst of May, 1S49, he reached the high
grade of Captain-General of the army
of Spain, occupying rank second
only 10 the Regent, General Espar
tero. Since 1S49, he has lived in re-
tirement, passing his declining days
in the quiet of his family circle. 1t
was only a short time ago, when Ser
rano, to save himself from defeat at
the hands of the Carlists, placed the
veteran General in supreme command
Of the Republican army. Four-score
years had not suf1iced to quench the
warlike ardor that still burned within
the soldiers breast. He fell gallantly
leading his troops up the heights of
Estelra, and, according to recent ad-
vices, his death was the signal for the
immediate retreat of the Republican
force. He was the only General in
Spain capable of checking the Carlst
advance, and yet if we are to believe
reliable reports, he was a firm sup
porter of the claims of Prince Alfonso,
| the son of Queen Isabella, whom he
desired to see placed upon the throne.
1t is clear that Serrano and his adher-
ents are in great straits, and that the
| crisis is fast approaching. The late
victories of the Carlists are knell to
the revolution which has already too
nand and Isabella.