Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-23
REAL SPANISH SOLDIERS.
Although They Are Poorly Fed and
Clothed They Make Good
Fighters.

The Spanish soldier, as described by
those who have seen him in his den,
is small, issome, almost puny being,
and presents picture the reverse of
inspiriting. As he slouches along on
the march, unkempt, unShorn and
characterization. the sight of him in the
ranks would break the heart OF an Eng
Iish or German Tnartinet-than whom
there is no greater stickler for form and
appearance on the face of the earth, or
at least the writer has never seen a
greater. But to come back to our Span
iard-huge hempen sandals incase his
often sockless feet, his trousers are
frayed and thread bare, his ill-fitting
1unic hangs limp and loose for want
of buttons here and there, and his cap,
if he boasts of one, is flung carelessly
on the back of his head. Huge wooden
gloves of a bright green hue, and sad
~ in need of darning, endeavor to con-
ceal the scanty length of the tunic
sleeves. but two or three inches of
brown, sinewy ann insist on peeping
forth at the least eXertion. His rifle is
carried any how-sometimcs at the
trail, sometimes at the slope, and often
slung behind his back. but always in
4 different position to that OF his neigh.
Dor in the ranks. The order is inva-
riably q struggle, and the formation
is more easily guessed at than identified
by one accustomed to the sharp. quick
movements and straight serried ranks
of more disciplined troops.
Yet, withal, the Spanish soldier is
good fighter, when brought to bay,
as many bloody field has attested. In
guerilla warfare his fame is preemi-
nent, and amidst the great privations he
bears his hard lot cheerfully and I'M
complainingly- Notwithstanding his
shuffiing gait, he never seems to tire on
the march, and in brief is in many re-
respects a worthy and dangerous foe. On
the field of IgualGa. one of the fiercest
fights of the late CarIist war, loyal
regiment that had no choice between
humiliation and surrender. unhesita-
ingly chose the former and allowed it
self to be mercilessly butchered, though
not without rendering good account
of the enemy, whose victory was pur-
chased at an enormous sacrifice.
In the matter of food, the peninsular
soldier is easily satisfied. and no great
charge on the commissariat. Twomeals
day suffice him. and those are scanty
enough. In some smart" corps coffee
and soup are allowed early in the morn
ing, but the average soldier feeds only
at nine a. IN. and again at five p. N.
One and a half pounds of bread, and
black at that, is the entire ration al.
lowed per day by the government. ANY
additional luXuTics (saye the mark!)
must be purchased out of his own
pocket at the regimental canteen, which
is kept by civilian, though the prices
are kept within reasonable bounds by
a regimental committee. The private
eats little or no meat. especially when
on active service, and to this is at.
tributed the wonderful recuperative
power of Spanish soldiers, their wounds
healing extremely easily and rapidly.
On the march our Don is satisfied with
a chunk of dry black bread. little oil,
and a Glove or two of garlic. the whole
washed down by a modest allowance
of water. Truly q fighting ration that
the American soldier would find it hard
to stomach. No wonder the typical
Spaniard is lean and evil smelling and
unwhclesome looking! - ST. Loui.
Globc-Democrat.