The United Service Magazine (Volume 55) (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: read to his troops assembled on the public place of the town of Salinas de Oro. In this address, after setting forth to its full extent the strength of Kodil's army, he proceeded to ask, " At the view of this numerous array, will you, Volunteers, give way to fear?" When the officer who was reading the proclamation had pronounced this sentence, the enthusiasm of the men burst forth in a universal exclamation of " No !" Zumalacarregui was not on the ground at the time; but when he was informed of the incident, he instantly determined to profit by the ardour of his followers, to strike a blow which, if successful, would be as important in its effect as it was daring in conception. This was, to lie in wait for the Christino army on its passage from Logrono to Pampeluna, and take advantage of its first unguarded movement to fall upon its left flank. Such a surprise, even if productive of no other material advantage, could hardly fail of creating some consternation in the mass of the Queen's forces, and of greatly diminishing their confidence in their superior strength. With this object the Carlist General advanced from Salinas de Oro to Eulate, not far from the road by which Rodil was about to pass. It was the 10th of July when he entered the last named village. About midnight his troops were again under arms, preparing for the expected conflict. At this moment a messenger arrived, bringing a note addressed to Zumalacarregui. He read it as he stood surrounded by his officers, and all remarked the sudden expression of joy which illumined a countenance naturally grave and composed. He instantly ordered that the men should return to their quarters, and that the preparations for a combat should be discontinued. The note that had caused this sudden change of purpose contained these few word...