Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

THE CAREER OF GENERAL ROSAS

The ex-Dictator of Buenos Ayres arrived at Plymouth on Monday, and shortly after landing was visi'ed at Moorshead's Royal Hotel, Forestreet, Devonport, b/ the Port Admiral, Sir John Oraoianney, and other heads of departments. Sir John Rolt, the Commander of the Forces in the Wes'ern Districts, was " prevented by sickness" from calling at the hotel. In consequence of a Treasury order, " every respect was paid by the officers of the Conflict to the noble visitor, and at the Custom-house every facility was given for the ready clearance of his baggage." The General is about 59 years of age, and appears to be in "excellent health and spirits." He is accompanied by his daughter, Senoreta Donna Manuela de Rosas ; also, by his son, Don Juan Rosas, 38 ; son's wife, Senhora Donna Mercevas Rosas ; and grandson, Don Juan Manuel Rosas ; Brigadier General Don Pascuell Echaqupr, late Governor of Santa Fe ; Colonel Don Gorioramo Costa, Colonel Don Manuel Febre, and four domestics. It is stated to be the intention of the General to reside permanently in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. The full particulars of the decisive battle and the flight of the tyrant are given in a very spirited communication which has appeared in the Times, On the 31st of January the vanguard of Rosas' array, consisting of some 6,000 men, was completely routed by a small number of Urquiza's troops on the fields of Alvarez, near the bridge of Marques, about 20 miles from Buenos Ayres. The next day (Sunday) Rosas led his troops from their encampment of Lantos Lugarez (four leagues distant) to a spot midway between the village of Moron and the former place, little more than a league from each, and there awaited the approach of the enemy, who was advanciug straight towards the city from the bridge of Marques. Here they remained on Monday, the 2nd, and that evening he formed his line of battle. It was diawn up on the edge of a gentle slope, just raised übtfve the surrounding level country. It is computed that he had from 20,000 to 25,000 men of ail arras. Most of these, especially the cavalry, were new levies, having been taken from their farms only a few months before ; some few of the infantry, especially the blacks, who fought well, had long heen soldiers. He had nearly one hundred pieces of artillery, but they were btdly n anaged. The writer thus sketches the greatest bailie that has been fought in America in modern times : — " Rosas' line extended for about two miles on the edge of a gentle slope — cavalry on the wings, infantry in the centre, artillery in front and between the intervals. There is not a tree or house on the field of battle, except a house of brick and mortar, with a tower, called Monte Caseros, which formed Rosas* extreme right, and which he occupied in force, and a round pigeon-house of brick, about 70 yards from it. His arrangements were very bad (his centre and left being evidently without support), for he had no knowledge of strategy, as he himself confessed, and he was so demen'ed that he refused to take the advice of any of bis geuerals, some of whom told him that he must lose the battle. Urquiza, with a force of froai 25,000 to 28,000 men, from Entre Rios, Uruguay, Corrientes, Santa Fe r and Brazil, arrived from the neighbourhood of Moron on the evening of Monday, and bivouacked at a distance of about two miles from the enemy. At daylight on Tuesday morning he drew up his men in a. line, opposite to Rosas' army, on the edge of an opposite slope, at the distance of about a mile. He was in'erior in artillery, but much superior in the quality and discipline of his troops. The cannonading began at daylight, and, as 1 said, was heard in town. Urquiza commenced the battle by out-flanking with Ins cavalry Roaas' left, which was completely turned and routed, and it was some of these gentlemen who came early into the town, giving out that the battle was lost, while their comrades were still fighting. While this was going on on Rosas' left, Urquiza's centre and left, composed of Brazilian and Oriental infantry, crossed the valley and took at the point of the bayonet two houses which formed the strong positions on Rosas' right ; thus both his wings were turned. The cavalry fled, the infantry and artillery made a stand for a short time in a new position towards their former left, but it was only for a brief space. Surrounded on all sides, they surrendered or fled in all directions, and the rout was complete." The particulars of the escape of Rosas are already well kuown. The writer describes the pillage which ensued in Buenos Ayres, in which the great majority concerned were " Rosas' men, who had assumed Urquisa's badge. After Urquiza had named a provisional Governor, and the militia had assembled, every man or woman found robbing were shot, — upwards of 400 dying in ibis way. Urquiza, in personal appearance is described «s " a short m3n, rather stout, about fifty, dressed with great carp, with patent leather boots, &c, — rather more like a dandy than we expected to see ; the expression of his countenance is rather determined than benevolent, and more animal than intellectual." A number of human skulls, labelled, were found at the quinta, relics of Rosas' victims. It is reported that Rosns and his daughter had not even a change of clothes, and only a very little money. He declared that' he had not taken a farthing out of Buenos Ayres, but " many maintain that be has very large sums in the English funds " Everyday citizens who bad been proscribed and banished by Rosas return to their country. A Provisional Administration of sotre of ihe best men wai formed, and every day decrees annulling

Rosas' infamous laws were issued, and restoring the liberties of the people, which for twenty years had been taken away. Urquiza made his entrance into the town at the head of his troops ((hey say 25,000 in number,) on the 19th. He remained but a very short lime (not more than an hour) in the town, anil tben returned to Palermo, apparently in rather a bad humour ; ,he returned, however, in the evening to view the fireworks, go to the theatre, &c. " I cannot say that the people received him with much enthusiasm," How long Urquiza and his troops are going to remain no one knows. " I believe the good folks would not be sorry to see him depart ; it is thought, however, that he will be here for six months longer. The first step for the establishment of a regular government will be the assembling of the representatives of the province, who will appoint a Governor. Then it is supposed that a Congress of Representatives from all the provinces will be convened at some central place (not Buenos Ay res, probably Santa l''e), who will elect a President of the whole Confederation ; and this is the post which it is thought Urquiz-v is aiming at. His conduct in this affair, and in the liberation of Monte Video, has been noble and merciiul ; but in these respects much at variance with his previous actions, which it is said were very sanguinary. It is feared, therefore, that he is acting a part for a purpose, but I hope better things." The Times says of Rosas,—" With an inflexible will, with the cunning of a fox, with egregious vanity and self-importance, and a perpetual distrust of every human being, except perhaps his daughter, he ruled in solitary terror over states apparently adapted by nature for v the iapid extension of prosperity, happiness, and freedom. Against his rivals at home or his antagonists abroad he relied on the sole principle of terror. Blood flowed by his commands as freely as water, and the extermination of his political adversaries was for years the daily business of his government. But this blood was shed neither on the scaffold nor on the field. The approach of his mutes was more stealthy — the blow be struck mote inevitable. We quote the words of one who 'was not bis enemy when we say that he visited the city of Buenos Ayres like a destroying angel. His dagger struck his victims from behind an inscrutable and impenetrable shield. No man felt himself safe. No man went to bed with the assurance that he should be permitted to sleep out the night, for, like the fiercer animals, the night was bis time of counsel and of action. Neither friendship, relationship, past service, nor even obscurity, was a protection Irom his mortal vengeance; and he only ceased to strike when the inordinate fear he bal inspired sat like Death upon the people, and rendered them absolutely prostrate to bis will." The Times also argues that as Rosas is Dictator vo longer; the implied recognition of our Government of a forfeited rank is an insult to the emancipated State. "In no capacity, except that of a private individual, can he now be received, and the homage of cur authorities has been accorded to nothing but exalted cruelty and preeminent barbarism." Urquiza was himself educated in Buenos Ayres, and served under Rosas, but rose by his own merits and courage to be elected President of the State of Entre Rios. He commanded the division of that province in the army which invaded the Banda Oriental under Oribe, in 1842, and coutinued to support the cause of Rosas until he became satifcfied^tfeat his system was based on war "and persecution, which could never restore order and happiness to the country. Urquiza then threw off the yoke, allied himself to Brazil, raised the siege of Monte Video at the head of the combined army, and eventually marched upon Buenos Ayres, where the power of Rosas was speedily overthrown. Utquiza is now in possession of complete authority in the Argentine Confederation. He is in friendly intercourse with Don Carles Lopez, the present enlightened President of the State of Paraguay, and it is confidently hoped that these able men will restore constitutional government to the republics on the eastern coast of South America, and open the rivers of that magnificent territory to the commerce and immigration of all nations.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZSCSG18520922.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 745, 22 September 1852, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,728

THE CAREER OF GENERAL ROSAS New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 745, 22 September 1852, Page 3

THE CAREER OF GENERAL ROSAS New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 745, 22 September 1852, Page 3

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert