CHAPTER XVI
THE CARLIST WAR
[Sidenote: 1836. Jan. 4.]
By help of dockyard sheers got our foremast in, and by 4 P.M. reported ready for sea, but was disappointed in parading before the _Rodney_, by a despatch from the Consul to Captain Hyde Parker, stating that the port could not safely be left without the protection of a man-of-war.
Leaving _Childers_ in charge of the First Lieutenant, went with Skipwith to the Consulate. The populace were in a state of excitement. It appears that a fortnight ago, thirty-three Christinas, some of whom were citizens of Barcelona, were executed by Carlists in a neighbouring hermitage.
A few days later, reports reached of two companies of Christina Chasseurs having been surprised and put to death. In consequence, a crowd had assembled in the square opposite the palace, and demanded vengeance. The Government, with 1800 Nacionales outside, deliberated. The people acted. Dark had set in.
Taking ladders and torches, the people went to the citadel, and scaled the walls without opposition from the garrison.
About eighty Carlist prisoners were put to death, among them Colonel O’Donnell and a priest, who, after their heads had been cut off, were dragged by the heels a roundabout way through streets towards the opposite end of the great public Rambla. The Consul could not leave his office. Skipwith and I went to meet them. Being in uniform, we were not likely to be molested.
We found the headless bodies on an open space, between the cathedral and the theatre, where a performance took place by torchlight.
A cloaked Spaniard stepped from the crowd, and demanded:
“Cuyo cadaver es aguel?”
The reply came from one of the assassins:
“Aguel es el cadaver de O’Donnell, el traidor.”
The first speaker drew a dagger from his cloak, and plunged it into the body, on drawing it out touched the blade with his lips. The performance was repeated on the priest. Then followed some of the softer sex, chiefly well dressed, and men alternately.
In the Ataxarnes Fort were confined peasants, who had been seized because some Carlist troops had passed through their village.
It was now past midnight; the Spanish General still held council at the palace, which was surrounded by a large body of the National Guard. At the palace we were allowed to ascend to the council chamber.
Doubting the power of the General to prevent the mob repeating their butcheries at the Ataxarnes Fort, I sent Skipwith off to the _Rodney_ to inform Captain Parker what I proposed doing, which was, to offer the services of the _Childers_ to protect life, by taking joint possession, with the Spanish troops, of the Ataxarnes Fort, which could be done on the sea-front by scaling-ladders from the brig, and so, with the Spanish garrison and English marines, hold the fort until the force from the _Rodney_, some 800 men, could join.
It was evident my proposition caused a division in the court.
At daybreak, before we had time to act, the Spanish flag and the Union Jack were flying together on the Ataxarnes Fort.
The doctor who was in attendance on the prima donna of the opera in her confinement, considered her life saved when he informed her of the fact.
[Sidenote: Jan. 14. Mar. 14.]
After two months’ work on the coast, arrived at Gibraltar. It was now the middle of the hunting season. The Calpe hounds were as perfect as pains and money could make them. Fresh blood was imported as opportunity offered. The prickly-pear nearly the only obstacle that could check a run.
On occasions when bull-fights took place at Algeciras, notice was sent to the regimental messes that _Childers_ would be ready to convey officers across. There was no steamer, but my little brig never failed to land friends in time.
[Sidenote: Mar. 23.]
Left Gibraltar and rejoined my worthy chief at Port Mahon. The _Rodney_ refitting in the most commodious of ports, lying alongside the dockyard without the inconvenience of a rise and fall of tide.
The town had an English appearance; many of the signs of public-houses were called after ships that had been at Trafalgar. There was one named “Anchor, Hardy, Anchor.”
I had much fun exploring with my Chief many disused places. The hospital was one, which he carefully inspected, but on returning to the open air we found ourselves covered with fleas!
Although suffering, I cried with laughter at the agony of my Chief, the cleanest of small men. He roared like a young bull. On turning up the skirts of his frock-coat, at the waist there was a regular girdle of fleas.
[Sidenote: April 7.]
We next visited Palma Bay. It has a fine town, clean and spacious. It was in want of money. Spaniards had taken refuge in this spot to avoid the heavy contributions levied by most of the military Governors on all persons residing in the provinces, over which they ruled with martial law.
[Sidenote: April 13.]
The Marquis de Montenegro is now the Captain-General, a fine specimen of the real Spanish grandee, a native of the island. He invited Captain Parker and the officers of the _Rodney_ and _Childers_, and entertained us hospitably at a charming country-house which contained, among many old pictures, an original by Raphael. He had also, in his country-house, statues collected by his brother, who was a Cardinal in Rome.
The Marquis de Colonna is also a resident, the war having obliged him to quit valuable property in Valencia. He, too, was attentive to the English.
There are also many Spaniards under surveillance who had been banished on suspicion of not being faithful supporters of the existing Government. Among others was Don Calderon, of whom I had heard much. At the age of ninety he was sent from Barcelona, where he was about the oldest resident, surrounded by his family. An old sailor, he had declined his flag rank in order that he might remain quiet and unnoticed. What a sad thing is civil war!
In riding excursions we sometimes pulled up at roadside _posadas_. Eggs short, I have frequently seen the women in charge of the poultry pick up a hen, and by a gentle squeeze cause it to drop an egg.
[Sidenote: April 18.]
Accompanied _Rodney_ to Barcelona.
[Sidenote: June 2.]
I was awakened in the middle of the night by Lord Ranelagh, who had been fighting with the Carlists. He made his escape when our marines captured the Carlist lines at Uremea.
We had been friends for years, and I had now to congratulate him on being my prisoner. I last left him in the 7th Fusiliers, at Malta.
After breakfast I went to Mina, whom I found confined to his room; but Doña Mina, a charming English lady, said he would see _me_. He was in bed.
“I know what you are come about,” was his greeting. “You have Lord Ranelagh on board; take care of him. If he lands in Spain, I will have him shot.”
[Sidenote: June 3.]
At 4 A.M. weighed and made sail, calling at Tarragona.
In addition to Ranelagh, I had young O’Shee, son of a Madrid banker, of whom, probably, the Carlists had borrowed money. I landed them at Gibraltar, out of range of Mina’s shot, on 10th instant, and was sorry to part with two such cheery companions.
[Sidenote: July 5.]
Came to off Tarragona.
[Sidenote: July 12.]
Embarked 200 Christina soldiers. They lay sleeping about the decks, embracing their muskets. Landed them the following day off the mouth of the Ebro.
[Sidenote: Dec. 27.]
Arrived at Barcelona from Malaga; heard that General Mina, who had been ill for some months, died on Christmas Day.
The funeral, with full military honours, took place two days later, attended by all naval officers present in Barcelona, _Childers_ firing minute-guns during the ceremony.
_Rodney_ lying in the roadstead; _Orestes_ and _Harlequin_ arrived in time to join in the ceremony, and were secured inside the mole; while _Childers_ took up her berth inside inner mole.
[Sidenote: Dec.]
We could only use one side, but the saluting, although we fired each once in nine minutes, made the guns so hot that care was necessary.
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