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Murray, Hugh, Prats, Spain, to James Alphonsus McMaster, New York, New York, 1873 September 20

 Item
Identifier: CMMA I-1-o

Scope and Contents

Misdated Aug. 20. Murray received McMaster's telegram of Sept. 11, promising 3000 francs through Louvras and has shown the wire to Don Alfonso but not to Donna Maria. He still has some funds in English gold but will welcome a larger reserve fund. In London, he found that General Kirkpatrick and O'Clery did not have any information. Such men will be useless in case of active preparations. He depended on the word of one man in Paris and in Perpignan. Algarra and Louvras had the cool insolence to say that his rank may not be recognized. Neither Algarra or Kirkpatrick wrote to Louvras and Algarra did not write headquarters. The letter Murray left with Louvras for Don Alfonso reached the prince 10 days before Murray's arrival instead of at the same time, and so Murray believes he was purposely sent in a round-about-way for diplomatic reasons. When the telegram reached him it had already been opened and he has written Charles and Louvras announcing its reception. When the money comes to him, he will deposit it in a bank and will write to an editor, Mr. Ammourdux of the Rausillan, in Perignan in case any counter-checks are needed. He is doing this at the suggestion of Mr. Russel. Murray has sent McMaster letters dated Sept. 6,7, and 19, and also a telegram to Louvras on the 8th. All the wounded able to be moved were brought to Prats last night. Casualties are rather high and many had to be left in the field. One led of 15 was shot in the abdomen and was strapped to a mule all night while being transported here, but he fully recovered in 18 days. The enemy is using Remington bullets in the engagements. The wounded are being treated in farm houses by the Catalonians but reports differ as to the manner of treatment, since the natives will do nothing without money. The Republican troops, coming into the form houses have mercilessly bayonetted the wounded troops. Prats is 65 miles from Perpignan and the frontier is 25 miles distant at the nearest point. Communication with France is partly blocked by the central chain of the Pyrenees mountains but so far as the Carlists still hold the Corunian or main road. France has sent us nothing in the way of arms, ammunition, clothes, or money, not even the expected uniforms. At present there are no more than 60 men dressed as Zouaves, and they are in tatters. In France things are not very smooth. The Count de Chambord supposes he will aid us by acclamation but in Spain they look on that as being improbable.

Dates

  • Creation: 1873 September 20

Language of Materials

English.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Notre Dame Archives Repository

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