Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/420



390 TO THE BRAZILIAN FRONT,

The waste appeared extensive even to an eye familiar with the loss and recklessness of the Crimean campaign. Boxes of preserved sugar were spread upon mats in the high wind, and bales of yerba (tightly packed in hides, each weighing 225 lbs.) were chopped open, allowing half the dust to fly away. T. & F. MartelFs cognac flowed like water, and AUsopp and Tennent were more common than tea.

I dined with the employes of the Proveduria in their large tent, and heard a fine collection of camp boias and cucos, " shaves^^ and " yarns." Chauvin and Dumanet are well-known characters here. The " Amazons'*^ were on the line of the Tebicuary River, and on July 21th, some 7000 of them had mutinied. The Bishop was in jail. General Resquin was the only superior officer not shot by Marshal- President Lopez, who was killing forty to fifty per diem. The Paraguayan forces were composed of 14,000, chiefly boys, and all were dying for want of salt. Caceres and ex- Governor Lopez (another Lopez) were marching upon Corrientes ; the women of Entre Bios were herding cattle, whilst 5000 of the men were proceeding under General Jordan to aid the two traitors. All severely blamed a circumstance which had lately occurred. Two troopers be- longing to the Barao do Triumpho^s command had bravely swum across the Tebicuary River, and at imminent risk had reconnoitred San Fernando. Instead of being made sergeants or receiving the V. C., they had been tipped with two sovereigns, one from Marshal Caxias, the other from General Fonseca.

I slept comfortably in M. Mendoza's tent, and after coming to the front on foot, I returned on horseback. Adieu.