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23 April 1873 — Madrid | |
Wednesday. 23rd April [1873]. We had no post in again but it appears they have been taken by the Carlists who are examining them to find the public correspondence & promise to return the rest. I painted diligently all the morning. After lunch it struck me I heard voices in the street so I looked out & found that the “descamisados” volunteers were all assembling at the senate & that there were 2 or 3 guards at the ends of every street. I at once called Hill & we looked out of the window. There were hardly any carriages abt only a few cabs. Henry went out to the Bank. Giovanni came rushing in to say that the whole town was in arms & the descamisados had taken most of the principal buildings– Henry came in at 3 & gave the same acct. Henry & I then hung out of the window & watched the volunteers– They were constantly joined by cavalry officers who shook hands with them & hob nobed. At 5 Henry went out again towards Serrano’s house & when he came in said that Serrano’s house & garden were full of friends & generals & the conservative volunteers were in the bull ring some 8 or 9000 strong. The Commission were in the Cortès with the Govt. A man came from the Civil Govt to tell us we should be guarded & to put out our flag wh we did– 6½ o’cl: Giovanni came in & said all was quite quiet but menacing. He had seen a corrida & panic in the Plaza Mayor & a Republican Genl going round there inspecting. Luis Blana was heard to say in the Puerta del Sol that he would have Serrano’s head tonight, there is a placard on the walls calling on the soldiers to shoot their officers if they attempt to lead them against the Govt 7 o’cl: On looking out we saw people running & could hear & see the Artillery going from the barracks to the town. At 8 Maffei came & dined but brought no news. All seemed quiet & he went away before 10 but had to walk as no cab was to be got. Just after he left Mr Haggart came & said the fighting had begun. He was coming from the Whytes & found himself in the midst of the firing & saw a man shot down close to him & saw the artillery in the Prado & heard more firing as he ran home to Calle San Quintin. We sent out the porter for more news but as he did not come we went to bed. Abt 1 Giovanni came & told us that the troops had dispersed the volunteers in the bull ring—that there was a good deal of fighting abt the Recolletos & that Topete, Serrano & another general were said to be taken prisoners—that the volunteers had not fought much but had laid down their arms & run away. | |
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