Uprising at Cadiz

By September 26th the new army of liberation had advanced beyond Cordova, at a place called the Bridge of Alcolea.

Continuing 1868 Spanish Revolution,
our selection from his article in Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 18 by William I Knapp published in 1905. The selection is presented in five easy 5 minute installments. For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Previously in 1868 Spanish Revolution.

Time: 1868

Suddenly four colored rockets shot across the sky in the offing and burst into a thousand stars. It was the preconcerted signal; Topete and Malcampo saw it from the pilot-house of the Zaragoza. Then there was a light at the ladder, and the measured music of the oarsmen blended with the moaning of the waves. A solitary steam-whistle was heard, and the rattle of a chain. Presently a steam-launch glided along like a shadow out into the unseen beyond. An inbound vessel rounded to and hailed the launch: “Which is the Zaragoza?” cried a voice.

“Follow us.”

“Who are you?”

“The commander of the Zaragoza ; who are you?”
“We are all friends.”

Arrived on board the flagship, Prim and Admiral Topete held a long conference. The latter was pledged to the Duke of Montpensier, as the Liberal Union candidate to the throne. The motto of Prim was that of the Progressists -— “The nation shall decide.” Topete, anxious to gain over the General, had sent a steamer for him to England, together with a large sum of money from Montpensier. Prim had returned both unused. Hence the long struggle between the Unionist and Progressist, which only ceased two years after, when Topete, standing at the couch of his dying opponent, “saw the revolution and the honor of his country wounded and bleeding.” Now, however, the first step was to achieve what all were united in desiring — the ejection of the Queen of Spain. In this there was no division.

Early the next morning, September 18th, a dozen ships-of-war were drawn up in line of battle in the inner bay. At a signal from the Zaragoza the air seemed filled with gay bunting of every hue, which suddenly shrouded the frigates, alow and aloft, as with butterfly clouds. The yards and rigging were peopled with marines as by magic. The decks sparkled with the instruments of music and flashed with gorgeous uniforms. From the flanks protruded grim messengers of death in long dark parallels. At least a half-dozen signal-flags fluttered at the spanker peak of the Admiral’s ship. The screws revolved; the procession moved. Past Puntales and the historic Trocadero the squadron curved in front of the astonished city. Then arose the thunder of revolt; eight thousand voices, blended with the crash of ordnance, pealed forth the cry of freedom and the chorus of the national anthem.

The population, wild with enthusiasm, poured forth from the narrow streets and thronged the seawall. The flat roofs of the white houses were swarming with agitated life. The proclamations of Topete and Prim were being read aloud to excited groups, and the placards of the Governor denouncing the treason were repeated with the sarcasms of savage triumph. Bands of young men paraded the thoroughfares singing the “Hymn of Riego” and the forbidden ballads of Fernande’s time.

Meanwhile the stirring words of Prim were producing their effect on the garrison.

To arms, citizens, to arms! Enough of patient waiting. The crisis of humiliation has been reached, the hour for revolution has come! Let the war – cry be the only cry of all good Spaniards to – day. Let every Liberal forget his discords and lay the strife of parties on his country’s altar! Throughout the wide family of freedom let there be but one ambition, war; one aim, victory; one banner, the regeneration of our country. Spaniards, soldiers, countrymen, the patria needs your help! Forget not the cries of your fathers, your sons, your brothers. To arms with the weapons you have; wait not to look for better, for all are good when they are borne for our country’s honor.

And so let us regain our trampled liberties. Let us recover the traditional pride of our ancient character. Let us once more excite the admiration of the world and prove ourselves to be worthy sons of noble Spain! Spaniards, liberty forever! The sovereignty of the nation forever!”

These and such words, added to other arguments that appealed to the public consciousness, produced the desired effect. The shouts of the army in revolt burst on the air amid the enthusiasm of the populace.

The news of the uprising of Cadiz and the return of Serrano and Prim flew over the land. The entire Province of Andalusia adhered to the movement on the 19th and 20th. General Serrano, who in the meantime had arrived, took immediate steps to organize an army and march toward Madrid. Juntas or local committees were formed in the revolted districts, and men and money were not wanting. Prim sailed away with the fleet to support the uprising along the Mediterranean coast, while confederates were moving in Galicia and the North.

By September 26th the new army of liberation had advanced beyond Cordova, at a place called the Bridge of Alcolea. There the forces of the Government awaited them for the decisive combat. Queen Isabella in August was on the Cantabria coast, preparing for the imperial visit, but that visit was never paid. Napoleon III heard of the uprising and returned silently to his home.

The union of the two great Liberal parties as represented in Serrano and Prim was too significant not to augur triumph. Besides it was patent to all that the monarchy was in a deplorable state of abandonment. The most distinguished statesmen, ambassadors, and generals had thrown up their commissions and retired to voluntary exile. The leading provincial governors were absent on leave from their respective charges. Most of the Cabinet officers, foreseeing the end, had accompanied the court. The Minister of Public Works had gone to Aragon to inaugurate an industrial exhibition. The Department bureaus in Madrid were in the hands of subordinates. Gonzalez Bravo had resigned twice since they had left the capital; once in July at La Granja, and again at the Escorial in August. Worried with the rumors of seditious measures in preparation, and incapable of averting them, he wrote in despair to a friend: “This petty police warfare is killing me. I am tired of squibs; let big shot come, and I shall know where to strike.” He wanted “big shot.” Topete furnished it.

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