Thomas O. Osborn to Tuyu , October 26, 1874 . My Dear Friend : At last, yesterday, I touched Argentine soil, and I land to put myself at the head of the army in this province, and all the other armies in the republic that will fight for our cause. We reached this port on the evening of 24th, and at once set about discharging, which was surrounded with difficulties. The enthusiasm of the camp-people could not be greater, and I could not have been better received. Truly, we have an army of from 9,000 to 10,000 men, well armed and mounted. I inclose my proclamation to the army. The camps are good, and we hold the whole “caballada” of the province, the horses in splendid condition. The enemy has not crossed the Salado, and is suffering great desertions in Chascomus. The Salado is at swimming-mark, and the three passes on the river are kept by our forces. Kind regards to all friends. Yours, as ever, BARTOLOMÉ MITRE, November 13, 1874

No. 7. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Fish.

Sir: The situation here now seems to be critical. At the breaking out of the rebellion it was believed by the best informed that it would soon be suppressed, or that a compromise would be effected, and peace and prosperity restored to the country. But to this date the rebellion has not been suppressed.

The government forces have not surrendered, and business is almost entirely suspended. The outlook now is that the contest for the control of the government will be protracted and ruinous to the country.

The government claims to have now under arms a force of forty thousand men. On the 7th instant, the government issued a decree calling out a “reserve army” of fifteen thousand men, to be stationed at Rosario.

The government forces are opposed by a force said to be inferior in number, commanded by General Mitre in person. The general, on the 25th of October, landed with a small force at Tuyu, about one hundred miles down the coast south from Buenos Ayres, issued his proclamation, (a copy of which I inclose with this,) and put himself at the head of the revolutionary forces in the field.

General Alsina, the minister of war, has been appointed commander-in-chief of all the government forces, and has taken the field in person.

The forces of the government are divided into two armies. The one is known now as the southern army, now at Dolores, about one hundred and twenty miles south of Buenos Ayres, and under the immediate command of Julio Campas. The other, the northwestern army, now at San Luis, under the immediate command of Colonel Roca.

General Mitre’s forces are divided so as to oppose these forces, and are respectively commanded by General Rivas and General Arredondo as his chiefs. Rumors of grand battles to be fought “manana” (to-morrow, very soon) have been afloat daily for weeks, and yet nothing of note has taken place in the way of fighting, save the dash of General Arredondo (rebel) into Mendoza on the 2d instant, beating the government forces under Governor Civit, the Mitrestas claiming it as a decided victory, and the government admitting a defeat and two hundred killed.

The respective fleets of the contending parties are about equal in number of vessels and power. Much has been promised by both in the way of naval engagements and the capture or sinking of vessels; but most of the time seems to be occupied in cruising up and down the Rio de la Plata, and the question is often asked, “Will they ever fight?”

The press is still kept under strict control by the government, and no military or political news is permitted to be published until it has been submitted to the war-office and permission granted.

A printed bulletin in the interest of the rebellion, without name or date, makes its appearance almost daily, denying the truth of almost everything published by the government, so far as military operations are concerned; hence, doubt and distrust are thrown over all information as to its reliability.

I have, &c.,