Daniel E. Sickles to To the United States, July 27, 1873

No. 414. General Sickles to Mr. Fish.

Sir: Last week Lieutenant-General Contreras put himself at the head of a seditious movement in the city of Cartagena, and being followed by a turbulent element common in most Spanish towns, he declared the province of Murcia an independent state, and renounced all allegiance to this or any other government. A considerable part of the troops of the garrison, and the crews of five or six of the best ships in the Spanish navy lying in the harbor, joined the outbreak. Cartagena is a fortified place, and a naval depot of importance.

The government at once took measures to stop the revolt. Among other steps a proclamation was issued denouncing the people on board the war vessels as pirates, and authorizing and inviting their capture by the armed forces of other nations as good prize. I sent a copy and translation of this decree to Admiral Case, commanding our European fleet, and also to Captain Wells, of the Shenandoah, the latter supposed to be lying off Malaga.

Our consul at Cartagena transmits to me, under date of 24th instant, a communication addressed to him by General Contreras, and a copy of his reply.

I have the honor to forward herewith copies and translations of these several documents, and the correspondence incident thereto.

It is not supposed that General Contreras can maintain himself many days in Cartagena. He is not distinguished for address or ability in the conduct of his rash enterprises. If he escapes the resentment of his disappointed adherents, and is able to quit Spain for foreign parts, he may congratulate himself, as the government just now is not in the humor to deal leniently with such characters.

A sort of epidemic seems to seize town after town in succession. The symptoms are the same everywhere. Under the influence of the disorder a revolutionary junta is improvised, the militia and the troops fraternize, the authorities are ousted, occasionally the civil governor and the military governor join the insurgents, and almost uniformly these officers acquiesce in the movement or leave the place. In Cartagena a thousand or two sailors and soldiers profited by the occasion to have a frolic in the streets. One of the Spanish fleet, the Vigilante, commanded by a committee appointed in the forecastle, put to sea under a red flag, and having visited Torrevieja and levied a contribution of thirty-six thousand dollars, was returning to port when she was overhauled and captured by the German iron-clad, Friederich Karl, and taken to Gibraltar. The movement in Cartagena having as usual exhausted its strength in about a week, is understood to be near a collapse.

In Cadiz the volunteers, joined by some regular artillery, made an attack on the adjacent naval station of San Fernando, and were easily repelled, with severe loss. In Malaga a serious collision occurred in the streets between the forces led by rival chiefs, resulting in a hundred killed and wounded. In Seville there seems less disposition to fight, and the consuls are negotiating for terms with General Pavia, commanding a division of the army sent by the government to restore order in Andalusia. In Valencia the resistance is more obstinate, although it can scarcely be prolonged, since General Campos has sent for some mortars to bombard the city, and will open fire to-day if necessary.

The government maintains a firm attitude and is supported by public opinion.

I have, &c.,