Guerillas

Guerillas, the name given to armed bands who, on occasion of foreign invasion or civil war, carry on an irregular warfare on their own account. This class of fighters belong peculiarly to Spain, where from 1808 to 1814 they were systematically organised against the French, whose operations they very seriously embarrassed. The country itself also suffered from them. Many of them, particularly Mina's band, joined Wellington, and, after having undergone a course of discipline, rendered signal service as regular troops. On the conclusion of peace large numbers were organised into robber-bands. In most of the civil wars of Spain since 1820 guerilla warfare, especially in the Basque pro- vinces, has played a prominent part. See BRIGANDS.