The National Register.
London, England, 1809-08-13 00:00:00

SIEGE OF GERONA.

have received ft voluminous journal of the siege of Gerona,
a city in Catalonia, w hicli is anxious to emulate nt the same time
the former reputation of this Province, and the ranee recrut
glory attained by Saragossa. We have room only for a. few
abridged extracts from this noble diary :
Ju s E 25.—The bombardment has lasted eleven days, without
liay intermission, day or night. About eight bombs are dis-
charged every gaarter of an hour. Some houses have received
from 20 to 26, and some convents more than 90. Oa the 17th,
the taw er of Saint Lewis was attackel ; and after the enemy had
been* twice driven away, V:: destroyed. This enabled the ene-
my to attack and take the tower of Saint Nacciso, and after.
wards that of Saint Daniel ; the draw-bridge being destroyed,
and the garrion haying made its retreat in good order.
Just 26.—A proclamation was this (lay published, declaring
the determination of the principal citizens to behold with indif-
ference the destruction of their houses and effects; relying epos
the justice of the nation, which would not fail to grant them the
tame distinction and privileges which were given to Saragossa;
w hose example C.:erona would emulate. The ladies of the city,
a the same time, are declared to have merited the rewards due
to patriotism. Taeir services on the 17th are especially praised;
when they appeared on the wotks, carrying amnaunitiou and
provhitL. to tbosz VI b.l) actu:ol,y fii;htin

611

t; Ni.; 2S.—The bombardment, which has never ceased, hail
he(-n succeeded by red-hot halls, which are tired in 30 ;Tit
abundance upon Nlorjuich. that many fall into the (Iffy: As the
etf.4rts of the enemy are principally direetrtl against this castle,
our principal means of defence are applied to this spot: We
eta!! not fail to make the enemy feel the superiority of our artild
'cry, mid that he is exhausting his strentsth tipdn a lock which
bids defiance to his alias. On the 2ith, 26th; and 21th, the
bombardment of the Castle was incessant from the tower of St.
Daniel. The Governor has granted bakes of distinct ion in man
of the company of the Gervnese crusade, and rewards to severs
officers, in the name of Ferdinand VII. On the 20tb, Genera
Paine sent a summons to the Governor of the Castle of Mequi.
nenza to surrender, in which the General lutitnated that the
General in Chief had ordered heavy artillery, mincrs, dtc: to he
s-nt against the castle, which he had implored him not tti
The Commandant of the Castle sent the following answer t---
” I have read your summons, and am lorry for the request
you made to your General. I beg Of you to use your influence
with him to entrust you with his heavy artillery, miners, and
qtppers, that you may experience whata brave garrison and in.
habitants can effect, who know only to conquer or die."
JULY I.—The Governor made known dispatches received
from the Marquis of Coupigny, Goveritor-Cieneral of Catalonia,
protnising, in the name of the nation, that all buildings destroy.
eJ should he rebuilt at the public expellee.
JULY 2.—The enemy, though so long in possession of the
towers, cannot avail himself of those positions, owing to the fire
of Morjuich.
JULY 3.—The following documents have been published t—
" From the Camp before Gerona, July 2, 1309.
44 COVERN OR-4 have the honour to inform you, that lam
authorised by his F,xeellency Count St. Cyr, General in Chiof of
the Frenrh army, to make suitable proposals to you, under the
present circumstances. _
- - - -

" I invite you to send nee one of your Officers, who enjoys
your confidence, that he may confer with me in the advanced
posts, where he left the prisoner who carries this letter.
" To avoid false interpretations, you may n...isoriate with his
a Member of the Junta, and one of the superior Clergy.
" I have the honour to be, &c.
" K aGENLIt, Baron de Mow',
A NS W E 11,
" MOST EXCELLENT SIR--I have nothing to treat about
with our Pxcell-ney ; lam more than sufficiently acqvainted
with your i:,eations, and for the future, your Excellency will
understanl, that I Shall not admit or respect any flag of inlet or
trumpet."
J 4.—They who' are unacquainted with the inhabitants of
both sexes of this city, could not credit the composure and trait.
quillity with which the terrible bombardment is endured. But
ere are assured that succours will arrive at a proper time, which
will inflict vengeance on the enemy for his rash attempt; and
this is sufficient to induce every one to attend to his own duties,
without indulging in a vain curiosity concerning the projects of
the chiefs, resolved that the obstinacy of an inhuman race shall
not weary out the constancy and fidelity -a Gerona.
LIC formidahle battery of 17 pieces of cannon had
seen raised, within half a musket shot of the Castle of Monjuich.;
and another battery of grenades and red-hot halls, besides two
other batteries of eight guns. These are constantly employed
against Monjuich, which is answered with the utmost valour by
our brilliant artillery. The Governor of Morjuich sends Intel.
ligence, that though 150 men have been employed to clear away
the ruins of one of the bastions, they increase very fast.
The Goveraor of the fortress, in consideration of the great
valour displayed by the females of Gerona, and in order to or.
ganize their exertions. has instituted a female. company, which
is to co-operate in t;,e defence of ilie place. The following are
some of the instructions published on the occasion:—
I , The company of Geronese women shall be called the coma;
pany of Saint Barbara.
2. 3. It shall consist of $l3O members, srith 4 commanders, 8
heads of squadrons, and 8 seijeants, all being women; all of
whom shall be distinguished by red scarfs.

4. Whenever the generals shall beat, the 4 divisions, each of
30 women, shall iirocred to the four spots. Rioted out, attended
by their female otbeers.

•. Each commander shall be attended by eight women, who
shall be charged with supply in 4 water where nece,,aky. The
remainder shall take care et the witatate4, carrying the" to the
hosyitab,

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