The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-05-30
--'e6 S-..-
SIEGE OF ZARAGOZA.

PROM Son'hey's History Of the Peninsuldr Wtr
BY the end of July the city was com
p'etely invested, the supply of food was
scanty, aud the inhabitants had no reason
to expect succeur. Their exertions ha,
now been unremitted for forty-six days
and nothing but the sense of duty coult
have supported their bodily strength and
their spirit under such trials. They were
IN hourly expectation of another attack, oil
another commandment. They had not a
single place OF security for the sick and the
children, and the number Of the wounded
was daily increased by repeated skirmlshes
in which they engaged for the purpose o.
opening communication with the country
At this .luncture they made one desperate
effort to recover the Torrora. TWAS vain
aud convinced by repeated losses, and es-
peclally by this last repulse, that it was
hopeless to make an elfcctual sally, they
resolved to abide the .ssue of the contest
within the walls, and conquer or perish
there.
On the night 0f the second of August
and on the following day, the French
bombarded the city from their batteries
opposite the gate of the Carmen. A
founding hospital which was now filed
with the sick and wounded, took fire, and
was rapidly consumed. During this scene
OF horror, the most intrepid exertions were
made to RESCUE these helpless sufferers
from the flames. Ne one tho't of bis own
property or individual concerns every one
fastened tlIithcr. TIE women were emf
Eently conspicuous in their cxertions, re
gardless of the shot and shells which fell
about them, and Drawing the flames of the
building. 1t has often been remarked. that
the wickedness of women exceeds that Of
the other sex for the same reason, when
circumstances, forcing them out of the
sphere OF their ordinary nature, compel
them to exercise manly virtues, they dis
play them IN the highest degree, and when
once awakened 10 sense Of patriotism.
they carry the principle to its most heroic
Ptch' The loss of women and bows during
the siege, was very great, fully proportion
ate to that OF the men they were always
the most forward, and the difficulty was to
teach them prudent and proper sense of
their danger.
On the following day, the Frencl, com
r '"N'' "".'''ito uIOH tDc ftEtI Ddnk
OF Guer'a, within pistol shot of the gate q.
1t. Engraela, so called from splendid
church and convent Of Jeronnites, situated
on one side oft.
on the 4th of August, the French OPEN
ed batteries within pistol shutof this church
aud convent The mud walls were level.
led at the first discharge, and the besiegers.
rushing through the Opening, took the bat,
terieS before the adjacent gates in reverse.
Here General Mori, who had distinguished
himself on many former occasions. WAS
made prisoner. The streets of ST. Enrr,.
c'a, MMchthey had just entered, lead into
the GOA, and the corner buildings where il
thus terminated, were on the one hand the
convent of st. Francisco, and on the other
dhe General Hospital. Both were stormed
and set on fire s.; the sick and the nonnded
threw themselves from the windows to pc.
cape the flames, and the horrors of The
scene was aggravated by the manacs
whose voices ravins or singing in parox.
lSns "i wilder madness, or CRYING in vain
to be set free, were heard amid the cont
SION OF dreadful sounds. MANY fell victims
TO The fire, and some to the indiscrmin,
ute Jury Of the ASSISTANTS. Those who