Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-05-23
From The Kankee,' Edited by John Neal.
MILITARY SKETCH.

Most of our readers are probably acquainted with
the fact, that. during the late war in South Amerl-
ca, it got be common for both parties to give
quarter in battle, aud if they took any prisoners, to
butcher them in cold blood The practice origna-
ted with the troops of the mother country.
The following anecdote is from the mouth of
French officer, who served in the South American
armies.
Genera- commanded in the little Island of
Margaretta IA Spanish place of some strength in the
caribbean sea.) "Well, sir !" said the General, as
The lay on the sofa one hot aternOon-it was Satur-
Iday-addresslng himself to his Aid-de-Camp, ''what
have we to do to-morrow-how shall we cOntrive to
amuse ourselves 20
But the Abide Camp, with the best disposition in
the world to crafty the General, was obliged to own
that, for his part he did not know. Nothing had
been thought of-he had quite forgotten that the
morrow was Ell doningo-the Sabbath day,
"Vaya!" said the General. ''How many prison
ers have you on hand ~
eleven, my General -
"Ah then we shall get through the day pleasant
ly enough. Order out detachment for execution
Let our friends know it, and pray los cabeHeros off,
ciales 1.-THE gentlemen oflicers) to take glass of wine
with me tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock-pre-
cisely at eleven"
The following day, precisely at the hour appointed
| the gentlemen officers seated around large
table, in the open air, on the outside of the Gene
RAILS house and the Spanish prisoners were brought
forth, and eleven chairs were placed in a row, not
far from the table, and the prisoners placed in
them, and tied down, each to his particular chair
the gentlemen officers laughing and talking the while,
smoking their segars, and drinking together--some-
what, suppose, like few of our people, who, on
the Fourth Of July every year, get together, and
drink "damnation, to their brothers OF different
political faith.
Let the detachment charge with ball ~ said the
General.
They did So
"Let them take their position"
They drew up within a few feet of the prisoners
each of whom had five muskets aimed at him
three at his breast, and two at his forehead.
''Make readya Fill your glasses gentlemen ~
The officers about the table did so but Just as
the General was about to give the word fire ! the
doors of church opposite slowly opened. and the
people began to pour out. Among them was ma
tive Spaniard-as soon as the General saw him, he
ordered him up. The poor fellow, seeing his coun
trymen seated in row, and fastened in their chairs
began to apprehend, he hardly knew what-tor he
bore protection, as friend ofliberty, signed from
BoIiver himself, and granted to him, because of the
great sacrifices he had made in the cause, not of
Spain, but of the colonies.
sBrng another chair 10 said the General
| Another chair was brought and the protection
winch nau Deen oHeTeu ~ .ne UeHerai, ny Tue poor
man, was returned to him with these words-..Ve.
ry well-keepit; you may find it ofgreat use to you
| by and bye. Gentleman, this gentleman will lust
make up the twelve"
The poor man locked his hands together as we'll
IS he could-the fingers would but just touch-and
prayed the General to spare him for the sake of his
family but the General, whose beloved wife had
been captured short time before by the royal troops
and put to death, because he would not exchange
prisoner for her, made no other reply than.
"Prepare! -
Again the muzzles were presented.