Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1829-07-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE VILLAGE GARRISON.

An 0necdote ofthe thirty gears sOar.--It
happened, in the course of the Thirty
Years War, that Gonsalvo do Gordova,
who commanded the Spanish troops, then
overrunning Palatine, found it necessary
to possess himself Of little walled village,
called Ogorsheim, that lay in his way. On
the first intelligence of his approach, all
the inhabitants fed to Mannheim and when
Gonsalvo at length drew near, and sum-
moned the place to surrender, there re-
NAMED within the walls only poor shep-
herd. and his wife, the latter Of whom, ha-
wing that morning brought little infant i'll
to this world Of misery, was unable to leave
her bed: and her husband, Of course, staid
with her.
The anxiety and distress Of the poor
man may be more easily conceived than
described. Fortunately, however, he pos
sessed both courage and shrewdness and,
on the spur Of the moment, bethought him
self of scheme to give his vito and babe
chance of escape, he fastened to put it
into execution.
The inhabitants, having run of in tre-
Imendous hurry, and left almost all their
property at his disposal; so he had no diff
ficulty in finding what was requisite for his
purpose, ---namely, complete change Of
dress. Having irstaccoutred his lower man
in military disguise, he tossed away his
shepherds hat, which he replaced with
huge helmet, "a world too wide;" he buck
led a long sword to his side, threw agoodly
cloak over his shoulders, stuck two enor-
nous pistols in his belt, and putting on
boots so thick in the soles and high in the
heels, that they lifted him about half yard
from the ground, he fastened to them
pair Of those prodigious jingling spurs
which were the fashion Of the times. Thus
accoutred, no forthwith betook himself to
the walls, and leaning with pompous
air on his sword, he listened coolly to the
herald, who advanced to summon the vil-
lage to surrender.
Friend" said our hero, rs soon rs the
herald had concluded his speech, "tell
your commander, that though / have not
vet made up my mind to surrender al all,
II NAV possibly be induced 10 do so, pr0vi-
Aded no agrees to the three following con-
ditions, in which shall make no abate-
ment whatever. First, the garrison must
bo allowed 10 march out with military
honors second, the lives and property Of
tho inhabitants most be protected third,
they must be left to enjoy the free exer-
' else of the Protestant religion"
The herald Immediately replied, that
such preposterous questions could not for
a moment DO listened to I; adding, that the
garrison was known to be weak, and coR-
Guiding by again demanding the instant SUR
render Of the place.
"My good friend" answered the shep-
herd. lido not be too rash. j advise you
to inform your general for me, that moth.
ing butmy desire to avoid bloodshed could
make me think of surrenderng on any
terms whatever and please to add that
, If he does not choose to agree to those i
have alrendy stated he will gain possession
Of the town only at the point ofthe sword
for swear to you, by the faith Of an hon
eat man and Christian,as well as'the hon
or Of gentleman, that the garrison has
lately received reinforcement he little
dreams Of"
So saying, the shepherd lighted his pipe,
and pulled away with an air of the most
consummate noRchalance. COMPOUNDED by
this appearance of boldness and security,
the herald thought it prudent to return,
and state to Gonsalvo the demands which
had been made. The Spanish general de
ceived by this show of resistance, and be-
ing unwilling to waste either men or time
in reducing this paltry town, resolved to
agree to the conditions offered: and fol-
lowed by his troops approached the gates.
This lenient determination was announced
BY the herald to the shepherd, who only
vouchsafed TO say in reply, g find your
commander is man of some sense" He
,henleft the walls, let down the drawbridge,
deliberately opened the gates, and allowed
the Spanish troops to pour into the town.
Surprised At seeing no one in the streets
but q strange looking fellow, whose Carl
cature Of a military costume hung upon
him like patch work, Gonsalvo began to
suspect treachery, and seizing the shepherd
demanded to know where the garrison
was