The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-09-12
Miscellaneous.
Correspondence Of The H'csiern Cii=en.
Destruction of the IuquisitiOn at
Madrid.

BALTIMoRE, May I, ls4s.
Mn EAsTMAN:-Among my fellow passengers on
the Ohio river, was Col. Iemnnously formerly an
officer under Napoleon, and now minister Of the
Lutheran church. IIe however remembers the scenes
ofolden times, and describes them wife wonderful
interest or his lectures on the character and life Of
Napoleon had often heard, but never before has il
been my privilege to meet with him. lie is indeed n
remarkable man; although past three years and
ten he retains the erect posture, the firm step, and
activity of an officer fifty His skin has all the soft
ness and delicacy of middle life, while the vigor of
his gigantic frame, the quickness OF his eye, and tho
power Of his voice, all indicate that it would be no
difficult thing for him, did circumstances render ne
cessary, to resume his place upon the horse md
again lead forth his troops to the deadly combat and
his voice 10 be heard from rank to rank amid
the din OF conflict. His lectures have always heard
represented extremely interesting Such can well
conceive they are, for besides possessing a memory
Of remarkable tenacity and unusual ready utter
ance, he has had means which perhaps no other liv-
ing has had. certainly none in this country of
knowing the men and things Of which he speaks
His acquaintance with Bonaparte commenced on his
first entering the army when he found hlmsefn private
soldier under this disting pushed man captain. For
twenty three years he served with him in stations Of
trust, which rendered the most intimate relations ne
cessary, and it was only when Napoleon confn-
cd on the Island of Eliza, that Colonel Lomanousky
retired from the service. havv dwelt thus long on
the Chntact and circumstances Of this Off
Ger, for the purpose Of introducing your readers
one Of the many narratives with which he favored
while passing up tho Ohio. And i'll could impart TO
it, on paper 1.-THE Of the interest it possessed it
fell from his lips, and beamed forth from his eye,
should have no doubt of its being read by every
member of tho family to whom your paper goes, or
one thing am sure, that shall be rewarded for wri
,r Il. nv the pleasure it will afford at least to one Of
those families. give it as nearly as my memory
serves me, in his own language
'sIn the year lsO9," said Col Lss1nanousky, ne
ing then at Madrid, my attention directed 10 tic
inqusition in the neighborhood Of that city Napo-
leon had previously issued decree for the suppress
sion Of this institution wherever his victorious troops
should extend their l reminded Marshal Sout,
then Governor of Madrid of this decree, who direc
ted me to proceed to destroy it. informed him that
my regiment the 9th Of the Polish Lancers, were in
sufficient for such service, but that II he would give
me two additional regiments, lwould undertake the
work. He accordingly gave me two regiments, one
of which, the 18th, was under the command Of Col
De Lille, who is like myself, minister of the
gospel. He is pastor of of the evangelical church.
es in Marsehles. With these troops proceeded forth
with to the nqustion which was situated about five
miles from the city The Inqusition was surrounded
with wall Of great strength, and defended by about
four hundred soldiers. When we arrived at the walls
addressed one Of the sentines, and summoned the
holy fathers to surrender the imperial army, and o.
pen the gates of the inqusition. The sentinel who
was standing the wall appeared to enter into con
versation for few moments with some one within, at
the close of which he presented his musket and shot
one of my men. This a signal for attack, and
ordered my troops to fire upon those who appeared
on the walls. . ..I
1t was soon obvious that It was unequal warfare.
The walls Of the inquson were covered with the
soldiers of the holy office; there was also breast
work upon the wall, behind which they kept contln-
ually, only they partially exposed themselves as
they discharged their muskes. Our troops were IN
the open plain, and exposed to destructive fire. We
had cannon, nor could we scale the walls, and the
gates resisted all our attempts at forcing them