The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-29
THE NOBLE B O Y.
BY MRS. E. F. ELLET,

I 1t was at bloody and critical period Of the
war in the Peninsula, that Morillo, then COM
manding the fifth Spanish army, about four
thousand strong, in conjunction with Penne
Vilemur, passed down the Portuguese frontiere
to the Lower Guadiana, intending to fall on
Seville as soon as Soult should advance to the
succor of Badajos In.the beginning Of April,
while the French were disheartened by the sud-
den news of the fall of that city, Penne Villemur
and Morillo, issuing out of Portugal, crossed the
Lower Guadiana, and seized San Lucar de
Mayor This place was ten miles from Seville,
which was only garrisoned by Spanish Swiss
battalion in Josephs service, aided by Escope-
teros," and by sick and convalescent men. The
Spaniards soon occupied the heights in front Of
the Triana bridge, and attacked the French en-
trenchments, hoping to raise popular commo-
ton. Ballasteros, on the other side, had ad-
vanced with eleven thousand men, intending to
fall on Seville from the left of the Guadalquiver.
But the hopes entertained by the Spaniards, Of
off By piece Of deceit. False information,
adroitly given by Spaniard in the French in
terest, led Ballasteros to believe that Soult was
close at hand; whereupon he Immediately re-
turned to the Ronda while Penne Villemur,
also warned that the French would soon return
retired to Gibraleon.
This disappointment and failure in the execu-
ton Of favorite project, cherished for many
months, irritated beyond control the naturally
severe temper Of Morillo. 1t was evening; and
the division of the army under him were en-
camped some hours march on their retreat
Preparations might have been seen for mill
tary execution; and couple of prisoners cap
tured in their last skirmish, were, according to
the cruel practice of many chiefs in those times,
10 be put 10 death. The captives were guarded
by file of soldiers, and the executioners, wait
inc the word of command to draw up, were
leaning on their weapons, and talking over the
events of the last two days.
Just then, lone of the inferior officers, returning
to his tent after giving some order to the men,
was interrupted by boy apparently ten years OF
age, who, Selling his hand, and speaking IN an
accent slightly foreign, besought him with pit
eous entreaties to procure him admittance TO the
general. The officer found on inquiry, that he
was the son of one of the prisoners soldier dis
tngushed for his eminent personal bravery, who
had not been taken even when overwhelmed by
numbers, without giving and receiving many Sc
we're wounds.
This soldier, weary and wounded, but invln-
chile in courage and spirit, for he scorned to ask
the clemency of his conqueror, was now to sui
fer death with his companion in misfortune.
The terrible order had been given, for Morillo
would not be impeded in his march by prison
ers; and he SO hated his countrys enemies, that
the bravest and most generous among them
could have found no mercy at his hands. The
prisoners little boy, refusing to be separated
from his father, had been suffered by the Span
iards to follow him. et ssas
"You shall see the general, boy, since you
wish it." said the officer, in reply to the child's
passionate entreaties but he will not grant
your fathers lie. San Lucas but these French
dogs have given US too much trouble already"