The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-02-24
Incidents in the Peninsula
War
BY MRS. E, I. ELLET.

ID pihS. - ELLE
It was bloody and critical period Of
The War in the Peninsula, that Morille,
hen commanding The fifth Spanish army,
about four thousand strong, in conjunc-
hon with Penne Villemur, passed down
the Portuguese frontier to the Lower
Guatliana, intending to fall on Seville as
soon as Soult should advance to the sue
cor of Badajos. In The beginning Of A 2ril
while the French were dishearlened by
HE sudden news of the fall OF that city
I'enne Villemnr and Morillo, issuing out
Of Portugal, crossed tn. Lower Guadiana
and seized San ucar de Mayor. This
;'lace was ten miles from Seville, which
:sas only garfisoned by Spanish Swiss
battalion in Joseph's service, aided by
'Escopeleors." and by sick and GONZALES
cent men. The Spaniards soon occupied
;.le heights in front of the Triana bride,
and attacked the French entertainments
hoping to raise popular commolion.
Ea!las,eros, on the other side. had advan-
ced with eleven thousand men, intending
~ fall or Seville from the left of the
GaudalQnivir.
But the hopes entertained by the Span
lards Of being speedily in possession OF
Seville, were cut off by a piece of deceit.
false information adroilly given by a Span
lard in the French interest, led Bales
,eros to believe Soul. was close al hand;
"hereupon he Immediately returned to
Inc Ronda; while Penne Villemur. also
warned that the French would soon re-
iUrn. retired to Gibraleon.
This disappointment and failure in the
execution of favori.e project. cherished
i" many months, irrIated beyond con-
,rol the naturally severe temper of Nor
lilo. 1t was evening; and the division of
the army under him were encamped some
hours march on their retreat. Prepara-
alions night have been seen for military
execution-anG couple of prisoners,
captured in their last skirmish, were &C
cording to the cruel practice Of many
chiefs III those times, to be put to death
The captlves were guarded by file of
soldiers. and the execu,ioners, waiting the
word OF command to draw up, were lean
on their weapons, and talking over the
events of the last two days.
Just then one of the inferior officers,
returning 10 his tent after giving some
order to the men, was interrupted by a
boy apparently ten years of age, who, seiz-
ing his hand, and speaking in an accent
slightly foreign, besought him. with pilc
"us enlrealies to procure him Ambulance
10 the general The officer found on in
curry, thai he was the son of one of the
prisoners, soldier distinguished for his
eminent personal bravery, who had not
been taken, even when overwhelmed by
rumbers, "llhou: giving and receiving
many severe wounds.
This soldier, weary and wounded, but
invlncible ia courage and spirit, for he
scorned 10 ask the clemency of mis- con-
querer, was now to suffer death with his
companion in misfortune The terrible
order had been given, for Morilo would
not be impeeed in his march by prisoners;
and he 50 hated his country's enemies.
that the braves, aud most generous among
them could have found no mercy at his
hands. The prisoners little boy, refus-
ing to be separated from his father, had
been suffered by tie spaniards 10 follow
him. Obs |r-
you shall see the general, boy, since
YOU wish it, said the officer in reply to
The chIld's passionate entreaties; 'bul he
will not gran. your fathers life. San Lu-
cas-! bu! these French dogs have given us
too much trouble alreadyn ...
They entered the generals tent; Nor
lilo, by the light ola lamp burning on the
liable, was reading a despatch he had just
received. Two Of his officers stood near
him; there was no one else in the tent.