The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-03-07
INCIDENT IN THE PENlNSULAR
WAR

1t was at bloody and critical period of
the war in the Peninsular, that Morillo, then
commanding the fifth Spanish army about four
thousand strong, in conjunction with Penne
Villemur passed down the Portuguese from
tire 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 dishartened
by the sudden news of the fall of the city );
Penne Villemur and Morillo, issuing out of
Portugal, crossed the Lower Guadina and
seized San Lucar de Mayor.-This place
was ten miles from Seville, which was only
gararisened by Spanish Swiss battalion in
Joseph's service, aided by "Escopeteros,"
and by sick and convalescent men. The
Spaniards soon occupied the heights in front
ofthe Triana bridge, and attacked the French
entrenchments, hoping to raise popular COM
motion. Ballasteros, on the other side had
advanced with eleven thousand men, intend
ing to fall on Seville from the left of the Qua
dalquivir.
But the hopes entertained by the Span
iards, of being speedily in possession of Sc
vile, were cut off by piece of deceit
False information adroitly given by Span
lard in the French interest, led Ballasteros TO
believe Soult was close at hand; whereupon
he Immediately returned to the Ronda;
while Penne Villemur, also warned that the
French would soon return, retired to Gibra-
leon.
This disappointment and failure in the ex-
ecuhon of favorite project, cherished for
many months, irritated beyond contol the
naturally severe temper of Morillo. Il was
evening; and the division of the army under
him were encamped sumo hours march on
4heir retreat. Preparations might have'been
seen for a military execution; aud couple
OF prisoners, captured in their last skirnish,
were, according 10 the cruel practice ofmany
chiefs in those times. TO be put 10 death. The
captives were gurded by file of soldiers,and
| the executioners, waiting the word Of com
mand 10 draw up, were leaning on their wea-
pons and talking over the events Of the last
| two DAYS.
Just then one Of the inferior officers, re
turning 10 his tent after giving some order to
the men, was interrupted by boy apparent
! ly ten years of age, who Selling his hand,
and speaking in an accent slightly foreign,
besonght him, with piteous enIreaties, 10
procure him admittance to the general. The
officer found, on inquiry, that he was The son
! of one OF the prisoners seldies distinguish
led for his eminent personal bravery, who had
not been taken, even when overwhelmed by
numbers, without giving and receiving many
severe wounds.
] This SOLDIER, weary and wounded, but in
lvinceble in courage and spirit, for he scorn-
ed 10 ask the clemency of his Gonquerer, was
now to suffer death with his companion in
misfortune. The terrible order had been
given, for MoriIlo would not be impeded IN
his march by prisoners; and he so hated his
country's enemies, that the bravest and most
generous among them could have found nc
mercy at his hands. The prisoners little boy
refusing TO be separated from his father, had
been suffered by the Spaniards to follow
him.
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
kyour fathers life.-San Lucas! but these
French dogs have given us too much truble
already!'
They entered the generals tent; Morillo
by the light of lamp burning on the table
was reading despatch he had just received
t Two of his officers stood near him: there
f was no one else in the tent. The brow O
the chief was contracted, and his eye
flashed as if what he read displessed him
and he looked up with an inpatient excla
nation as the officer entered with the boy
The child as soon as MoriIlo was pointed
out to him, rushed forward and knelt at hi
feet,
'What does this mean?' demanded the gen
eral.
5 Spare him! spare my father! sobbed tht
youthful supplicant.
The officer explained his relationship tc
one of the prisoners about to be executed.
'Ahi that reminds me- said the chief look
ing at his watch; Pedro, nine is the hour. lie
them be punctual, and have the bushes
soon over
!. Again with mooving entrsatie 8, the chile
besought his fathers life.
Sid thy father send thee hither? asket
the general, sternly.
mo senior, he did not
sAnd how darest thou, then-?'
My father has done nothing to deserve
DEATH answered the lad. 'He is prisone
of war;
'Ha! who taught thee to question my jus
+ tice? answer me!'
mo one, senior; but brave generals do no
always kill their prisoners
Il kill whom | chosen Numbered Morillo
i and hate the French. Boy, thy father shall
de- l have said it; begouee
n The officer made silent sign 10 the pc
e titioner to intimate that there was no hop
and that he must begone. But the boy
countenance suddenly changed. He walked