Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-03-30
From the Democratic Review for February.
AN INCIDENT IN THE PENINSU-
LAR WAR.
NJ MRS. L. r. ELLETr.


II was at bloody and critical peri
cd Of the war in the Peninsula, that
Morillo, then commanding the fifth
Spanish army, about four thousand
strong, in conjunction with Penne Vii
lemur, passed down the Portuguese
frontier to the Lower Guadiana, "a.
tending to fall on Seville as soon a:
Sout should advance to the succor oil
Badajos In the beginning of April
while the French were disheartcncd
by the sudden news Of the fall Of that
city, Penne Villemur and Morillo, is
suing out of Portugal, crossed the
Lower Guadiana and seized San Lucar
dc Mayor. This place was ten miles
from Seville, which was only garrison
cd by Spanish Swiss battalion in Jo-
seph's service, aided by EScopetcroS,
and by sick and conyalescent men,
The Spaniards soon occupied the
heights in front of the Triana bridge,
and attacked tho French entrench-
monts, hoping to raise popular COM
motion. BallaSteros, on tho other
side, had advanced with eleven thou
sand men, intending TO fall on Seville
from the left of the Guadelquiver.
But the hopes entertained by the
Spaniards, Of being speedily in posses
sion ofSeville, were cut oil by piece
of deceit False information adroit-
ly given by Spaniard in the French
interest, led Ballastoros TO believe
Soult was at hand, whereupon he inn
mediately returned to the Rond q !;
while Penne Villemur, also warned
that the French would soon return, re-
tired TO Gibraleon.
This disappointment and failure in
the execution of favorite object, cher
ished for many months, irritated be-
yond control the naturally severe tenn
per of Morillo. twas evening: and
the division Of the army under him
were encamped Some hours march on
their retreat Preparations light have
been seen for military execution, and
a couple OF prisoners, captured in their
last skirmish, were according TO the
cruel practice of many chiefs in those
umec, TO be put to death. The can
tives were guarded by file of soldiers,
and the eXecutioners, waiting the word
of command TO draw up, were leaning
on their weapons. and talking over
the events of the last two DAYS,
Just then one of the inferior officers.
returning to his tent after giving some
order 10 his men, was interrupted by |
q boy apparently ten years of age. who, I
seizing his hand, and speaking in an I
accent slightly foreign, bcsought him, /
with plteous entreaties, 10 procure him
admittanee TO the general. The Off
Ger found, on enquiry. that he was the
son of one Of the prisoners, soldier
distinguished for his emincn, personal !.
bravery, who had not been taken. even H
when overwhelmed BY numbers with 4
out giving aud receiving many severe 4
This soldier, weary and wounded
sut invincible in courage end spirit
or he scorned 10 ask the clemcncy of !
us conquerer, was now 10 suffer death !
With his companion in MISFORTUNE /
The terrible order had been given. for ,
'lorillo would not be impeded in his !
march by prisoners; and he so hated i
rs conn,ry'S enemies, that The bra !
est and most generous among them G
ould have found no mercy at his 6
andS. The prisoners little boy, re- /
lsing 10 be separated from bis falher. j