Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-03-16
From Me Democratic RcpicU for FcJrua-y.
AN INCIDENT IN THE PENrNsuLAR
WAR.


| IN the Peninsula, that Morilio, then command
! ing the fifth Sranis,, army, about four thousand
strong, in conjunction with Pcnno Villemur,
/ passed down the Portuguese frontier to the Low
! er Guardiana, intending to fall on Seville as
soon as Soult should advance TO the succor Of
/ Badaos. In the beginning of April, while the
! French were disheartcned by the sudden news
. of the fall Of that city, Penne Vilemur and Mo-
rillo, issuing ont OF Portugal, crossed the Lower
! Guardone and seized San Lucar de Mayor
( This place was Ten miles from Seville, which
was only garrsonod by a Spanish Swiss ba-
talon in Iosrph's service, aided by 'ESccpe,cr.
Os, and by sick and convalcscent men. The
/ Spaniards soon occupied the heights in front of
the Triana bridge, and attacked the French
entertainments, hoping to raise popular COM
motion. Balastcros. on the other side, had ad.
/ vanced with eleven thousand men, intending to
fall on Seville from the left Of The Gaudaqui-
J vr.
But the hope entertained by the Splniarls.
( Of being speedily in possession of Seville, were
cut of by piece of deceit. False information
! adrotly given by Spaniard in the French in
/ tcrest, led Baiastcios to believe Sonlt was at
/ hand, whcrenpdn he Immediately returned to
the Ronda, while rcnne N,,emur, also warn
/ cd that the French would soon return, retired
to Gibrdlean.
This diSappoint and failure in the exc
cutlon Of t;gyorite PROJECT, cherished fer many
months, irritated beyond control The naturally
severe temper Of Muro 1t was evening
and the division ofihe army under him were
encamped some hours march on their retreat
Preparations might have been seen for amillta-
ry execution, and couple Of prisoners, captur.
ed in their last skirlnisli, were, according to
the crGel practice ofmany chiefs in those times,
to be put 10 death. The cap;ivcs were guard
ed by file of soldiers and the eEecu,ioners
waiting the word of command to draw up, were
leaning on their weapons, and talking over the
events orthc last two days
Just then one OF the inferior officers return-
ing to his tent after gring some order to the
men, was interrupted by boy apparently ton
years fngr, who, seizing his band, and speak
ing in all accent slightly foreign, besouglt him,
with piteous entreaties, 10 procure him admit.
tance to the general The officer found, on
inquiry, that he wns the son of one of the rri-
soners, 4 soldier distinguished for his eminent
personal bravery, who had not been taken, even
when overwhelmed by numbers without giving
and receiving many wounds.
This soldier, weary and wounded, but in
vincibIc in courage and spirit, for he scorncd to
ask the clcmcncy of his conqueror, was now to
suffer death with his companion in misfortune.
The terrible order had been given, for Morlo
would not be imPcded m his march by prisoners;
and he so hated his conRtry'a enemies, that 'he
bravest and most generous among them could
have found no mercy at his hands. The prison
cr's little boy, refusing to be separated from hi,
s father, had been suffered by the Spsniurds tc
s follow him.
}. 'You shalt see the general, boy. since yor
: wish it, said the officer in reply to the chh:
e passionate ertrcatics; but he will not grant
+ your fathers life. San Lucus! bat thcs,
y French dogs have given Us too much trouble
r Already
e They entered tie generals tent; Morillo
ny -l' VI 'tl' idllp bNihlilp 'l Alc l1p'N
/ was reading despatch he had Just received
d Two of his officers stood near him there wa
e no one else in the tent. The brow orthe chic
was contracted, and his eyes f.aslcd as if wha
he read dIsPeaseH him; and he looked rr wit
y, an impatient eXclaraation as the oh1ccgs entere
y, with tae boy, The child, as scon as MorilI
=. was pointed out 10 hirl, yashcd forward an
k.lelt at his feet.
: What docs this meant demanded the gcr
~ eral
r Spare him! spare my htherf sobbei II
e5 yoathlul supplcant,
The officer explained his relationship to or
of the prisoners about to BE executed
Dr 'Ah! that reminds ne, said the chief lookir
,g. at his watch. Pedro, nine is the hour l.
ri them be punctua, and have the business SO,
his over
m Again, with moving entreaties the child b
-, sought his fathers life.
did thy father send thee hither = asked t
general sternly.
No senior, he did not
-In 'And how darest thou, then
ere My father has done nothing to deserve dea
up answered the lad. He is prisoner OF war
etts 'Ils who taught thee 10 question my il
ip ice answer me >
cto- No one, senor, but brave generals do not
l. , ,hair