The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-06-15
INCIDENTS IN THE PENINSULA
WAR.


commanding the hiih Spanish army, ubou
-four thousand strong, in conjunction viii
Penne Villeinur, passed down the POrlu
guese froslier TO the Lower Guadiana, in
,endrg to fall m Seville as soon as Soul
should advance 10 the succOr Of Badajos. -
In the beginning ct April, while the French
were disheartened by the sudden news o!
The fall of that city, Penne Villemur and
Morrillo. issuing out Of Portugal, crossed
The lower Guadlana and seized San Lucsr
de Mayor. The place was ten miles from
Seville, which was only gairisoned by q
Spanish Swiss battalion in Joseph's ser.
vice aided by Escopeteros,' and by sick
and convslesoent men. The Spaniards
soon occupied heights in front Of the rrana
bridge, and attacked the French en.rench.
mens, hoping 10 raise popular commo,ion
Ballasleros, on the other side, had advanced
with eleven thousand men, intending to-
fslI on Seville from The left OF the Guadal.
Quivr.
Blu, the hopes entertained BY the Span.
iards Of being speedily in possession of
Seville, were Gu, of by piece Of deceit
False information adroity given by Span
lard in the French INTEREST," led Bslles,eros
TO believe Soult was close at hand; where
upon he Immediately returned 10 the Ronda;
while Peune VIllemur, also warned tina, the
French would soon return, retired 10 Glib.
raleon.
The disappointment and failure in the e1
'ecution of favorlie project, cherished for
many months, irrila,ed beyond control the
naturally severe temper Of MorriIlo. IT.
was evening; and tie division Of the army
uader him were encamped some hours
march on their retreat. Preparations might,
have been seen for military execution -
and couple Of prisoners captured in their
last skrmsh, where according 10 The crue
practice Of many chiefs in those iimss, 10 be
pct TO death The csptives were guarded
by file Of soldiers, and The execuiioners,
walng the word OF command 10 draw up
were Leaning on their weapon 8, and talking
over the events OF the las, two days.
Just then one Of the inferior officers, re
9turning 10 this tent after giving some order
10 The men. was interrupted by boy apps-
rreniy ten years Of age; who. selzing hi,
hand. and speaking in an accent slightly
foreign, besoughl him, with piteous entrea
ties 10 procure him admilance 10 the gener
al. The officer found on inquiry, that he
was the son Of one Of the prisoners, sol
dier distinguished for his eminent persona
Bravery, who had not been taken even
when overwh wheImed by numbers. wilhou
giving and receiving many severe wounds
This soldier, weary and wounded, bu
invincible in courage and spirit, for h,
scoIned to ask The cIemencv Of his conque
ror was now to suffer death with his com
psnon in misfortune. The terrible order
had been given, for Morillo would no
be imfeded in his march by prisoners
and he SO hated his coup,ry's enemies. tha
the bravesl and mos, generous among then
could have found no morcy at lis hands,
The prisoners little boy, refusing to b,
separated from his father, had been suffered
by the Spaniards to follow him.
You shall see the general boy, since
you wish H. said the officer in reply to the
chiG's passionate enueaues; but he will
not gran. your fathers life, San Lucas
but these French dogs have given US loo
much trouble already!'
They entered the generals tent; Morilo
BY the light Of a lamp burning on The table
was reading despstch he had just received
Two of his officers stood near him: thei,
was no one else in the tent. The brow o
the chief was contracted, and his eyes flash
ed a. If whs, he read displeased him; and
he looked up with an impatient exclamation
as the officer entered with the boy. The
child, as soon as Morillo was pointed ou
to him, rushed forward and knelI al his
feet.
What does illis mem = demanded the
general.
Spare him spare my fliher! sobbed