The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
TIL L NO BILE DO Y.
BY MRS. +. F. ELLET.

~ was u bibObl "'N S'''S' fN''N
the war IN the Peninsula, that MorIIIo
then commanding the fifth Spanish army,
about four thousand strong, in con
iunction with Penne Vlemur, passed down
the Portuguese frontiers to the Lower
Guadania, intending to ta! on Seville as
soon as Soult should advance to the succol
of Badajos. In the beginning of April
while the French were dishearened by
the sudden fall of that city, Penne Vile
muir aud MoriIlo, issuing out of Portugal
crossed the Lower Guadania, and seized
San Lucar de Mayor This place was ten
miles from Seville, which was ON garrison
by Spanish Swiss battalion in JosePh's
service, aided by "Escopeteros," and by
sick and convalescent men. The Span
iards soon occupied the heights in front
of the TrIana bridge, and attacked the
French entertainments, hoping to raise a
popular commo,on. Ballasleros, on the
other side, had advanced with eleven thou
sand men, intending TO fall on Seville from
the left of the Guadalquiver.
But the 'hopes entertained by the Span
iards, of being speedily in possession OF
Seville, were cut Off bya piece OF deceit.
False information, adroiIy given by a
Spaniard in the French interest, led Bal
las,eros to believe that Soult was close at
hand, whereupon he Immediately returned
to Ronda; while Penne Viemur, also
warned that the French would return, re-
tired to Gbraleon.
This disappointment AMI failure in the
execution of favorable project, cherished
for many months, iritated beyond control
the naturally severe temper OF Norllo. 1t
was evening, and the division OF the army
under him were encamped some hour 5
march on their retreat Preparations might
have been seen for military execution;
and couple of prisoner, captured IN
their last skirmish, were according to the
cruel practice ormany of the chiefs in those
times to be put to death, The cap'lves
were guarded by file of soldiers, and the
executoners, waiting the word of com
mand 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 or
Gers to the men, was interrupted by boy
apparently ten years OF age, who, selZlng
his hand, and speaking in an accent slight
" foreign, besouglt him with plteons en-
treaties to procure him admlltancc to the
general. The officer found on inquiry
that he was the son OF one OF the PRISON.
ers, a soldier distinguished for his eminent
personal bravery, who had not been taken
even when overwhelmed by numbcrs,w with
out receiving many severe wounds.
This soldier, weary and wounded, but
invincible in courage, and spirit, for he
scorned to ask the clemency Of his CON
Querer, was now to suffer death with his
companion in misfortune. The terrible
order had been given, for MorlIo
would not beimpeded in his march by
prisoners; and he so hated his country's
enemies, that the bravest and most gener-
Gus among them, could have found no
mercy a, his hands. The Prisoners little
boy refusing to be separated from his faith
er, 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 entrea,les: "but he
will not grant your fathers life. San Lu-
cas-! but these French dogs have given us
too much trouble already"
They entered the generals tent. Mo-
rillo, by the light of a lamp, burning on
the table, was reading despatch he had
Just received. Two of his officers stood
near him; there was no one else in the
tent. The brow of the chief was contrac-
ted; and his eyes flashed as if what he
read displcascd him; and he looked up
with an impatient exclamation as the Off.
Ger entered with the boy. The child, as
soon as Morillo was pointed out to him,
rushed forward and knclt at his feet.
"NVhat does this mean" demanded
the general.
"Sparc him! spare my father" sobbed
the youthful supplicant.
The officer explained his relationship
to one of the prisoners about to be exccu-
ted
"Ah! that reminds me, said the chief,
looking mt his watch: PEDRO, nine Is the
hour. Let them be punctual, and have
the business soon over"
Again with moving cntreaties the child
besought his fathers life. .
''Did thy father send thee hithcr"
asked the general, sternly.
No, senior, he did not"
"And how darest thou then"
''My father has done nothing to de-
serve DEATH" answered the lad. Gle is
a prisoner of war"
ala! who taught thee to question my
justice, answer mel
ono one, senior, but brave generals do
not always kill their prisoners"
81 kill whom choose, )" Numbered Mo-
rillo, "and ] hate the French. Boy, thy
father shall die have said it--be-
pone,''