Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-04-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE NOBLE BOY,

L. +.
1t was a bloody and critical period of the war in
the Peninsula, that Morllo, then commanding the
fifth Spanish army, about four thousand strong, in
conjunction with Penne Viemur, passed down the
Portuguese frontiers to the Lower Guadania, nten-
ding to fall on Seville soon as Soult should adj
vance to the succor of Badaios. In the beginning
Of April, while the French were dishearened by
the sudden fall Of that city, Penne Villemur and
Morilo, issuing out of Portugal, crossed the Lower
Guadanla, and seized San Lucar dc Mayor. This
place was ten miles from Seville which only
garrsoned 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 of the Triana bridge, and at
tackled the French entertainments hoping to raise
popular commotion. Haasteros, on the other
side, had advanced with eleven thousand men, in
tending to fall on Seville from the left of the Quad
alquver.
But the hopes entertained by the Spaniards of
being speedily in possession of Seville, cut
off by piece of deceit. False information, adroit-
ly given by a Spanard in the French interest, led
Baasteros TO believe that 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 Gibraleon.
This disappointment and failure in the execution
of favorable project, cherished for many months,
irritated beyond control the naturally severe tenn
per of Morillo. 1t was evening. and the division
OF the army under him were encamped some hours
march on their retreat. Preparations might have
been seen for a military execution and a couple
of prisoners captured in their last skrmish, were
according to the cruel practice of many Of the
chiefs in those times to be put to death. The cap
tives were guarded by file of soldiers, and the
executioners, waiting the word Of command to draw
up, leaning on their weapons, and talking
over the events of the last two days.
Just them one of the inferior officers, returning
to his tent after giving some orders to the men
,t..r ,faIh trn ,tl,,t
age, WHO, Selling his hand, and speaking in an ac
cent slightly foreign, besought him with plteous
entreaties to procure him admittance to the gener
al The officer found on inquiry that he was tho
son of one of the prisoners, soldier distinguished
for his eminent personal bravery, who had not BEEF
taken, even when overwhelmed by numbers, with
out giving and receiving many severe wounds.
This soldier, weary and wounded, but invncibl
in courage, and spirit, for he scorned to ask til
clemency Of his conqueror, now to suffer deaf
with his companion in misfortune. The terribl
order had been given, for Morillo would not be in
peded in his march by prisoners; and he so hate
his countrys enemies, that the bravest and mo!
generous among them, could have found no mere
at his hands. The prisoners little boy refusing
be separated from his father, had been suffered b
the Spaniards to follow him.
"You shall see the general, boy, since you wis
it, said the officer, in reply to the child's passion
ate entreaties: but he will not grant your father
life. San Lucas but these French dogs have g'
en- us too much trouble already"
They entered the generals tent Morillo, by Il
light OF a lamp, burning on the table, was readn
despatch he bad just received Two of his of
stood near him; there no one else in Il
tent. The brow of the chief was contracted al
his eyes flashed as if what he read dispeased hin
and he looked up with an impatient exclamation
the officer entered with the boy. The child,
soon as Morillo was pointed out to him, rushed fc
ward and kne.t at his feet
"What does this mean" demanded the gener
"Spare him spare my father" sobbed the yout
full supplicant.
The officer explained his relationship to one
the prisoners about to be executed.
"Ah that reminds me-" said the chief look
at his watch: PEDRO, nine is the hour Let the
be punctual, and have the business soon over"
Again with moving entreaties, the child besoug
his fathers life.
"Did thy father send thee hther?" asked t
general sternly.
No, senior, he did not"
"And how darest thon them"
My father has done nothing to deserve dealt
answered the lad. Z" lie is prisoner of war"
"IIa who taught thee to question my JUST
answer mel
"No one, senior, but brave generals do not
ways kill their prisoners"
III kill whom choose" Numbered Morillo, ga
hate the French. Boy, thy father shall die
have said t-begone
The officer made a silent sign to the petition
to intimate that there was no hope, and that he IN
begone. But the boys countenance suddenly CHI
ged. lie walked up to the general, who had tu
ed away and placed himself directly before hi
with a calm resolution worthy of martyr.
"Iear me, senor," said he; "my father is grG
headed; he is wounded; his strength is fall
even now, though he stands up to receive the
of your men. am young and strong, and We
Let them shoot me in his place, and let my fatl
go free"