The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-07-12
sIEGEs DURING THE FRENCH REYo-
LUTIONARY WAR.

Tho crucltics enacted during the French
revolutionary movements were among the
most detestable events recorded ia history, for
they had, in most cases, nothing but mean
vengeance for their object. The suncrings
Of the Nendeans, were equalled by what the
unfortunate inhabitants of Lyons endured by
orders Of the National Convention (I30S)- -
Disinclinod 10 tho e-of the revolution tho
LyaneGe- -endeaHnred- 10 dniend their city "A.
gainst an army OF 10000 troops sent 10 bring
them under subjcction The walls wcrc
manned by 10000 citizens, who resolved TO
die rather than yield mp che town to the crew
who assailed them. For siXty-thrce dayg t.y.
ons endured bombarlment, which dcmol-
ishod large portion Of the city, while the
famine which existed within the walls sggra-
waited the general horrors Of the srcne. Not
however, I'LL upwards OF $4,000 persons Had
been killed, or died by hunger, was the place
rendered up, and then it was a heap Of ruins.
During this terrific seige, there we're fred
II 900 shot aud 27,000 shells, a number Of
bullets being red-hot. Or the unhappy in
hRbiiants who escaped destruction,la large mum
bers were guillotined, and many were put Ia
death by being enfladed in rows with can
non shot ~
A scene equally characteristic of war is re-
ierrcd TO, as follows, by Charles Sumner in
his much admired Peace Grafton. "In the
autumn of 1893, the armies Of the French
republic, which had dominated over Italy
were driven from their conquests, and com
PEELED, with shruuk forces, under Masscna to
seek shelter within the walls of Genoa. After
various Efforts by the Austrian general on
the land, aided by bombardmcnt from the
British fleet in the harbour,to force the strong
defepces by. assault, the city is invested by a
strict blockade. All communication with the
country is cut oif on the one side, while the
harbor is closed by the ever-wakefu British
watch-dogs of war. Within the beleagucred
and unfortunate city are the peaceful inhab-
itants, more than those of Boston in number
besides the French troops. Provisions soon
became scarce, scarcity sharpeus into want
till fell famine, bringing blindness and mad
ness in her train, rages like an EFinnys-
Picture to yourselves this large population
not pouring out their lives in the exutina
rush of battle, but wasting at noonday-the
daughter by the side of the mother, the hus-
band by the side of the wife. When grain
and rice fail, hax-seed, millet, cocoas, and al
monds are ground by hand-mills into flour
aud even bran, baked with honey, is eaten,
not to satisfy, but to deaden hunger. During
the sgige, but before the last oxtremities, a
pound of horse flesh is sold for S2 cents; a To-
of bran for so cents pound of -four, at, 1
dollar 75 cents. A single bean is soon sold
for 4 cents and fpally none are to be had.
The miserable soldiers, after devouring all
the horses in the city, are reduced TO the
degradation of feeding on dogs, cats, rats,and
worms, which are eagerly hunted out in the
cellars and common sewers. Happy were
now, exclaims an Italian historian, not those
who lived, but those who died The day is
dreary from hunger the night more dreary
suit, from hunger accompanied by deliriens
fancies. Recourse Is now had to herbs
monks, rhuharb, sorrel, mallows, wild succo-
ry. People Of every condition, women of
noble birth aud beauty, seek on the. slope
of the mountain enclosed within the defenc-
es, those ailments which nature destined sole
ly for the beasts. A little cheese, and a iS~
vegetables, are all that can be afforded to the
sick and wounded--those sacred stipendiaries
upon human charity Men and women, in
the last anguish of despair now fill the air
with THAR Rruans and shrieks; some in spasms
cou-uitioaa and contordon5, gaping their