Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-06-01
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
ZINC Psa.ant,. saerlnes.


A TRAGEDY OF THE WAR IN SPAIN.
The following history is taken from Memoirs
of the Duchess DAbrantes:
regiment was sent from Burgos against q
guerrilla party, under the Marquis OF vllla Compo
and ordered to treat the Spaniards with the most
rigorous severity, especially the inhabitants OF
Arguno, a little village the famous forest OF
Coyelada, whose deep shades, intersected only by
narrow footpaths, were the resort of bandits and
guerrillas.
The battalion had to march through a fright
full country, over rugged rocks, and crossing
frozen torrents always in dread of unforeseen and
sudden dangers They reached the village, but
perceived no movements, heard no noise. some
soldiers advanced, but saw nothing-absolute soil
tude reigned The officer in command, suspect
ing an ambush ordered the utmost circumspec-
ton. They entered street, and arrived at an
opening where some bundles of wheat and Indian
corn and quantity OF loayes were still smoking
on the ground, but consumed to clnder, and
swimming floods of wine, that had streamed from
leather skins which had evidently been purposely
broacued as the provisions had been burned to
prevent their falling into the hands Of the French.
No sooner had the soldiers satisfied themselves
that after all their tolls and dangers, no refresh
ment was to be obtained than they roared with
rage--but no vengeance was within reach. All
the inhabitants had fed into the forest.
Suddenly cries were heard issuing from of
the deserted cottages, amongst which the soldiers
had dispersed themselves in the hope of discover
ing some food or booty, They proceeded from
a young woman holding child in her arms,
whom the soldiers were dragging before their
lieutenant.
Stay, lieutenant" said one of them % here is
a woman we have found sitting beside old one
who is past speaking. Question her little"
She was dressed in the peasant costume of the
Sorin Quioja mountains, and was pale, but not
trembling ... .|
"Why are you alone here ?" said the lieuten-
ant.
81 STAYED with my grandmother, who is para
lytic and could not follow the rest to the Forest"
replied she haughtily, and as if vexed at being
obliged to drop word in thepresence of a French
man. stayed to take care Of my grandmother"
uWhy have your neighbors deserted the vii
lape ~ The Spaniard's eye flashed fire. She
fixed on the Lieutenant look OF strange import
and answered
'sYou know very well-were they not all to be
massacred ?"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders.
"But why do you burn the bread and wheat
and empty the wine skins?"
:. That you might find nothing"
At this moment shouts of JOY arose, and the
soldiers appeared, carrying number of hams,
some loaves and, more welcome than all, several
skins Of wine-all discovered in vault, the en-
trance to which was concealed by the straw the
woman was lying on. The young woman darted
at them look of vengeance, while the lieutenant,
who had pondered with anxiety on the destitute
and sinking condition of the troops, rejoiced for
moment in the unexpected supply. But, for the
recent poisoning of several cisterns, and other
fearful examples, putting him his guard, he
again Intercepted the woman:
"Whence came these provisions ?"
They are all the same we burnt. We con-
cealed them for our friends"
''Is your husband with yonder brigand?"
"My husband is in heaven. He died for the
good cause-that of God and King Ferdinand"
Have you any brother among them 2"
al have no longer tie, excepting my poor
child" and she pressed the infant to her breast
The poor little creature was thin and sallow ;
but its large black eyes glistened as they turned
to its mother.
Commander" exclaimed one of the soldiers,
"pray order division Of booty, for we are very
hungry and devilish thirsty"
s'One moment, my children. Listen" said he
cycling the woman with suspicious inquisition
g these provisions are good, hope?"
8 How could they be otherwise ?" replied thu
Spaniard, contemptuously; "they were not fol
you"
esWell, here's to thy health, then, Demonia, "
said young sub-lieutenant opening one of the
skins and preparing for draught. But his more
prudent commander still restrained him.
"One moment Since this wine is good, you
will not object to glassY"
s'Oh, dear, no ! as much as you please" and
accepting the mess-gass offered by the lieutenant,
she emptied it without hesitation
ssHuzza! huzza!" shouted the soldiers, delight
ed at the prospect of intoxcation without danger.
I" And your child will drink some also" said
the lieutenant-'he is so pale that it will do him
good"
The Spaniard had herself drank without any
hesitation, but, on holding the cup to her infants
lips, her hand trembed. The motion, however,
was unperceived, and the child also empted his
glass. Thereupon the provisions soon disap-
peared and all partook both Of food and wine
Suddenly, however, the infant was observed TO
turn hvid, its features contracted, and its mouth
convulsed with agony, gave vent to hideous shreks
The mother, too, though her fortitude suppressed
complaint, could scarcely stand and her distorted
features betrayed her suferings.
" Wretch !" exclaimed the commander, " thou
hast poisoned u.s."
"Yes," said she, with CHASTITY smile, falling
to the ground beside her child, already stsugglinl
with death, "yes-I have poisoned you knew
you would fetch the skins from their hiding place
Was it likely you would leave dying creature
undisturbed in her litter Yes es!-you will
die, and die in perdition, while shall die and go
to heaven J"
Her last words were scarcely audible and the
soldiers did not at first comprehend the full hor.
ror of their situation; but as the poison operated
the Spanish womans declaration was legibly
translated in her convulsed features. No power
could longer restrain them. In vain their com
mander interposed. They repulsed him, and
dragging their expiring victim to the torrent threw
her into it, after decorating her with more than
hundred sabre strokes. She uttered not groan
The child was the first victim.
Twenty-Five men were destroyed by this ex
plot The commander himself told me that h