Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-01-27
4 TRAGEDY OF THE WAR III SPAIN.


all times depicted in glowing colors the hor-
rors cfwar, get few persons have any sie-
quate conception Of the social ana domestic
misery il produces, particularly in the coun-
!! tries which are the scenes of campaigns -
4 The following dreadful history is taken from
a valuable work Memoirs Of the Duchess
1 ID Abrantes and presents view Of the
dreadful passions called up in the breast Of
/ woman, and the ruthless acts pefpcifated by
a niarauding soldiery The account is given
in the words Of the authoress:
A regiment was sent from Burgos against
a guerilla party. under the Marquis Of Villa
/ Compo and ordered TO treat tie SpaAssris
with the most vigorous severity. especially
the inhabitants Of Arguano, little village
near the famous forest Of Coyelleda, whose
deep shades, intersccted only BY narrow foot
paths. were the resort Of the banditti and
/ guesillas. a principle feature Of the whole
| Spanish war was the celebrity with which all
orr movements were notified to the insnfgent
! chiefs, and The difficulty we experienced ia
/ procuring spy or guide, while these. when
found, proved almost uniformly troasherous.
The battai.an had to march through fright.
| fal country, climbing rugged rocks. and
crossing frozen torrents. always in dread of
unforeseen and sudden dangers. They reach
ed the village, bat perceived 20 movement
beard 90 noise. Some soldiers advanced,
bat saw nothing absolute solitude reigned
The officer in commend saspeatiug an am
bush. ordered the utmost circumspeetion, =
/ The troops entered the street and arrived at
a small opening, where some shcaves Of wheat
and Indian corn, and quantity Of loavas,
4 were still smoking on the ground but con.
sumed to a cinder, and swimming in foods OF
WING, which had strcamed from leathcrn skins
| that had evidently beon purposely preached,
as the provisions had been burnt to prevent
their falling into the hands Of tho French.
No sooner bad the scldeirs satisfied them
selves that after all their tolls and dangers
no refreshment was to be obtained than they
roared with rage--hut no vengeance was
within reach. All the Inhabitants had fed
into the forest.
| Suddenly cries were heard Issuing from
one Of the deserted cottages, amongst which
the soldiers had dispersed themselves in hopes
Of discovering some food or booty. They
/ proceeded from a young woman holding a
child, a year old, 10 her arms. whom the sol
dicrs were dragging before their lieutenant.
"Stay, lieutenant" said one Of them. '.here
is a woman VIC baye found sitting beside an
old one who is past speaking. Question her
1 a little"
She was dressed in tho peasant costume
Of the Soria and Rioja mountains, and was
pale, but not trembling.
sWby are you alone here r said The lieu
tenant.
] Il staid with my grandmother who Is par
1 alyiic, and could not follow tie rest TO che
forest" replied she hanghtily, and as If
vcxcd at being obliged to drop word in
presence of q Frenctman; Il staid to take
care Of her.
! "Why have ycur neighbors left the vii
lago n
i The Spaniard's eye flashed fire. She fix,
ed on the lieutenant look Of strange import
and answered
"You know very well; were they not all
to be massacred /"
The lieutenant shrugged bis shoulders
but why did you burn the bread and
wheat, aud empty the wine skins!'
"That you might find nothing. As they
could not carry them Of, there was no alter
native but burning them"
| At this moment shouts Of joy arose, and
the soldiers appeared carrying a number OF
hams, some loayes, and more welcome than
all, several skins Of wine-all discovered in a
vault, the entrance to which was concealed
BY the straw the old woman was lying cn,---
The young peasant darted on them look Of
Internal vengeance, while the lieutenant who
had pondcred with anxiety on the destitute
and sinking condition Of bis troops rejoieed
!, for moment in the unexpected supply--
But The recent poisonings Of seyeral cisterns
and other fearful examples putting him on
, his guard he again Intercepted the woman
Whence come these provisions r
'They are all the same as those we burnt.
We concealed them for our friends.
rs your husband with yonder brigands r.
MY husband is in heavenl'' said she, lift
ing up her eyes. "IIe died for the good
causc--that of God and King Ferdinand Y
'IIaye you any brother amongst them ~
81 have no longer tie, except my poor
child, and she pressed the infant to her
breast. The poor little creature was thin
and sallow; but It's large black eyes glisten-
cd as they turned to its mother
\ Commander exclaimed one Of the sol
diers, "pray order divisions Of the booty, for
we arc very hungry and desilish thirsty"
zone moment, my children. Listen, said
be, eying the young woman with suspicious
/ inquisition; ''theso provisions are good. !
hope n
''IIow could they be otherwise n replied
the Spauiard. contemptuously; they were
4 not for you"
"Wcil, here's to thy health. then, Demon-
ia," said a young sub-lieutenaht. opening one
of the skins and preparing for draaght; but
bis more prudent commander stiil restrained
him.
4 "0ne moment Since this wine is good,
! you viii not object to glass
! "0h dear no as much as you please +
and accepting the ness glass offered by the
lieutenant, she emptied it without hesitation
'Huzza huzza y shouted the soldiers, dc,
lighted at the prospect Of intoxication with
out danger
| And your child viii drink some also =
| soid the liaufeuart she is so male that IL will