Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-05-20
The Peasants Sacrifice.
A TRAGEDY OF THE WAR IN spA1,

all times depicted in glowing colors the
horrors of war, yet few persons have any
adequate conception of the social and do
mestic misery it produces, particularly
III the counteries which are the scenes OF
campaigns. The following dreadful his
tory is taken from a valuable work
Memoirs of the Duchess D'Abrantes'-
and presents view of the dreadful pas
! tsions called up even in the breast of wo-
men, and the ruthless acts perpetrated by
a marauding soldNry The account is
given in the words of the authoress.
A regiment was sent from Burgos a.
galnst a guerilla party, under the MARQUIS
OF Villa Compo, and ordered to treat the
Spamards with the most rigorous severi-
ty, ESPECIALLY the inhabitants of Arguno,
a little village near the famos forest of
Covelada, whose deep shades, intersected
only by narrow foot-paths, were the re-
sort of banditti and guerillas.
A principal feature of the whole Span
lsh war was the celerity with which all
our movements were notified to the insur-
gent chiefs, and the difficulty we expert
enced in procuring a spy or guide, while
these, men found, proved almost uniform
ly treacherous~ The battalion had to
march through frightful country, over
rugged rocks, and crossing frozen torrents,
always in dread of unforeseen and sudden
dangers. They reached the village, but
perceived no movement, heard no noise.
Some soldiers advanced, but saw nothing
absolute solitude reigned. The officer
IN command, suspecting an ambush, or
dered the utmost circumspection. They
entered street and arrived at an open
ing, where some bundles of wheat and in
dian corn and a quantity of loaves, were
still smoking on the ground, but consumed
to cinder, and swimming floods of wine,
thathad streamed from leather skins which
had been purposely broached, as the pro-
visions had been burnt, to. prevent their
falling into the hands of the French.
No sooner had the soldiers satisfied
themselves that after ali their tolls and
dangers no refreshments were to be OBJ
tained, 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
one ofthe deserted cottages, amongst which
the soldiers had. dispersed themselves in
the hope Of discovering some food or boo
ty. They proceeded from a young wo-
man, holding a child in her arms, whom
the soldiers were dragging before their
lieutenant.
Stay, Geutanant,' said one of them,
'here is q woman We have found sitting
beside an old one, who is past speaking
Question her a little
She was dressed in the peasant costume,
Of Sorin Quioja mountains, and was pale
but not trembling.
why are you alone here?' said the lieu
tenant.
Il stayed with my grandmother who is
paralytic, and could not follow the rest to
the forest, replied she haughtily, and as
if vexed at being obliged to drop a word
in the presence of Frenchman-I staid
to take care of my grandmother
why have your neighbors deserted
the village!'
The Spaniard's eye flashed fire. She
fixed on the lieutenant look of strange
import, and answered.
You 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. AS they
could not carry them off, there was no al
tentative but burning them
At this moment shouts of JOY arose, and
the soldiers appeared carrying a number
of hams, some loaves, and, more welcome
than all, several skins of wine-all dis
covered in vault, the entrance to which
was concealed by the straw the woman
was lying on. The young woman darted
at them look ofinfernal vengeance, while
the lieutenant, who had pondered with
anxiety on the destitute and sinking con-
dition of the troops, rejoieedfor moment
in the unexpected supply. But for the
recent poisoning of several cisterns, and
other fearful examples, putting him on his
qua rd, he again Intercepted the woman.
whence came these provisions?
'They are all the same as we burnt
We concealed them for our friends
Is your husband with yonder brigandS!
My husband is in Heaven said she,
lifting up her eyes 'He died for the
good cau8e-that Of God and King Ferd-
inand.'
Have you any brother among them?
4 have no longer a tie, excepting my
poor child and she pressed the infant to
her breast.
The poor little creature was thin and
but its large black eyes gliStened
as they turned to It's mother
Commander, exclaimed one of the sol
diers, pray order division Of booty, for
we are very hungry and devilish thirsty
'One moment, my children. Listen,
sold b.,