Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-08
Translated from the Frsuch,1


EPISODES OF THE WAR IN HUNGARYt.!
THE 9TH AND 9TH OF OCTOBER IN THE FORTRESS OF
ARAD!!
The rumor Of the arrival of a courier who had
brought the amnesty, was soon spread over the
city of Arad, whose inhabitants were overioyed
at the good news; the young wife of Damianics,
being one of the first that heard of it, immedate-
ly went to the citadel in order to share her hap
piness with her husband. With joy in her heart,
ana smile on her lips, she arrived at the thres-
hold of the principal part of the building, where
the Generals were kept in sight. But, alas joy
was to be changed into grief, and the smile into
tears! The poor woman had liked to die with
stupor when she learned the fatal order. She
endeavored to get near her husband, but the SOL
ders crossed their bayonets before her. One of
the prisoners then begged Gen. Howiger to grant
her the privilege of seeing her husband.
'Mind your own business" was the brutal an
swer of the Austrian General. Her Indignation,
on hearing these words, restored Mrs. Damianics'
strength and courage. She addressed Howger
herself who resisted long time, alleging the Or
ders he had received; but she persisted. In the
annals of barbarity, there was no case to be
found that might have served as precedent to the
refusal of the Austrian General, and Howiger at
length yielded. That was the height of the i'm
perial cemency. The day closed in dependency
The next morning it struck five and six O'Clock,
and, contrary to custom, no door of the case
and grief upon the poor prisoners. A gloomy
silence was prevailing in the fortress. Nothing
was heard but the monotonous step Of the SEN
tinels, and the noise of arms of the posts that
had all been doubled. However unnecessary
this precaution was, it was not deemed sufficient
yet. In the evening the cannons were brought
back from the ramparts, and their gaping mouths
threatened to batter down those poor prisoners
at the least indication of an emeute Besides all
this, the entry and avenue were lined with guards
and sentinels.
In the middle of these formidable preparations,
when the darkness of night had spread its veil
over the fortress, you might have heard melan-
choly and melodous sounds, blended with the
rghs of the breeze, and gliding like grooming
echo through the silent shades. The instrument
flute, which produced these mysterious sounds
is the most melodious of all that may be animated
by human lips, and the air which it performed is
the most melancholy melody that musical gent
us ever overwhelmingly, the final air of Lucia
That melody issued from one of the windows of
the building where the Generals, doomed to die
spent their last night The mouth which, from
that instrument, drew forth such mournful notes,
was one of those that were to be shut forever by
the hangman the next morning: the performer of
this solemn concert was General Lahner. He
sang his death song, like the warrior of the Rocky
mountains, or the heroes of Ossian.
This beloved soul (belP alma innamorata)
that was his beloved country for which he was
going to die. Words are inadequate to express
the melancholy and solemn emotions of such
moments.
ments was opened yet. A little after seven
o'clock, the prisoners heard, in the direction of
the ramparts, a report similar to platoon fire,
and minute afterwards a single gun shot: that
was the execution of the three Generals, Kiss,
Deseify ,Schweide, and Lieutenant Colonel Lazar,
which had taken place. AS special favor they
were shot instead of being hung, like their unfor-
tunate comrades.
At seven o'clock detachment of infantry had
come to take the four prisoners, and bring them
to the second ditch of the CITADEL on the south
side.
Kiss the elegant Kiss, was in full dress. For
his last journey he had exhibited the most ex-
quisite elegance. His fingers were ornamented
with costly rings, and he had slipped into his fob
about two hundred dollars. His mortal remains
belonging to the hangman, this was in a measure
a kind of offering which the victim made to the
sacrificing priest. He wished, said he, to die as
he had lived, like gentleman. The character
of that officer reminds us of those gallant young
Frenchmen in the eighteenth century, who care
lessly went from the boudors of their mistresses
to the field of battle, defying death, with BALL
sword in their hands
Desefy was also in most elegant black dress.
The previous day he had sent for gloves, in order
I o die with the proper dscorum.