The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-02-21
TWENTY FIRST OF FEBRUARY.


Lannes, after the most obstinate siege record
ed in history, that OF Numau,ia, by the Ro-
mans, under the younger Scipio, alone ex' ept-
ed. IL is remarkable that these two cites are
situated not more than three or Jour days jour
ney from each other, in the North oil SPAN, ano
that those who defenied ssragossa belonged
TO the same stock with those who defended
Numantia. After the lapse OF two Thousand
wears, We find the prevailing characteristics OF
the people the same. As Palafox, who de-.
Tended Saragossa, has been said 10 be the
grandfather of the new Empress OF the French
ttiat is not so, though she is near relaiionl
and as her extraordinary elevation is just at
shis time very prominent subject OF remark
every where, succinct account of that won
derful siege may not be entirely devoid OF in-
1eres,.
The city of Saragossa is situated upon the
river Epro, in the kingdom Of Aragon, and is
divided by that river, which runs through 1t
into two unequal portions, the smaller beng
on the western side of the river. This latter
portion of il is again intersected by the small
ties into the Ebrc, some short distance below
il. /; was defended externally by " orks which
mud been erected al great cost, alter the unsoc
cessfuI siege OF the preceding year, IN winch
General Lefebyre Desnouettes had heen re
pulsed with great loss, and upon which lou
pieces Of cannon had been placed. Ever s'nee
the former siege, the citizens had been pfePaf-
ing for another, and probably no cry III '"e
wo ID offered such facilities for preparations
of that character. The houses were nearly
all fire proof-were only two stores highland
their walls were so thick as TO set any artillery,
but that of the heaviest calibre, at deiIince.-
Above these the massive churches and con-
vents rose like castles in all quarters otthe city
and the larger streets all tenierng in the Cosso,
fsort of Broadway divided the town into Ia
Vulnerable districts or islands OF houses,
parate and distinct from each other, and each
defended by at least one church or one con-
vent and often BY two. The citizens gave up
every thing for the general cause; they sacrI-
feed their houses. their goods and their per-
sons n. only without complaint, but even with
enthusiasm. The doors and windows of the
houses were walled up-loop-holes were cut
for the play of nusketry-party walls were
broken down, so that Il ere were cGmmunlca-
tons through all the hou es OF each partcu-
lar district-and from district to district these
communica tons were kept up by means of
slbierraneous passages across the Streets
Each building was therefore separate strong
mold, and the whole city presented fortif-
cation on the largest and most formidable scale.
d The space covered by the city," says Colo
mel Napier, "was the measurement of the
thickness Of the walls" The city thus for
tiled, contained q population OF 50000 souls.
The catastrophe against which Saragossa
m qde such early provision, did not fail to hap
pen. Napoleon arrived TO direct the military
operations OF Spain-his forces scattered the
undisci p!ined levies of the peninsula wherever
they came in contact with them-and he him
self. continuing his course almost without in
terruption, swept on like whirlwind to Ma
drid. On the 2lst Of November, the army of
Aragon commanded by Castanos, O'Neil and
Palafox, was totally routed by the forces under
such speed that they brought TO saragossa the
first intelligence oftheir own disaster. Fifteen
thousand men were thus added to the defend
ers OF the city, who were farther reinforced by
thousands of peasants from the surrounding
country. The CONSERVATION was at first ex-
cessive Marshal Lanpes being seized with u
severe spell of illness, the command of the
French orps which had defeated the Span
iards at Tudela, fell into the hands of persons
who neglected the opportunity presented of
seizing the city while laboring under the panic,
and in the mean time, they recovered from its
effects. Palafox was nominated commander
in-chief, but under him there operated leaders
OF a very different description, whose Influence
over the heterogeneous mass assembled for the
defence OF. Saragossa, was unlimited, and who
failed not TO cooperate with him in working
up the combined passions of hatred, rage, de-
SPAR and superstition to their most fearful
pitch, and directing them against the common
enemy. These were the priests and popular
leaders, men Of low rank, but of unlimited au
Ihoriiy over the minds Of their followers
j H6Se ktduefS seem 10 nave estimated moral
force at its full value. They reminded the
people of their success in the former siege
formed roeessons-iavented n!iracles-and
fabricated the most amazing stories, TO keep up
the courage of the people. Above all, their
punishments were So prompt, 20 terrible, and
80 easily incurred, thai as choice OF evils, the
greatest towards preteRed dying at their posts,
10 being hung like dogs for deserving them
The least doubtful expression, the ghtest
sign of intimidation, the smallest appearance
OF uneesiness, was punished with instant
death, by these furious fanatics, and this
course ct conduct was consistently observed
throughout this memorable seige.
On The 2oth Of December, the French. under
Money, advanced 10 the siege of Saragossa,
and on the 2ist carried the important nosi,ion
of Monte Teirero on the RICH, bank ef the
Huerba. From the Isl OF January Marshal
Money was ordered to Madrid, and wasNsnc.
ceeded IN the commando by Juno,. A eon,nsed
series of desperate attacks and sa,,;s. Nm
which the besieged fought with all the f.,v u
despair, and the besiegers with The gan,n,,,'
characteristic Of their nation, occupied tho !.
terval between the first and fifteenth of jams,
stx.a Lw.f Aoo -