Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-04-28
JflisrrlIanfuns.
The Story of Plinganser.

dent ia Munich'-in press by Tick
nor a. CO.. Boston:
1t was in the year l705, the year
after the great battle of Blenheim,
when Europe was devouring her We
ry heart in contests about the Span
is Succession" that the Bavaran
peasantry rose en- masse They were
smarting under the bitter vengeance
of the Austrian government, who
visited the sins of the princes upon
the people; they were ground TO
the very dust by imposts and cruel
lty, and had already in public assem-
bly, addressed the diet of Regens-
burg, declaring that necessity fore
ed them to arms
Two students, Plinganser and
Mendl, placed themselves at the
head of the peasant insurgents aud
were everywhere victorious. Vari-
Gus of the nobility Joined them !;
but this in the end only led to the
betrayal of the peasants. On they
marched VIGOROUSLY towards Mum
ich, whittier the Imperial General
Kreichbaum had been despatched
with reinforcements.
The Vorsladt-Au was already in
full instruction. The giant noun
taineer, the Smith Balteor Sibaldus
of Kochel, with his two sons, led
on the excited people with the cry
of Save the children 2 a rumor be-
ing atioat that the young Bavarian
Princes were TO be carried out of the
land. One of the city gates was
forced, Sibaldus with his 'lHorgen-
stern Staying an Austrian sentinel Z;
and bloody and fierce conflict en-
sued.
The peasants, relying upon aid
from the mobiles within the city who
had joined their side, fought long
and bravely, but no succor reached
their little band fighting on foot,
between the fire of the Austrians
from the city and of General kreich-
baum in their rear. they fled towards
the village of Sending, where, rail-
lying round the church, these peas
ants fought like lions; Sibaldus and
his sons falling among the slain. 1t
is SAID that five hundred persisted.
The wounded were carried back TO
Munich, and exposed in the streets
during the rigor of the Christmas
night. The battle was fought up
on Christmas Day.
Misery fell, of course. with only
tenfold bitterness upon the peasan-
try beheadings, drawings and quar-
terings. mutllatlons, grievous fines
and imprisonmeuls, being the sole
wages received by the survivors of
the conflict.
Historians tell us that the ring
leaders were beheaded : but the
popular voice relates a termination
to Plinganser's history which rings
in ones heart like lovely ballad of
/ INLAND.
Long years after this battle fought
upon the Christmas Day around the
church, the Bavarian Elector was
hunting in a wood at some distance
from Munich; he encountered an
old beggar on his palh,-an old man
clothed IN rags, aud having lost an
arm aud leg
Who are you, my poor man 2
demanded the Elector; and where
did you lose your arm and leg =
| am Plinganser!' proudly repli-
ed the old beggar; and | lost my
arm and leg fighting for Bavaria "a
gainst Austria =
Down from his horse alighted the
Elector, took the beggar by his one
remaining hand, mounted him upon
his horse, and bare-headed walked
beside him; and thus with music
lriumphantly sounding before them,
he conducted the brave old man
back to Munich. Through the city
gate he led him where the conflict
had ragged so fiercely, and on towards
the old Palace, where the Electress
and her ladies were summoned forth
to receive the old man. The bells
rang out from all the churches the
cannon doomed the beggar was led
into the Palace; the Elector himself
took of his rags, clothed him in fine
linen, washed his feet, combed his
hair, and seated him at his right
hand.
And not alone, says the voice of
the people, was this the honor of a
day, but as long as the hero lived he
dwelt in the palace as beloved and
cherished brother of the Elector.
Mr.. Von ID. says, that some years
ago Munichin poet wrote drama
upon this incident, and that his play
had an astounding success. 1t was
acted fifteen nights running, the au-
dience coming to the theatre in
Tyrolean costume, and bursting
forth into long shouts of applause at
each expression of liberty, and con-
tempt of Austria. So great was the
excitement, that the Austrian gov
ernment demonstrated, and after
fifteen nights SUCCESS the play was