Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-12
(0Ortester 9aiIp Syn,
From Blackwood's Magazine.
THE COURTESIES OF WAR.

In making use of the true phrase of "tbe
horrors OF war, none except soldiers are fully
aware OF what is comprised in that category .
nor is 1t tile object of the writer of this article
10 u"ell upon this part of the question, but.
ON the contrary, TO show by few anecdotes
now these horrors may be, in some degree, al
leVlated by practices of courtesy among the
DelIlgelents, which are adopted by the armies
OF clVlIzeu nations during continuous cam.
paiens, partly from mate chIvalrous feelings.
and partly for their mutual advantage
The true principle, which is worthy of
the fullest recognition on all sides, is to do as
little harm to one another as possible consist
ent with the real object of the contending ar
mics.
In battle each party must knock over as
many OF the enemy as possible, individuals as
wei as masses, in order to subdue or drive
him from the field but even then if the man
is disabled, the object is gained as well as if he
were killed, and therefore no liberal minded
soldier would wish to do more. In the ordi.
nary course OF the campaign, of what adyan.
tage is 1t TO kill, wound, or make prisoner an
unto tunate individual who may happen to be
in your power With armies of very man
thousand men, what real injury is done by the
loss OF few men in that deSultOry manner
Besides, the same system will be acted upon
both sides, so that its advantages, if any ex
the opposite party.
Therefore, we would say, apply all such
courtesles as can reasonably be used to the
enemy respect one another, let your proceed,
ings be 'as sharp, but as polished as your
sword"
There is an extraordinary story, impossible
as told, but probably based on some founda.
ton, OF the conduct Of the French and English
corps OF Royal Guards, accidentally opposed
IN napl ot3t H.,
the British politely called out " Tire, Ncsse,trs
les Gades Francaisis. The others replied,
The French Guard never fire first :" upon
winch their opponents, having given them the
option, put an end to the chivalrous contest bv
opening their fire and annihating their adyer.
saries
There is certainly somewhat of the extreme
and absurd in this story, but at the same time,
many true anecdotes may he told of the court
eous be havior of the soldiers of civilized ma
tons towards one another in more recent DAYS,
and especially during the protracted campaigns
in the Peninsula
The French emperor, in 1907, taking adj
vantage of the imbecity OF the courts and
governments of Spain and Portugnl took ab-
Tupt possession OF those countries and by mil.
itary eXactiOns and overbeariug conduct drove
the nations TO a general and formidable ont
break against him. The British government
eNh' ONt NAeidulhludIN lOlCtS 10 support tlllS
resistance, which ended in continued warfare
in those countries until the peace Of 1914 |
During that period the ordinary circumstances
OF war were frequently relieved by acts Of re. |
spect and courtesy between the French and
British troops, which came to the knowledge |
OF the writer, who was present throughout the |
Whole of those campaigns.
The first landing was by the small force un.
der the Duke OF Wellington, Chen Sir Arthur
NH Low ! - ID
battle OF Nimiera and convention of Cintra.
By that convention the French garrison Of
Almelda was TO be embarked at Oporto and
conveyed TO France. twas ACCOMPANIED dur-
ing the march ~ -..-.Ii i..is -...--..
troops. On arrival near the populous city of
Oporto, the eXasperated citizens made threat
ening dispositions for an attack on the French.
The commanding officer appealed TO the cap
tain commanding the British detachment, who
at once declared them against such a breach
of faith they would be marshatled together as
one force, and that he would stand by the
French party to the last. This being made
known to the Portuguese, had either the elect
OF reproot or OF intimidation, and the embar-
katon was not interrupted.
The main body of the French army embark
ell for France at Lisbon, under the same trca-
ty, with their arms and baggage. Great com
plants however, were made b. the Portuguese
that quantity of effects which had been for |
chilly taken possess on of III the country, dur |
ing the French occupation, was being removed |
among the baggage.
One fine conscientious old French general, |
touched, it is believed by the justice OF these
complaints, which were mentioned to him by
the British officer who was about to succeed
him in his billet in private house, called up-
on the proprietor and said TO him, Monsieur
/ think you will bear me witness that when |
entered your house on my arrival in Lisbon,
brought with me two portmanteaus." This be-
ing acknOw lodged, he turned to the British OF
ficer and said, "You will now bear me witness,
sir, that l am retiring with but one"
AT the battle OF Taavera the French had
been repulsed in their first attack. The wealth
er was hot, and there was partial cessation of
fire in parts of the field Tor an hour or two
about the middle of the day. During this time
the soldiers of each army went down 10 get
water al the same little stream, and were near
enough to hold amicable intercOurse-togeSher
renewing the battle again immediately after.
wards.
The French finally retired, but returned at
ter some days with an increased force, before
which the allies found il necessary to abandon
Talavers, and to leave their sick and wounded
at the mercy of the enemy. SO far from these
unfortunate men suffering by the change, the
French MAJ shall, Mortier Immediately or.
panzed a good hospital for them, by beds and
other conVenences demanded from the lnhab-
iiants, and placed them in a very superior pos
itiou TO that III which they had been under our
own arrangements. One very fine young
officer who had lost a leg seemed particularly
to attract Mortiers sympathy. lie supplied
him with money for his drafts and other con-
veniences an when he was well enough,
gave him leave and credentials to enable
him to return home to Paris, where he was
present at the fetes for the marriage OF Napo-
leon l. to Maria Louisa OF Austria.
No unnecessary harassing warfare was car
ried on between the outposts of the two
armies on the contrary, there were frequent
ly amicabe understandings between them.
Sometimes, in changes OF position or circum.
stances, partial alteration would be required
or one party have to retire more or less ;
this wonld be frequently settled by a polite
message or il in movement by wave OF the
hand, when if the party appealed to that
IL was reasonable, they would give way
Thus, after the close OF the battle of Busacoi
a French outpost remained i'll village nearer
TO our lines than was justltiable in our relative
positions Instead OF attacking them, General
Crawford sent message to request them 10
remove to a greater distance. The othcer
commanding the post said that he had been
placed there by superior authority, and could
not retire unless obliged by force upon which
the Gen. ordered out one OF his field pieces,
and fired a round or two into the village. This
satisfied the honor and responsibility OF the
officer, who made bow and withdrew ms
party, which, in fact, we could have annihIlat
ed.