Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-25
A Memorable Siege.

Apropos Of the late surrender OF Vicksburg,-the
true facts and the explanation Of which have yet to be
given to the Southern peope-One of our city contem'
p,rares has lately refreshed the memory Of its readers
a. egards the celebrated siege OF SAragossA and the
defence of Londonderry We desire to recall another
memorable defence Of a beesgured town by General
Who proved equal to the occasonthe defence of Genoa
By Massena, in 1850. Shut up in Genoa, with small
force and scAnt supply of provisions and ammunition,
the French General found himself closely surrounded
by vastly superior force land whilst British feet
aimed strict blockade of the city. Cut of from
ali reinforcements and with only fifteen thousand men,
compelled not only to face the enemy, Who pressed him
on all sides but also TO maintain order in population,
the majority Of whom hostile TO the French, Mas
seni well aware of the Importance of maintaining his
position to the last adopted at tnce the most eec se
measures TO achieve that Oject. guard, cOmpose&bl
fris dy Genoese patriots and supported by French
force, encamped in the principal square of the place,
With loaded cannon and lighted Matches and all the in
h. bants not included in that guard we're confined TO
their dwellings After having taken possession Of all the
gran that was in Genoa paying for when brought in
voluntarily by the owners but seizng it when conceal
e. Nassena put the army aud the people radOns,
and procured food enough supply the soldiers aid
tie poor inhabitants during the 6RE fortnight of the
So &c. This fortnight had nearly elapsed; but there
stall remained prOvis ons which the rich procured At
enormous prices from spectators. Under MassenA's
orders fresh searches were made aud enough found
grain of inferior quality, rye oats and the like, to
feud tie army and the people with bad bread for
other fortnight Already in the succession of actions
several thousand had been put hOrs de combat and
considerable number were in hospitals but there still
remained an active force of about 900 lighting
ith that small force Massena kept up almost unin
lerrupted fight with the besegers making several
cessful sallies in which he inf cted them a loss in
killed and prisoners of 10 900 men, with loss to
his own force of only 1000 killed, wounded and prison
er Thus the siege went for week after week. until
the starvation of the garrison and people brought it to
close. We quote the highly interesting account of the
last days Of that memorable siege from Theirs History
Of Lhe Consulate
'MassenA sustained to the last the greatness Of his
character he yield cried his soldiers; No. he would
sooner make eat very bootsp The meat had all
been consumed, and they subsisting upon horse
flesh; and the latter having also failed them, the
uuolean of animals (dogs, rats, etc. we're made to
rye them for suStenance. The miserable bread,
posed # oats and beans had tlso been devoured Mas
sena collecting the starch, lnseed AID cocoa found in
the magazines OF UenOa, naG IL WAue INTO DreAd,
which the soldiers could with difficulty swallow and
which few among them su,ceeded in digesting. The
hosptas were encountered with the sufferers. The pee
pie being reduced to a vegetable soup their only
support experienced all the JOrments Of famine. The
streets we're covered with Wretched beings expiring of
hamilton Another spectacle filed both the
city ar Il army with dismay. This the number
Of prisoners whom Messena had taken, and for whom
he had no food. he unwilling 10 Sc. them free
UPON their parole, having seel numbers Of those 10
whom this privilege had been granted reaPpear In tie
ranks of the enemy hasSena supplied these
prs with the same vegetable soup winch ne gave
10 the inhabitants
"Dly by day the number Of our sod ers d.
minshed They we're seen exp ring in the streets, aud
so great was the weakness Of the men that they wee
Permitted to mount guard seated. From time TO time
ruuofs were Dat that the despair If the inhabitants
vas about % break FORTH and prevent such expo-
sion b4talions with loaded cannon, occupied the prin-
cipa streets ard squares Of the city. Tue mperuoA0e
attitude Of Masssna al ia effect upon the people and
the rrny. The respect which this heroic oihcer IN
sped eating as Re did with the soldiers their disgust
ag bread living vita them under the fre OF the enc
N.Y. and sustaining, with mistaken fcmness the weight
OF duty and cares Of responsibility added 70 all their
physical calsmires-the respect which be inspired,
say acted as a powerful restraint upon all. In the
midst Of desoated Genoa he exer the ascendency Of
a great and lofty mind. 10 meanwhile
discomfort increased and riot eontrved by some
whom suffering had driven TO desperation Mas
tena addressed 10 them beautiful proclamation, in
which be reminded them Of the duties OF soldier
duties which consist not less in supporting privatoDs
and suh,Iicgi than in facing dangers. He told them
that to capitulate at this day would be to lose
in moment the results OF two months Of deeds Of de-
votion. = At length, on the 4th Of june there
renamed but two ounces each Of that loalhsome
bread, composed Of bread aud cocoa. To yield the
pce was now absolutely necessary; for reduced to
tremiy onr soldiers were, the Wretched men could
not beead upon to deVour each otheT and their re-
sstAnce bad is inevitable ia the physical imPOssi
bhty Of existing any longer without food. The trmy
had, moreover the feeling that il had dor all that cou
be expected Of its coursge. Massena shared
this feeling though he svOWed Is not but he did not
consider his duties ss eatrely accomplished until be