The Nevada journal., 1863-11-04
AsIEGE THE oLDEN TIME.

|
revolutionary war broke out, the Dutch
were engaged in similar struggle
against Spain. Towards the close Of
the year 1872, Don Frederick, at the
head of 10000 Spaniards and mercena-
ries, laid siege to Harlem, defended by
garrison of some 1000 men. The
Spaniards were nearly eight to one, and
the defenses to the city were feeble
Ire Dutch ware fighting for cbarssred
rights and liberty Of conscience, while
/ the army Of Don Frederick was fighting
for merciless despotism, the Spanish
inquisition, and the righ: to burn hers
etcs. A glance at this siege will show
the difference between the alleged
atrocities committed BY our armies
to-day, and the mild way of doing things
in the oden time. N4
! Besides the garrison of 1000 men, Hare
lem had within its walls an efficient
corps-armed with sword, musket ana
dagger--of 800 men "The chief"
says Motley, was widow of disting-s
uished family and unblemished reputa-
tion, about forty-seven years ofage, who,
at the head of her Amazons, participated
in many of the most fiercely-contested
actions of the siege"
81 fro T.ay a
force to relieve the place. 1t was attacked
by the Spaniards and routed. A large
number of prisoners were taken, who
were Immediately sent to adern the glib
bets, which we're already conspicuously
erected for the purpose in the Spanish
camp. Among the victims was an oth-
Ger named Wan Trier, for whom the Dutch
offered large ransom and nineteen
Spanish prisoners. This offer was re-
fused, and Van Trier was hanged upon
the gallows by one leg until he was
dead. In return for this courtesey the
nireteen Spaniards we're Immediately
gibbeted.
As fast as the Spanish cannon batter
ed down the walls, the einhabitants, men,
women and children, brought bags Of
sand, blocks of stone, loads of earth, and
statues of saints from .he Catholic
Churches, aud threw them by heaps into
the gaps. At length an assault was or
dered. The population swarmed the
walls to assist the feeble garrison
Rocks, live Goals, boiling pitch, were
hurled upon the Spaniards. Hooks
smeared with pitch and set on fire were
flung flaming over their necks. The be-
siegers retreated with great loss, while
only three or four Of the Dutch were
killed.
William Of Orange sent another force
to relieve the town. 1t was likewise
routed. De Koning, the second in CAM
mand, was taken prisoner. The Span
iards chopped off his head, and threw 1t
over the walls into the city with this
inscription: " This is the head of Cap
tain..De Konipg, who is on his way with
reinforcements for the good city of Har-
lem," the citizens retorted by cutting of
eleven Spanish heads, barreling them up
and throwing them into the Spanish
Camp with an equally pointed inscrip-
tion. Such ghastly practical jests were
of daily occurrence.
Failing, after repeated attemps to
take the town by assault, the Span
isrds resolved to reduce it by famine.--
The sufferings of the Inhabitants were
terrible. They subsisted on cats, rats
and mice boiled hides and shoe leather;
netties and grass from graves. Men wo-
men and children fell dead in the streets.
July IL, 1873, the place sarrendered.--
Having promised mercy to the citizens,
the Spaniards entered. The promise
was kept with true Spanish faith. A
| frightful massacre, which was not con-
fined to the garrison, but extended TO
the citizens also. We need not dwell
upon the details Of the butchery.--