The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-03-03
A BRIGHT EXAMPLE FOR SOUTH
ERIN PATRIOTS.

The following account of what patriots have en-
dured patiently while fighting for their homes and
liberties, is taken from the "History of the Dutch
Republic: -
| The city of Harlem was one of the largest and
most beautiful in the Netherlands 1t was also
! one Of the weakest The walls were of antique
construction, turreted, but no: strong. The ex-
tent aud feebleness of the defences made large
garrison necessary, but unfortunately the garrison
was even weaker than the walls; it numbered only
about one thousand pioneers, or delivers, three
thousand fighting men, and about three hundred
! fighting women. The last most efficient
corps-a females Of respectable character, armed
/ with sword musket and dagger. The chief
| Kanau Hasselear was widow of distinguished
! family and unblenished reputation, about forty
seven years of age, who, at the head of her ANA
IONS, participated in many of the most fercely
contested actions of the age. When such spirit
animated the maids and matrons of the city, it
might be expected that the men would hardly
surrender the place without struggle.
After three DAYS cannonade, Don Frederic the
leader of the Spanish invaders, ordered an assault
but met with a resistance that astonshed the
Spaniards. The church bells rang the alarm
throughout the city, and the whole population
swarmed to the walls. The beseigers were en-
coustered not only with sword and musket, but
with every implement the which burghcrs' hands
could find. Heavy stones, boiling OIL live Goals,
were hurled upon the heads of the soldiers; hoops
smeared with pitch and set on ire, were dexter
ously thrown upon their necks. Even Spanish
courage and Spanish ferocity were obliged to
shrink before the steady determination of a whole
population animated by single spirit Many Of
fcers were killed and wounded, and or 400 SOL
ders left dead in the breach, while only three or
four of the townsmen lost their lives. The signal
of recall was reluctantly given and the Spaniards
abandoned the assault. It was now obvious to
Don Frederic that seige must precede the mas
sacre He gave orders, therefore, that the ravelin
should be undermined.
After two or three days canaonade, Don Frcde-
rio ordered a midnight assault A tremendous
onset was made on the gate of the cross, and the
ravelin was carried and lost. The Spaniards pour
ed into this fort expecting instantly to sweep into
the city With sword and fire. As they mounted
its walls they became for the first time aware of
the new and strong fortfcation which had been
secretly constructed on the inner side. A half
moon rose before them bristling with cannon. A
sharp fire instantly opened upon the besiegers,
while at the same instant the ravelin, which the
citizens had undermined, blew up, carrying into
the air all the soldiers who had Just entered it so
triumphanty. This was the turning point. The
retreat was sounded, and the SpaDiards fed to
their camp, leaving at least three hundred dead
beneath the walls. Thus second assault,
made by an overwhelming force, and led by the
most accomplished generals of Spain, signally and
gloriously repelled by the plain burghers of Har-
lem.
The whole population had long been subsisting
upon an allowance of a pound of bread to each
man, and halfa pound of bread to each woman.
But the bread had now exhausted; the famine had
already begun. Through the month of June. the
sufferings of the inhabitants increased hourly
Ordinary food had long since vanished. The pop
ulation now subssted on linseed and rape seed.
AS these supplies were exhausted, they devoured
cats, dogs, rats and mice, and when at last these
unclean animals had been ali consumed, they boil
ed the hides Of horses and oxen; they ate shoe
leather; they plucked the ne,tles and grass from
the grave yards, and the weeds that grew between
the stones of the payment
Men, women, and children fell dead in the
streets, pershing of pure starvation, and the sur
vivors had hardly the strength to bury them out
of their sight; and yet still they refused to surren-
der.