The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-24
CULTIVATE SENTIMENT TO PRESERVE
LIBERTY.

|
honor the following historical extract of Ii
siege of Saragossa, in 1908.
The French attacking army under Gen
Lefebvre and Nerdier, was composed 0
Napoeon's regulars. The defenders unde
the Spanish Gen. Palafox, consisted Of raw
recruits and citizen soIdiery.
1.-The French battering train was now
} brought into full action on the city But tht
: increasing danger which surrounded then
only aroused the enthusiasm Of the iahabi
tan's to higher pitch.
They planted cannon at every commanding
point; broke loop holes for musketry in The
ais Of their houses, and converted thei,
awnings into sacks, which they filled with
sand and formed batteries at their Gates.
Every house in the envirOns Of the city which
could afford shelter to the enemy was de-
stroyed. The gardens and olive grounds were
rooted up by their propretors wherever it
was supposed they might impede the general
defense. Thus was itthat in this noble strug-
gle for freedom all private interests were dis
| regarded. The share taken by the women in
| this memorable defense of Samgossa, belongs
| to history to record. Regardless of fatigue
or danger, they formed parties for relieving the
wounded and for carrying refreshments for
| those who served in the batteries OF these
the young and beautiful Countess Barita was
the leader With death surrounding her on
every side she went with unshrinking spirit
whe rever anguish was to be relieved or cour-
age to be terminated. All ranks and classes
labored alike in the defense.
mothers, fearless and untrembling, sent
forth their children to perform whatever
their strength would enable them to do. The
priests took up arms and mingled in the
ranks: ammunition was mode into cartridges
by the nuns; ell hearts were animated by a
sacred zeal in the cause of country and lib
erty. On the night of the 18th of June a
magazine blew up in the center of the city.
by which fourteen houses were destroyed and
two hundred men were killed. In the morn
ing the French artillery concentrated its fire
on the Portillo gate, destroying the sand-bag
battery erected for its defense This was re-
constructed by the indetatigablc labors of the
people under heavy fire Here the carnage
was excessive. The battery was repeatedly
cleared Of its defenders, and the citizens
aghast AZ the slaughter, recoiled from scene
already glutted with Victims
cat this moment young female named Au-
gustina, arrived at the battery with refresh
ments. She read CONSERVATION in the coun-
tanances Of those around her. Snatching
match from the hand Of dead artlleryman
she sprung forward among the bodies of the
dead and dying and fired off a twenty-six
FOUNDER then mounting the gun vowed she
would not quit the battery alive during the
siege. The guns were instantly renamed
and piled with such effect that Verder al
length gave orders to fall back. On the It'll
of July the French crossed the Ebro at ford
above the city-the powder mills of Villa
Feliche from which the city received its sup
ply, were thus gained possession of by tie
enemy.
'But the energy Of Palafox did not desert
him in these trying circumstances: he col
lected all the sulphur in the city: nitre was
extracted from the soil of the streets, and
charcoal was oh aimed from hemp stalks. |
which abound in that vicinity. BY the end |
of July the city was entirely invested and its |
defenders had already suffered severely from |
want Of provisions. But the spirit of the PEG
pie did not fl e. Despairing of success from |
any effort of external hostility, they deter
mined to confine their defense within the
walls Of the city and perish, if necessary, in |
its ruins On the night of the second OF
August the commandment set fire to the hos
pital containing the sick and wounded which |
was speedily reduced to ashes.
every effort was made to rescue the suffer
ers. Men and women equally distinguished
themselves in this work Of humanity, and |
ru hing amid the flames braved every danger
o aid the unfortunate occupants On the 4th
Of August breach was Effected in the walls,
md at . o'clock the French advanced in two
columns to the assault. A scene of wild havoc
md confusion ensued. The assailants rushed
through the Streets and endeavored to gain
possession Of the houses. The convent of
st. Francisco and the General Hospital took
ire, and the flames spread on all sides.
Many cast themselves from the windows on
he bayonets of the soldiers, and maniacs
scaping from the hospital mingled with the
shouting, shrieking and laughing
mid the carnage.
1.-The French were assailed by a dreadful fire
rom the houses, all of which had been barri-
AIDED. Dismayed by resistance SO obsti-
ate and destructive, towards evening they
etreated to that quarter of the city which re-
lalned III their possession Above fifteen
undred of the French had fallen, besides
everal generals. Under such circumstances
was that the French general summoned
alafox to surrender in the following laconic
Headquarters. Convent Santa Engracia.
apitulate.'
The answer Immediately returned was:
" Headquarters, Saragossa. War to the
nife"
% The morning dawned and with it a renewal ;
the dreadful conflict. The French had
enetrated to the Coco and occupied one side
esslon of the other. Here a contest almost
nexampled took place. War was waged
ON every house. The street was piled with i.
cad. The batteries of the combatan were =
within few yards of each other
he ammunition Of the city was nearly ex-
ended, yet this induced no thought of sur
,nder As Palafox rode through the streets
le people crowded around him aud declared
hen ammunition failed they would fight with
leir knives. Eleven days passed during
hIch this murderous contest continued. The
odies of the slain left unburied in the streets
lnted the atmosphere with pestil entail doors, !,
al French prisoners secured by ropes We're :
reed forward to remove the corpses for in .
rment.
son the Sth of August council of war was
ED, but no voice was he .rd for surrender
5 tnality, it was determined to cross the I
bro and perish in defense OF the sub :
.bs. The resolution of their leaders was
to the people and received
it'll loud reclamation. The conflict was re-
9Wpd from street street from bouSa ~