The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-05-13
WAR HORRORS IN SPAIN.
Eight spanish Troops Shot in Retaliation
by the Cnrlisis--H Horrors of War.

Eight spanish Troops Shot IN b"nnatbon
by the CnrIisis--H Horrors of War.
Eight Spanish soldiers have just been
executed by the Carlists. A correspon-
dent says: The act of cruelty which led
to this terrible reprisal was perpetrated
few days ago in the village of San
Martin de Unz, few miles from Tafalla.
A small band of Rosa's "pm tidas," who
had established themselves in that vii
lage, were coming out of church after
hearing mass, when they were informed
by peasant that the village was sur
rounded by the Alfonsists. They imme-
diately endeavored to cut their way
through the enemy's lines, and SER
geant, with four men, succeeded, but the
others, eight in number, finding them.
selves completely outnumbered, surren-
dered to squadron of cavalry, after
having first received promise of quar-
ter. No sooner, however, had the cav
airy conducted their prisoners back to
San Martin than the contraguerril-
leros" of the notoriously cruel Lacalle
set upon them and massacred seven of
them on the spot with their bayonets.
The survivor escaped to neighboring
house, where he barricaded the door and
determined to sell his life as dearly as
possible. He was at last induced to sur
render by the most solemn assurances
that his life would be spared, but, on his
opening the door, he was seized, the
muzzle of rifle was forced into his
mouth and his brains were blown out.
General Mendiry, directly he heard of
what had happened, addressed himself
to General Quesada, the commander-in-
chief of the Alfonsist army, insisting
upon satisfaction being given, and pro-
posing that a joint commission of the
two armies should inquire into the cir
cumstances and bring the guilty parties
to punishment. -Four or five days had
been passed in the negotiations, when
Mendiry, seeing that the enemy did not
intend to accept his proposal, determined
to put into execution the stern law of
reprisal.
Orders were given to the authorities
of the Estella depot to select by lot
seven soldiers and one sergeant, who
were to be prepared for execution the
following morning. Lots were drawn,
and soon after nine in the morning the
unfortunate men selected were marched
to the parade ground, outside Estella,
each accompanied by apriest and holding
a crucifx in his hand.
The regiments of Navarro, CASTLE and
Aragon, quartered in and near Estella,
each sent one company to witness the
execution, and battery of artillery and
squadron of cavalry were likewise
present. General Mendiry and his staff
having arrived on the ground, the troops
formed three sides of square, and
in the middle were placed, kneeling
beside their confessors, the destined
victims.
The last moment had arrived, the
priests were on the point of bidding q
last farewell, when suddenly one of the
prisoners, Navarrese irregular, sprung
to his feet and made dash for the river,
which was only about ten yards off.
The guards Immediately fred, and a ball
struck the unfortunate man in the back.
This, however, did not stop him. He
staggered forward, and, throwing him
self into the water, struck out gamely
for dear life. A second ball, however,
put an end to his exertions and sent him
to the bottom to rise no more. After
this terrible episode the last act of re-
taliation was solemnly performed, and
eight more of poor Spain's children were
sent to an untimely grave.