Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-02-02

the wood that fringed the road to We
nosa, and deployed along it's margin to
the position their leader had chosen as
his basis of operations.
In such crowd, SO numerous and
composed of such Heterogeneous ele-
ments, it might have appeared almost
absurd to look fer discipline; but per-
feet discipline there was. for whatever
his other qualities might be, Crocco
most undoubtedly was "ruler OF men. y
His word in that band was law, and the
punishment of disaffection was death.
Firm to the trust reposed in them, the
National Guards planted themselves al
every possible approach, and deter.
mined to hold their own against all
odds a4e as
Burning for the onset, the brigands
urged Crocco to lead them on to the as
sault, demand to which their leader
readily acceded. With a wild shout
they darted on toward the barriers, ex'
pecting to carry them at the first onset
but tLey had in this reckoned without
their host, for on coming within range
they were met by sharp volley from
the rifles of the National Guard, which
threw their ranks into disorder and
compelled them for the moment to re-
tire. 5aa a.5
Crocco seeing that Lis men were like
ly to suffer very severely by headlone
assault upon the town, was hesitatine
whether he should abandon the attempt
or wait the issue of events, when one Of
his scouts brought intelligence to hin
that white flag, evidently signal
from friends inside the town, was being
displayed from an embrasure on the
east side. Reassured by this, Crocco,
detaching strong party of the brigandf
from the main body, made a detou,
through the woods and approached the
place where the signal was being dis
played. So far from resistance being
offered, ladders were. lowered down te
them from the walls, so that their en-
trance was greatly facilitated.
Once inside the town, their task was
comparatively easy one. Surprised
and betrayed. the National Guard were
almost entirely at the mercy of the
brigands. Even yet, Notwithstanding
overwhelming odds, they might have
retrieved the fortune Of the day, but
the citizens, fearing lest vigorous re
sistance might exasperate the hrigands
and, in the event of failure on theil
part, might cause them to lay the town
in ruins, interposed. and, with tears il
their eyes, besought the soldiers to de
s:st, and leave them to their fate. Thu.
cast aside, as it were, the Nationa
Guard had no recourse left but to re-
tire to the castle, and there endeavor t.
defend themselves against the fate
which the townspeople seemed so ready
to embrace. a
Crocco.then admitted the rest of hi
band into the town without opposition
and Immediately gave orders to his mer
to plumber. No second command was
needed; and the rufian band swept
down on the .defenseless town like ,
whirlwind.
It would only harrow the readers
mind were the dreadful scenes that en-
sued depleted in all their. horrors, bu
we shall present one scene whose dreae
details are, Notwithstanding the elapst
of years, as wildly impressed on the
writer'a mind as if they had been oc
currences of yesterday.
In one of the largest squares in The
town stood the house of the canon LIZ
Casca. BE had rendered himself par
ticularly obnoxious to the party, be
cause he had endeavored by rigorous
measures to quell the outbreaks within
his district. Towards his house, there
fore, the brigands made their way, &C
tuated alike by the hopes of plundel
and the still more powerful thirst fol
revenge, for Crocco's band had suffered
more than any other from the stringent
measures of the canon.
Besides his servants, there were with
him at this time In the house his only
son, Giacomo, young man of twenty
five; his daughter Marguerite; and he
intended husband, Giuseppe Spina, {
young man in the full vigor of health
and strength.
On the entrance of the brigands int<
the town, the canon, foreseeing th,
probable issue of events, resolved OF
defending himself to the last, and &C
cordingly took full advantage of thu
short time that elapsed before the ar
rival of the brigands in the square. Al
| the windows were barricaded and tn
doors securely fastened; and, to protec
the inmates still further, and intercept
as much as possible the fight of an,
stray bullet that might find it's way in
IL Il LII