The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-24
WEST VA AUGUST a. 1878

sion, and that his ErceiEIciG would be sat
isfed with the result Of his expedition.
The night was so dark, that not al object
could be disccrned further Off than fifteen
or twenty PAGES. The head OF the column
had arrived Mt aboutthat distance from the
first pine-trees, when strong voice chal-
lengGd in FrenCh-"Que viyi?'-"Ia
France" answered the colonel, laying his
handon one Ofhis holster pistols. "Fuego,"
commanded the same voice rs before. The
wood was illuminated by the simultaneous
flash OF five hundred muskets, the echoes
Of the report running round the noun
tains, at length dying away in the dis
lance. The two front ranks OF the French
infantry fell almost to man. At the same
instant, the right flank was charged by q
squadron OF cavalry, and the whole column
thrown into ineXtricable confusion. A
torch, which had been kept concealed by
the SpaniArds, was produced, and hun
dred others Immediately lighted at it. BY
their glare might be seen the whole OF
Merino's forces, quietly hemming in the
devoted little band, which, already entirely
broken by the vOllCy and tho subsequent
charge of the hussars, WIS in no state
To contend with tho far superior for
ccs brought against it. Those who at
TEMPTED to resist and amongst them was tho
colonel, who had been wounded, but not
killed, by the first discharge, were instantly
despatched. The remainder, nearly seven
hundred men, surrendered themselves
prisoners; and their arms, and the horses
Of the cavalry, having been taken from
them, they were marched down to the
corral, into which they were driven pell-
nell, like IL flock OF sheep into tho slaught-
er-h6use, and,the entrance Of the building
was, by Merino's order, Immediately block
cd up with bushes, branches, and trunks
Of trees, which the Spaniartls brought for
the purpose. The diaboliCal intention Of
this proceeding soon became apparent A
large stack OF frewoOd, which the peasants
had built up near the shed, had, by the
Cura's orders, been distributed around it.
To this had been added branches broken off
the trees, and straw, OF which consider
able quantity had been brought for the
horses. Torches were then applied in fifty
different places, and in an instant the cor
raj was in flames!
Then commenced the most horrible
scene which was, perhaps, ever witnessed
or described. The seven hundred unfOr.
tunate Poles and Frenchmen, who, II they
had not expected quarter, had by no means
anticipated the frightful nature ofthe death
reserved for them, uttered frantic yells
when they became aware OF their dreadful
situation--when they saw the flames rising,
and heard the pine planks, OF which
the building was composed, cracking
and splitting IN ov0ry direction around
tlloin. They made desperate efforts to
break out OF their burning prison; but
even when, aided by the devOuring ele-
meut, they succeeded In making breach,
on every side was wall OF fire, and be.
You'd that. the naked sabres and fixed bay
oncts OF the gucrillas, by which those who
rushed out, scorched and blapkened by tho
flames, were thrust back again into the
furnace Fortunate were those amongst
the number, who by hugging the sharp
steel, procured themselves u speedy and
less painful death than that to which they
were otherwise destined l...l
In few minutes the rOoffell in, and the
dry fern and litter which was in great
abundance ON tho floor OF the stable, be-
came ignited. The heat was so violent,
that the Spaniards were obliged to retire to
some distance from the Gontiagration. The
beams and planks Of which the shed was
built, were forced inwards by the fagots
piled against them. The flames spread rap.
idly, and attacked those OF the wretched
victims who had crowded together In the
centre OF the corral, to avoid as long as pos
sible theirincvitable doom. To their aSon-
izing shrieks for mercy, their execntioners
rNplIed by shouts Of-"M en- les POldcoS"
Death to the Poles; remember Ocana!'
At lCngth Merino, either moved by pity,
or dosirous to hasten his departure, lest a
larger force Of French might be sent in
quest OF their comrades, ordered Il volley
to be fired amongst tho survivors. Every
shot told on the mass OF dark forms that
werO wrlthlng in the midst Of what up
peNred to Iva, a lake OF fire. After one or
two piercing cries Of agony, and few
heart.rending groans, q pyramid OF bright
flame shot up into the air, and all was
over.
Tho day WIS breaking when Merino, at
the head of his troops, left the theatre
where this bloody tragedy had been enact
cd. As he passed the spot where the
French had received the volley from the
wood, his horse nearly trOd on the body
OF u peasant who had been killed by pis-
tOl-shOt a bout pOrtdnt. The ball had pene-
trated his brain; and his dark curling hair,
aud o cOlored handkerchief which he wore
round his head, weresinged and hlackencd
with the powder.
'POvcrc JulianH' said the Cura, "que
lOstims"t 1t was his best and most in
tolllgont spy.
o"what arc thcset" t"They are French"