Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-04-18
For the Kcoweo Courier.
The SacEkimg Of Maglcburg.
TRANSLATED FROM TIE GERMAN OF
stsoIILLER's THIRTY YEARS WAR" DY A
YOUNG LADY OF WALuALLA-M. p.

1HANohAAEN cNOM 1HE dCNMhN VI
ssoIIlLLER's THIRTY YEARS WAR" DY A
YOUNG LADY OF wALuALLA-M. p.
Un tho 30th of March, 1851, TilIy
commander of the Imperial troops, appeared
in order to oarry on tho scigo with vigor
In short time all tho outworks were
taken, The garrison, weakened by previ-
Gus contests, amounted to not moro than
two thousand infantry, and few hundred
cavalry; very insignificant force to defend
so large fortress. TO supply this defci
expedient, which caused moro damage than
it avertcd. The citizens being very ineffi-
cicnt soldiers, by their disunion, prccipitatcd
tho city into destruction. However, religi
Gus fanntiosm, ardent love Of freedom, aud
unconquerablo dislike to tho Imperial name,
removed from their minds all thoughts of u
surrender. They wero aware Of the near
approach Of Gustavus Adolphus, and that
a few days march would bring the King OF
Sweden before their walls. This was not
unknown to Count lilly; therefore, he has.
tened in any way ho could to make himself
master of .Magdcburg. Ho sent several
letters to the administrator, commandant
and magistracy, demanding surrender,
but received for answer that they would
rather die than yield. Tho bcsicgers had
meanwhile approached tho moat, and fired
furiously from erected batteries upon wall
and towers. One tower was soon demolished,
but the wall had sustained very little injury
and the hot shot which was intended to
set the city on fire, by excellent counter.
preparations, was rendered unavailing.
Tho powder of tho bcsicgcd was soon
exhausted, and before fresh supply could
bo obtained, Magdoburg must bo either
saved or lost. With eager longing all eyes
were turned towards the direction from
which the Swedish bannor was expected to
appear. On tho 9th of May tho hostile
cannonado unexpectedly ceased, and tho
guns wero removed from several of the
batteries. Deathliko stiffness reigned
throughout tho Imperial camp. Every.
thing contributed to convince the bcsicgod
that their dcliveranco was at hand. A
great part of tho townsman and guards
forsook their post on tho wall in order to
enjoy, after such arduous labor, the ro.
freshment Of sleep; but alas, it was dear
sleep and a terrible awakoningl Tilly had
renowned all hope Of subjugating the city
before tho arrival of tho Swcdes, by the
previous method; he therefore summoned
council Of war, which declared for tho
storming of Magdcburg after tho example
of Mastrioht, which lattor city was sur
prised and conquered early in the morning,
while tho inhabitants and soldiers were
wrapt in slumber. -Four places we're to bo
attacked at the samo time, and the whole
night between tho 9th and 10th was spent
III making the necessary preparations. The
resistance Of tho bcsioged was active and
obstinate; but four Imperial regiments
finally mastered the wall, fell upon tho rear
of tho Magdeburgers, and the conquest was
complete. Before midday all tho out
works were ovorthrowp, and the city was in
the hands Of the enemy. lilly planted
cannon in the principal streets, causing the
inhabitants to bctake themselves to their
dwellings, thore to await their destiny. Not
long were they in suspense. The soldiery,
rushing into tho houses, gave full vent to
thoir unbridlod passions. Scarcely had
their bloody work begun than all tho other
gates flew opcn, and the whole cavalry
together with tho Croatians were let loose
upon this most unhappy city. A tragedy
was now enacted for which history has no
language and poetry no pencil. Neither
innocent childhood, helpless old ago, beauty
rank, nor sex had power to disarm the rage
of tho conquerors; nothing secret, nothing
holy, could escape tho avarico Of tho victors.
Fif.y-threo women were found bchoaded in
a church. The Croatians amused thom-
selves by fccding the flames with innocent
babes. Papponheim's Wallonians spcared
infants on their mothors' bosoms Some
officers requested Tilly to put stop to this
butohery. "Come again in an hour" was
his answer, "and | will thon see what can
bo done; tho soldiers must have some
reward for thoir toll and peril" Unintcr--
ruptodly went on this work Of slaughter,
until smoke and flame ended these horrors.
In tho beginning Of tho attack tho cnomy
had fired the city in several places; now
arose storm OF wind which spread tho
flames with tho rapidity Of lightning. In
lcss than twelve hours this rich, populous
city, ono of tho finest in Germany, was
reduced to ashes, two churches and fow
huts excepted. On the 10th of May Tilly
himself finally appeared In Magdoburg.
Most rovoltipg was tho spectacle; tho living
creeping from under tho doad; children
wandering about, seeking their parents with
hcartrcnding cries. Tho ontiro number OF
tho slain was computed to bo about thirty
thousand, Upwards Of q thousand porsons
had sought refuge in tho Cathedral, whore
they remained three days aud two nights in
constant dread Of death, without nourish-.
mont. These Tilly pardoncd, and permitted
food to be distributed among thom. High
Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral. Tho
Imperial General rode through tho streets
SO that as on eyewitness, no might report
to his master that since the destruction ot