Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-04-11
rFrom the Christian Weekly.]
The Blind General OF BOllc-
mia.
BY PROF. JOHN w. MEARs, D. d.

zisca, supposed by some to mean Zone.
nobleman, John do Trocznow, because he
had lost on eye in early life, With only
one eye he was among tho greatest and
most successful generals Of his age; but by
and-by, in ono Of his military undertakings,
he lost the other; and even then he contin-
ued to be terror to the eneml.s and sup.
port to tho friends of his country iu the
conflict for Christian liberty, century
before tho time Of Luther.
Huss and jerome, the idols of the people
of Bohemia, the great forerunners of Luther
had been basely burnt at the stake. All
Bohemia was In fcrment Of indiguation
1t was necessary for the followers of Huss
throughout the Kingdom to take measures
for their own safety. The king commanded
thom to appear in his presence unarmed.
Ziscal came with body Of men fully
equipped for battle. "Hero wo arc all
armed, sire" said he, "according to your
orders, to shed the last drop of our blood
against your enemies, if wo may but know
who they are" The king dared not con-
front such boldness, and whatever hostile
intentions be had cherished against tho Hus.
sites were abandoned.
After tho death of this king, in 1419,
his brother Sigismund claimed the throne
Of Bohemia. But it was this very Sgis-
mund who had broken his faith with Huss,
and, contrary to his promise, had delivered
him up to be burned. Hence his very
name was an object Of loathing to tho
people, and they called upon Zisca to lead
them in armed resistance to his claims.
Immense numbers focked to Zsca's stand.
ards. His thorough drill, and the intense
religious and patriotic enthusiasm of the
volunteers, soon turned them into power
full and formidable army. They resembIed
the famous "Ironsidcs," disciplined and
led to victory by Cromwell. Nothing
could stand before them. Not we'll sup
piled with arms, they carried largo numbers
Of iron fails which they used with terrible
effect upon their enemies, thrashipg them
down like ohaff.
The Emperor Sigismund, unable to make
any headway against this host appealed to
the Pope. Martin w., in response, pro-
claimed crusade against the Bohemians,
promising full pardon Of sin and eternal
salvation to all who should join the crusade
An army of 100000 strong was thus
gathered under Sigismund, who now
marched confidently against Zisca and the
Hussites. The latter under the direction
of Zisoa, had established fortified camp on
an eminenoe of immense natural strength,
which they called Tabor. While large
part of tho forco was with Zisca at Prague,
the enemy mado vain assault upon Tabor.
Although twenty times as numerous as tho
Hussites, they wero utterly routed and
fled, leaving immense booty, gold and silver
vessels, costly garments, arms, engines of
war, and stores of every description. The
pious Hussites mingled songs of thanksgiv-
ing with their shouts of victory, and re-
turned to their camp laden with the spoils
of the enemies Of their faith.
AS tho Emperor advanced towards Prague,
he marked his progress by acts of cruelty.
Twenty--four Hussites were drowned in the
Elbe. Although fighting in the cause of
the monasteries, he pundered them to paw
his troops. On the other hand, it is oalcu.
lated that over fvo hundred monastcries
were destroyed by zisoa and his partisans.
sThus, between friend and foe, they wero
ground to powder" At last, on tho 3Oth
of June, the imperial army reached tho
vicinity Of Prague. Almost evory tribo
and nation in Europe was represented 10
the motley host. There was a Babel of
nations and Of tongues Heterogeneous
mass of plunderers and robbers. The empe-
ror laid his plans to seize height called
Witkow, which commanded the approaches
by river to the city. But Zisoa was too
quick for him, and seized and thoroughly
fortified the position. On the 18th OF
Julyan assault was mado by eight thous-
and Of the emperor's cavalry upon the hill.
Some Of the advanced works were taken.
aNisoa was in great personal danger AT