The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-13

the Carlists; but, rigid disciplinarian as he
was, the exigencies of the moment forbade
further action in the matter, and he con-
tented himself with sternly forbidding the
mutinous Chapelgorris to join his forward
movement.
Three days later, after decisive victory,
the General retraced his steps, halting,
however, at Zaragozo, where he issued
orders for a grand review of the whole
army on the morrow.
The spectacle next day was imposing, as
the July sun shone brilliantly on the vic
torious army, formed in three sides Of a
square, the city walls forming the fourth.
The Chapelgorris formed, as had been
their custom, position in the centre.
All being ready, the gates were thrown
open, and Espartero, followed by numer-
GUS staff of whom my informant was one
rode slowly out. 1t was remarked that,
contrary to his custom-except when roy
atty was present at such ceremonies
was in full uniform, and wore his many
decorations. His face was deathly pale.
Passing along the whole array, halting at
the head of each regiment to distribute re-
wards and words of commentator, referring
to their conduct in the recent action, he at
last approached the peccant Blue-caps,
hitherto sullen spectators of the bestowal
of rewards and honors, in which, but for
their crime, they would, no doubt, have
largely shared
After pause the word was given.
"Order arms !" Down went the muskets,
But the next order, "Pile arms and retire
fifty PAGES to the rear p was not so readily
obeyed. 1t had a sinister sound, and men
glanced at each other, right and left, as if
to see what support disobedience would re-
ceive
The next moment, at some probably pre-
concerted signal, line of cavalry opened,
and disclosed three field batteries unlim-
bered, with their guns SO disposed as to
concentrate their fire on the hesitating reg
iment
The hint was taken and the order obeyed,
when the cavalry, advancing, drew up be-
tween the men and their piled arms, while
Espartero rode, as slowly as his horse could
walk, along the agitated line. Returning
to their centre, he addressed them:
SOLDIERS, l have inspected your line, and
have missed more than one well-known
face Among these that of my old friend
and brother-in-arms, Carmina | am here
to demand him of you
A bewildered pause. No man replied.
II will tell you where he is, resumed
the Generals deep voice, as his sword
flashed from his scabbard, and he pointed
it towards the cemetery, outside the city
walls "He lies there, in the bloody grave
that you-his soldiers, whom he has so often
led to victory-provided for him. Five
minutes to produce his assassins"
More than one bronzed and reckless face
grew pale, but none stirred or offered answer
Give minutes more, said Espartero.
The time elapsed.
'The regiment will be decimated, - was
the chief stern sentence.
Infantry and cavalry at once closed round
the doomed regiment, while the provost
marshal, with his escort, commencing from
the left, selected every tenth man, and drew
them up in line, one hundred strong.
Espartero gazed gloomily down the line
of the condemned-fne soldier-like fell
lows, not a few of them descended from
the best families of Spain-seemed irreso-
Lutte
"Mutineers and murderers as you are, "
he said, III cannot bring myself to shed SO
much Spanish blood But an example is
demanded. You will be decimated again,
and the ten be shot before | quit this
ground"
The selection made, IA priest and a
firing party" was the next command.
After brief shift, the condemned were
conducted a few PAGES to the rear, and
ordered to stand facing the city wall, with
their backs to the execution party-a posi-
ton assigned to mutineers and traitors.
One of the ten-a young man of noble
presence-turned suddenly round.
"Take my life, General he called out,
in clear tone; "but 1 am neither traitor
nor murderer, and will not disgrace my
name by dying as one
Espartero's infexible face never changed
its expression, but a sergeant attached to
the provost -marshal's guard fell out without
permission, and approached the General,
saluting; he wore two decorations.
"Well, sir 2'' asked Espartero, sternly
General, that man is innocent" the
man replied. II was told off with others
to report on the disturbance. He was
without arms, and took no part in the
mutiny. More than that, [ was beside
him when the volley that killed the Colonel
was fired, and noticed him strike up the
m4skets of those nearest, to distract their
aim"
"You are so well informed, sir, said the
General, with half-contemptuous smile,
'that you can doubtless tell us who did di-
rect his fire upon the murdered officers.
Otherwise, the execution must proceed.
II can, General, F." answered the sergeant.
''His name is Pedro Gomez. He lies
wounded in hospital Ward L., bed 30.
"Fall in, sir, !" said Espartero, and calling
an aid-de-camp, ordered that the execution
be delayed for half an hour, and that Pedro
Gomez wounded or otherwise, be trans
ported to the spot.
This was at once done. Gomez, who
had been slightly wounded during the de-
sultory firing in the market-place, had
managed, under cover of the triaing hurt,
to take refuge in hospital, Carried to the
spot where his-perhaps less guilty-com-
rades waited to expiate the general crime,
he was substituted for the youth whom the
sergeant's timely interference had saved,
and the sentence was carried out.
How Jackson Got His Title "Old
Hickory"