History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
a different direction; but there were other persons in authority who,
not having the same foresight, thought the best means of succouring
Zaragoza was by increasing its garrison. The Central Junta fell into
this error, and ordered the Valencian government to send thither all
the force it could raise, which was not absolutely required for its own
safety. A Walloon battalion, which had served during the former siege,
was sent from Tarragona. A proclamation was issued from Zaragoza,
inviting the dispersed soldiers to repair thither, and fill up the
places of their brethren who had fallen in that holy cause, and were
already in glory, enjoying their reward. By these means not less than
30,000 regular troops were collected there; as many as 15,000 peasants
entered the city to share in the dangers and merit of its defence; and
the hospitals were ♦CAVALLERO, 82.♦ filled with the sick and wounded
from Tudela, who had all been removed hither as the place to which they
could most easily be conveyed.
♦PREPARATIONS WITHIN THE CITY.♦
Except in the great and fatal error of thus crowding the city with
men, the means of defence were wisely provided. That the enemy would
effect an entrance was not doubted; traverses therefore were made in
the streets which were near the wall, the doors and the windows of
the ground-floor were walled up, communications opened within from
house to house, and the house-tops parapeted to secure the defendants.
Every householder, providing for life as well as death, laid in ample
supplies. The convents were well stored. In the general fervour of
national feeling men were as liberal of their means as of their lives.
Nor was this feeling confined to those who could gratify it by taking
an active part in military service, and by the expectation or the
enjoyment of vengeance: among instances of a rarer heroism that of
a physician may be noticed, Miguel Guillen by name, who came from
Valencia, and, refusing all pay, devoted himself to the service of the
hospitals.
♦M. MONCEY RECONNOITRES THE TORRERO.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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