History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
These were demonstrations of the religious feeling with which the
Geronans devoted themselves to the cause of their country, and to the
duty of self-defence. With more reason might the French deride the
part which in that city was assigned to the Patron Saint, though such
derision would come with little consistency from those among them who
professed to believe in the Romish church. St. Narcis, as the Saint is
called in the clipt language of that province, had obtained as much
credit for defeating Duhesme in his first attempt upon Gerona, as for
sending the plague of flies against the French King Philip. A meeting
had in consequence been held of the municipality, the chapter, the
heads of the religious houses, and all the chief persons of the city,
Colonel Julien Bolivar presiding as the king’s lieutenant. Resolutions
were passed, that seeing St. Narcis had always vouchsafed his especial
protection to the principality of Catalonia, as had been manifested
during the former invasions of the French, and recently by the
defeat of Duhesme, which was wholly owing to his favour; and seeing
moreover that for the purpose of resisting the tyranny and oppression
of Napoleon Buonaparte it was necessary to appoint a commander who
should be capable of directing their operations and repulsing such an
enemy, ... no one could so worthily fill that office as the invincible
patron and martyr St. Narcis; and therefore, in the name of Ferdinand
the King, they nominated him Generalissimo of all the Spanish forces
by land and sea, and confided to him the defence of Gerona, of its
district, and of the whole principality. On the following Sunday, the
Junta, with all the clergy and other persons of distinction, went in
procession to notify this appointment to the Saint in his shrine in the
church of St. Felix; the shrine was opened, and a general’s staff, a
sword, and a belt, all richly ornamented, were deposited by the relics
of the chosen commander; and the enthusiastic joy which the ceremony
excited was such, that the Spaniards said it seemed as if the glory of
the Lord had descended and filled the church, manifesting that their
devotion was approved and blessed by Heaven!
♦ALL MENTION OF CAPITULATING FORBIDDEN.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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