History of the Peninsular War, Volume 5 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 5 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
Suchet followed up his success by sending a division against the little
town and port of Dénia, which, though protected by a respectable
fortress, was surrendered without resistance: he then sent General
Severoli against Peniscola, a place so strong by nature, and so well
secured by art, that it had obtained the name of Little Gibraltar,
and was, in fact, impregnable ♦PENISCOLA BETRAYED BY GARCIA NAVARRO.♦
by any regular attack. But General Garcia Navarro commanded there: he
had been taken prisoner in 1810, had escaped from France, was trusted
with this important post, and now betrayed his trust, and entered the
Intruder’s service, saying, he would rather share the fate of his
country and submit to the French, than act under English orders. As
this man was one of the basest traitors who deserted his country in
its need, so was he the most unlucky in timing his treason; for so
great a change was presently effected in the relative situation of the
contending powers, as to make it apparent even to himself that he had
taken the losing side, and would have only perpetual infamy for his
reward. About the same time, but in a very ♦CARRERA KILLED IN MURCIA.♦
different manner, the Spaniards lost General D. Martin de la Carrera,
who had distinguished himself in the recovery of Galicia, and had borne
throughout the war an honourable name. He now commanded the cavalry
of the Murcian army: a French detachment from Granada under General
Soult, the Marshal’s brother, had entered the city of Murcia and
were raising contributions there, when Carrera attacked them with his
advanced guard, gallantly, but unsuccessfully; for though he took them
by surprise, their numbers were greater than he had expected to find,
and he fell in the market-place, fighting bravely till the last. The
French having sacked the city abandoned it during the night, and on the
morrow Carrera was interred with all the honours which the inhabitants
could bestow. On that day month his exequies were performed in the
cathedral as a public solemnity, the General D. Jose O’Donnell, with
Generals Mahy, Freyre, and other officers attending; the foundation
of a monument to his memory was laid upon the spot where he fell; and
O’Donnell and the other officers, touching the stains of his blood with
their swords, swore like him to die for their country whenever the
sacrifice of their lives should be called for, and added to that vow,
one of perpetual hatred towards the French.
♦NEW CONSTITUTION.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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