Phenix Gazette

Field of Sorrow.—The following extract, from Belle's Observations on Italy describes a spot and scene near Lyons in France:-

"Near these gardens, and hard by the river side, there is a green meadow, a place rendered memorable by circumstances of deep and touching interest. On this spot were massacred some of the wretched victims of the Revolution. The people of Lyons with a just sensibility, have named it the field of sorrow, Champ de la douleur. A body of the citizens were carried forth to this place conducted by the gendarmerie. In crossing the bridge they were counted over, and being found to exceed the allotted number by two persons, the commanding officer, Vallot, was informed of the circumstance, and was asked, 'whether two should be saved? and in such a case which two?' He replied, 'what matter is it; who cares for two—more or less? If they go to-day they do not go to-morrow.' They proceeded therefore, and two hundred and ten men, accompanied by these two ill-fated beings, whom accident had involved in the massacre, were conducted to death. Their hands were tied behind them, and they were bound to a cable, passed from tree to tree, along a range of tall willows; the soldiers were drawn up in an opposite line, with two pieces of artillery. At the appointed signal, their limbs flew in every direction. Those who were wounded, but yet not released from the cable, cried out to their butchers to finish their work; and they did so without delay, with the bayonet and sabre. Their number was such as to render the work of butchery long and fatiguing; many were left breathing and palpitating in the agonies of death, and next morning many, still alive, were buried with the dead, by those who came out to pillage, and who threw lime on them "still quick and alive." Such is the narrative of a Frenchman. Alas! the French have many, very many such massacres to relate: blood which ages of peace and penitence will not wash away. We saw the spot where the trees had stood. They are now cut down, and replaced by monumental stones, to those who perished."