The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

A MILITARY ANECDOTE.

In the year 1687, when Austria, Poland, and Venice, united in a formidable confederacy against the Turks, the Polish general, entering Moldavia, laid siege to the fortress of Neamtz. This important place, which had been abandoned by all the inhabitants, was garrisoned by only 12 Moldavian charioteurs, whom accident had brought thither. These brave men raised the draw-bridges, shut the gates, and refused to surrender.—The Polanders, ignorant of the weakness of the garrison, cannonaded the place for four days successively. The charioteurs defended themselves courageously, and killed a great number of the besiegers, among whom was the commander of the artillery. On the fifth day, having lost ten of their number, this little garrison demanded to capitulate. An honorable capitulation was immediately granted, with liberty to retire wherever they pleased. As soon as the articles were signed, what was the astonishment of the besieging army in beholding 6 men who supported on their shoulders three others that were wounded. At this instant, all the sentiments of admiration, of shame, and of indignation, were successively uppermost in the bosom of the Polish general. For some moments he remained thunderstruck: The dictates of honor, however, at length prevailed: and strictly adhering to the capitulation: he dismissed the brave besieged with every mark of military applause.