Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/189

 STATE PAPERS.

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dependcntbattalion difperfedthem- fclves in the ftreets of the Pima and Wilfchen fuburbs, broke open the doors of the houfes and fhops, fet fire to the llraw, added frefh quantities of it, and increafed the flames by torches of pitch, and af- terwards fhut the houfes.

By the violence of the flames, which was kept up by red-hot balls fired into the houfes and along the ftreets, the whole was jnftantly on fire. Thofe who wanted to run out of their houfes were in danger of being killed by the lire of can- non and fmall arms. There were even foldiers in the ftreets, who puftied down with their bayonets fuch as were endeavouring to fave their perfcms or effecb. By this means a multitude of people of all zves, who inhabited thofe popu- lous fuburbs, perifbed amidft the flames, and under the ruins of houfes. The number of thofe who were killed in the fingle inn, the fjgn of the Golden Hart, amounted to ninety; and upwardsof two hun- dred of the principal houfes have been reduced to afhes. Humanity is (hocked at the thought of the cruelties committed this night and the two following days. A ftioe- maker, who. was running away with his infant on a pillow, to fave it from being burnt to death, was met by a volunteer, who fnatched the pillow from him, and threw the babe into the flames. Many perfons, and even fome of diilinc- tion, after lofuig ail their effefts, were forced to make their efcape in their fhirts, through gardens, to the neighbouring villages. Others, who had faved a part of their beds and bedding in a garden, faw it fet on fire, before their eyes, with torches. Some poor people faved their clothes and a few other things

in the church-yard ; but even there did the red-hor balh follow them, and fet on fire their little furniture, and even the coflins of the dead. One man had got his things into a waggon ; the Pruffians (lopt it, covered it over with pitch, and fet it on fire.

On the following days, fuch a» ventured to return to the fuburbs to fave a part of what they had loft, were fired at. Prttflian foldiers fal- lied out of the city, from time to time, to fet one hmifeon fire after another ; many of thefe men were feized by the Auftrian huffars and Croats, who difcovered fo much humanity and tendernefs on this oceafion, that they were feen, with tears in their eyes, readily parting with their own allowance of bread to give to the ftarving fufFerers ; they even gave them money ; and ventured through the flames with them, honeftly to aflift them in faving their effefts.

The Auftrian army beheld thefe horrible ads, and was filled with indignation and rage. Its generals melting with compaffiotf, tried every method to remedy themo They fent 300 carpenters into the fuburbs to endeavour to extinguifti the flames. The Auftrians brought away all the inhabitants that had taken refuge in the Great Garden,. and very generoufly fet open to them their magazines. The ge- neral officers even made a confidcr- .ible colleftion for them. Field Mnrfhal Count Daun, with a view to flop the horrid ravages of the enemy, fent M. Sawoiflcy, a co- lonel in the Polifti fervice, with a trumpet, to General Schmettau, the Pruiilan governor of that capi- tal, to reprefent to him, that thefe proceedings were quite nnheard of in civilized nations, among Chrifti-

ans.