Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-04-10
From q Charieston paper.

A gentleman of this city (now de-
ceased) among other interesting de-
tails which he narrated To US ut a
conversation held by him with &C.
neral officer in London. upon the
subject of the battle Of Mazda. nell
toned that the officer was told by
Sir John Stuart, that he (Sir John)
had never felt himself as awkwardiy
situated as he was when he found tho
French troops so well posted on the
heights around him previous to the
engagement, and that he never was
NOR delightfully."- relieved than when
he observed them quitting their fine
position to descend into the plain to
attack him. They came on in gal
liant style, and approached within
leo Yards of the British line, which
was likewise in motion to meet HIN.
AT once both armies, without orders.
made a sudden halt. aud pause en-
sued, as Sir John described il, Of the
most awful and subime description.
All a, once the cry OF ''Gharge' was
heari bursting from every quarter OF
the British line; no one knew who
first began the cry, but all obeyed 1t.
and the men pushed boldly and regu-
larIy on at the charge as If performs
ing field evolution. The French
troops did not stand the attack, but
withdrew hastily, and in great cons
fusion. 1t was observed by General
Stuart, in talking OH this subject.
that he had never known troops to
stand a charge Of the bayone'; but
had always seen those charged upon
give way. The same remark Was
made by General Moreau to a gen
tleman in this country-he mad ne
YER seen combat with fixed bayn-
nets. and he said he never expected
TO see one-it was too dreadful, he
thought, for the firmest troops to
stand II.
There is, however. a very undoubt-
ed record of the murderpus use OF
this dreadful arm IN S,athey's His
tory of tn Peninsular War. 1t IS
i'm the account of the battle nf. Na-
meiro-these arc his words: 'Loi.
son's attack was made nearly at the
same time as Labordes; it was Sap
ported by a large body OF cavalry.
and made with the characteristic
aud imposing impe'aosity Of French
troops. They GROVE IN our light
troops, but they were checked by
General Ferguson's brigade, consist
ing Of the 36th, 4Gth, and 7lst, which
formed the first line: after some close
and heavy firing OF muske'ry. the
S2d and 29th Came up. and the bri>
esdss of Generals BOaes aud Ac-
land. The enemy were then CharS-
ed with the bayonet: this weapon is
of French invention, but it was made
for British hands They came TO
the charge brayely. and they stood
it for momentum that moment
their foremost rank fell like line
Of grass before the mowers This
is not the flourish of All historian
seeking artfulty to embeliish details
which no art can render interesting
to any but to a military reader: ii is
the language oil an actor in the scene.
who could not call it to mind in at
ter hours without shuddering; for the
very men whose superiority was thus
decidedly proved, could nat speak
without Involuntary awe. of so COM
plete and instantaneous a destruction.
produced as it Was, not by artillery TT
explosions. bu, by their own acl and
deed, and the strength Of their own
hearts and hands. Tbe bodies Of 500
Freach grsnadiers were counted upon
the field who fell in this charge