Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-06-06
TW-iber Ertiacis from


THE EfENTFCL LIFE OF a SOLDIER.
II VIC had no other for Recommending ,bcso
little volumes, il would be sufficient that they youII in
ruci unthinhng people in the reas nature of war and
military glory. The length of the quotations olrp,
made, prevent Us from doing than concluding tj
paper with few detached anecdotes collected at random
parity Tor the amusement they ailotdand partly 70
show the character Of the work.
General Picton:
1.-The first Sunday after the outrage already reI,,d
when the Chaplain left his station General Picton too
his place, not TO pray, but to give US a sermon
'lhis was the first time he had addressed us | felt
anxious to examine the features ola who had been
SO much the public talk uf his rcpatcd cru
city at Trinidad. could not deny that fell, pre;n
dice against him anu his countcnance did not do il awav
for it had stern and gloomy expression which added
TO very dark complexion, made it in no way prepos
sesshg; but, when he opened his mouth and began tu
psur forth torrent of abuse for our conduct and
his dark eye flashed with Indignation as he recannl,t
ed our errors hope whitening fled, and mercy sighed
farewel!' He wound up the particular part of his
speech addressed TO uswit You are Jisr,oce IN ,o,
moral country, ScotLand' That had more weight jhan
all his speech. 1t sunk deep hearts To separate
Scotcimap from his country-;o tell him he was Mr.,
worthy of it's next to taking away his life
"But eneral Picon was not the character which 700
by prejudice, we're led to think him. Convinced Of te
bane ul effects of allowing his punder he sci
his face sernlv against it, but in other respects 10
induigent; ard although no man could blame VIII
more severity when occasion required he was no rio
gard Of his praise when ii was deserved"
the 88th regiment (Connaught Rangcrs) being de-
tachea from division, led By the heroic General
M'kinnon, who Commanded our tight brirade) caro
ed them furouSly, and drove them back through the
village with great slaughter. Some time nTevions
This, General PiCton had had occasion to check die
regiment for punderng affair they had been ru;I
y of, and he was so offended at their conduct that
in addressing them, he had told them they were The
greatest backguards IN the army; but as he always was
as ready TO give prsl5eas ceDsure, where it was due
when they were returning from tl8 gallant and cfpc
tive charge he exclaimed, We'll done the brave
8Gth Some of them who had been sung at his former
reproacAes cried out, Are the greatest blackguard
in the army now!' The valiant Picton smiled and re-
Piled, M" no, you are brave and gallant soldiers this
day has redeemed your characterize
''Wc had now gained the edge ofhc river the French
columns were posted on the height above u.s. We pas
scd the river under heavy fire. and proceeded 10 as
cend ne hill. we could now sec that of our
army had crossed both TO right and left IS we adj
vanccd up the hill, formed line. General Pcton
rode up in front of us, with his stick over his shoulder
exposed to the heavy fire Of the enemy as ccrpocIy
as Ii he had been in perfect safety. Steady nv lads
steady, said lie, don't throw away your fire until
you the word OF commando We were now close on
theIR the balls were whZzng about our years like hail
stones. The before me received shot in the had
and fell why don't they let give the rascas a vol
iey'' said some Of the The left OF our line which
was nearest them now opened heavy fire; and BIZ t,e
time the line was ali formed, the French lad taken 10
thcir heels"
Owe were much annoyed by shot and she'll from the
heights where the French Artillery were posted some
OF which failing in the squares, did great mischief Kill
hing and woundng Of our men, and bloy jur I'm
orr ammunition. We had about six miles TO reIreat
IN this manner before reachedt.c body of the army
with the French cavalry hanging on our tanks and
rear, some OF whom had even the audacy to ride 20
oar 'front.' and having taken rart cur barrape broo
II back close by columns: we could render no as
sstance safety wholly depended on iscepino
ourselves ready to form square. Here General Pic
ton showed that GOODNESS and intrepdity for which he
was so much distinguished for time he rode AT the
head oour square, while strong BODY of French hung
OH our right waiting favourable opportunity TO cbarnc
The Captain who commanded US both field officers be-
ing sick was throwing many fearful glance az them
and was rather in state cf erurbation-'Ncyer mind
the French said Picton, mind your regrnepf- lj,
fellows come here, we will give them a warm Iecep.
ton"
Execution OF icscrlers:--
''While in Campo Mayor where we remained for
some time, German Of the 6Otb regiment a french
man, and two Italians, belonging TO the Chasseurs Bri
tannGue we're shot for dcseron the former belonged TO
our DIVISION, the latter three 10 the 9Th. On the MOI n
ing that The sentence of the first was carried into
cution, the division assembled outside Of the town
where they formed three sides Of a square. The pr
soner was marched past the various regiments,
panied by Tire chaplain OF the DIVISION and thc guard an
pointed TO shoot him. When bis deyotions we're finish
ed, he vas blud!oded by tho provost marshall and pac
ed Sneelug on tie brink OF the grave already omen TO
li'"' ne gave the SISna and the next moment
ne fell pierced by hafa dozen nusquct balls, The diff
icrent regiments then marched pas the BODY receiving
the word eyes LEFT, rs iley passed him
l WAS on the general provost guard the evening pre-
yUus to those of tie jih division being SHOT Tie SER
geaut came With lie comPany's books 70 settle their
accounts; TIC two Italians were in paroxvsrs OF 3co,
crying and wruging their hands; the behaviour Of tie
FTeDcbrnan, who had been taken prisoner had yolun
teercd into tue Chasseurs Britannquo and afterwards
deserted from ifcm 10 his countrymeu, formed strong
contrast TO that of the others calm and djgnifed he
seemed to feel fear Of death nor did any coroDlaint
pass lbs lips, save an occasional exclamation against the
injustice Of trying him a de5erier, being French
man ~ hs circumstances, he argued il was natural
portdn'ty that offered. When The sergeant was sctiI,
hef accounts, tac Italians paid 10 attention 20 any t
said 70 them ou. be discussed every item With ticorr
CT s.cc.nes:, 7la he se,gea-. lran.inr 81. -,