The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-06-14
From Elackwoods Magazine.
RECoLLEcTloNs OF AN OFFICER


from being Of pleasant kind, and believe
those Of my comrades were not much more
agreeable. We knew that doubtful battle |
had been fought at Quartre Bras, and were
assured that the Prussians had sustained
signal defeat at Ligny. This knowledge did
not contribute much to raise our spirits; and
when we observed the remnants OF the gal /
liant Scotch regiments which were almost
annihlated at the former place, and the
numbero of wounded brought in, we became
convinced that we had our work cut out tor
us, and that the French were not to be so
easily beaten as we had expected. How
ever, no one said word. Each moved on IN
dubious silence, resolved to do his best; but
nwardy cursing the i'll luck that brought
him there, and wishing himself at Dan or
Beersheba.
We were placed, as i'll luck would have
X, in the very front of the battle. Our rcgl-
lment was known to be good ono, and the
Colonel steel to tile back bone; and, in truth
we needed all onr qualities, Tor we were
drawn out opposite to formidable artillery,
3acke,, by a strong body Of foot and cuiras-
sers. My uncle rode up to me: Tom. you
dog, mind your colors.'-'l wish you and the
colors were at the devil, said 10 myself
could not help it, tor began to ieel con-
4 foundcdiy uncomfortable, The battle, con
siderable time before this, had commenced
! in various parts ot the line: the rest was loln-
ing in it rapidly; and IL now became our
turn to take part, as the enemy opposite was
advancing his iron front to the attack ~
last his artillery, succeeded by showers OF
/ musketry. opened upon US. we returned
/ these compliments in the same style, and
doubtless with good effect. | shall never
r. EtsSt fI.ri al N
tthc French guns In every quarter OF our
line an opening was made, and a number OF
men seen to drop, some killed outright and
some desperately wounded. The gaps
we're instantly filled by others, who stepped
forward from the rear ranks. 1t was the
first Of my battles, and felt. in spite OF all
my cfTo, IS, the trcpidaton and anxiety OF
noyiciatc. The noise, smoke, confusion and
destruction were horrible. Keep steady,
nv brave buys-hrc away was heard ON
ali sides from the officers encouraging their
men. The gallant fellows needed no en-
couraremcnt: they fought like lions Not
man thought of finchiug: the same indoml-
table British spirit animated them All.
During the whole of this time | stood IN
the very heart of the fight, the King col
ors waving over my head. The men were
draining fast around me. beard tho balls
whizzinrr like hail past my ears. In little
lonper was 50 stupitied hardly knew what
I did or where | was. At last ] heard the
yoice of nv uncle calling out, "Nell done.
Tom--that's brave boy. Take care Of youi
cnIors and stand last" His words aroused
me and look ed up, and saw him IN the act
of leading on his men to the charge At TINS
ooomcnt the ensign who bore the regimental
colors fell dead about ten Yards from my
s;dc The standard was raised by sergeant,
,rho was almost instantly killed. "tine en-
couraccment," !" thought l, "for flag bearers;
7 supposc nv turn will be next now BE-
can 10 reflect how much better should have
becn al home, following some pachc pro-
iession than standing here TO be picked by a.
nv rascally Trcnchman, who fancied me tor
n shot. Honour is very pretty thihs to
talk of on the peace establishments nut un-
ring war it is one Of thr uslIcst things N the
world and 50 little of soldier am !, mat
would rather, any day, die ike CHRISTIAN
, on my bed, than be killed IN oattlc m any
, manner, however honorable, but TINS is
diercssion.
the charge. but the smoke was SO thick
, that I could perceive nothing but his long,
, gonnt nhysiopnomv--su with his
. @ock cd hat. and white feather rising above
4 The lower part of his body, and the
whole of Rozinante were enveloped IN dark
ness. We we're guided entirely by bis up
per region, and followed him cn maSse. !
advanced with the rest, because | knew that
; stovinr behind would serve no purpose
Dot't suppose it was valour that led me on;
devil BIT. Itwas rather the blind impulse
Of inscnsibity which rushes TO danger with
out Knowing what it is about. rushed tor
ward as ifthe French were at my heels. l
was SO confused that verify believed our
men to be the enemy, and that was endea-
vorng to get out of the way. We had not
: nroceeded far when perceived my uncle's
head. cooked hat, and feather, which tow
cred above the smoke disappear like the
snuff of a candle. "The Colonel is gone,
cried several voices: they were mistaken.-
, It was only Rozinante that had been shot
under him. He was extricated by two gren.
: atiers, and got upon his legs in the twink-
l;np of an eve. He did not wait to be re-
mounted. but led the attack on foot rush
T, ;nr with such immense strides towards the
: : foe. that his men could scarcely keep pace
. with him.
"All is over now" thought, ."the Colo
!, = mel is taking to his heels, and why should
! not do the same p' Still did ], in my stu
pefaction, suppose that the French were be
. hind us, that it was duty to get out OF the
:, y way as soon as possible. l therefore re-
doubled my speed, but ! never let so the