The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-06-14
MISCELEAN z.
From Blackwood $ Magazine.

RecOHectiOns of O6cer.--We march
ed to Waterloo. must candidly confess
,hat my sensations were far from being
Of u pleasant kind, and | believe those oi
nv comrades were not much more "a
,reeable. We knew that doubtful bat
lie had been fought at Quartre Bras, an
we're assured that thePrussuus had sustain
nl u signal defoat at Lgny This know
edge did not contribute much To raise on
spirits and when we observed the rem
nants ofthe gallant Scotch regiments whic
we're almost annlhllated at the tOrme
'ilacc, and the number OF wounded broueh
n, became convinced that we had our worn
| ,ut out for Us, and that the French wer.
| rot to be 80 easily beaten as we had eN
| racted. However. Ho one said wort
| Zach moved on in dubious silence, resol,
! "A to DO his best but inwardly curslng IT.,
! III luck that brought him there, aud wish
no hinsclfat Dan or 3cersheba.
we were placed, as luck would hav"
| I, IN the very front of the battle. o.
egment was known 10 be good one, anr
| me Colonel steel to the backbone ;and, u
! ruth, we needed all our qualities, for W
we're drawn 0ut opposite to formldabo
artillery backed by strong bo1y OF foo.
| md cuirasslers. My uncle rode up to m,
| Tom, you dog, mind your colours. -
! wish you and the colorS were at the devil,
lad | to myself could not help It, for
peran TO feel confoundedly uncomfortable
! rhe battle n considerable time before thl
! lad commenced IN VARIOUS parts Of the I'm
hc rest was joining IN it rapidly, aud 1t no.
became our turn to take part, Us the cneln
opposite was advancing his iron front to tn
tLtack. At last his artillery, succeeded b
,howers OF musketry, opened upon u.
We returned these compliments in IN,
same style, and doubtless with good eifcct
shall never forget my feeling OH the frs
llscharge OF the French guns. In every
quarter of or line an opening was made
and number of men seen To drop, somt
killed outright and some desperately wound
ed. The gaps we're instantly filled by 9th
ers, who stepped forward from the rea
ranks. 1t was the first ofmy battles, and
felt, in spite of all my efforts, the treplda
don and anxiety ola novicate. The noise
smoke confusion and destruction, were hor
ribe. Keep steady, my brave boys--fir'
away was heard on all sides from the OF
hters encouraging their men. The gal
liant fellows needed no encouragement
o. they fought like lions. Not n man though
of fnchIng the same indonitable brltiSl
spirit animated them ALL
During the whole of this time | stood il
the very heart -f the tight, the Kings col
ours waving over my head. The men wer'
dropping fast around me. heard the ball
whlzzing like hail past my ears. In httl'
longer was so stupiied that hardly knew
A 4 4 A las n n
the voice OF my uncle calling out, We
done, Tom--lhats brave boy. Fak'
care of your colours, and stand fast" Id
words aroused me, and l looked up, AM
/ saw him IN the act Of lesding on hls mel
to tho charge. At this moment the ensig'
, who bore the regimcntal coors fell dead a
bout ten yards from my side. The standar'
was raised by q sergeant, who was aimos
instantly killed. Fine encouragement,
thought l." for flag hearers; suppose u,
turn will be next" Inow began to retiec
how much better should have been a
home, following some pacific proiessio
than standing here TO be picked by an
rascaly FreDchman who iancied me for
shot. Honor is a very pretty thing to tai
of on the peace establishment, but durm
war it is one of the ugllcst things IN tn
sworld: and so little OF . soldier am that
would rather, any day, die like christla
on my bed, than be killed in battle in an
manner, however honorable. But this
dlsgression.
My uncle, as said, was leading us on
the charge, but the smoke Vas so tho
that could perceive nothing but his hon
gaunt physiog ognomy-surmounted with b
cooked hat, and white feather rising abo'
1t. The lower part OF his body, and Il
whole of Rozinantc were enveloped IN dar
ncss.--we were guided entirely by his u
per region, aud followed him ca nidsss.
advanced with the rest, because 1 kne
that staying behind would serve no purpos
Don't suppose It was valor that led me on
devil bit. II was rather the blind II
pulse of insensibility which rushes to da
ger withou, knowing whatit is about.
rushed forward as If the French were
my heels was 50 confused that YER
belleyed our men q be the enemy, ana VI