Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-05

fas, around me Iheard the balls whizzng like
hail mast nv ears. In little longer was STU
pi6ed that hardly knew what did, or where 4
was. Al last heard the voice OF my uncle
calling out, "Well done, Tom-that's brave
bow. Take care OF your colours, and stand last"
His words aroused me, and looked up, and saw
him in the act Of leading on his men to the
charge. At this moment the ensign who bore
the regimental colours fell dead about ten yards
from nv side. The standard was raised by
sergeanf. who was almost instantly killed "Fine
thought |, "for flag bearers;
! suppose my turn will be next" now began
~ refpc, how much better l should have been
At home: following some pacific profession, than
standing here to be picked by any rascally
Frenchman who fancied mefor shot. Honor
is very pretty thing 10 talk OF on the peace es-
Enlistment, but during war 1t Is one o. ;ne ug
IS, things in the world: and so litlie OF SOY
der am l, tina, would rather, any day, aie IKE
a christian on my bed, than be ki.iea 10 oa,'ie
in any manner, however honorable. Out ms
is DEPRESSION.
NV uncle, as said, was leading us on 10 the
charge, blu. the smoke was so chick lha' cou'd
perceive nothing but his long, gaunt physiog.
nomy-surmounted with his cooked ha', ana
white feather rising above it. The lower part
of his body, and the whole oil kozinante were
enveIoped in darkness. We were guiaea en-
li"ely by his upper region, and followed nun
en- nlasse | advanced with the rest, because
kne that staying behindwould serve nopurPose
DON'T suppose it was valor that led me on-de1
vii Bit, 1t was rather-the blind impulse OIL
insensibility which rushes to danger without
knowing what il is about. rushed forward as
if the French were at my heels. was SO CON
I haI NOR
enemy. and that was cDdea, oring TO get out OF
the way. We had not proceeded far when
perceiyed nv uncle's head cooked hat, and Tea
Their. which lowered above the smoke disap.
near like The snuff of candle. "Ihe Colonel
is gone" cried several voices: they were mis-
taken. 1t was only Rozinante that had been
shot under him. He was extricated by Two
grenadiers, and got upon his. legs in the twink
ling of an eye He did not wait 10 be remount-
ed, but led the attack on foot-rushing with
such immense strides towards the foe, that MS
men could scarcely keep pace with HIM. "aii
is over now" thought, "the Colonel is taking
| to his heels, and why should not do the same!
Still did |, in my stuperlaction, suppose 'hat
the French were behind US, and that 1t was
duty TO get out Of The way as soon as possiole'
therefore redoubled my speed, but never let
go the colours-being told that the honor o.
the regiment consisted in their preservatIon.--
My uncle, long as his strides we're, was lett be-
hind No sooner had | passed him than he
shouted out, "Well done, Tom! There is gal
LIANT boy You'll be promoted for that" Tha
soldiers who were advancing after me with
fixed bayonets, set up at the same time cry OF
admiration. "Hurrah for Ensign Fogarty,"
resounded along the whole line. "What the
deuce" said to myself, "do the French speak
Eugtisn: rney are hooking my flight, no
doubt, but care nothing about ii if only get
clear Of their cursed clutches" So away I
went, improving my speed at every step, when
all at once l was brought 10 a pull up, by COM
ing in front Of forest Of bayont Is, bris ling
from dense body Of infantry before me, was
close upon them ere noticed my mistake; they
were the enemy, and stood prepared to receive
| the shock of our soldiers who were coming up
to meet them. What took place here knew
not. have merely dim recollection of
dreadful shock between TWO bodies Of men.
seemed 10 be the centre of struggle which en-
sued, and was levelled to the earth by violent
blow on the temple. This is all saw Of the
battle Of Waterloo.
There is here blank of some weeks in my
existence. awoke as from long sleep, and
found myself stretched upon bed in darken-
ed chamber. A moment before / seemed to be
in the midst Of slaughter: now l lay il the qni
e'ness Of sick bed. | was certainly ill., for |
felt weak beyond measure, and could scarcely
turn upon my couch. My head swan, faint
cloud floaled before, and ringlngs and whisper
ings fell upon my ears On looking around more
attenlively, perceived beautiful female form
seated beside me. lgazed on her as on vision
from heaven, and attempted to speak. She OBJ.
served my endeavors, and rising up placed one
slender finger upon my lips, in token of silence.
| repeated my attempt at utterance, when she
shook her head and whispered with smile oil
the most affec,ionate tenderness, 'Ne parle= pas,
mon cher pous eies encore hop faible" For
some time could do nothing but gaze on this
lovely apparition Her countcnance was light
ed up with the beauty not only of form but Of
feeling, and appearing as she did under such
circumstances, she seemed 10 my wandering
imagination more creature Of the sky than Of
this earthly planet
Days passed, and was still waited on by this
ministering angel. She sal by the bedside bath
ing my heated temples and administering nour'
ishment. Nor was she the only one who per-