Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-01-11

Nos -
strong ,deathless passion distance could
not subdue, nor old age founder. IT'S
now about seven years since the
British troops under Wellington were
landed on the continent. i was en-
gagged with party of seamen on shore
IN transporting the artllIer1 aud cree.
ting batteries. A body Of the French
attacked one Of our detachments, and,
afera considerable slaughter Oh both
sides, the enemy was compelled to re-
treat. We were ordered to the field TO
bring in the wounded and prisoners
Never-never shall forget that day:
the remembrance even now onmans
me. Oh, lady! forgive these tears, and
pity the anguish OF an old mans heart
ID y had just began to daw q when we
arrived upon the plain, and commen
ced oar search among the bodies to see
it there were any who yet remained
lingering in existence. Passing by
and over heaps of dead, my progress
was suddenly arrested, and every Fl
bre OF my heart was racked, on seeing
d female sitting by The mang!ed re
mains OF All English soldier. She was
crouched upon the ground, her face
resting on her lap, and every feature
hid FROM view. Her long black hair
IL disheveIled fakes about her shout
ders. and her garments closed roond
her person, heavy with the cold night
rains, one hand clasped that Of the dead
soldier, the 0iher arm was thrown
ronnd his head. Every feeling Of my
soul was reused to eXertion--I ap
preached she raised herself up, and ~
and--great HeaveDp twas she--the
woman whom | loved! She gszed
with sickiy horror; and, though great
ly altered--thosgb time and sorrow
had chased away the bloom OF health
though scarce trace of former beauty
remained those features were too deep
~ engraVen on my memory for me to
be mistaken; but she Knew me not.
| forgot all my wrongs, and rushing
forward; clasped her 10 my breast
Oh what moment was thai she made
in Intellectual struggle for release, aud
then tainted ia my arms. Some OF
my shlpm9tes came to the spot, and
turning over the lifeless form before
us, my eyes rested on the countenance
Of him who had once been my friend.
But death disa ms resentment; he was
beyond my vengeance and had alrea
dy been summoned TO the tribunal OF
the High. When had last seen them.
ittiuence, prosperity and happiness
were the portion ofus all. Nov ba,
| cannot, cannot repeat the distressing
tale, let it Suffice, that she was carried
20 place of safety, and every effort u.
sed to restOle animation; in which we
were eventually successful Row shall
describe our meeting when she re
cognized me?-it is impossible; | feel
II now in every nerve, but TO tell you
is beyond my power. Through the
kindness of generous officer, l procu
red her passage to England, and
gave her all tina, possessed, with this
one request, that she would remain at
Plymouth TIL my return to port In
few months afterwards We anchored
IN the Sound and as soon az duty would
permit, fastened TO obtain leave 10
go on shore, it was denied me; yes,
cruelty denied me. Sung 10 madness,
did not hesitate, butas soon as night
had closed in, slipped down the cables
and swan to land With eager ex
probation | hurried 10 the house 10
which | had requested her to remain.
| crossed the threshold unohserved, for
all was silent as the grave, and gen
tiy assembled the stairs The room door
was partly open, and fafht light giim
mered on the table. The curtains of
the bed were uDdrawn, and there
there lay gasping in the last conyul
sive agonies ofnatu e. Oh, iadyi
she was dying--i rushed into the
room, threw myself by her side, and
impiored her to live for me. Che knew
me-yes, she knew me-but at that
very instant an officer with an armed
party entered the apartment. They
had watched me, and | was arrested
as deseTter-aVrested did | say? All!
but not till l had stretched one of the
insulting rascals at my feet. was
handcutfed, and bayonets were pointed
at my breast Vain was every enirea
~ for one hour, only one hour The