Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-16
NV hole No. 1889.

tine after quitting the light oflhe bivouac, their
Influence was wholly unfet. We moved, on,
however, in good order. No man spoke a.
bove his breath, our very steps were planted
lightly. and VIC clesr ed the town without excit-
ing observation, abou, bali a mile in the rear
of the city, a second ine OF fires had been es-
tablished. We hooked towards it now and the
effect Of the figures. winch from time to ume
moved across the flames, WAS exceedingly stri.
king. On arriving tnere we found that the 9th.
er brigades bad likewise commenced their re-
treat, aud that the hsss which burned so bright
y, had been prepared by them exactly as We
bad prepared ours previous 20 setting out. We
caused the few men whom they had left behind
10 JON us, as oar men had been commanded to
join the pioque.s, and pursued our Journey.
We were now approaching the field Of the
late battle. when tue moon rose. and threw a
soft pale light over surrounding objects Al FIRST
her rays tell upon The green leaves and giant
boughs ofthe woods winch on either hand clo-
set IN the road; bu' as we proceeded EDWARDS,
other spec,acles presented themselves, some Of
which were Of no very cheering or lively nature.
When we gained The ridge which had formed
the crest OF the American position, open green
fields lay stretched out before rs every one
presenting some manifestation of the drama
which had so lately been acted here. Broken
Nf8Wf &3fHf Afh11A tN& WNa hEIG 4Hu
there a dead body, naked and ghos,ly white.
were scattered about ~ every direction. whilst
the smell, not exactly OF putrefsstion. but Of
something nearly AKIN to j., ald ningiing with
the odour OF scoFchsd grass and extingui4 he'd
matches, rose upon tie night ait very offensive
W yet the whole sceac was one Of prodigtous
interest and power. The river and town which
lay near Us, the former flowing quietly and
beautifully along, the latter iifung its modest
all H. 49, - -
formed a sttik ng contrast ito the devastated
and torn ground over which we were marching.
whist the only sound dlssingulshahle was that
OF the measured tread Of feet as the column
proceeded down the slope tow ards the bridge.
Il was impossible, whilst traverstng he place
of his death, not 20 think kindly and affection.
aieiy OF ny poor young friend: his BODY, / well
knew, was not among the number winch wers
bleaching IN The rains and dcws OF he ayen--it
had been carefully committed to the earth be-
side that OF n brother officer. l did look round
for the spot where he tell, and I WAS grieved
and disappointed that ! could not eistinguish 1t.
The lapse OF a few moments, however, was
sufficient to draw off my attention 10 other.
though hardly less painful subject We were
already IN the village; and n halt being COM
manded, an opportunity Vas afforded OF Inquir.
ing into The condition of he wounded. fail.
ed not to avail myself OF il; but whilst the men
were busted IN pick nB up their knapsacks.
which in The heat of action they had cast away.
| stepped to the hospital ard pad a hasty visit
to the poor fellows who occupied il. 1t was 4
mort,tying sehecsion that, 10 spite OF our sue.
cess, the total sbsence Of all adequate means Of
conve ysncc laid us under the necessity Of leay.
ing very many OF them behind. nor could the
non commissioned officers and private soldiers
conceal their chagrtn on the occasion. One
OF these, asergeani OF my own company, who
had received a ball through both thighs. actu-
ally shed tears "A he wished me farewell, re.
GREETING that he had not shared the fate of Mr..
Williams !, was in VAN that 7 reminded hin
that he was moi singular, that Col. Thornton.
Col. Wood, and Mao Brown, bes DIES Others
oflcss note. were doomed 10 be his companions
in captivity; neither that consideration nor the
assurance Of a speedy exchange, At oil served
10 make hlmsclf satisfied with his drst my. Yee
no apprehensions could be more untounded
than those OF that man, for however unlike moss
civilized nations they may be in other res.
poets 10 the humanity OF tier conduct towards
such English soldiers as fell into their hants.
the Americans can be surpassed BY no people
whatever. To this the wounded whom we wers
compelled TO abandon TO nigh bore, after their
release. ample I sdmony. and they told a tale
which huadseds b. sides have corroborated.