Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-12
THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE.
fFram the Wolf of Badenoch.l

The Douela. conducted his little army with
or.., silence and c,rcumspection through the
seLir,in, brushword: anc it is so happened, that
lust as he approached the place oil action, the
full orbed moon arose TO run her Peaceiui aho
majestic course through clear ana c'ouoies'
sky, throwing mimic day over the SCENE
Il ,oud shouts arose from the powerful army Oh
the English, for now they began TO eompfenehd
the actual situation of their affairs; ana making
one boed and determined charge, they 9urs' al
once through the whole breadth Of eh1rehch.
ments, overwhelming all who attempted 10 s'a"u
before them. Now it was that the SCOUTS" carr
gave the word TO his men, and just as inc ing
lish were pushing rapidly on towards the s'oPe
of the high ground, where the oco'lisn camp
hung glit,ering in the moon beam' driving
handful of brave men before them, VINO "ere
still fighting as they retired, the SHOUTS Vi
I" Observation-Disclosures MISUNDERSTANDING: =
Douglas!--Jamais arriere!" assembled 10 heaven.
and the determined Scots poured from 'heir co.
vert out upon the open plain, and rushea d
gainsl the troops Of Perse
= COMPOUNDED by this unexpected charge from
an enemy, whom they expected to hnd asleep
in their tents, the English army was driven
back in considerable dismay Then might Har
~ Piersie and his brother Rale have been seen
II wing from standard 10 StaNudiu Noi"'J 1890.
yoring to rally their men; hut it VAS not until
they had bean driven into tie open ground that
they could succeed in stopping what almost a
mounted TO flight.
"Wha,, Engshmen-is this your mettle!"
cripd Ho,spur, with yrhemence. Flv, then.
towards, and leave II AIRY Piersie to die he
NAV not ou,live this disgrace on the standards
Of 81. George
hcca n,>,raibinO un,ds n 3d the effect oil
checking their panic, and gave them time 10
observe the comparatively small BODY to whom
they were so bascly yielding The two brothers
| quickly restored the battle by their daring ex
annie Deaienlng cheers arose, shouts oi"fier-
Sic" and "St. George" being loudly mingled
with Them; and fresh and very im3etuons on
ST., was made That drove the SCOTTISH troops en-
ti,ely through their enlrrno hmenls. The stIug-
gle was now tremendous, and the clash OF the
Scottish axes was terrific; but although the Sue
cess of the English waytrtd little ROW and
then, vet the weight Of their mass was so very
superior, that the Scottish army lost ground
inch by inch, ill, after long contest, The Pitr-
sic found himself almost at the Scottish tents
"Piersir-Piersle!-the peDnon oil 'fler-
Sic" cried he, shrltking with the widest Joy.
and saHguine with the hope OF success, whIlt,
backed BY a band OF hi, choicest warriors, ne
made bold dash towards the standard OF Scot
| land that stood before the pavilion oi Douglas,
with the pcnnon beside il. The Douglas was
al that time fighting in another part OF The hrl1,
where the pre- SIS against his men was greatest
| The Earls of Moray and Dunbar were bra,rly
striving to withstand tine numbers that came a.
| gainsi The respective wings they commanded,
| supported by Montgomery, Keith Frazer, and
NEW
castle. aud Halliburton, Lindsay, and some o.
theirs were doing their best to resist the tide Of
English in those parts OF the battle where for
tune had thrown them. Sir William DE- DaIzri
had been carried to his tent grievou>y wound
ed BY the loss OF an eve: and already had the
brave Sir M"lcolm Drummond, and The gallant
Sir John de Gordon. Lord Of Srralhbolgy, fall
en-, covered Nv glorious wounds Yet was not
the standard of Scotland, nor the Piprsie's cap
tive pennon, left altoge'h her undrftnded; for be-
fore them stood the dsuntlrssSir Patrick Hep
borne OF Hailrs the elder, with his son by his
side, backed by small bu, resolrte band OF
their own immediate dependents.
only brave bow" cried the elder knight,
:" trust me there is no where in the field a more
honorable spo' of earth to die on than that
where we do now stand"
Then we quit il not with life. my father,
, save 10 drive the Piersle before u.s." cried the
! son.
"Piersie-Piersie! -Piersie's pennon!-Hot-
spurs pennon!' cried those who came furious
ly on TO attack them
The Father and the son, with their little pha-
lark; re manned l'nmos-abl. and received them
on the poin, of their lances; an obstinate and
bloody contest took place Harry Perse and
ms brother fought for The fame of their proud
house, and their eager shout, were heard over
all The other ballr cries, as well as above the
clashing OF the weapons, sud the shrieking OF
The agonizing wounded, they were trodden un-
der iool and crushed 10 de.th by the press; but
the buwark Of lion hearts that defended the
standard was too impregEable to be broker
through. ?iersie's men already began to slack
EN- IN iheli attack, and TO present looser ami
wider circle Ia the Scottish band; and now the
elder SIR Patrick Hepb rne, seeing time, an'
eager TO catch his advantage, brandished bat
lie axe. and his son following his example, 'he'
joined IN the cry of"A liepborne!" and charg
I'd she enemy so iuriously al the head OF their !
men, that Piersie and his followers were driyer
down The slope with immense slaughter To,
axes oil the sold knight and his son never ft
without the sacrifice of an English life a