Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-16

Foy's History Of The Peninsular War. How
far the descriptions Of the English and French
armies are just, we cannot pretend TO say
Whether correct or not. TO make use OF atash .
ionable word, we think it will be acknowledged
that they are "graphc."
"You cannot say of the English, they are
brave bu. in an action; they are brave at all
times when they have eaten, drunk, and slept.
Their courage, being more physical Than NOR
al, requires 10 be supported by substantial food.
Glory never makes them forget that they are
hungry, or that their shoes are worn out Each
soldier receives annually complete suit of
clothing. The lowest pay in the army is
shilling, nearly IS sous per day, out oil which,
after certain d. auctions made for meat, clothes,
and similar objects, there remains two pence
half penny, al least FIVE sous, at the soldiers
disposal. This pay, which is moderate in
England, considering the excessively high price
Of nrcessaries, is said TO be, on the continent,
more than double The pay Of the German or
French soldier. No such thing as arrears Vi
paw or Illegal drawbacks are known. The Eng
lish soldirrea's great deal, particularly meat,
and he drinks considerably more than he eats.
At home, beer is his habitual beverage; when
abroad, wine is distributed 10 him, when the
country supplies 1t Wnen he is in The field,
he canno, do without fermented liquors, and
rum comes very seasonably to revive his spirits
in the hour of danger
1t is impossible not to be struck by the con.
trast presented by armies in their diurnal
economy, and their daily Course OF lie Behold
the French battalion arrive at their biv"uac, at
ter long and fatguing march; as soon as the
drums have ceased TO beat, :he kuapsacks are
placed in circle behind the files Of arms, and
mark out theground where the party is 10 pass
the night. Goats are dotted. Covered with
nos hing but their cGpofes, the soldiers run about
for the provisions, the bread, the water, and
The straw. The fire is lighted; the camp ket,
tie is soon pu, on and boiling; trees are brought
from the woods, and rough shaped into posts
and beams; while The huts arc erecting, the air
resounds in thousand PLACES a; once with the
blows Of the axe, and the shouts Of the work
men. You might fancy 1t was the city OF ldo-
mencus built nv enchantment, under the invi-
slble Influence of Minerva. While waiting till
the mea, is boiled, our young soldiers, impa
tient of idleness, are repairing their gaiter
straps, examining thri, carlouch boxes, clean
ing and polishing thrir muske,s. When the
soup is ready, il is ea,en If there is no wine,
the conversation is calm without being gloomy;
and they are not long IN endeavoring to recover.
by \ sound sleep, the strength necessary 10 ems
counter the next days fatigue. If, on tine con
,rary, wine has been procured by the scouts
who have been sent in search OF water, and
brought into the camp IN barrels or skins, the
night watch is prolonged, the mirth-inspifing
liquor goes round, and the old soldiers relate
TO the conscrpts, ranged around the fire, the
battles in which the regiment has acquired so
much glory. They will tremble with delight
IL. >.,'..a Fla. ,uhirh saioal
them, when The Emperor, whom hey thought
at great distance, suddenly appeared in front
OF the grenadiers, mounted on his horse and fol-
lowed by his Mame'uke ooh what defeat
we should have given the Russians and Prus-
SLAMS if the regiment on our right had fought
like ours! if the cavalry had been al hand when
the enemy began to give way! if the general of
the reserve had eqaalIed in bravery and talent,
the one who commanded the vanguard. MOI
one OF those beggars-noi a man would have
escaped Some times the morning drum has
beat, and day began to dawn, before the story.
tellrrs had finished. Meanwhile they have IRE.
quenIly mois,ened their narrative, as may east
~ be seen by he countenances Of the audi DRY.
But the int"xicaion Of the French is gay,
sparkling, and daring; il is foretaste 10 them
of The battle and the victory.
Turn your eyes 10 the other camp; look a,
those weary Englshmrn, listess and almost
are they waiting like the Spake's |
Of the Turkish armies, for their slaves to pitch |
lhei' tents, and prepare their food2 And VET
they have only made an exactly IN. assured short
march, and have arrived before TWO in the af.
ernoon, on the ground where they are 10 pass
he night The bread and meat are brought
% them, the sergeant distributes 10 them the
,amp-serviCe and their secret tasks; he ie!Is
hem where they will find the water, the straw,
and what trees are 10 oe cut down. When the
materials are brought, he shews them where
'ach piece Of wood is to be laid; he scoIds the
awkward and Furnishes the idle. The lash is
TOT well adapted to awaken intelligence, as is
een by The slowness with which the shapeless
lu,s are prepared. Where, then, is the indus
rious and enlrrprsing spirit Of that nation,
which has taken the start Of all The others in
he perfection Of The mechanical arts? The
soldiers have no notion of doing any thing but
what they are ordered; every thing which is
'ut Of The usual routine, is to them source Of
erplcxity and disappointment. Once let loose
Fom discipline, they give themselves up to ex
al Shirh the (occ,-tc no |