The Litchfield County post., 1828-04-10

sisting of about iGiy men of the regiment,
 and commanded by tall terOciOus man,
 with the most extraordinary UhitC HWSt0- ekoes he had ever beheld VelasqueE was
 uresent when the man told the story. As
 usual, he seemed liStless and unheeded, till the number of the regiment struck up-
 on his ear. His attention then became ths keenest and when mention was made of the officer with white muStachOes, the whole man seemed inspired with new and dreadful life. had my eye on him at that moment and his Swarthy cheek grew
 pale as death,--his lips quivered ,--hS eyes suddenly became bloodshot,-a he burst out abruptly into wild exclam"- ton of revenge and joy. All senses of discipline were lost in an instant. He cal-
 led upon his comrades to join him in exe-
 cutting vengeance upon this monster: he
 coniured them, in few broken, rapid, & ? passionate sentences, as they loved their
 parents, as they reverenced their religion, as they esteemed the honor of their sisters, of their wives, and of the Blessed Virgin, (such, I remember, was his expression,) to join him in cutting off this miscreant from the face of the earth. Then, sud- denly, turning to Mel Cameron, he re- minded him of his promise, and claimed its performance. "You will not, sir, he said "I am sure you will not, fail me now!'' -"N No by heaven, will not!" exclain'- ed Mel. Follow me my lads !'-and a. way rushed the whole company, except a. bout eight or ten, chiefly consisting of En- glish. in the direction which he Spaniard pointed out.
 Finding it vain to attempt to call them back, returned to my post; and instant- ly despatched message to my colonel to inform him wha, had happened, and that, consequen ly, he out-posts were left de- fenceless; and begged for orders how to act. In short lime received an answer from him, informing me that should im- mediately be relieved, and desired me to follow my men, to bring them back if pos sible; but if found that impractible, to stay with them, and act according to my discretion. I accordingly set of with the two men that remained to me, in the di- rection in which the others had gone. It was easy to trace their course on the grass on which the dew had begun to fall,-and came up to them in about three quarters of an hour. =. E On arriving at the spot, found the party most advantageously posted along the edge of the road. About six feet a. bove it's level is high ridge, which com pletely shielded them from observation, x from whence they could pour in most murderous fire upon the French, almost at the muzzes of their pieces, before they were perceived. Behind this ridge found the men lying; and l again attempted to persuade them 10 return. Mel Cameron and the Portuguese were immoveable & Archibald declared he would not leave his brother. Again attempted to address my men when Velasquez came up to me, and said, sullenly, T did not expect this from you, sir. Have you lost your father and your friends, that you know what it is to rob me of just revenge?' s All my endeavors were vain. The fec 1 lings of the men were wrought up to too high pitch, for them to be able to listen 1 to the call of duty. Finding therefore a- ny further attempts useless, 1 determined to give their att ack, since they were resol- we'd to make it, all the add tonel effect which regularity and discipline could con- fer. The moment | announced this inten- ton, they paid implicit obedience to my orders.
 Having completed my dispositions, I lay down behind the ridge, along with my men.
 Night had by this time, completely closed in,the clouds were racking over the moon, which was nearly full-and gave when its surface was unobscured, that strong and distinct light. which scarcely is ever seen l in the northern latitudes. never shall forget the sensations which underwent as I lay; cannot say that they amounted to fear, but sort of sickening anxiety op- pressed and almost choked me. I never felt thus before or since. l had been in all the thick of the work since 1908; and had been in almost every principal action that had been fought;GEI continued in active service to the very end of the war, having heen wounded in the last affair that took place, namely, at the sortie of Bayonze. Yet at no time have I ever felt any thing l at all resembling the sensations of that hour.
 At the least noise, every ear was on the alert {; and several times we thought the enemy was upon us, when it was only false alarm. On one of these occasions, as raised myself upon my arm to listen, my eve chanced to liUht nnon the connta. l