Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-05-09

The following extract from d nc" Puoie"
,ion called .Tales of Military life" brings
the scene before the reader with all the interest
and animation of real life. We need not IN
form our readers that at the battle Of Qua're
Bias the British army first fought at The deci
Give Battle OF Waterloo.
BATTLE OF QUAT2E BRAS.
Gray as one the party of Dragons who
attended the duke OF Wellington, proceeded on
ward al a SHARP pace through the marching col
umns, which his Grace examined with close
but quick glance, as he passed on, and ai'er a
march of seven leagues, Came up with the BEL
gian ,roops snder the Prince Of Orange, who
had been attacked and pushed back by the
French. l, was about o'clock, none o: the
British troops had We, arrived within some
hours march of the Duke. The party OF dra-
roons were ordered to remain in readiness Tor
duty in cornfield near the road, on a rising
ground which commanded a full view oil the
country in front, while the Duke and his stan
proceeded 10 the lef;.
The four biscuits which had been served out
to each man a: Brussels the night before, with
some cold beef, and the contents of their can
teen, served to regale the Dragons after their
long and rapid march, while The scout steeds
that had borne them found delightful repast
in the high rye that waved under their noses.
Here they beheld passing on the road beside
them many wounded Belgians, and could see be-
fore them, al The distance of squarter OF a mile,
the French bayonets glistening over The high
fields Of corn, aud hear distinctly the occasional
discharges Of Musketry from Iirailleurs--
Gray hear ieaped fol joy, and he thought no
more Of Brussels,
whats this place called?" inquired one OF
the dragoons, generally Of his companions.
"Called oh, some jaw-breakins Dutch
name of yard long, suppose" replied anoth-
er. AK Gentleman Gray-heIl tell YOU"
well Mr.. Gray, do you know The name Of
this here place."
81 belIeve"r piled Gray, 1--WE are near point
called Quatre Bcas, or the four roads"
81 say Jack, said another with his mouth
full Of biscui, "dd you ever meet with such
devil Of roadster as The corpolar there with
his glazed cooked ha'?"
"Who do you mean" said Jack
"Why the Dock, TO be surc-how he did
give i, US on the long road through the forest"
"Ay-he's the lad; well here's God bless his
jolly old glazed ha, any way" cried the trooper,
swallowing a horn OF groe; he's the boy that
has come from the Peninsula JUST to gi' 'em a
leaf gu, cf his book. He was dancing last
nigh, riding ikr devil all the morning
and III warrant hell be fighting all the alter
noon by way Of refreshing himself"
The parry remained undis urbed until about
half pest one o'clock; nothing having been
done in the way Of attack by the French. Du-
r,rg the interval, Gray employed himself in
watching closely the scene around him, and
mentally discussing the chance Of the now in
evi,ably approaching fight.
The hour Of struggle was near-the pihroch
burs, upon The ears IF the troopers, and op they
started
Here thsy come" cried one--"here they
CONT" cried another" the gallant AID; look
al the pelticoat devils, how they foot ii alrng.'
All stood on the hghes, part OF the ground,
10 witness the arrival of The troops, who were
now within quarter Of q mile ot them o" the
main road hum arose. Belgian officers
galloped down the road, and ACROSS The fields
in all directions; The Duke WIS seen riding to
wards his expected soldiers, & the scene wa, life
at all points. The pibroch's sound grew louder;
s now the bands Of the more distant regiments
were heard; and the harmonious bugle, OF the
rifle corps, mingled their sounds with the 9TH
ers. The long red line of Bri,ons is fully be-
tore the sight, like giant stream OF blood on
the ripe aud mellow bosom OF the earth. Pic
ION is at its head, and the Duke greeIs the he
roic partner OF his glory. The frs, Of the re-
giments passes close to the troopers, and re.
ceives cheer from them, which found re-
turn in the relaxing muse les of the hardy Soo's.
"Wha, corps is that" inquired one of the
group.
The Royal Highlanders, the 42d-dont you
see tina: 'hey are turned up with blue & gold:'
replied mother.
sand what's this with the yellow facings?"
"T'he old s2d?"
"and the o,her Scotch regiment, with the
green and 6 Id"
"rhe 7e'h; three as good killed corps as ev.
CT crossed tbs Tweed. And there's the 95ib
rife boys, as green as the wood they are going
20 take. And here see the 28,h-and The l4'h
and the 52d;-,hal's Pic,on's division, glo-
rous SCI OF fellows as ever slept,
"AnG who are the fellows in black"
"The bold Brunswick corps, with deaths
head on their csps-the underiakers OF the
FRENCH Grid he corporal.
"Never did young hero gaze on gallant
array with more enthusiastic feeling, Than did
Gray upon the troops before him-'he sight