The Arkansas advocate., 1830-08-04
MISCELLANY.
MY FIRST AFFAIR.
THr sToRMINe or THE REDouB1

THE ST0RMfEG OF THE REDOUBT.
 fThe following fragment, taken from the
 Journal of young French officer, will
 doubtless interest our readers. 1t IS the
 unadorned recital of first affair, the
 touchstone of raw recruit; and in clothing the narrative in an Englishdress we have endeavored to adhere as faith 3 fully as possible, to the simplicity of the original.l
 joined my regiment on the evening Of the 4th Sept. The Colonel, whom found bivouacing with the rest of the officers, received me at first with the hluntness of an old campaigner; but having read the letters of recommends sion with which ] had been furnished. he earessed his thick jet-black mustach- los, and with some effort to himself, ad- dressed me in tone of softness and coneiliation.
 Twas next introduced to my Captain, who had just returned with a reconnoi- terlng party. He was tall sun-burnt veteran, of a peculiarly harsh and re- puisiye countenance. He had risen from the ranks, and owed his elevation. and the cross of honor with which he is decorated, to his courage and conduct alone. 4 bullet that had made it's way through his lungs at the battle of Jena, had fortunately left no other traces of it's rayages than cracked pip ing voice, which offered strange con- trast to the gigantic proportions of his person. On learning that had just quilted the Military College at Fontaine- bleau, the soldier of fortune made a wry face. ssMy Lieutenant,' said he tswas killed yesterday" l understood the iaconic sarcasm; was not thought worthy to replace him. l had a bitter retort at my tongues end, butprudence restrained the expression of my feel ings.
 The moon rose behind the redoubt df Cheverino, which was within cannon- shot Of oaf biyouaek. The silver plan ct that evening appeared larger and more fiery than usual, and for a moment the redoubt seemed like black speck attached to her shining disk. An old soldier, who stood near me, remarked the deepened colour of the orb, which gave to the redoubt the appearance of a volcano on the point of an eruption. How red she is!' cried old Nous tache; that famous old redoubt will not be bad bargain; 'tis an infallible sigi.o ] have ever been inclined to superstition, and such prediction at such a moment, affected me with an un- comfortable sensation. l laid down, but sleep fled from my eyelids. Una ble to remain long in the same position. ! rose and took turn, my eyes invol- untarily fixed on the long range of fires that covered the heights on the other side of f the village of GheveTino.
 When my blood was sufficiently cooled by the sharp night air, returned near the fire.-Wrapping myself care fully in my cloak, ] closed my eyes, hoping to sleep soundly till morning. Morpheus was memorable. Imper- ceptibly my ideas assumed mournful hue.-A hundred thousand men cover the plain which served for my hard couch: comrade had fought beside com sade on many q glorious day; friend had tried friend in the hour of need and dan gers shared had attached more closely than yearsof ordinary fellowship. ButI stood alone amongst this vast crowd; no splendid recollections signalized my name: no record ofpast achievement H. frustrated my maiden sword; amongst these warriors grown grey under the nardnessofbattle, Icouldno claim sin gie friend. Another thought came a. cross me. l reflected that should be wounded, l should be thrown into an hospital, amidst heaps of mangled suffer- ers,a5andoned to the carelessness of igno- sant and unfeeling surgeons. Thought