The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-07-31

Of 100 or 500 Turks. An equal number
fell OH their side, from the lmpetuosty OF
their charge, and the fire of our carbines.
In the confusion that had succeeded, re-
ceived eight sabre wounds, as well from
friends as enemies: my horse was mortal
ly wounded; he fell on my right leg, and
pinned me to the ground. The flashes o!
pistols threw light OH the scene Of car
mage. l raised my eyes, and saw OuI
men defending themselves with the cour-
age of despair. But the Turks, intoxicat-
ed with opium, made horrible massacre
ofthem; very soon not single Austrian
was left standing. The victors seized the
horses that were still fit for service; first
pillaged the dead and wounded, and then
began to cut off their heads, and put them
into sacks, which they had expressly
brotght for the purpose. My situation
was not very enviablc. In the regiment
of Seeker we in general understood the
Turkish language. heard them eficour-
age each other to finish the business be-
fore any succours should arrive, and not
to leave ducat Behind; adding, that there
ought to be 200. Hence It appears that
their Information must haue been very accu-
rate. Whilst they were passing over me,
while legs, arms and balls were flying over
my herd, my horse teceived ohe, which
caused him to make a convulsive motion
My leg was disengaged, and l instantly
conceived the idea Of throwing myself, if
possible, among the reeds of the morass.
had observed that several of c"y men,
who had attempted it, were taken, but the
firing had slackencd, and the darkness in
spired me with hope. had 10 yards to
60, but had reasoh to apprehend that l
should sink in the morass. l nevertheless
leaped over men and horses; Knocked
down more than one Of the Turks, who
extended their arms to catch me, and made
several blows at me with their sabres; but
my good fortnne, and my agility, enabled
me to reach the marsh. l sunk at first no
higher than my knees; in this manner
proceeded about twenty PAGES among the
reeds, and then stobbea, exhausted with
fatigue. Iheard Turk exclaim, " Ar
infidel has escaped; let Us look for himn
+" 1t is impossible that he can be in the
moross," replied the other. know
not whether they continued their conver
sation, hut heard nothing more; faintet
away with the loss of blood, and in thi
state 1 remained several hours, for whel
came to myself the sun was air ead
high.
"I had sunk into the fnorass up to tho
waist; my hair stood erect when ! recol
lected the image the night, and the 20tl
[ of August was one of my first ideas.
counted my wounds, which were eight il
number, but none ofthem dangerous; the,
were given with sabres' on the arms, th'
f breast and the back. AS the nights ar!
very cold in that country, wore thicl
: pelisse, whichha deadened the blows.
! was, however, extremely weak. listen
, ed: the Turks had been long gone. Froi,
Y time to time heard the groans of wound
= ed horses on the field of battle; as to tn
E men, the Turks had taken care ofthem.
j :" attemptedctn extricate myself fron
f the place In which was; and this nc
e complished II III little more tha
o one hour. Though war with tn
n Turks bldhis the edge Of sensibility,
It felt an emotion Of fear lonely as l was
It when cast my eyes beyond the reeds.
: advanccd-my eyes we're directed toward
s the scene of massacre, but words are in
S adequate to express my terror on feelin,
: myself suddenly seized by the Erm turn
h ed my head, aud behcld an Arnaut, 81
feet high, who had come back to see If h
e could pick UP any thing else. Never wa
It hope more cruelty disappointed. ad
: dressed him IN Turkish language, "Tak
y nv watch, my money, my dniorm;' sal
n l., "but my iiGc." "All those belong t
= me-" said he, and your head into tn
1t barsain.'' He Immediately tinted tn
e string of my Hussar cap, and then my era
: vat. was unarmcd, and insapable {
% defending myself; at tire slightest move
is ment he would have plunged his cutlas
d into my bosom. ! threw my arms roun
Is his body, supplicating his compassion
J. whilst he endeavored TO uncover my necl
h Have compassion on me-" said /, "m
r, family is rich, make me your prisone
y and you shall have large ransom. GO
IN will be too long to wait for that" "erl
% hold yourself siih h moment that | ma
: cut" and he was already taking out m
'e shirt pin.
lt Meanwhile / still hung round him;