The Arkansas advocate., 1830-05-26

who was lame with Q wound received in the old French var, encouraged us by his animation. Now,n said he, < the time is come. Go, my boys, and do your best"
 We had no time for sad reflections, so we ran hastily to the meeting house, where the rest of our number were al- ready collected by the light of lanterns. With your ideas of military show, you might in a ealmer moment have smiled at our display. The younger men were gathered in groups round certain vete- rans who rejoieed in that opportunity ol fighting their battles over again; but the arrival of the colonel broke up their conference. He came not in state with his staff around him, but with that sign of authority in hishand. He was a man whose equanimitY nothing ever disturb cd, and an free confess that hear tiiy envied him, when heard his quiet tones calling to his men to mind their business; and when he had sufficiently arranged their ranks, saying, "Come, we'd as goods go along Along he went, as quietly as lie had followed his plough that day, but there were hearts among his followers that were sorely op- pressed by the excitement of the scene.
 We moved in darkness and silence on the road to Lexington. As we came near the town, we thought we heard the sound of some unusual motion, and as the day began to dawn, were on the watch to discover the cause, when sud denly, as we turned the base of a hill. the martial music burst upon the ear, and the bright eolors, and long red files of the British army came full in view.
 IS if by one consent, we all stood still for a time; and declare to you. that helpless as we were in comparison 10 such a force, and young as l was for such encounters, the nomentfsaW what the danger wass l felt at once relieved. and nothing doubting that an engage meat must take place, !onged fer it to begin.
 In few moments we heard the sound of irregular firing, and saw our country men dispersing la all directions. Then our senior officers gave orders-not af- tera military sort, but still the best that could be given on such an occasion-for each man to go into the fields and fight "upon= his own hoolz.n This was done at once, and with surprising execution.
 ! close fire vas poured ia on the regu- lars from all quarters, though not an A. merican was to be seen. They fired passionately and at random, but every moment they saw their best men falling {; and found themselves obliged to retreat without revenge. Closely did we fol- low them throughout that day. EJn- used as we were to blood, we feltea tri- umph when each one of our enemies fell. received two balls in my clothes. and one passed through my hat, but so engaged was l in fighting, that l hardly noticed them at the time.
 When my powder was gone, I went out on the track of the retreating army, with high heart and burning cheek assure you. The first oi the fallen that saw before me was a young officer, not older than myself, who had received d wound in the breast, and was laying by the wayside. There was a calm reposc in the expression of his features, which have often seen in those who died with gunshot wounds; his lips were gently parted, and he seemed like one neither dead nor sleeping, but profoundly wfapt in medltatlons on distant scenes and friends. 1 went up to him with the same proud feeling which had main- tained throughout the battle; but when saw him laying there in his beauty, and thought of all the hopes that were crushed by that blow, of those who were dreaming of him as one free from dan- ger, and waiting the happy moment that Was to restore him to their arms; and, more than all, when ] thought that might have been the cause of all this destruction, my heart relented within me, and confess to you that sat down by that poor youth and wept like a child. l left the spot with the heavy steps of one that feels the weight o! blood upon his head, and returned to my fathers house resolved to expiate my crime. The image of that youth, pale and bleeding, was before my eyes, by day, and at my bedside by night, for weeks after, and in every wind l thought heard the voice the ayenger of blood.
 And did you fight no more, father9
 Oh! yes my boy. As soon as Boston