Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-23
ADVENTURE ON A PIQUET.
From EnIies Recollection.

When we arrived at our position Ill the line,
twilight had not dappled in the East. de-
tachment of different regiments. amounting to 200
men, under the command OF 4 field officer, three
captains, and some subalterns, was sent to pl-
auet, and as il happened to be my turn for duty,
Twas included in the number. We then began
TO descend the face of the hill, which found
was more difficult than ascending. Before
reaching the bottom of the hill, we halted, and
placed range of sentinels in our front. When
daylight began to appear, the enemy's pi9uets
discovered our sentinels, and commenced firing
at intervals upon them. Our field-oficer imme-
diately commanded eighteen men from the lett
of the piquet, to 30 down and diSlodse that OF
the enemy from its position. As l was sta
toned in this part, was one OF the parity
Headed BY one of our captains, we began to move
forward, but had not proceeded many PAGES
when a ball from the enemy whiZZed through
NV bonnet; at this | was somewhat alarmed,
but resuming my courage, resolved to do my
duty. The firing which was now become rapid
and heavy, made us quicken our pace. To dis
lodge them was not a matter of long contest /; for
after few rounds of orr musketry they wheel
ed about and fled towards the French lines,
whittier we pursued them, before aware of our
danger. VOleys, in rapid succession, were
poured amongst us. In our career we were in
stantly checked and thrown into cOnfusion.-
To the eve the scene was now dreadful. My
companions were falling thickly around me-
The first that got his death wound was our cap
tain. Ths shot which he received, penetrated
his heart; IN strong convulsive fit he sprung
from the ground, and falling directly backwards,
Law prostrate, without making struggle or utter
my 4 sigh. Bewildered and confounded,
looked around, and found that | was left alone,
and exposed 10 the fire OF the enemy, whose
bullets were sh0wering about my head like hail
stones. Ny situation at this time may be more
easily conceived than described. j shouldered
my musket which was loaded, and retired with
haste from this field of carnage. had not pro-
ceded far, when three of the enemy's piquets,
who had concealed themselves in the adjoining
thickets, suddenly started out, presented their
muSkets at me, and fired, but missed their OBJ
iect. discharged the contents of mine at them,
but did not wait to observe if my shot had taken
effect. | then directed my course towards the
hill, pursued by my enemies, who kept conhnu-
ally firing al me having reached the foot of the
hill, l began to climb its steep side, with very
faint hope of ever attaining the summit. The
farther l advanced in my ascent the more ex-
hausted became. The day was exceedingly
warm ] had heavy knapsack upon my back,
to which was attached ponderous bill-hook that
we used in cutting down our fire-wood, and as it
happened TO be my lot to carry 1t on the prece-
ding day, got no time to deliver it up when Or
dered upon this duty. Overcome with fatigue,
was ultimately compelled to sit down, though
exposed to the greatest peril. In such an ele-
waited situation, was most prominent object to
that part Oft the French lines opposite to where
was. Before had obtained many moments re-
pose, the musket shot of the enemy was striking
every place around me, whilst remained unin-
iured. like an enchanted person from fairy-land
One of these. however, came SO nigh my person
that it carried away the shoulder-strap of my
knapsack, at tins circumstance, which deemed
sufficient warning for me TO proceed, rose up
and collecting all the strength had, strained
every nerve till reached the main body of the
piquet. The commander, to whom my appear
ance excited the greatest alarm, asked me with
surprise, what had become of all the rest and
inquired particularly about the captain. To
these interrogatories was utterly unable to make
any reply. My jaws were parched, and my
tongue considerably swollen; Tor that morning
having fired above 20 rounds, the gunpowder
which got into my mouth by biting the ends of
the cartridges, increased my thirst. Seeing the
state in which was, he hastily exclaimed, '.my
God, if / have one drop of rum in my flask, you
shall have it, Then selling his flask, he shook
it. and to his great delight found it to contain
some Of that genial beverage. Having filled a
glass he put it into my hands when had drunk
It instantly experienced its salutary Effects
My tongue, which was formerly deprived ofmois-
ture, now received abundance of 1t. and l was
enabled to rehearse to him the tale of VICE. at the
recital of which he was exceedingly affected
Being again served with seventy rounds Of car
tridges, took my station in the picquet, which
shortly after commenced firing down upon the
light troops of the enemy. BY this time the skir-
mishng had become general along the front of
the whole line, and numerous individuals were
dropping their mortal vesumepts to appear before
the tribunal of the Omnipotent. One Of my ac-
ouaintances, who had his station next me, receiv-
ed shot in his left eye; he fell back upon the
rock. where. after a few short strs Hes, he ex-
PRED. After firing two rounds, and in the act of
dis,harging third-after his fall-the flint Of
my frelock gave way-a circumstance which In
daced me 70 fall out, in order to replace it. sIhe
officer who commanded the company demanded
my intendonsfo doing so: told him; heseem-