The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-12-18

non-balls, and rolling themselves V9th
agonized strength in their own gore. In|
the midst of this awful scene we were
disgusted by the profane jokes ofa pri
vaie, who kept capering and throwing
his arms about in mockery, whenever a
ball came flying our way. He had even
gone 50 fur as to fasten false beard TO
his chin and we we're all wishing to see
his indecencies put stop to, when ball
struck him. and carried off both his
beard and portion of his face. Awful
as the sight was, it excited n general
laugh. 1t was 4 o'clock, when an ad-
jutant informed us that we should soon
be engaged.-We sang one of Korner's
battle hymns, and had scarcely finished
it, and formed our lines, when Blucher,
thusiasm with which the hoary coinman-
der was greeted conld not dispel the
gloom which hovered on his brow, and
which told us that we had hot day be-
fore US. Now the longed for moment
arrived, when we volunteers were order.
ed for ward. With loud hurras, we rush
ed against the village Of Ligny, which
was then crowded with enemies, but
were soon startled at the sight of ra-
vine which separated us from the place.
Tie major, who was riding behind us,
and composedly smoking his pipe, mere
ly said, "Children, do honor to your
regiment J" when we to a man jumped
or slid down into tho hollow and climb
ing up the other side, broke, whereyer
we could, through the hedges, out of
which discharge of n,usketry received
us. Separated by tho plantation, with
which each Of the houses was surround
ed, every one had now to fight on his
own guidances The village was inter-
sected by deep brook, in which, how
ever, there was, AT that time, but little
water and the communication between
the two sides was kept up by means Of
single planks laid across the stream.
1t was a murderous fight. Shots
fell from every aperture of the houses.
between and behind which the French
kept up a constant firing in columns,
while cannon balls were pouring down
on us from neighboring eminence, and
several houses were on fire.-This hail
storm Of balls, which every moment
scattered brickbats, tiles, and branches
of trees about us, startled even the oldest
warriors. Ifell in at the gap of II hedge,
with four soldiers, none of whom SEEM
ed willing to pass first. Their sneers at
the "young yager" made me take the
lead, and l stepped over the corpse Of
an enemy, whom our shots had just kill
ed cast q melancholy look at the
pale face of the dead soldier, who was
Immediately rifled of his watch by the
man who followed me. We got near
house, which was attacked on all sides
and expelled by fire and smoke, six
grenadiers rushed out Of it, Offering n
close front, and presenting their bayo-
nets to US. More than twenty shots
were fired, and they sank, one aaer the
other, to rise no more. was taking aim,
when IA fellow-soldier, who was just load
ing his musket, called my attention to
Frenchman, who was quietly kneeling
in an open shed, strapping his knapsack,
as if he was preparing for a parade.
"Take of that one," said the soldier. 81
will not" ] replied; but, at the Same
moment, some shots from another quar-
ter stretched the defenceless man on the
ground. The battle continued. With
out hope of coming out Of it alive, con-
.inued firing, aud sheltered myself be-
hind trees for about three hours, which
passed to me like SO many minutes, with
out my being aware, that on both sides
Of me, our troops had been twice driven
back by the furious onsets and the supe-
rior numbers of the enemy. 1t might be
about seven in the evening, when COM
rade called out to me, "Yager, look to
your left" Iquickly turned in that -di-
rection, and perceived party of French
men rushing down towards us; and at
the same time saw our major giving
the signal Of retreat, which was repeat
ed by the bugle. The narrow bridge
over which we had to pass was choked
with people. and we stopped for SOME
time, exchanging shots with the enemy.
At last we were compelled to think Of
our;own safety ;one Of our officers bold
ly leaped into the ditch, aud was woun-
ded, followed him, and got safely upon
the opposite bank, and behind some
trees, where l was sheltered. Perhaps
l might have go, off unhurt, but at this
momsn a wounded friend called for my
assistance, and while l was Fastening
towards him, three shots we're fred at
me, the first missed, the second sepera-
ted both my bandoleers across my chest
and the third hit me under the lance, g.
tore the muscle of the leg.-Trans.
from the German in the AthenGum.