Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-10-24
THE DESER1ERs

The following narrative was found among the
Cumberland.
There were in the - regiment
two young soldiers above the common
level, both from the same place, town
in Lancashire; and each had much
friendship for the other. They had
enlisted together, through different mo-
tives; they marched together, and were
inhabitants of the same tent. One,
whom shall call the lorer, had enroll
ed hisname through an uncasiness from
being disappointed in what he thought
all his happiness was centered; the
marrying of a sweet girl of his own
town, by whom he was much beloved.
Her relations were inexorable, and his
hopes in vain. The other, lad of
spirit, believing a soldiers life such as
the recruiting officer had described it,
willing to see wars, accompany his
friend, and serve his country, likewise
accepted the kings pictures; and was
called the volunteer. lie was the on
ly son of his mother, and she widow;
she was much grieved at this step,
which he had taken without her privity
or consent; but being in an easy situa-
ton, and not wanting his assistance for
her support, she lamented only through
affection for him, the widow sent forth
her son with tears and blessings; the
maid eyed her lover from distant win
dow Ga nearer approach not being per-
mitted), and beat time to his steps with
her heart, till he was out of sight; and
then sent her soul after him in deep
sigh. They had not been long in the
camp before the volunteer had woful
proof of the wide difference between
the ideal gentleman and soldier which
he had dressed up in his imagination,
and the miserable, half starved food for
powder. AS for the lover, he was in
sensible to the hardships of the body;
the agitation of his mind absorbed his
whole attention. In vain had he en-
deavored to fly from the object of his
love; he brought his person only, leav-
ing his thoughts and his heart behind
him, and was absent from himself in
the noise and hustle of the day, at ST.
lent midnight watch, or when stretched
upon his bed at night. They commu-
nicated their situations to each other,
and took the fatal resolution to desert.
Thus winged by love and urged by
fear, the hills of Scotland flew from
their heels; and they had arrived at
village within mile of their own town
when they were overtaken by horse
pursuit, and reconductedto their camp.
4 court martial was held and they
were condemned to die; but the Gene
| raj ordered, as is usual in such cases,
that they should cast lots, and only one
of them suffer. AT the appointed time
the ring was formed, the drum placed
in the centre, with the box and dice
upon its head, and the dellnquents
made to enter.
The horrors which sat brooding on
their souls the preceding night, and
were now overwhelming them, at the
lawful crisis, were strongly painted IN
their pallid countenances. Their
friendship was real and sincere, but
not that fabulous and heroic kind as to
wish to die for each other; each wish
ed TO live; and each was disquieted at
the thought, that his safety must be
bnilt ON the death of his friend. They
alternately requested each other TO be-
gin. The lover looked earnestly at
the little instruments OF death, took