The native American., 1839-03-16

throwing his arms about in mockery whenever a
ball came flying our way. He had even gone so
far as 10 fasten false beard 10 his chin; and we
were all wishing to see lis 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 general laugh.
TWAS four o'clock when an adutant 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 Butcher,
with his suite, came up to us. The enthusiasm
with which the hoary commander was greeted
could not dispel the gloom which lowered on his
brow, and which told us all that we had a hot eay
before us. Now the longed-for moment arrived,
when we volunteers were ordered forward
With loud hurras we rushed against The village Of
Ligny, which was then crowded with enemies,
but were soon startled at the sight of a ravine
which separated us from the place. The major,
who was riding behind MS, and composedIy smok-
ing his pipe, merely said, Children, do honor to
the regmentv when we,s TO man, jumped or
slid down into the hollow, and, climbing up on
the opposite side, broke, wherever we could
through the hedges, out Of which discharge OF
musquetry received us. Separated by the plan
tation with which each house was surrounded
every one had now to fight by his own guidance
The village was intersected by deep brook, in
which, however, there was at the time but little
water; and the communication between the two
sides was kept up by means of single planks laid
across the stream. \ # aa \ iii was
a murderous fight. Shots fell from every aper-
ture OF the houses, between and behind which
the French kept up constant firing in columns,
while cannon balls were pouring down on us from
neighboring eminence, and several houses were
on fire. This hailstorm Of balls, which every
ALL IL
Of trees about us, startled even the oldest war
riors. fell in, at the gap Of hedge, with four
soldiers, none Of whom seemed willing 10 pass
first. Their sneers at the young Wager made
me take the lead, and Istepped over the corpse of
an enemy, whom our shots had Just killed.
cast melancholy look at the pale face Of the dead
soldier, who WINS Immediately rifed Of his watch
by the man who followed me.
9 We got near house which was attacked on
all sides, and, expelled by fire and smoke, six
grenadiers rushed out Of it, offering close 'front.'
and presenting their bayonets to us. More than
twenty shots were fired, and they sank, one after
the other, TO rise no more. ] was taking aim,
when fellow soldier, who was just loading his
musket, called my attention to a Frenchman who
was quietly kneelng in an open shed, Swapping
his knapsack, as if he was preparing for parade.
g Take off that one - said the soldier. Il will
T
shots from another quarter stretched the defence
less man on the ground. The
battle continued. Without hope Of coming out
of it alive, continued firing and sheltering my
self behind trees for about three hours, which
passed TO me like SO many minutes, without my be-
ing aware that on both sides Of me our troops had
been twice driven back by the furious onsets and
the superior numbers of the enemy. Itmight be
about seven in the evening, when a comradel
called out to me, Wager, look to your leftp II
quickly turned in that direction, and perceived al
narfv of Franchr,na ,,rh;.a 49, -
and, at The same time, saw our major giving the
signal Of retreat, which was repeated by the bu-
gle. The narrow bridge over which we had toI
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 boldly leapcd into the
ditch, and was wounded / followed him, and
got safely mp the opposite bank, and behind some
trees, where was sheltered. Perhaps might
have got off unhurt; but at this moment wound
ed friend called for my assistance, and while II
was Fastening towards him, three shots were fred
at me; the first missed, the second separated
both my bandoleers my chest, and the third
hit me under the knee and tore the muscle of the
leg"
Il