Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-01-14

or history with acts of splendid heroism.
Take the Battle Of Waterloo, for instance
the last and most memorable trial Of their ri
val prowess.--Nothin could surpass the bril-.
liant daring on tho one side, and the steadfas
enduring on the other. The French cavalry
broke like waves on the compact squares OF
English infantry. They were seen gallopinc
round those serried walls of men, seeking in
VAIN Tor an entrance, tossing their arms in the
AR In the heat OF their enthusiasm. and brav-
Ing the whole front Of battle. Tho British
troops on the other hand, forbidden to move
orhre, stood firm and enduring. Their col
umns were ripped up by canonry; whole
rows were swept down at shot, the survivors
closed their ranks, and stood through the pclt-
ing OF the iron tempest without firing shot:
without any action TO stir their blood, or ex-
cite their spirits. Death thnned their ranks
but could not shake their souls.
beautiful instance of the quick and gene-
rous impulses to which the French are prone.
is given in the case of a French cavalier. in
the hottest of the action, charging furiously
upon British officer, but perceiving in the
moment OF assault that his adversary had lost
his sword-arm, dropping the point of his sa-
pre-; and courteously riding on. Peace be
WIN That generous warrior, whatever were
his fate. If he wen, down in the storm Of
battle, with the foupdering fortunes of his
chleitain, may the turf of Waterloo. GROW
green above his grave and happier far
would be Tie fate ofsuch spirit to sink amidst
the tempest, unconscious of defeat, than TO
survive, and mourn over the bligh,cd laurels
OF his country.
In this way the two armies fought through
long and bloody day. The French with en-
ihusiastic valor, the nglish with cool, intlex
lble courage, until Fate, as if to leave the
question of superiority still undecided be-
tween two such anniversaries, brought up the
i,russlans to decide the fortunes of the field.
III was several years afterward, that visit
ca the field of Waterloo. The plouehshare
had been busy with its Obvious iabours. and
the frequent harvest had nearly obiterated the
vesliges ofwar. Still the blackcned ruins of
Hoguemont stood, monumental nile. to
mark the violence OF this vehement STRUGGLE.
us broken walls pierced by bullets, and Shat
tered by explosions, showed-ihe deadly strife
mat had taken place within; when Gaul and
britain, hemmed In between narrow walls.
liand TO hand and foot to foot, fought from
garden TO courtyard, from court y ard 10 cham
Der, with intense and concentrated rivalsbip.
Columns OF smoke turned from this vortex of
battle as from volcano; lit was,' said nv
guide, 'like hell upon earth' Not Far of.
two or three broad spots of rank, unwbole.
some green still marked the places where
these rival warriors. after their fioroe and ct
'Gi S''ussIe' slept quietly together in the lap
oil their common mother earth. Over all the
rest OF the held, peace had resumed its SWAY.
Inc thoughtiess whistle of the peasant float
cd On the air, instead Of the trumpet's clan
gor; the team slowly labored up the Hill side.
once shaken by the hoofs Of rushing souad.
Tons; and wide fields Of corn waved peaceful
y over the soldiers graves, as summer seas
u.imPie over the place where many tall ship
lies buried.