The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-12-12

During this dry myself narrowly escaped being
killed by oar own dragons, for, some how other,
in the confusion, fell while they charging and
the whole squadron thundernn past, jus, missed me-
ash lay among the dead and wounded Tired and
overweighted with my knnpsuck and all my shoema-
king implements | lay where had fallen for a short
time, and watched the cavalry they gained the en-
envy observed fine, gallant looking officer lead
ing them on in that charge. lie was brave felow,&
bore himselflike hero; with his sword waving in the
he air ,cheercd the upon he dashing upon
the enemy and hewing and slashng them in a ire
mendous style. watched for him as the dragons
came off from that charge, but sqp him 10 mo,c-he
had fallen! Fine fellow his conduct made an i'm
preston that shall never forget and was
told afterwards that he brother Of Sir John Euston
French soldier lying beside me at this time;
he was badly wounded; and hearing him moan as he
lay after had done looking tue cavalry, turned
my attention TO him, and ge,tng..up lifted his head,
and poured some water into his mouth. lie was dy-
ing fast; bat he thanked me in foreign language,
which, although did not exactly undersiaud,I could
easily make out by the look he gave me. Mullins,
of the rifles, who stepped up while | supported his
head, cail'd me fool for my pains. .'Beuer knock
out his brains, Harris" said he; she has done us
mischief enough, l be bound for il, to-day.
After the battle sroled about the field, in order
to see fthere any thing 10 be found worth pick
ing up among the dead. The first thing saw was
pronged silver fork, which as it lay by itself had
most likely been dropped by some person who had
been on the look out before me- latte further on
saw French soldier sitting against a small rise IN
the ground, or bank. lie wounded in the throat
and appeared very faint the bosom of his coat being
saturated with blood which flowed down. BY his
side lay his cap. and close that lay n bundle
containing quantity Of gold and silver crosses, ard
which concluded he had pundered from some con-
vent church. lie looked the picture Of sacrlig-
ious thief, dyng hopelcssly, and oyeraken by Di-
vne wrath kicked over his cap. which was also
full Of plumber, but declined taking anything from
him. felt fearful OF mourning the wrath of Heaven
for the like ofence-so left him and passed on -
little further lay officer OF the 5Oth regiment
| knew him by sight, and recognized him as he lay.
He was quite dead, and lying his back lie had
Leen plundered, and his clothes were torn open -
Three bullet holes close together in the pit Of
his stomach: beside him luy an empty pocket book,
and his epauletie had been pulled from lis shoulder.
had moved on but few PAGES, when recolect-
ed that perhaps the officers shoes might serve me-
my own being considerably the worse for wear so !
returned again, went back, pulled one of his shoes
off, aud knclt down 10 try il on. It was not much
better :han my own-however, I determined on the
exchange. and proceeded to take of its fellow ASH
did so startled by the sharp report of freloc'
and at the same moment bullet whisiled close By
my head Instantly starting up, Il turned and looked
in the direction whence the shot had come. There
was no person near me in this part Of the field The
dead aud dying lay ihickly all around but nothing
else could see. looked TO the printing Of my rife,
and again termed to the dead officer OF the 5Oth II
was evident that some plundering scoundre had taxi
shot at me, and the fact of his doing so pro-
claimed him one of the enemy. To distinguish him
amongst the bodies srewn about was impossible; per
haps he nigh, hinsc'fbe one of the wounded Hard
ly had effected the exchange put on the dead OFF,
GERS Shoes and resumed my rife when another sho,
took place, aud second ball whsted past me. This
time was ready, and, turning quickly, saw my
man; he was just about TO squat down behind small
mound, about twenty PAGES from took hap
hazard shot ut him, and instantly knocked him over
Immediately ran up to him; lie had fallen on bis
face, and heaved him over on his back bestrode his
body, and drew my sword bayouet There was
however, occasion for the precauion, as he was
even then in the ngonies of death.
1t was a relief to to find had not been n,is,a.
KEN lie was French light infantry man, and
therefore took it quite in the way of business-he had
attempted my fe and los, his own. /! was the for
tune of war; STOPPING down, with my sword cut
the green string that sustained his caIabash and took
a hearty pull to quench my thirst.