Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-17


lamps 10 guide him as he galloped over the
uneven field. We will not say his bold
young heart did no, beat ,rine faster, as
the darkness through which he rode was
suddenly made dazzling bright by the ar
tllery, whose roar caused even his we'll
trained war horse to start, while the earth
was ploughea up in every direction by the
shot-but we ,piN say, he did not faller or
hesitate, but delivered his order safely and
well. On his return, just as he entered on
The place of danger, cannon ball struck
his horses flank, shattered it to fragments
and sending the blood and entrals all over
his face and uniform. He himself was
thrown several yards, and for momen,
ly stunned by the blow. When he recov-
cred, however, he boldly crossed the field
,raversed by the shot, and arrived safety
al Wellington's tent. AS he stood with
cap in hand, pale, and covered with blood
and mangled flesh, the Duke thought for a
moment he was drea1iuly Wounded, but
as he listened TO his accoun, Of The matter,
he warmly compimenied his gallantry.--
From that moment he became still more
anxious 10 distinguish himself, and IN sew
eral Instances nearly lost his life. a
sword cut over his left eye had left scar,
of which he was as proud as he would have
been of two epaule,ts. No curl was ever
allowed 10 fall over IL, and he was half
vexed TO think the surgeon had cured the
wound so effectually.
AT length, after year or more Of hard
fighting, he returned TO England, before
Wellington joined the allied forces on the
Continent. 1t was hurried visit, but
memorable one TO his sister, now grown
still more delicate than before She folded
him again in her arms, and wept as if her
heart would break. Many long night
had she lain awake, imagining her
brother now in the headlong and ruinous
fight, and now pale and wounded, gaspng
on the plain. The terrible scenes of bat
tie she had so pictured 10 herself, had shat
tered her over delicate frame, end she had
become doubly sensitive; while the scenes
of blood he had passed through, and the
ioughness OF the camp life had bunted his
feelings, and made her childish terrors an
moving and foolish Yet he loved her as
his idol, and when he parted from her, he
tied her miniature around his neck. Tha,
separation was the browning agony to her.
She told him they should never NEE, again,
that his body would be left on The battle
field of the stranger. 1t was in vain he at
tempted to calm her grief-a foreboding
like the spirit Of prophecy crushed every
hope, and she saw him depart with the
same feelings she would have seen The
grave over him. lhave sometimes thought
these strangely sensitive and spiritual be-
ings had almost the gift of second sight
that coming cvents' TO them do literally
seas, their shadows before" From III al,
moment she never SIN led, but faded grad
ually away. The whole story, together
with the eptaph, had made profound i'm
preston on my feelings, and as stood on
the field of battle ard called up the terrific
scenes of that terrific day, his form con-
stituied the fore ground Of the picture
The morning OF the battle was damp and
heavy. but rot SO the spirits of the young
Gordon. As he stood beside the Duke and
looked on the magnificent AIRY before him.
he determined his name should be inter-
woven with the history Of tina, day, The
great battle OF Europe was TO be fought
All lis kings stood looking IN with breath
less interest, for their thrones were at
stake. The feelings Of those two great
military cheltains themselves, as they
thus, for the first time, stood face 10 face,
and bailled for a Continent, Weress scarcely
more stirred than his. From the moment
he saw the head Of that gallent column,
which Jerome Ronapart led down on Hou-
goumont, melt away before the destructive
fire within, all the fury O.! tiger seemed
reused within him. He wanted 10 be some
where, he cared moi liz what capacity,
where the onset was made. He was moi
compelled long to wait. The heavy can
nonading that soon opened the whole length
of the lines-the terrible charges made by
the French cavalry soon gave him work TO
do. He was sent hilher and ihther, with
orders, while the sho; fell around him like
hail stones. He looked on bis pierced uni
form and foam covered sieed with kind
ling eye. The pressing danger now be-
coming moe imminant on every side, the
Duke led on in person several distinct
charges. This wa, the browning point OF
young Gordon's wishes. He charged be-
side the Duke with the impetuos,y Of a
veteran, and whenever danger threatened
his beloved commander, spurreo headlong
mic il. In the midst OF terrible carnage,
Sir alexander Gordon rode up 10 the Duke,
and expostulaied with him on thus exposing
his lie, when every thing rested on his
safety.
While he was thus pleading for the life
Of another, bulle; pierced him and he fell.
Young Gordon Immediately spurred into
his footsteps. and placed himself so az to
protect the Duke from the greatest apprer,
danger. The weary veteran regarded him
with smile of affection, and then rs he
wiped The sweat from mis- brow, exclaimed
ooh that Butcher or night would comet:
/ The next moment an immense body
of French cavarl. came laundering down
on one the English squares. 1t had al
leady tecome weakened by the loss oil
"haie ranks which the French artillery
had moved down, but wlihsiood the despe.
rate shock with true British bravery The
French came downon plunging tror. ther
breaking into gallon, fell like rock up
on if. Like that rock hurled back from thu