The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-03-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
From, S,nsm's Magasine.
AN INCIDENT OF WATERLOO,
BY J. t. HEADLEY.

FEW months since, as'standing on the
field Of Waterloo, on the anniversary day of that
great battle. The fields were waving with the
ripenng grain, just as they we're on that memo
rable morning, before rodden down by the char
gng squadrons. As | stood where Wellington
stood, on the ridge occupied by the English lines,
and surveyed the entire field, and looked down on
the narrow valley where the fate of all Europe
was once put up and batted for, world Of con
flicting emotions struggled for mastery within me
The magnihcence and pomp of that stern attray
were before me, and my ear seemed distinctly
TO catch the first cannon shot thai opened the
conflict Far on the right comes down on Hou-
goument, Jerome Bonaparte, with his twelve thou
sand men. A sheet of fire runs along the walls
of the chateau, and q gap opens in the advancing
columns of the foe. Its mangled head mel,s
like ffost-work before the destructive fire. The
smoke of battle covers them from sight, and rolls
up the valley, and 10, see nothing but the me
lee of horses and riders, tho tossing of banners,
and the soaring of the French eagle amid the
cloud Of war. and hear nought but the roar Of
artillery, the braying of trumpets, the blast of tho
bugle sounding the charge, and the heavy shock
Of cavalry.
Amid the confusion and terror of scene ike
this, which the Imagination Will call up on such
battle field, how naturally does the mind rest on
some single character, or incident, and gather
around it all the interest Of the fight. II may
not be so with others, but find it true of myself
in all circumstances. remember, when stand
ing on the top of the colonade of st. Peters
and looking down at the tens of thousands, that
were waiting the blessing of the Pope. forgot
all in a poor pilgrim beggar and his boy, that re-
.clined on the ample steps. Their distant home
among the Italian hills, their weary aspect as
they slumbered there in the sunlight, and their
sudden starting up as the blast of solitary trum-
pet announced the approach of his ".Holiness, :"
formed the ground work of scene more touch
ing than the one before me. So il was here. In
the church of the little hamlet of Waterloo, ly
ing on the edge of this field, are multitude of
tablets, placed above officers who fell in this bat
te. Among them is one recording the death of
a mere boy, who formed one of Wellngton's
suite. The epitnph closes with-"he ;DaS eigh.
teen yeGrs old, and this was his Twentieth battle"
gazed on it with feelings of the profoundest
melancholy. So young and yet so tried. Train
ed amid the smoke and thunder of battle, accus-
toned almost from infancy to scenes of carnage
and cruelty, what moral effect it must have had
upon his character. An angel could not abide
such discipline. walked over the field with an
English officer Of rank and CLEANED from him the
following incidents Of his life, which have filled
up.
Young Gordon (my memory may be wrong
here respecting the name, it having become ille-
gibe in my note book, was the second son of a
distinguished English family. He had obtained
a place in Wellington's suite, though a mere
Il L.L s,;tk H., D.
ninsular campaign. He was fitted by nature for
soldier Enthusiastic, bold and strangely am
bilious, the excitement of battle and the occa-
sions il gave for distinguishing himself was his
delight. Around his frank and open countenance
clustered ringlets of chestnut hair while his blue
Saxon eye spoke at once the generosity aud fire
of his ardent nature. He had one only sister, the
very reverse Of him in everything but her strong
and generous feelings. Frail as the flower that
10 born and matured in single night, her very
face reminded one Of an early grave. II was Of
that deleacy and almost spiritual transparency,
which make you shrink as you think of the first
shock Of life. You look around in vain for some
shelter for such flower Her eye was large
and the very soul Of tenderness, telling without
disguise, and painfully distinct, that affection was
her life. Next in birth to the young soldier, all
her extravagant feelings and yearning affection
had centered in him. His bold and often reck.
less conduct had caused her many pang as they
played together in childhood, while his generous
love as he would come and fling his arms around
her neck and kiss away her tears, had bound heI
70 him with cords of iron. She loved him with
that utter abandonment of heart, being consti
taied as she was, always lovesy and he retained
itwith Allthe strength Of his brave young heart
She was al faith and timidity; be all hope and
courage. Thus had they passed their childhood
together, and when they came 10 part, her hear
sank like smit;en blossom to the blow, AS he
glanced over hisrich uniform and sword flashing