The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-06-26


My captain. Pole by birth, was braSU
steel, but harsh and rough an the sound Of
name He was deficient in the finer feelingp
the heart, in philanthropy, and in . due app
citation Of the worth Of bis fellow men.
though good comrade TO Us young of6cers,
was a tyrant to his interiors His envy sn4V
jealousy Of his suPcriors he barely concealed
under an almost exaggerated courtesy. Such
" a. Captain Won y.
II was the eve of the battle Of Leipzig. and
violent gust Of wind had overthrown the fragile
bivoaac huts, at that time our only protection
from the cold and vet Of the October nights
The rain fell in torrents, and, In all haste, the
soldiers set TO work 10 reconstruct their tempo
rary shelter. The more cunning and unscru-
pulous took advantage Of the prevailing eonfH-
sion to consult their own advantage, withou;
respect 10 the rights Of Others. The objects
which they had coveted, and occasionally pill
Jagged. wsuld. under other circumstances. have
been Of little worth: they consisted Of straw,
branches, and stakes, invaluable in the oons,ruc-
ton OF our frail tenemen,s. As in duty bound.
our military architects hrst built up the cap
tains hut, within which ne took refuge. sste-
ordering remain outside and preserve
order. As Junior officer Of the company. this
fatigue duty fairly fell to me. in like manner
the first turn for an honorable service belonged
to the senior; but, nevertheless, felt vexec a;
the captains order. and could no, help wishing
him some small piece OF iil-luck. NV wish Was
very soon realised.
Our majors hut, more carefully and strongly
constructed, had resisted the hurricane: IL stood
close beside that Of the captain. The malorwas
long since asleep and snoring; but his servant,
a cunning, careful dog, was still a foot. anc
watching his opportunity 10 get possession Of a
long bean stick, TO be used as an additional prop
to the already solid ecifce under which h;s
master slumbered. The unIacky marauder hac
not remarked that this stake formed one of the
supports Of the captains dormiiory. He seized
and pulled IL violently, and down came the hut,
burying its inmate under the ruins. There vas
a shout OF laughter from the spectators OF the
downfall. and then the Pole disengaged himself
from the wreck, cursing awfully, and rushet
upon the unfortunate fellow who had psyec
him the trick. Pale and trembling the deiin-
9ueni awaited his fate ; but his cry Of terror
brought him assistance from his master. who
suddenly stepped forth in bis night dress, larg.
grey cavalry cloak thrown about him. and
white cloth bound round his head. The MAJOR
was an excellent anG kind hearted man, loved
like father BY his men, but subject to occasion
al fits Of uncomfortable passion, which made
him lose sight Of all propriety and restraint.
Without investigation he q, once took his ser
wants side against the captain, IN which he was
certninly wrong. seeing that his worthy domes-
tic had been caught in the very act OF theft.
He snatchet tho bean stick from the mans
hand the captain already grasped the other
end and, for some minutes, there they were.
major and captain, pulling, and tugging. and
reeling about the bivouac, not like men, ba; like
brace Of unmannery bows Myself and tho
soldiers we're witnesses of this singular encounf
er. Accustomed to regard our superiors with
fear and respect. We now behold them in the
most childish and ludicrous position. Aston
ishment kept motionless and silent. At last
the captain made violent effort to wrest the
pole from his antagonist: the major held firm,
and resisted with all his strength. when, sud
denly, his opponent let 60 his hold. and eur
Gajor, a little round man. measured his length
In the mud. In an instant he was on his feet
again Throwing away the bean stick, and
row." said he. eve will settle this like men
here We have been like fools and you, captain,
q malicious fool.''
IL accep, your invitation with pleasure" re-
piled the captain, e. and trust next meeting
will be with bullets. But, for to-day, the pole
is mine," and he seized IL triumPhansly-
Certainly; yours to-day" reiorted tho
major. "To-morrow We will tight it out upon
nv dirty cloak"
however, between MAJOR and captain. but be-
tween French and Russians. Silent We stood
in deep dark masses, listening to the music Of
the bullets "Firm and steady was the COM
mand Of our little malor--of the same man
who, few hours before had playcd q childish
part Skirmishers were called In. and a charge
| with the bayonet ordered. The foe abandoned
| the first position. Animated by success, We at
| tackled the second. Our bat,-''- hurried on
| from one success to another, my gallant
captain was ever the first TO c'.- IN The minu-
| test particular, the orier. Of famous little
| major. The noble emulation between the two
brave fellows was unmistakesble. In theil
third position the French had defended them
selves with unparalleled obstinacy, and ou
young soldiers, in spite Of their moral superior
ty, were compelled to reccde. Forward, m,
fine fellows.' cried the major: "Follow me
men" shouted the captaia. and. seizing tn
sinking standard, whose bearer had Just beef
shot, he raised IL on high, and dashed in smongs
the foe. With . tremendous "Hurra." tn
whole line followed, and Napoleen's "vieill
Carde " was forced to retreat
4 The major gazed in Summation at his bite
opponent OF the preceding day. Calling him q
him, he clasped him In his arms. For momen
the two were enveloped in the cloak upon whicl
they were to have fought. Words cannot de
scribe that scene. Suddenly a cannon bal
doomed through the air, and 10 they lay upo
the ground, shattered and lifeless-reconcilis
tion their dying thought. The fight over, an
our biv susc established In q stubble field, "
paid them the last m ilitary honon. Fifty mer
all that remained Of nv company, s0llowe
their bodies, and, tear stood In their eve a "
consigned the gallant fellows to one grave.
Il