The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23
Mscsuay's Forthcoming History. from Literary World
CronsweiIs PurItam Army.

CromweiI's Puritan Army.
The army which now became supreme in
the state, was an amy very different from
any that has since been seen among US
AT present the pay Of the common soldier
is not such as TO seduce any but the hum
blest class Of English laborers from their
calling. A barrier almost impossible sePa-
rates him from the commissioned officer
The great majority Of those who rise high
in the service rise by purchase. SO numer-
Gus and extensive are the remote dependen-
cies OF England, that every man who enllsts
in the line must expect to pass many years
in exile, and some years in climates unia-
vorable to the health and vigor OF the Euro
pean race. The army Of the Long Parlla.
ment was raised for home service. The pay
of the private soldier was much above the
wages earned by the great body OF the peo-
pie; and, if he distinguished himself by in
telligence and courage, he might hope to
attain high commands. The ranks were
accordingly composed Of persons superior
in station and education to the multitude
These persons, sober, moral, diligent, and
accustomed to reflect, had been induced to
take up arms, not by the pressure OF want,
not by the love Of novelty and license. not
by the arts Of recruiting officers, but by re-
ligious and political zeal. mingled with the
desire of distinction and promotion. The
boast of the soldiers, as we find it recorded
in their solemn resolutions, was, that they
had not been forced into the service, nor had
enlisted chiefly for the sake Of lucre, that
they were no lanissaries, but freeborn Eng
lishmen, who had, Of their own accord. put
their lives in jeopardy for the liberties and
religion Of England, and whose right and
duty it was to watch over the welfare Of the
nation which they had saved.
A force thus composed might, without in.
jury to its efficiency, be INDUCED in some
liberties which, if allowed TO any other
troops, would have proved subversive Of all
discipline. In general. soldiers who should
form themselves into political clubs. elect
delegates, and pass resolutions on high ques-
lions Of state, would soon break loose from
all control, would cease to form an army,
and would become the worst and most dan
gerous of mobs. Nor would it be safe, in
our time, to tolerate in any regiment reli
gious meetings, at which corporal versed
in scripture should lead the devotions OF has
less gifted colonel, and admonish backsli
ding major. But such was the intelligence
the gravity, and the self-command OF the
warriors whom Cromwell had trained. thai
in their campo political organisation and a
Religious organisation could exist without
destroying military organisation. The same
men vino, of duty. were noted as dema
gogues and field-preachers, were distinguish
ed by steadiness, by the spirit Of order, and
by prompt obedience on watch, on drill, and
ON the field Of battle.
In war this strange force was irresistible
The stubborn courage characteristic of the
English people was, by the system Of Crom
well, at once regulated and stimulated
Other leaders have maintained order as
strict Other leaders have inspired their
followers with a zeal as ardent. But in his
camp alone the most rigid discipline was
found in company with the fercest enthusi.
asm. His troops moved TO victory with the
precision of machines, while burning with
the fercest enthusiasm. From the time
when the army was remodeled to the time
when it was disbanded, il never found either
in the British Islands, or on the Continent,
an enemy who could stand its onset. In
England, Scotland, Ireland, Flanders, the
Puritan warriors, often surrounded by diff
culties, sometimes contending against three
fold odds, not only never failed to conquer,
but never failed to destroy and break in
pieces whatever force was opposed to them.
They at length came to regard the day oil
battle as a day of certain triumph. and
marched against tie most renowned battal
ions Of Europe with disdainful confidence
TuIenne was startled by the shout Of stern
exultation with which his English allies adj
vanced to the combat, and expressed the de.
light of a true soldier. when he learned that
it was ever the fashion Of Cromwell's pike.
men to rejoice greatly when they beheld the
enemy; and the banished Cavaliers felt an
emotion Of national pride, when they saw a
brigade Of their countrymen, outnumbered
by foes and abandoned by allies, drive be-
fore it in headlong rout the finest infantry Of
Spain, and force a passage into a counter.
scarp which had Just been pronounced i'm
pregnable by the ablest of the marshals Of
France.
But that which chiefly distinguished the
army of Cromwell from other armies was
the austere morality and the fear Of God
which pervaded all ranks. Ii is acknowl-
edged by the most Jealous royalists that,
in that singular camp, no Foath was heard,
no drunkenness or gambling was seen, and
that during the long dominion Of the SOL
diery. the property OF the peaceable citizen
and the honor Of woman were held sacred.
IL outrsges were committed, they were out
RACES of a very different kind from those
of which a victorious army is generally
guilty. No servant girl complained Of the
rough gallantry Of the redcoals. Not an
ounce of plate was taken from the shops
Of the goldsmiths. But Pelagian sermon,
or window on which the Virgin Child
were painted, produced in the Puritan
ranks an excitement which it required the
utmost exertions Of the officers to quell.--
One Of Cromwell's chief difficulties was
to restrain his pikemen and dragons from
invading by main force the pulpits Of min.
listers whose discourses, to use the language
OF that time, were not savory; and too
many Of our cathedrals still bear the marks
of the hatred with which those stern spir.
ifa reoardab avar, yaa,,ua IF ,~o,o-.. I,