Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-08-29
The Hunsarians.


"R.," the New York correspondent of the
Picayune, gives the following graphic descrip'
ton of the spirit and enthusiasm which prevail
in the ranks Of the noble Hungarians:
What brilliant episode, amidst the selfish
ness and trickery of modern European politics
is the career of Kossuth! With far more truth
may it be said of him than it was of Luther,
that CHS words are battle" How must the old
Hungarian heart, with its national pride, its fer
vid religious enthusiasm, its rich poetical imagi-
nation, be stirred up from it's lowest depths by
the flashing electrical appeals of Kossuth. His
prayer at the grave Of his slaughtered brethren
in arms, his address for the general gathering
of the people, have the stern glow of an Oriental
prophecy, and seem like fiery sparks from the
inspiration which the imaginative Hungarian be-
lieves broods over the hills and Businesses of his
native land. The God of the Hungarians, like
that of the ancient Jews, is a national deity
He gives his whole care to Hungary. The
proud people willnot share their God with any
other nation. He is theirs exclusively, and it
is this private God to whom the hussar prays
when rushing into battle. This arms them
with a fierce religious fanaticism, more potent
even than that which inflamed the followers Of
Mahomet, or the saints of Cromwell, whose
cannon bore the inscription: 20 Lord, open thou
my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy
praise"
With this religious fiery-heartedness we see
the force of an incident which has been related
in some Of our newspapersin a mutilated form.
Let me give it to you as | find it in the original
German gazette:
After one of the most bloody and hard-fought
battles of the war, near DebrecZin, Windisch-
gratz was forced to retreat. He gained a posi-
ton on a wooded hill which had blazed with the
fire of the action. The spot could not be better
chosen. 1t bristled with Austrian bayonets;
every tree concealed at least two soldiers; the
heights were crowned with artillery; and on the
hillside every bush cleaned with the c~uirasses
of the heavy dragons. Jellachich commanded
the left wing, Schlick the right, and the centre
was led by the Prince in person. Opposed to
him was Georgey.
He well knew the strength of the position;
hut he also knew his people. After he had
made all the dispositions for battle, he rode up
to a squadron of hussars who were drawn up
in rank and file, awaiting the signal for attack.
"IVhere is your officer, brothers! Who COM
mands you" An old sergeant with silverv
hair steps forward. 1.-THE officers were all killed
in the battle"
"Brother hussar," says the young general,
"you see that hill among the trees, you see the
columns Of the Austrians, their cleaning bay
onets, their heavy squadrons, their cannon,
pointed at us, which will soon belch out fire.
That hill which you see, you have got to take.
Many of you will fall, perhaps half, perhaps the
most, perhaps all, but you are bound to save
your country. Do what you can, and God be
with you"
The old sergeant paid his salute and hurried
to his troop. He told them what the general
had said, and repeated his words. He then
looks up to Heaven and says in a loud voice, 20
thou Hungarian God, to-day I ask of thee but
one thing! | ask thee not help us in this act
but neither help the Austrians. Go and sit in
yonder thicket, (and he points out the spot on
one side) and thou wilt have joy, l sacredly
promise thee, when thou scest how thy hussars
go to work"
He had scarcely spoken when the signal was
given. The hussars sat erect in their saddles.
The second call-every sabre was drawn from
it's scabbard. The third call-the troop rushed
forward in wild career, horse and rider were
stretched on the ground, there was the thunder
of cannon, the rattle of musketry, the flashing
of swords, the eyes were blinded by the dust
and smoke, but on as through hell-fre rushed
the mad host, and put to flight cavalry, artillery
and ~musketeers. The cannon were silenced,
were taken, and the day was won. Kossuth,
who took part in the battle, fell on Georgey's
neck and wept. The old sergeant and half his
troops were killed. Thus fight the Hungarian