Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-10-26
SKETCH OF A BATTLE.

Now for the night Tn the morning OF the battle Of Tou-
louse left Grenobe 1t known amongst us that the
battle coming off, and started in the expectation of
passing the night either in the city in its immediate vci
nifty We ascended towards the city by the left bank Of the
Garonne but reached pontoon bridge, which enabled
to the right bank where the main body OF troops
was posted. The fight had commenced. We heard the
firing advanced and while approached the
Of action it became gradually louder and distinct Inn
msdisey in the rear of the British lines we halted not knew
ing the ground and Withdrew from the road into field which
close at hand, in order that party might
prove obstacle passing troops ammunition, art
ler Our forces held the low ground and closed in sort
of semcrce around the heights occupied BY the French AS
it 80 happened that not only at the battle, but In IT,
hero beg leave relate the circumstances which led to my
finding myself in position where, civilian, was
little wanted and much Of my ordinary sphere Of duty.
Sancho did it ALL We sitting upon nsgs, specu
lang upon the fight and seeing all that could be seen, till
began TO think knew something Of what going
At this moment rode up from the rear, coming the
feld old officer of rank. major general we'll known at
headquarters, without adedecamp. orderly any kind Of
attendant He inquired eagerly, ssWhere the troopsf
Where are the troops |" We pointed forward; little
visible but trees. He looked rather loss, but turned
his horses head in the direction had indicated That
villain Sancho seeing another horse 60 snoed and
pulled at the bride. He tired of standing STILL J.
indulgent Sancho followed the old general and
took him.
"I believe know the position Of the troops, sir Will
you give me leave to show you "
Thank you, sr thank you" said he; 81 shall really
be much obliged"
We rode on till we reached British regiment drawn up in
line. With renewed Acknowledgements be then took his
leave. The air musical above heads with whisng
and humming missiles. fairly upon the ground,
There was Iui n the fight The spectacle was singu-
lar Some firing kept up both sides, but not suf
cient to obscure the view OF the French Poon winch toe
Immediately in 'front.' bare range Of hills crowned by their
redoubts. The atmosphere bright and though the
skirmshes on the decviy discoverabe only by email
white jes of smoke they fired from time to time, every
background was perfectly visible noticed single hore-
man. probably aidsdecamp bearing ORDERS distinct
and dmnutve through the wrong end OF tsle-
scope You might perceive the very scon OF bis horse
that laborous upand down galop of the French manage
which throws away much Of the nimas strength and
sacrifices speed without securing elegance ss
The combat this moment, renewed, and troops
went to work in The Spanish army ascended the
hill to assault the enemy redoub This movement, at rst
had all the regularity Of review But the rsdoubs opened
their FIRE the Spsnisrds moved up the smoke rolled downs
and when the wind swept away their broken bands were
in precpitate retreat followed BY large body Of the
French who swarmed out from their inrenchments In
stanty, and just in front Of artillery opened upon
the pursuing The round shot pumped into their CO.
umn knocking up clods high house and the enemy,
not reisbing this saluaon hastily fell back 70 their lome.
position. Sancho became dreadful plague He had
been for time getting unquiet and, with the conunua
firing, he grew and believe this was hs hrst
battle, il mne Not content with little extra res.
every discharge Of artillery, he bad worked himself
into state Of chronic excitement and intervals attempt
ed TO bolt clear must get rid OF Sancho, or zee no
more Of the fight; deposited him in stable, under caro-
Of cottsger, in the adjoining village.
Still moving towards the e along the base OF the bill
reached part o the British position where number OF our
troops waiting the heights when the flank move
ment against the enemy right which was bis weakest Pom5
should be sufficiently advanced. All at once pumped upon
Cousin Tom" whom had not met since he embarked,
three years BEFORE subaen Portsmouth. There he
Stood large life rough and ugly at the head Of bis
regiment, regular Old Peninsuar ; and on him had de-
volved the duty as he gave me to understand Of
those fellows up the hill. This service. thought would
have fallen ocer Of higher rank but Tom explained
The regiment having been reduced either BY losses detach
men its numbers in the field small and he being the
senior officer present. Of course hsdto "carry them up
Come" said be, we going to take look at those
monseurs above there you may ~ well 60 with u.s.
The proposal coolIy made, 20 took il cooy 6 With
all my hear, said l. You know what the feeling to-
ed att and il be gets hit they only say serves him right
If it's of any use, III go with pleasure"
"Use !" said Tom The greatest use Why, want to
ask you twenty questions friends in England Besides
you know, if am knocked over, you pick me up.
:" Very well, then, and you do the same for me-"
"No no. said Cousin Tom o. don't promise that; got
my men attend am hit you must take care Of mes
you hit you must take care Of yourself Oh thafsihe
signal come along" Away we went up the bill.
Rank and fe-doube quick tines capital pace for OPEN
ing the chest Tom took il easy, rotting at steady
pace and assaing me with running fire of questions;
while the row that had already commenced above prevented
my returning categorical replies. Is your father at
now p Bang from Of the big guns in the French
batteries right over our heads. So Got any brandy |" A
shout from thousand throats in the rush. and shock Of
charge with bayonets "Had breakfast this morning Pop!
pop pop q running fire Of muskesy. Pop pop !! pop
Got any cigars Bang bang the big guns q, It again
/" When did you hear from your mother new sound,
less loud and sudden but from its peculariy distinct amidst
the din spiefn whirling, whizzng noise ten thousand
ky-rockets combined in one not though, like the sky
rocket first loud then less audible: quito the contrary.
Commencing with faint and distant hiss, it grew louder
and louder singing and nearer till shell
dropped few yards in front Of column The hiss
now an angry roar, like the blowing of of steam. Thee
lay the bottled demon fall in path threatening instant
destruction and daring advance Our column halted.
Hurah my lads cried Cousin Tom, waving his sword.
Come along old -three-pennies- by il at
once before it spreads" The game old Fiveandthree-
pennies gave shout-rushed orwsrdgo by in time, each
yeping and capering be passed the fixing foe. Bang
went the she'll For few seconds deaf Never
felt such odd sensation. Not the Deafness but the return
Of hearing First perfect silence in the midst of the turmoil
then the crack crack barg bang if you bad sud-
denly flung open door. Not man of burt SCOT
IN English paper (" said Tom.
"pve got intelligence for you, old chap not in this
mornings Times. Just look up there in 'front.'"
The view in front striking and picturesque. Right
above us dmy visible through the smoke the verge Of
he platform tsble-land which mounting to
sau sppeared regiment Of French infantry, enough Of
hem up, advancing upon with irregular fire,
md led by their colonel He rode snowy horse and
in hand waved them on, while his white hairs streamed
the wind and bis whole bearing announced the brave old
soldier. oWe must form line, said Tom. Il done