The daily crescent., 1850-04-29

out inidntfy he galioped to and fro with as muci
unconcern as the balls whizzing around him were
ing blade. So
The figure Of the rider seemed to be well
known to me; but could not distinguish his fea-
lures, as we were drawn up in rear Of our column
of infantry at the distance Of some hundred PAGES
from him. fS~' -
"Twice he had escaped unhurt the f;,s. of o,,,
infantry; when, as have already mentioned. some
guns, which had meanwhile come up, began 10 fire
with grape. He seemed not to heed the first dis
charge, for saw him, still brisk and animated a.
ever, galioPing about at the head Of his men. The
second must have been directed better for when
tbe smoke cleared of, l could perceive the horse
and rider on the ground.
" At the same moment we received the signal 70,
charging. The ranks Of our infantry suddenly
opened TO let us pass through, and we advanced al
iull galloP upon the enemy's horse. These, al
rst retired Precpitately, to get beyond the range
ci our cannon then rallied, and drove us back we
dld the same by them; and we went on, till al
length, as it is usual in Hungary the whole dis
solved into single combats, in which man is en-
gagged hand to hand with man.
IL was nearly dark, when, with my troop, some
oil whom were killed, others severely wounded, |
Ieaeheo ihe man body Scarcely had we unsad-
died, and, tired to DEATH | was about to stretch
myself by the watcllzfire, fed with the ruins Of
houses which had been pulled down, when an in
ianry soldier, appointed to hospital duty came 10
inform me that an officer Of the insurgents danger
onsly wounded and taken prisoner, having heard
my name, wished to speak to me.
In spite Of WEAKNESS, | Immediately followed
my guide to the hurde-sLed, which was fitted up
Tor hospital Dismal was the appearance of this
dark, low place, scantly lighted by the hand-lan-
terms Of the surgeons and attendants, who, with
their blood-stripped sleeves tucked up high, and
with aprons equally bloody, were busily engaged
Ihe wounded lay close to one another upon dirty
N IL
from the blood upon it. Loud and gentle sghs,
moans, groans, gnashing of teeth, mingled at times
with curses in the Bohemian, Polish, Hungarian,
herman and Croatian languages. l was obliged to
rally my courage lest should be scared back.
In the furthest corner Of the long building, on
a bed OF straw, lay the wounded prisoner, who
wished to speak to me. How was shocked when
the light of the attendants lantern fell upon his
face, and recognized Count ST.
On our march through Croatia to Vienna,
had passed two days at his mansion /; had seen him
IN the society Of two charming women-his wife
and his sister--in the full enjoyment of happiness
and, now, in what state was l doomed to find
him ST., Magyar 10 the inmost fibre Of
his heart, had indeed then told me that he should
take up arms for kossuth; but thus to meet him
again was not at all prepared. ID,
kneeiing by the side Of my pale friend, whose
noble countenance bore the evident impress OF
speedy death, grasped his cold hand, and asked
IN what way could be serviceable 10 him. Thank
you for coming he replied, in a voice scarcely
audible, and this effort manifestly caused him
great pain heard that you were here aud sent
tor you. am dying my chest Is shattered. when
am dead, take the pocket-book out Of my uniform
and send it to my wife, who lives at K: il con.
talns my will and other papers,
here ne made long pause, during which /
stTove to cheer him. .F
Don't talk thus--'tis of no use--we mart as
iriends-l have fought for my c1untry-you are
faithful to your colors.'
pressed bis hand in silence.
asked. - 'e's''
With the army, he answered. she is fighting
for Hungary
It was now considerable time before St
could utter word. He moaned gently; and a
reglmeniai surgeon, who came to u.s. significantly
made the sign of the cross with his finger.
AZ length, after full hour, he suddenly raised
himself and said, So--nOw 'tis all over-salute
Marie, the name of wife-Marie,' - and with ,hat
ne stretched himself out, his eye strings broke, and
his spirit fed" ''S' - =
The tragedy concludes with the fate Of the lovely
sister OF his host, who, like many Polish victim
OF the fair sex had braved danger in her country,
cause:
Satisfied on this point, set out with my tvi
attendants, on my return to the watch-fire the tai
fame OF which 1ared up cheeringly before us: wbey
the moon shining tolerably bright, we perceived !
human figure lying at the foot of tree
we went nearer; it was woman, dressed as
man, IN the costume of Hungarian pnagnate
the long hair which fell over her shoulders BETRAYED
her sex My serassans turned her round, and by
the pale moonbeams | recognized Helene, the
lovely sister of my friend, ST. Inexpressible
anguish thrilled me that moment, and was well.
rlgh throwing myself upon the corpse.
rorclDly mastering my spirits, | ordered my
men 70 carry the body to the fire. There we ex-
amlned 1t more closely, and with extreme anxiety
l sought to ascertain whether there was any hope
lett OF reviving her. Vain hope il was several
hours since her spirit had departed the ball of one
OF our riiiemen had gone through her heart From
the small red wound the blood was still oozing in
single drops, which | carefully caught in my hand
kerchlef, to be preserved as relic.
My only consolation was that the deceased
could not have suffered long; that she must have
expired the very moment she was struck Those
pure, NOBLE still wonderously beautiful feautures-
on her brow dwelt peace and composure, and the
ups almost smiled. There she lay as il in tranquil
slumber and yet those eyes were never more 10
open-those lips never more to utter noble senti.
ments or words Of kindness
My hussars were visibly affected and tbousht
Il pity that one so young and beautiful should
die so early. Many of them, who had been with
me on our first march through Hungary, for two
days together at St-'s mansion, INSTANTLY re-
cognized Helene, and doubly lamented her death.
because she had shown such kindness to them
We thawed by fire the ground not far from a
maple tree, and were employed nearly the whole
night in digging large deep grave with our hand
bills and swords. BY the time the first rays of
dawn appeared we had finished a hussar, who
could do carpenters work, having meanwhile made
a simple cross out of the stems of two white ma
pies.
The corpse, in full uniform the kolpack, with
plume OF gstenng heron's feathers, on the head
the light Turkish sabre by her side; was then care
fully wrapped in clean, large blanket which we
had with us, and SO deposited in the grave which
we filed up with earth. Then, regardless of eau
ton, | had full salute fred with pistols over the
grave. | have preserved small gold ring and a
lock OF her hair for memorial. When our mel
ancholy business was finished we moved off after
the enemy, who retreated rather hastily
The temPestuous feeling that filed my heart
am not able to describe. Helene had, as | subse
quently learned, served as aid-de- camp to her ma
ternal uncle, who commanded considerable Ma
gyar corps, and was shot, when acting in that
capacity, by our soldiers, in the above mentioned
action" .Tf--- 80 :.