The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-13
MISCELL A NEOUS.
scene. OF the civil war In Hungary.

Scenes OF the Civil War In Hungary.
This volume is translation OF the correspond
encc of an Austrian officer, who TO have had
rather rowing than regular commission with a
German newspaper The descriptions are racy,
and throw good deal of light upon what the Aus
trians suffered and inflicted during the suicidal war
carried on against Hungarian independence; but
very little, or rather none at all. upon the great
question at Issue, or the actual plans and designs
of the leaders on either side. The Testimonies to
the bravery Of the Hungarians are numerous
throughout the volume, and not unfrequently is the
chiyalrous character of their undertaking
knowledged. romantic passage is introduced
which we may extract. The party under the wri-
tcr's command takes up its quarters in castle:
'At the tramp of horses and the clank of swords,
the porch-door opened, and an old man, kind of
came towards US, asking who we were, and what
was our errand. l replied that was an officer Of
the Emperor and King, belonging to the army Of
the Ban; and requested, in the first place, to be
conducted TO the master of the mansion. The man
obeyed, though with some reluctance, and led me
into spacious hall, which, by the dim light of
lamp, appeared to be sort OF ofancestral hall Large
pictures were hung upon the walls, and between
them swords, muskets, old arinor, and arms Of all
kinds.
"Here the castelar, bade me wait while he went
TO announce me; and ] availed myself Of this mo-
ment to take off my cloak, to sci my hair to rights
little, to fasten my dolinan close about me, to tie
my sash properly; in short, to make myself
smart could. The old man presently came
back, conducted me along corridor, and then
opened the foldn g doors of an apartment, whence
issued the brilliant light of tapers
Somewhat dazZled, ] entered the apartment,
which was most elegantly fitted up, where tall,
handsome lady received me with polite but proud
obeisance ] was just going to introduce myself,
and To apologize for my unbidden visit, when she
extended her hand TO me with the loud exclamation
Of Joy, 'Ah, Baron W.
81 now recognised her. 1t was the Countess
St, the Milan beauty, the wife of my old COM
do ,.n r. r. D111-
and who, after his marriage with the fair Marchesa
B., had obtained leave to resign, and retired to
his lordship in Hungary; and now found myself,
without having suspected it, in his mansion.
'Bcng called by his wife, he made his appear
ance Immediately, and cordial was our embrace.
He was still, he ever had been, Magyar with body
and soul; and told me frankly that he should long
since have gone to Kossuth, had he not been
strained by the odious idea Of being obliged to fight
against his former comrades; but he assured me
that he would yet do So
II advised that we should not talk of political
matters, but rather think of old mes and his wife
ssser, the young Countess Helene the most beau
tifu Hungarian female had ever seen; and that is
saying great deal.
"St- gave me his word of honor that we
were perfectly safe from any surprise by the
my, and my men were abundantly supplied with
wine and meat; and, while they made themselves
comfortable outside, l found myself in Paradise,
between two beautiful and amiable females, oppo-
and before glass of exquisite tokay. All wcari-
ness vanished, and VIC joked and laughed half the
night, forgetting the war, and Kossuth, and
tional hatred.
"Two days / rested in St-'s mansion, as lit
tic respite was highly desirable for both men and
horses. The eyes Of the Countess Helene began TO
be dangerous for me; but upon earth the soldier
has no abiding quarters. On the third morning,
breast kissed the cheek of his wife and his sister, the
latter plucked a rosebud for me a keepsake, my
trumpeter sounded to horse and away we dashed 10
When next they meet 1t is under different cir
cumstances
'We had-as we often have had--a serious en-
gagement with the Magysrs, in which there were,
on both sides. at least ten twelve thousand men
In the hrc. On this occasion the enemy again had
numerous and excellent light cavalry, and had
the skill To employ II on ground favorable for him
SELF so that our infantry repeatedly exposed
the most violent attacks, and had the greatest diff
Guilty to ward them off.
1.-TWO squadrons in particular, of very well or
ganized and equipped Honv0ds, distinguished them
selves by their furious charges Croatian infantry
bataions, and could at last not be compelled 20
treat but by several discharges Of grape, which
made dreadful havoc in their ranks.
"The leader Of this corps, a man of tall, elegant
figure, in the rich dress OF magnate, mounted on
a superb, spirited, gray stallion, which he managed
with great dextcrity, was interchangeable in always
ra!lying bis men, and leading them back against
our infantry. He galloped 10 and fro with as much
unconcern as 1.-THE balls whizxiug around him were
bot snowbals, continually iourishing his gllsten-
ing blade.
The figure Of the rider seemed TO be well known
to me but could not distinguish his features,
we we're drawn up in rear Of our column Of infan-
try, at the distance of como hundred PAGES from
him.
Twice he had escaped unhurt the fire Of our
infantry; when, as have already mentioned, some
guns, which had meanwhile come up, began 10 FIRE
with grape. He seemed not 10 heed the first dis
charge, for saw him still brisk and animated as
ever, galIoping about at the head Of his men. The
second must have been directed better for when
the smoke cleared of, could perceive horse and
rider on the ground.
AT the same moment we received the signal for
charging. The ranks Of our infantry suddenly open
ed 10 let us pass through and we advanced at full
gallop upon the cncmy's horse These at first re-
tired precpitately, 20 get beyond the range Of our
cannon, then rallied, aud drove us back we did
the same by them and went on, till at
length, as II Is usual in Hungary, the whole dis
solved into single combats, in which man is en-
gagged hand 10 hand with man.
"lt was nearly dark when, with my troop, some
of whom were killed, others severely wounded,
reached the main body. Scarcely had we unsad. /
died, and, tired TO DEATH was about TO stretch my
scf by the watcbfrc, fed with the ruins Of houses
which had been pulled down, when an infantry sol
dier appointed TO hospital duty, came 70 inform me
that officer Of The insurgents. dangerously
wounded, and taken prisoner, having heard my
name, wished 10 speak 20 me.
'In spite Of wcariness, I Immediately followed
my guide TO the hurdle she'd which was fitted up
for hospital. Dismal was the appearance Of this
dark, low place, scantily lighted by the hand
lanterns OF the surgeons and attendants, who, with
their blood striped sleeves uckcd up high and with
aprons equally bloody, busily engaged The |
lay close TO another, upon dirty straw
which IN places was quite wet and slippery from the
blood upon IL. Loud and gentle sigbs, moans |
groans, gnashing Of teeth, mingled at times with /
curses IA the Bohemian, Polish, Hungarian, Ger
man, and croatian languages was obliged to
rally my courage, lest should be scared back.
'In the furihcst corner Of the long building, on a 4
bed Of straw, lay the wounded prisoner who wished
70 speak TO me. How was shocked when the light /
'f the attendants lantern fell upon his face. and \
Count ST.
"On our march through Croatia TO Vienna, bad
passed two days at his mansion; had seen him in
he society oftwo charming women-his wife and
ne sisterin the full enjoyment Of happiness; and
low, in what state doomed 90 find him /
St, Magyar 20 the nmost fibre Of his heart,
rad indeed then told me that be should take up
rms for Kossuth; but thus 10 meet him again was
lOt at all prepared.
.knceling by the side Of my pale friend, whose
iObc cOuntenancc borc the evident irnprcss oil