The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-02-14

attain an object, where mild express
sion would avail; and he found, as those
who act upon his theory will always
find, that he was much more readily
attended to, and much more faithfully
obeyed. than others who thought tit to
follow different course His natural
abilities were of a high order, and what
he once read he never forgot Nature
had, moreover, gifted him with a turn
for music and drawing. With the
French language he was familiarly ac-
quainted from his childhood; and he
had good sense enough to apply himself,
as soon as he reached the Peninsula, TO
the study OF the Portuguese and Span
ish tongues.
1t by no means follows in the army.
more than in other professions, that
those whose requirements best entitle
them to success are invariably success
full. Many a Wellington, doubtless,
pines away his youth and his manhood
in subordinate situation: exactly as
many an Eldon, for want of opportuni-
ties to make himself known, lives and
dies briefless barrister. But of the
number of those doomed to undeserved
neglect, Norman Mcleod was not one.
The reputation of his father did some-
thing for him; it induced those in
power, at least, to fix their eyes upon
him, and his own talents and enthusias.
tic love of his profession speedily con-
firmed them in the favorable opinion
which they were disposed to form Of
him. His rise was rapid ; and when
the allied army removed from IFS ground
at Alba de Tormes, Norman Mcleod
found himself in command of batta-
lion of Cacadores-inferior. in point OF
discipline, equipment and gallantry, to
none engaged in the Peninsular war
1t consists not with the plan of my
present narrative TO offer even brief
sketch of the progress Of the two great
armies enough is done when | state in
general terms, that after variety OF
movements on both sides, good deal
of skirmishing, and here and there a
little cannonading, the British army,
with the exception of Sir Rowland Hills
corps. which withdrew southwark into
Estremadura, established itself. on the
2lth of November, above the Tonnes.
The position was a convenient one, and
the advanced season of the year rem
dered it desirable not to change it. But
it was. nevertheless, necessary that a
communication should be kept up with
other narts of the country: and fnr this
from both flanks, considerably beyond
the line, to serve as chains of connexion
| and to do the duty of pickets of obser'
walton. On this perilous and important
service Norman was employed. He
took post at a place called Alanjuez,
village, or rather hamlet. about q
couple of leagues from the right of the
allied cantonments and there, in
manner more delightful than often fall
to the lot of soldiers upon active service
he passed the winter.
The hamlet of Alanjuez consists o
about dozen neat cottages, built a
considerable intervals the one from th'
other, with large casa or chateau il
the rear; the latter being the resi-
dence of Don Fernando Navarette
whose ancestors for many generation
back, have owned considerable tract
of the surrounding country, and extend
ed to the inmates of these cottage
the protection of feudal chieftains. B
some fortunate accident or another, A
, aniuez had never, though lying but
, short space out of the line of hostile ope
rations. been visited, up to the period {
. Norman's arrival, by soldiers from e
; ther of the contending armies. Tn
, consequence was, that Norman foun
. matters here in a condition widely di
! ferent from that in which he was els,
where accustomed to find them. TIL
I chateau stood at the base of a stee
I hill. concealed in a great degree frol
5 observation, amid groves Of orange an
3 olive trees; long straight avenue
/ chestnuts led to it from the villag
which had suffered no injury; the ga
den was not laid waste; its doors, Wi
! dows and roof were in perfect prese
!. vation the very lawn in front of
D bore no traces of violence, and the vel
! flower-beds exhibited symptoms of cal
: lately bestowed upon them. Nor h;
4 the habitations of the peasantry BET
; subjected to other or worse treatmel
: than that which befel the abode of the
lord. They were all Of them entir'
IS and the little spots Of ground abo
T. them-their orange groves vineyard
9 mulberry plantations. and fields OF !
# dian corn--all presented the same a
e pearances which at similar season
Q the wear they are likely to present no
I, or rather did present previous to the
e vasion Of the French.
e twill easily be imagined that a see
+ such as has been just described
u sight Of solitary village enjoying,
appearing to enjoy, the blessings
d peace in the heart ofa country overr'
e in other quarters by foreign troops, q
u subject to the varied miseries attends
n upon . state Of active warfare affect
le Norman with sensations to which
b some time back he had been strane
Is Nor was the influence Of these sen
At tions the less powerful that the day
ID which he reached Alanjuez chanced
r be = remarkably fine one the sun sht
n bright and warm, and the air was
IL .r6 mild as r. snrinr had already