The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-20
|: MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 30, 1851

ground at the rate oil twenty fye miles day. Inc
suffering was of course immense, and great mum
bers died of cold and fatigue; but the soldiers did
not murmur. for they saw their mighty leader ON
foot marching through the impossible roads at
their head defying wind and weather. occasionally
stopping and Selling handspise to prize the guns
out of the deep mud, and doing himselt the duty
OF dozen soldiers. Urged by his fiery zeal they
pushed forward without batting, and arrived just
in time to find that they had missed the prize by
twelve hours; for Moore apprZed OF the storm that
WAS gathering around him, was already retreating
with rapid strides to Gallicia. Then commenced
of the most disastrous retreats recorded in his
tory. The French emperor had not proceeded far
IN pursuit before he recalled 10 forl5 by intel
ligence that Austria had tai ken advantage OF hls
Spanish difficulties to make war upon him, and he
left the conduct of the pursuing forces TO Mar
shai Souit. The situation OF SIR John Moore was
truly distressing; the etep which he had taken was
subsequently applauded 10y Marshal Soult, by the
Duke OF Wellington, and by Napoleon himself, all
of whom pronounced it TO be strictly accordant
with the principles of war, and precisely such as
they would have taken themselves. but the
wretched factions which disgraced England at that
time took a very different view of it, and their
murmurs were echoed by their agents IN Spain
Safe from all danger themselves they continually
upbraid.d and insutcd the noble minded man,
who, at the peril of his life sustaining the hon
or Of his country. Thee things sunk deep into
Aloores mind, and added to the trouble which he
daily experienced from his own troops, who were
completely dcnoralized, made him wish for death
as happy release. 1t was nearer than he probably
expected.
! On the 18th Of January the English came in
sight OF Corunna and of their feet riding in the
bay. They sent off all their baggage and inculn
brances during the night and IN the morning of
the 10th, and stood ready drawn up for battle, IN
strong position, in front OF Corunna They were
attacked about two O'Clock IN the evening by Sott
and desperate combat ensued. As sir John
Moore was leading the AID regiment of ghandeF-
! to the charge, he was struck 10y a cannon shot on
! his left breast. The shock threw him from hls
horse, bu: he Immediately raised himself up to a
sitting posture, and fixed his eye on the advancing
Iegiuent The shot had carried away the shoul-
| der So entirely that it only danglcd by the skin,
and, they cndcavored to raise him up, the hiit
| OF his sword became entangied in the wound One
OF hs aids offered TO take 1t OIL, but he begged hun
to let it remain, saying that he wished 70 die with
il on. He was carried into the town of Corunna,
where he died in few moments after the battle
was ended. His last words expressed the deep i'm
preston which the cruel injustice of his country
! men had made upon him. They were, 81 hope my
country will be satisfied"
! The French, though rcpulscd, not beaten,
and they were gathering IN strength 10 renew the
assault. No time be lost in embafklng, and
wrapping Moore in military cloak they hastily
buried him on the rampant amidst pitchy dark
ness, relieved only by fitul gances OF the moon as
it emerged from of clouds, OF by the blaze OF
torches held by the hands OF hs faithful and weep
ing soldiers The French, attracted by the sight
OF these last, opened heavy fire from their bate,
res, and amidst the red glare Of the cneny's guns
illuminating the country and the sea for miles
around, and their thunder, which shook the solid
ground like the shock of earthquake, the re-
mains OF Sir John Moore were committed 10 ttc
tomb.
The whole of this melancholy tale is not yet
told. Sir John Moore have married the
beautiful and high spirited Lady Hester Stanhope,
the grand daughter of the great Earl Of Chatham,
the favorite niece of the younger Pitt, and the in
heritrx of all the pride, and large share OF the
talent, which have distinguished that remarkable
family. How she received the shock may we'll be
imagined. She did not murInur, she dlu not com
plain, she did not allow her riet 10 evaporate in
tears, She left the society of civilized man forever
and hurrying whithers0cver the impulses OF
burning heart dictated. became n leader among
the wild Arabs, and pitched her tent, a sover
eigu princess, on Mount Lebanon. Her own enc
was peculiarly appropriate to the rest Of this sac
story Almost worshipped during her life. sh,
was at her death deserted by her Arab servants
who pundered her house before they left her, ano
WAS at last indebted for decent burial to those
Europeans whose society she had renouuced. Like
her illustrious lover, she was "bured darky at
dead Of night"
1t may not be unintcresting 10 our lady readers
TO know that both these extraordinary lovers were
every way fitted 10 cut a figure III romance. Lady
Hester, even in old age, is described retaining
the traces OF great beauty, and Sir John Moore j.
represented have been of the handsomes
men in Europe of his day. His person was tall
graceful, and well shaped, his face manly anC
striking, with mouth OF exquisite shape and ex
preston, and dark eye which rivalled that OF al
eagle in its glance.