Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-16

"A'" "IIhout HRltlllgj anu dTTlVeu just ID tlme
to find that they missed the prize by twelve
hours; for Moore apprlzed of the storm that was
brewing around him, was retreating with rapid
strides to Gallicia. Then commenced one of
the most disastrous retreats recorded in history.
The French Emperor had not proceeded far in
pursuit before he was called to Paris; Austria
having taken advantage of his Spanish difficult
ties to make war upon him, and he left the con-
duct of the pursuing forces to Marshal Soult -
The situation of Sir j.. Moore was truly distres
sing; the step which he had taken was sbbse-
quently applauded by Marshal {Soult, by the
Duke of Wellington, and by Napoleon himselfy
all of whom pronouncedit to be strictly in ac-
cordance with the principles of war, and pre-
cisely such az they would have taken themselves.
But the wretehed faction WHICH disgraced Eng
jaed =. that time took Z very different vies Of
the case, and their m0rmurs were echoed by
their agents in Spain. Safe from all dangers
themselves they continually upbraided and in
suited the noble minded man, who at the perikof
his life was sustaining the honor of his country.
These things sank deep into Moore's mind
and added to the trouble which he daily expert.
enced from his own troops, who were completely
demoraized, made him wish for death as a happy
release. 1t was nearer than he probably expec-
ted
On the 18th of January, the English came in
sight of Corunna and of their fleet riding in the
bay. They sent off all their baggage and in
cumbrance during the night and in the morning
of the 10th, and stood ready drawn up for battle,
in strong array IN front of Corunna.
They were attacked about two o'clock in the
evening by Sout, and a desperate conflict en-
sued.
As Sir John Moore was leading the 42d reg
iment of Highlanders to the charge, he was
struck by cannon shot on his left breast. The
shock threw him from his horse, but he immedi-
ately raised himself to a sitting posture, and fix
ed his eye on the advancing regiment. The shot
had carried away the shoulder so entirely that il
only dangled by the skin, and as they endeavor.
ed to raise him up, the hit of his sword became
entangled in the wound. One of his aids offer
ed to take it off buthe begged HIM to let it re-
main, saying that he wished to die with it on
He was carried into Corunna, where he died q
few moments after the battle was ended.
His last words expressed the deep impression
which the cruel injustice of his countrymen had
upon him. They were Il hope my country
will be satisfied
The French though repulsed, were not beaten
and they were gathering in strength to renew
the assault No time was to be lost in embark.
ing, and wrapping Moore in a military cloak,
they hastily buried him on the rampant, amidst
. Fiseiy darlsness, relieved only ,by the hGl
glances of the moon, as it emerged from sea Of
clouds, or by the blaze of torches held by the
hands of his faithful and weeping soldiers The
French attracted by the sight Of these last open
ed heavy fire from their batteries, and amidst
the red glare of the enemy's guns, iumina ting
the country and sea for miles around, and their
thunder, which shook the solid ground like the
shock of an earthquake, the remains of Sir Johr
Moore were committed to the tomb. The whole
Of this melancholy tale is not even yet told.
Sir John Moore was to have married the beau
tiful and gifted Lady Hester Stanhope, thu
granddaughter of the great Earl of Chatham
the favorite niece of the younger Pitt, and the
inhertrix of all the pride, and large share Of
the talent, which have distinguished that remark
able family. How she Ireceived the shock ma
well be imagined She did not murmur, she di
not complain she did not allow her grief tu e
vaporate into tears, She left the society Of civ
ilized man forever, and hurrying whithersoevel
the impulses of a burning heart dictated, becam
leader among the wild Arabs, and pitched hel
tent as sovereign princess on Mt Lebanon
Her own end is peculiar appropriate to the res
of this sad story. Almost worshipped durn
her life, she was at death deserted by her Ara
servants, who plumdered her house before the
left her, and was at last indebted for decor
burial to those Europeans whose society she dc
nounced. Like her illustrious lover, she wa
buried darkly at the dead of night
1t may not be uninteresting to our lady reat
ers to know, that both of these extraordinar
lovers were every way fitted to cut a figure
romance. Lady Hester, even in old age is de
scribed as retaining the traces of great beaut,
and Sir John Moore is represented to have bee
one of the handsomest men in Europe of h
day. His person was tall, graceful and we
shaped his face manly and Striking,with mout
of exquisite shape aud expression, and . dar
eye, which rivaed that of an eagle in it's glanc