Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-01-08
An Incident in the life of Kos
suth.

The cannon Numbered before the valley Of
Buda, and vomited its iron messengers into the
heart of that city. The banner of Austria still
waved on the ramparts the proud double eagle
lowered above the followers of the house of
Hapsburg Within Its walls, all was desoa.
ton, ruin and misery; devoted to the cause of
liberty, the citizens dared not share the danger
of their brethren without, nor dared they show
their true feelings or disavow their sympathy for
the lmperasts, for the glbbet was erected in
the public square, and from Its grim arms were
already suspended the best and bravest of the
land. Without the walls, although the sythe of
death had moved down many of the glorious de-
tenders OF the holy cause, all was hustle and ex-
citement war had become familiar to those stern
men; cannon sword and musket we're their
pIaythlngs, and every countenance indicated
sangulne hope of early success. Here might
De seen motley throng of Mayors listening at
tentivey to an aged chief, who in the musical
tones OF their tongue promised early delivery
from the yoke of tyranny; there you might see
group of foreigners-Poles, by their looks
and dress-whose stern features, umoyed bv
smile or passion, betokened grave meditation on
the topic of the day-the probable fall of Buda.
They too listened to the address of one of their
number, q gray warrior, whose scared face be-
spoke energeticaly, reminded them of their own
country, which, il Hungary were but free,
would follow with glorious example, freed by
the valiant sons of the nation which they now
endeavor to liberate. The name of Koscusko,
that name, revered by all PoIes ELECTED from
his hearers shout of appreciation. "Koscius,
ko, Kosciusko," they cried clenching their
hands, and graspng the hlt Of their swords /;
they became silent again, and listened to their
chief
These men formed part of the " fororn hope,''
which was ordered to lead the assault upon
Buda the following morning,
There was still another group, consisting Of
staff officers, several of whom had just returned
from the breastwork, which had caused great
havoc amongst the ranks Of the beseiged. They
were discussing the practicablliiy of throwing
up another work closer to the walls of the for.
tress, and many glasses were directed to the
wall to pick out a suitable place. Presently ar
exclamation of surprise escaped the lips of q
young Colonel, and once more adjusting hE
glass, he took another look, then sprang up, ant
fastening to wards his horse which stood nea
by, held by soldier he cried, "a sortie, gen
tlemen, sortie." The cry, which under othe
circumstances and among other men, wouIt
have caused the greatest excitement, failed tC
do so in this case. The officers moved quickly
to their horses, and rode Off in different drec
tons to their respective divisions. Column'
began to form, squadrons of horse gallopeC
across the plain; the gay hussar, the heavy
dragoon, the undisciplined hordes of mounted
peasantry, moved quickly over the turf and took
up their stations. Aid de camps were hurrylns
from post to post, the roar of artillery became
: hushed and the hostile demonstration on the
: part of the beseiged, as it we're for moment
caused hostilites to cease.
The officer had not been mistaken, for the
beseiged had indeed venturel upon a sortie-
BY the time that the Hungarians had taken up
position without Withdrawing the necessary pro-
lection corps Of their batteries, the enemy had
displayed strong force, and were fast advanc'
} ing towards the formest forti6cation. The lie
gion Polonnaise met them, and breaking throug