The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-01-28
THE FALL OF BUDA!
An Incident in the Life Of Kossuth

The cannon thundeled before the valley
of Buda, and vomlted its iron messengers
into the heart of the city The banner of
Austria still waved on the ramparts; the
proud double eagle hovered above the fol-
lowers of the house of Hapsburg. Within
the wall all was desolation, 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 feel
ings or disavow their sympathy for the I'M
perialists, for the gibbet 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
scythe Of death had moved down many of
the glorious defenders of the holy cause, all
was hustle and exciement--war had become
familiar to those stern men: cannon, sword
and musket were their playthngs, and every
countenance indicated sanguine hopes Of
early success. Here might be seen u mot
ley throny Of Magyars, listening to an aged
chief, who, in the musical tones Of their
tongue, promised early delivery from the
yoke of tyranny; there you might see a
group of foreigners-Poles, by their looks
and dress--whose stern features, unmoved
by smile or passion, betokened grave medi-
tation of the topic of the day--the promised
fall of Buda. They too listened to the ad-
dress Of one of their number a grey warrior,
whose Scared face bespoke his valor on
numerous battle fields. He spoke energst-
ically, reminded them of their own country,
which, ii Hungary were but free, would fol-
low its glorious example, freed by the val
liant sons of that nation which they now en-
deavored to lberate. The name of Kosclus-
ko, that name reyered by all Poles, elected
from his hearers shout Of appreciation,
KosciuskoP' Kosciusko" they cried,
clenching their hands, and grasping the hlt
of their swords; when they became silent,
and listened to their chief.
These men formed part of the "forlorn
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 breast-work, which caused
great havoc among the ranks of the beseiged.
They were discussing the practicability Of
throwing up another work close to the walls
of the fortress and many glasses were di-
rected towards the walls to pick out a suita-
Bile plan. Presently an exclamation of sur
prise broke from the lips of young Colonel.
and once more adjusting his glass, he took
another look, then sprang up, and fastening
towards his horse which stood near by, held
by soldier, lie cried, "a sortie, gentle
men sortie r The cry, which, under
other circumstances and among other men,
would have caused the greatest excitement,
failed to do so in this case. The officers
moved quickly to their horses, and rode off
in different directions to their respective di-
visions. Columns began to form, squadrons
of horses galoped across the plain; and the
gay hussar, the heavy dragoon, the undisci
plined hordes ofmountain peasantry moved
quickly over the turf, end took up their sta
ton. Aid-de-camps were hurrying from
post to post, the roar of the artillery became
hushed, and the hostile demonstration on the
part of the beseiged, had, as it were, caused
hostilitles for a moment to cease
The officer had not been mistaken, for the
beseiged had indeed ventured upon sortie.
BY the time that the Hungarians had taken
their position, not Withdrawing the necessary
protection corps Of their batteries, the enc
my had displayed strong force, and were
fast advancing towards the foremost fortif-
cation. The Legion Pelonaize met them,
and breaking through the ranks of the tall
grenadiers, sabered hundreds in their fear
ful charge. Brought to halt by the sud-
den unmasking Of 4 formidable battery, they
wheeled round, trampling to death the fol-
lowers of Austria, and carrying off one of
the proud banners. This withdrawal was
the sign for the Honveds to complete the
work OF death. HKossuth and HungaryW
was the spontaneous shout, and the rush Of
the devoted peasanry was the signal of death
to many an Austrian. The hostile COM
mander fell rnortally wounded; another ban
ner was grasped by the iron hand Of Hon
wed, whilst its bearer sank lifeless upon the
ground. The flying artillery Of the Hunga.
Tians now reached the scene Of strife, and
before an hour had elapsed, the Austrians
were driven back within the walls Of theil
strong holds, leaving hundreds Of their com
rades on the field Of battle. and In the hand.
of their conquerers.
On the evening Of that day Kossuth re