The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-31

man had to engage them over his gun.
and gun-carriages, and finally to spike
two of his pieces, under the apprehen-
sion that they would fall into the hands
Of the enemy" At length a most des-
perate and determined charge was made
upon both the enemy's fanks they wa
vered, recoiled, gave way, and the centre
soon following, they relinquished the fight
and made final retreat.
The annals of warfare on the continent
have never shown more desperate fight
ing. Bayonets were repeatedly crossed,
and after the action, many of the men
were found mutually transfxed. The
British force engaged was about five
thousand men; the American thirty-fve
hundred; the combined loss in killed and
wounded, seventeen hundred and twenty
two, officers and men. The battle com
menced at half-past four o'clock in the
afternoon, and did not terminate till mid
night. "We were SO mingled" said the
Major, "and SO great the confusion in
the darkness, that l was sitting with a
group of officers in the early part of the
night, on horseback, British soldier
came up to us, and recovering his musket,
under the supposition that he was address,
ing one of his own officers, said, Colo
mel Gordon will be much obliged, sir, if
you will march up the three hundred
men in the road to his assistance immedi-
ately, as he is very hard pressed l cal
led him nearer, and pressing his musket
down over my holsters made him prison.
er. What have done, SIR said the as
tonished man, what have I done p and
to convince British officer, as he sup
posed, of his loyalty, exclaimed, Hurrah
for the King, and down with the Yankees p
As he was marched to the rear, the poor
fellow was cut down by grape shot"
In another part of the field, Captain
Spencer, who was soon after killed, pull
ed up suddenly on body of men in full
march. In reply to his demand, "What
regiment is that 20 he was answered,
"The Royal Scot "Halt! Royal
Scots, till further ORDERS" and then turn
ing his horses head, galloped from their
dangerous proximity. 1t was horrid
coflict, and humanity sighs over the
slaughter Of the brave men who fell
in it.
But here we are, at the graveyard,
with its dropping willows and Towering
locusts. No armed men now disturb its
caimness and repose; no ponderous artil-
iery wheels rudely cut its consccrated
mounds; no savage execration, no moan
Of anguish breaks now upon its hallowed
silence. The long grass and blossoming
heather wave now green alike over the
graves Of friend and enemy.
See from this point how gently and
gracefully undulating the battle field; the
woods bowling to the evening breeze, as
the soft sunlight pours through their
branches, show not the gashes of rude
cannon shot; the plain, loaded and bend
ing with the yellow harvest, betrays no
human gore; yon hill, scathed, scorched,
and blackened with cannon flame, the
very resting place of the deadly battery.
shows no relic of the fierce death strug-
gle, as covered with the fragrant clover
and wild blue-bell, the bee in monoto-
nous hum banquets over it. Nought
mars the serenity OF Nature as she
smiles upon us. Yet, buried in common
funeral pyre, the ashes of those brave
men, of friend and foe, there mingle in
the bosom whence they issued. The fu-
rious conflict over, they have lain down
in quiet, and, like young children, sleep
gently in the lap of that common mother
who shelters with like protection the lit
tie field mouse from its gambols, and
turbaned Sultan sinks amid his PROSTATE
millions. Shades of my gallant country
men! Shades Of their daring foes, fare
well. Never had warriors more glori-
Gus death-couch. The eternal cataracts
roar your requiem!