Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-01-06

The annals Of warfare on this CONT
nent have never shown more desperate
fighting Bayonets were repeatedly cross
ed, and after the action, many of the men
were found mutually transfxed The
British force engaged was about FIVE thou
sand men the American, thirty-fve hun
dred the combined loss IN killed and
wounded, seventeen hundred and twenty
1.-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 Ma
jor, and so great the confusion in the
darkness, that as [ was sitting with a
group of officers in the early part of the
night, on horseback a British soldier
came up to US, and recovering his musket
under the supposition that he was address
ing one of his own officers, said Colon
el Gordon viii be very much obliged. sir.
if you march up three hundred men in
the road to his assistance Immediately.
as he is very hard pressed" I called him
nearer, and pressing his musket down
over my holsters, made him prisoner -
"What have | done. sir" said the aston
ished man, ''what have | done P' and to
convince a British officer, as he supposed.
of his loyalty, exclaimed, "Hurrah for the
King, and damn the Yankees I" As he
was marched to the rear the poor fellow
was cut down by a grape shot. In an
other part Of the field, Captain Spencer,
who was soon after killed, pulled up sud
denly on body Of men in full march -
In reply to his demand 'What regiment
is that 2n he was answered, "The Royal
Scots" With great presence of mind he
replied 'Halt Royal Scots, till further
orders" and then turning his horses head
galloped from their dangerous proximity
1t was a horrid conflict and humanity
sighs over the slaguhter of the brave men
who fell in it.
But here we are at the grave yard, with
its dropping willows and towering locusts
No armed men now disturb its calmness
and repose no ponderous artillery wheels
rudely cut its consecrated 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 undulates the battle field the
woods bowling to the evening breeze, as
the soft sunlight pours through their
branches show not the gashes Of rude can
non shot; the plain, loaded and bending
with the yellow harvest, betrays no hu-
man gore; yon hill scathed, scorchcd
and blackened with cannon fame the We
ry 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 monotonous
hum banquets over it. Naught mars the
serenity of nature as she smiles upon us
Vet burned in common funeral pyre the
ashes Of those brave men, of friend and
foe, there mingle in the bosom whence
they issued. The furious 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 little field mouse from
its gambols, and turbaned Sultan sinking
among his PROSTATE millions Shades Of
my gallant countrymen Shades Of their
daring foes, farewell Never had war
riors a more glorious deathcouch,- h,-tho
eternal Cataracts roar your requiem.