Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-22
MISC ELL A N Y.
My First Battle.

Joined my regiment on the evening of
the 4th day Of September. The Colonel
was in bivouac. He received me at first
rather ungraciously; but when gave him
letter of introduction from General
P-,he changed his demeanor to wards
me. | was then presented to my captain,
who had just returned from reconnoiter-
ING excursion He was a tall man, with
harsh, repul>ive features enveloped in
coarse black hair. He had arisen from the
ranks by his courage and gallantry, and
had gained his epaulets and Cross of Hon
or upon the field of battle. His feeble voice
contrasted greatly with his gigantic bulk.
This inGrmity was caused by gun-shot,
which had pierced his breast during the
battle of Jena. When he was informed that
came from the military school Of Fon-
tainebleau, he made a wry face, and said :
"It was but yesterday thatmy first lieuten-
ant fell upon the battle field" under
stood his hint, that was not able to fill the
vacancy. at first Intended to return his
compliment with a sarcastic answer; but
finally concluded to swallow the pill.
The moon arose from its concealment be-
hind the enemy's redoubts of Cheverino,
which were almost two cannon shots dis
tant from our camp. The moon was large
and red, which is usually the case when it
FIRST arises but my imagination caused me
to think it'much larger than ever | had
seen it before. The dark shadow of the re-
doubts appeared in the moonlight like the
crater of q volcano.
An old soldier near me,pointing towards
the moon, said -
"She is very red to-night-a sign that it
will cause much blood to be split, before
we can take yonder redoubt."
have always been slightly tinged with
superstition, and this prophecy, especially
at the present moment, made deep I'M
preston upon my mind. stretched my
self upon the ground but 1t was impossi.
BILE for me to sleep, and therefore arose a
gain, and gazed at the line of watch-fires
of the enemy, as they glimmered along the
heights of Cheverino. When my hot blood
became cool in the night air, returned to
my fire and wrapping myself in my cloak
closed my eyes. fervently hoping that
might not open them until morning. But
sleep would not visit my eye-lids, and my
thoughts became still more serious anc
gloomy. thought that | had not one friene
among the hundred thousand who were
gathered together upon that field. 1t
should chance to be wounded, Ignorant sur
geons would dress my wounds unskllfully
All that had ever heard concerning sucf
operations, came to my mind. My hear
beat heavily. Involuntarily | formed kln'
of cuirass of my pocket-book and handker
chief over my breast.
At the dawn of day we were summoned
by the reveille. Afterwards the guns were
stacked. Everything betokened that w
would have a quiet day. Towards three
o'clock our aid-de-camp appeared, bringin:
an order. We were placed under arms a
gain. Our scouts were dispersed over th'
field. We followed them, marching slow
ly. In twenty minutes we discovered th'
Russian sentinels, who Immediately retired
behind their redoubts. A pack ofour heav.
artillery was placed upon our right and OF
ourlett, each being quite distance from us
} They commenced alively freupon the en-
emy, who returned it with equal vigor. Ii
a few moments the redoubt was concealed
behind dense clouds of smoke.
Our regiment was covered from the fir
of the Russians by slight mound. Thei
balls seldom reached us, for they singled
out our cannoniers. The most Of their ball