Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-06-29
MY FIRST BATTLE.

joined my regiment on the evening of the
4th day of September. The Colonel was in BIZ
vouac. He received me at first rather ungra-
ciously; but when gave him letter of intro
duction from General P, he changed his de-
meanor towards me. was then presented 10
my captain, who had just returned from rec
onnoiterng excursion. He was & tall man, with
harsh repulsive features enveoped in coarse
black hair. lie had arisen from the ranks by
his courage and gallantry and had gained his
epauletts and Cross of Honor upon the field of
battle. His feeble voice contrasted greatly with
his gigantic bulk. This infrmty was caused by
a gunshot, which had pierced his breast during
the battle of Jena When he was informed
that came from the military school of Fontan-
beau, he made wry face, and said, 4" 1t was
but yesterday that my first lieutenant fell upon
the battlefield" | understood his hint, that
was not able to fill the vacancy. ! at first in
tended to return his compliment with sarcas-
tic answer; but finally concluded to swallow
the pill.
The moon arose from its concealment behind
the enemy's redoubts of Cheverino, which were
almost two cannon shots distant from our camp.
The moon was large and red which is usually
the case when it first arises; but my imagina-
ton caused me to think il much larger than ever
had seen it before. The dark shadow of the
redoubts appeared in the moonlight like the era
ter of volcano.
An old soldier near me, pointing towards the
moon, said -
"She is very red tonight "a sign that it will
cause much blood to be split, before we can take
yonder redoubt."
have always been slightly tinged with SUI
perstiton, and this prophecy, especially at the
present moment, made deep impression upon
my mind. stretched myself upon the ground
but it was impossible for me to sleep, and there
fore arose again, and gazed at the line Of watch
fires Of the enemy, as they glimmered along the
heights of Cheverino. When my hot blood be-
came 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 Wis.
it my eyelids, and my thoughts became still
more serious and gloomy. Thought that had
not one friend among the hundred thousand who
were gathered together upon that field. If
should chance to be wounded Ignorant surgeons
would dress my wounds unskilfully. All that
| had ever heard concerning such operations
came TO my mind My heart beat heavily. In.
voluntarily formed kind of cuirass of my
pocket-book and handkerchief over my breast.
At the dawn of day we were summoned by
the reveille. Afterwards The guns were stack.
ed. Everything betokened that we would have
quiet day. Towards three o'clock our aid de.
camp appeared, bringing an order. We were
! placed under arms again. Our scouts were dis.
persed over the field. We followed them
marching slowly. In twenty minutes we dis.
covered the Russian sentinels, who immediate.
| ly retired behind their redoubts pack of OIL,
heavy artillery was placed upon our right and
on our left, each being quite distance from Us
They commenced lively fire upon the enemy
who returned it with equal vigor. In few mo-
ments the redOubt was concealed behind dense
clouds of smoke
Our regiment was covered from the fire of the
Russians by slight mound Their balls sci
dom reached us, for they singled out our can
noners. The most of their balls passed ovel
our heads, or else buried themselves in the eartl
at our feet, covering us with sand and gravel
AS soon as the command was given for us tC
advance, my captain looked at me with an ex
preston which caused me to stroke my youth
| full moustachc, and to assume as much Of an ali
of indifference as was possible. My only fea
was that he might think me coward. Th,
balls, which until now had been harmless, in
creased my composure. My pride told me thai
the danger was great for there was no doub
but that was'uhder The fire of battery. The
colonel passed our company, and perceiving me
said: You will soon see something extraordi
nary for your commencement" / feigned
martial smile, and brushed from my coat sleeve
some dust which had been cast upon it from
ball, which had thrownup the earth few PAGES
in advance uf me-