Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-12-08

umn consists OF the Scots Greys aud
; OF Their old companions ia glory,
the EnnlsklIens The second, of the
9TH Royal Irish, Of the 9Th Dragon
) Guards, and of the first ROYAL Drag
) oons. The light cavalry brigade is
on their left, in two divisions also.
The silence is oppressive between
/ the cannon bursts, one can hear the
champing of bits and the clink Of
sabres ia the valley below. The
Russians on their left drew breath
for moment and then, ia Que grand
line, dashed at the llighlanders.-
The ground flies beneath their hors-
es' ieet-galherng speed at every
stride, they dash on toward that thin
red streak, topped with a line of
steel. The Turks fire volley at
800 yards, and run. As the Russ
ians come within 60J yards, down
goes that line Of steel IN front, and
out rings rolling volley Of Mimic
musketry. The Russians are not
checked, but sill sweep EDWARDS
with the whole force Of horse aud
man, through the smoke, here aud
there knocked over lev the shot ol
our batteries above. With breath
less suspense, every one waits the
bursting of the wave upon the line
Of Gaelic rock but ere they came
within $50 yards another deadly vol
ley flishes from the lcyecd rifle, anl
carries death and terror into the Rus
Sans. They wheel about, open the
files right and left, and fy back fast
er than they came. "Bmvo High
landers well done" shouted the
excited spectators; bnt events thick
en-. The Highlauders aud their
splendid front are soon forgotten
men scarcely have a moment to think
Of this fact, that the 931 never al
tered their formation 10 receive that
tide Of horsemen. ono" said Sir
Colin Campbell, IL did moi think it
worth while to form them even four
dccpw The ordinary British line, two
deep, was quite sufficient 10 rcpel
the attack of these Muscoylic chey-
alters. Our eyes were. however,
turned in a moment on our own cav
airy. We saw Brlgadier General
Scarlet ride along in front of his
massive squadrons The Russians
evidently corps deiite-iheir light
blue jackets embroidered with silver
lace, were advancing on the left, at
an easy gallop, towards the brow of
the hill. A forest of lances gllslencd
in their rear, and several squadrons
OF gray coated dragons morcd up
quickly to support them as they
reached the summit. The instant
they came IN sight, the trumpcts
OF our cavalry gave out The warning
blast which told us all that IA another
moment we should see the shock o!
battle beneath our very eyes. Lord
Raglan. all his staff and escort, and
groups of officers, the Zouaves,
French generals and officers, aud
bodies of French Infantry on the
height, were spectators OF the scene
as though they were looking on the
stage from the boxes of a tbeaier
Ncarl, every one dismounted and
sat down, aud not a word was said.
The Russians advanced down the
hill at slow canler, which they
changed to a trot, and at last nearly
halted Their first line was at least
double The length of ours-il was
three times as deep. Behind them
was similar line, equally strong and
compact. They evident despised
their insignificant looking enemy, but
their lime was come. The lrumpels
rang out again through the valley,
and the Grays and Ennisklleners
went righ, at the center oil the Rus
sian cavalry. The space between
them was only few hundred yard,
It was scarce enough To let the horses
" gather way" nor-had the men
quite space sufficient for the full play
of their sword arms. The Russian
line brings forward each wing as our
cavalry advance, and threatens TO
annihiIaie them as they pass on
Turning a little to their left, 50 as TO
meet the Russian right, the Grays
rush on with a cheer that thrills to
every heart-lhe Will shout Of the
EnnisklllenerS rises through the air
at the same instant. As lightninv
flashes through cloud, the Graz
and Ennisklleners pierced through
the dark masses of the russians
The shock was but for moment.
There wa, clash Of steel and
light play Of sword blades IN the air,
| and then the Grays and red coats
disappeared in the midst of the sha-
Ken and quivcring columns. In an
, other moment we see them emery
ing and dashlng on with diminished
! numbers, and IN broken order against
! the second line, which is advancing
) against them as fast as it can to re-
lrleve the fortune Of the charge. 1t
, was terrible moment. "God help
) them they are lost !" was the ex-
, clamaton of more than one man,
: and the thought of many. With
: unabated fire the noble hearts dashed
1 at their enemy. 1t was Il fight of he
3 roes. The first line of Russians,
Q which had been smashed utterly by
r our charge, aud had h'd of at one
! flank aud towards the centre, were
L L. 4. LII