Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-28
Number s.

eyes and swollen features, appeared to
, have died in agony. but defying to the
last. Some lay as If prepared for
burial, and as though hands Of relatives
had arranged their mangled limbs. Whils
others, again. were in almost startling
positions. half standing, or kneeling,
clutching their weapons. or drawing
cartridge. Many lay with both their
hands extended toward the sky, as If to
avert blow, or utter prayer, while
others had malignant scowl Of min
gled fear and hatred; as if, indeed, they
died desPairing. The moonlight inn
parted an aspect of unnatural paleness
to their forms; and. as the cold. damp
wind swept around the hills, and waved
the boughs above their upturned faces,
the shadows gave a horrid appearance
of vitality; and it seemed as if the dead
were laughing. and about to rise. This
was not the case on one spot, but all
over the bloody field. .,.--.- - i.
The Russian soldiers, / have already
remarked, were infinitely inferior in ap-
pearsnce to those we me. at Alma. In
all that relates to discipline and courage.
our late antagonists were far superior.
They were all clean, but ragged in the
extreme None had knapsaeks, but
merely little canyas-bag of that dis
gushing, nauseous-looking stuff they
call their bread. No other provisions
were found on any. The knapsacks, I
presume, were left behind, in order that
they might scale the heights on our left
with greater facility. Every man wore
strong, well-made Wellington boots, Of
a stout but rough-looking brown leather.
On none, that / baye heard Of, were
found either money or books. On
many were miniatures of women, and
locks of hair. They appear to have
been veteran troops, as large number
bore the scars of previous wounds
The dead officers. as at Alma, were
with difficulty to be distinguished from
the men. Their officers behaved very
well. ---....-
Two hundred and eighty prisoners.
not wounded, or only merely graxed,
fell into our hands. One among them
is now about the largest and most pow
erful man in the camp of the allies
He stands nearly six feet six inches, and
is broad in proportion. He surren-
dered, when pursued, without attempt
ing resistance. Our allies appear to
have been taken completely BY surprise
in the sortie made by the enemy upon
their trenches. The Russians had got
possession Of Nos. and 8 Batteries.
and spiked the guns before the French
were in condition to oppose them
They were then attacked, and after an
obstinate defense driven off with much
slaughter. The French followed up
their victory into the center of the town,
but having no reserve, and not know
ing the result of the attack on our lines,
they again retired.
A HEART IN THE RIeHr PLAcI.-I
am welded, Coleridge, to the fortunes
of my sister and poor old father. Oh,
my friend, l think sometimes could / re-
call days that are past, which among
them should 1 choose? Not those 'mer-
rier days'--not the pleasant days OF
hope'-not those 'wanderings with a
fair haired maid'-which l have so
often and so feelingly regretted; but the
days, Coleridge, Of amother's fondness
for her school boy. What would | give
to call her back on earth for one day;
on my knees to ask her pardon for all
those little asperities Of temper which,
from time to time have given her gentle
spirit pain; and the day, my friend, I
trust will come. There will be time
enough for kind Offices of love. if heav-
ems eternal year be ours. Hereafter,
her meek spirit shall not reproach me.
Oh, my friend, cultivate the filial feel
ing! and let no man think himself re-
leased from the kind charities of rela-
tionship. These shall give him peace at
the last. These are the foundation Of
every species of benevolence.
C. Lambs Letters.