Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-07-22


on that side and had commenced the siege
Of the place. But this is problematical.
Other patches Of smoke were seen near
err, which induced the belief that the
French were pursuing the Austrians in
the direction of Mantua. We shall soon
know the truth on these points.
This great battle which will render
Solferino and the Oath of June memora-
bic in history, lasted from 5 o'clock in
the morning till in the evening" total
of sixteen hours; and it may be that
the pursuit is not yet suspended 1t was
q battle in which the French skill in the
art of war once more proved superior to
that of Austria, her ancient enemy, and
it would seem that she ought now to be
willing to make peace.
We were unable to arrive even at an
approximation of the casualties of the
day. All the officers who might have
been able to furnish us correct informa-
ton continued in the pursuit ofthe enemy,
and we were obliged to rely upon what
we saw with our own eyes and could OBJ
tain from the wounded themselves -
From these data we feel warranted in
saying that the French must have had
%, 900 men horS de combat. We GER
tainly saw ourselves 10, 600 wounded men
come from the fields on carts, wagons,
mules and litters. The procession of
the wounded was continuous during IL
hours that we remained spectators of
the scene, and now in the morning hours,
the stream is pouring on, seeking a res
ting place in the churches of the sur
rounding villages and hamlets towards
Brescia, all of which have been seized
by the surgeons for hospital purposes.
1t is blessing indeed that on such occa-
sions as this the country should be so
well supplied with large and elegant chur-
ches, for they form admirable hospitals
and serve as a resting place for wounded
men who might otherwise die on their
carts on the highway for want of shelter
The hospital and churches of Castiglione
are reserved for the wounded officers and
men on whom capital operations are to
be performed, especially for the amputa-
ted. The medical officers expressed sur
prise at the disproportion of men who
we're brought from the field with wounds
of the arms and legs, and in effect we OBJ
served this singularity among the wound
ed. But then it must be recollected that
it is only wounds of the circumference
that are not fatal, and that those of the
chest and abdomen generally remain on
the field. The most horrible wounds to
! look at. however, were those of the face
Two Hnuaves of the First Regiment had
! the whole under jaw carried away, and
yet these brave fellows walked behind
the carts of their comrades more danger
ously wounded than themselves. Some
| had their eyes closed from blows with
the butts of the muskets, others had their
cheeks or mouth hanging in ldn,beaur
from sword cuts, others the cheeks swol-
len to enormous dimensions from balls
that had pierced their faces through and
| through.
The Cent Gardes had established their
ambulance in the house at which we had
placed our carriage for safety during the
battle. Several of these mon were
wounded near the Emperor, and the sur
geon to the corps assured me that the
Emperor had ball on the top of the
shoulder, under the epauletto. Several
Of the officers of his Majesty's stat-1djor
we're also wounded, and from all / can
learn the casualties among the officers on
the French side were numerous.
If anything was wanting to prove that
the French we're the most admirable SOL
diers in the world, as we'll on the field of
battle as when wounded, it was surely
manifested on this memorable day With
the exception of few men who were
dying as they were jolting along the
streets in the carts, and from whom es-
capped the involuntary groans Of the dy-
ing hour, not word Of complaint was
uttered and saw officers and men, on
whom the blood oozing from CHASTITY
wounds, calmly smoking their pipes as
they passed along on their way in search
Of an ambulance and surgeon. Alto
gcther, it was fearful sight, and excit-
cd the pity Of the most hard hearted =
The women who had remained in the
town Of Castiglione shed tears, appa-
rently, at the utter hopc)essness of rem
dering assistance to such a number Of
brave and suffering men. Yet every
house was thrown open, and every hand
was ready TO aid in alternating their
pains. For the most part, they asked
but for wine or water, for the loss Of blood
creates thirst, and the fatigues Of the
day must have been great, from the
length Of the battle and the extent Of
ground to fight over. Many of the SOL
diers were naked TO the waist, their coats
having been torn 10 pieces in the bayoDet
and hand TO hand fights, and their shirts
torn up TO staunch the blood. All were
covered with dust, and had their clothes
more or less torn, both officers and men,
presented, even in the absence Of blood
stained clothes. the most pitiabIe appear
ancc. But all who were not suffering
had stamped upon their oountenances
that quiet, determined look which sol |
acquire in battle. and which is called. in |
the French army, the professional air "
The air Of resignation, and the quiet,
respectful r,anner Of these brave fellows,
rendered The sccnc moro touching, more
sympathetic a noisy. bravado air would
have sorions dstractdd & ga The sympa-
thy and til borror Of ,the seknc But
all this, as thu wounded men. said, was
nothing 70 ~, 6eM 81 hsssde, only on
tho Geld ofru at> thsy yisought neither
II peM 81 200 ~ of The mass Of
,Air 200 4 whose bodies I