Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-08-30


now led on the exasperated soldiery to
wreak their vengence on a sleeping foe.
Stealthily as the bloodthirsty tiger creeps
upon his prey, those advancing columns
move forward the muffled sound of the
rolling cannon wheels, and the soft tread
of feet, would scarce have walked The tim
ID hare from his covert, or startled the
wild bird from her perch.
Yet there was one ear, rendered doubly
acute by restless watchings, that caught
the first faint sound borne along on the
midnight breeze. 4 moment she listens
then springlng from her couch, darts
away through the darkness like some spir-
II of the wind her rapid footsteps bear
her swiftly to the summit of an overhang-
ing cliff; just then the struggling moon
breaking from among the dark masses of
clouds, reveals, away on the distant hori-
zon of the night, those dark moving mass
es, carefully winding their way toward
the retreat of the sleeping enemy. Her
quick eye in a moment detects the hostile
array, and without staying her footsteps,
she flies to the unguarded tent of the
young dragoon, and arousing him from
his letharglc sIunbers, warns him of his
perilous situation.
Major Ha!slein Immediately apprised
his fellow officers of the unexpected at
tack, and soon the whole of the camp
was in motion; yet such order was pre-
served that in very short time they were
in readiness 10 receive their midnight Wis
itors. All was as still as the house of
death, and the darkness concealed them
50 perfectly that the unsuspecting enemy
advanced with boldness, expecting an en-
tire destruction to ensue. The tread of
the approaching foe drew nearer and
nearer, I'LL at length, supposing their prey
within their grasp, the eager soldlery
broke their lines and precip.tated them
selves upon the empty tents of the Swedes.
Now was the moment for the stroke ,
The command to fire ran along the con
cealed lines Of Denmark and Sweden, nor
was it unheeded the long withheld th un-
ders Of the cannon now broke forth, min
gled with the sharp, quick report of mus
kerry, awakening the deep echoes Of the
night, and reverberating along the noun
tain tops. as if the very elements were
warning together in their might, while the
mingled groans and curses Of the slaugh-
tered hosts rendered the wild confusion
notwithstanding could be more terri
ble
The enemy were completely frustrated;
confusedly they tread each other down in
their fright, while the wounded were
mangled by the maddened rush of war;
horses unchecked by riders. Yet the
work was not fnished-it remained for the
brave Dragons to complete the route
Major Halstein. mounted on his powerful
black steed, led on the furious charge !;
everything gave way before them; their
broad sGbres felIed the afrighted victims
as the sickle Of the reapers the ripened
corn.
The contest was short and bloody. The
victorious soldiers returned to their camp
Just as the lay was breaking n the east
What a frightful spectacle lha: sun be-
held! There that peaceful valley, where
but the day before the loveliest charms Of
natarc had rendered a delightful retreat,
where the sweet songsters caroled their
notes of joy-has in the dark hours of
night been changed by the cruel hand of
war into bIighted charnel house--the
mangled bodies of the dead and dying lay
scattered over the green sward. The
officer and soIdier-the horse and his RI
der, alike had been cat down by the death
stroke, and now were the prey of the vul-
ture or food for the ravenous mountain
wolf. The brilliant hopes of youth and
the mature honors of age were scared
and blasted in one short hour. The few
of the enemy that escaped alive, flew to
the mountains. TO peflsn Dy munger or re-
come the prey of the furious wild beasts
Of those regions
The twice victorious army of Denmark
hailed the morning light with shouts for
victory and their wonderful deliverance.
All The soldiers demanded with one voice
that their fair protectress should appear
before them. that they might express their
gratitude; the commander gave orders
that she should be brought, that he might
join in the grateful acknowledgements of
deliverence but what was their dismay
when word came that the maiden was no
where TO be found. Immediate orders
were given for a general search of the
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