Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-10


A singularly accomplished historical
writer in the last number Of the Al
lantc 1ionthly presents very curious
sketch Of the panics that have occurred in
all armies from the commencement of war
like hievements-which is pretty far back
in the worlds annals. One of the earliest
panics on record occurred in the brief cam
paign in which Abraham put the pluuder-
ing kings to fight hard by Damascus. At
Platea, the allies Of the Persians scampered
off without striking blow, as soon as the
Persians gave way. AT Amphipolis, the
left wing and center Of the Athenians took
TO their heels incontinently upon the first
attack. The Macedonia cavalry ran like o
herd of swine pursued by demons, at
the battle of Pydna. Both at Leuctra and
Mantinea, the defeated armies were scared
out of their wits in sudden panic. The
battle of Pharsalia was partly decided by
the nervous fright Of Pompey's cavalry. AT
Thaspus, Cesar gained an easy victory from
the same cause, losing only fifty men, while
the enemy were not only broken, but
butchered. But, on the contrary, he came
near losing every thing at Munda, from q
panic among his troops, which was only put
down by his own splendid personpl exam
pie Even at the sea-fght at Actium por-
ton of the feet was seized with panic, CIV
ing speedy triumph to 0ctavious over the
"soft triumvir."
In modern wars panics have been no less
common than in the conflicts Of the olden
time. British history is spotted all over by
their occurrences. The famous battle of
Bannockburn, which humbled the English
pride in the dust, was fully completed and
rounded out by the "big scare" which oc-
CURED in this wise: The followers of the
Scottish camp appeared behind the line of
battle, displaying horse-cloths, and other
similar articles for ensigns of war; when
the English, believing that they saw a new
Scottish army rising, as it were, from the
earth, were struck with panic, and eager
only for escapes were butchered like so
many sheep. The rout of the English at
Bannockburn was more complete even than
that of the French at Waterloo. The affair
of Gladsmuir in l745 was an anticipation
of Bull Run. The English army was beaten
in little more than five minutes by Prince
Charles Edwards Highlanders the cavalry
rivaled John Gilpin in their flight, and their
panic-struck General dill not look behind
him till he had put twenty miles between
himself and the nearest of the tartans.
Four months later, at Falkirk, portion
of another English army rushed helter-skel-
ter from the field Mt the sight of the wild
petticoat men," cavalry rushing over in
fantry as they lay upon the ground, bel
lowing as they galloped in wild alright,
Dear brethren, we shall all be massacred
to-day" A regiment of veterans so lost
their presence of mind that they had not
sense enough left to run out of danger, but
rode with hot haste along the Highlands
line, receiving its entire fire. In the same
war; halfa dozen Highlanders, commando
by blacksmith, threw force Of fifteen
hundred men under Lord Loudoun into such
panic that they fled in confusion, and
were completely routed. The Races of
Castelar," ale renowned in English mill
tary history. After the Irish rebellion had
been suppressed, small French force was
landed in Killala, and British army, full
four thousand strong, was sent against the
invaders. The two armies met at Castlebar,
the French numbering only about eight
hundred men, with whom were a thousand
raw Irish peasants, most of whom had never
handled musket until within few days
before the battle. The French had one
small gun, the British fourteen guns. No
sooner were the troops in face of each
other, than the English were seized with
panic. They fed as on the wings of the
wind, making the best time from Castlebar
that was ever made by flying army
Ne,c York Tribune.