Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-04-11
StOrming Of the Redoubt.

the fever in Greece some years since, re-
lated 10 me one day lis experience in his
first battle Ills story interested me so
much that | took the first opportunity of
writing it dowa from memory
81 joined my regiment on the evening
Of September fourth. ] found the colonel
in camp, and he received me bluntly
enough; but after having read Gen. BIS
letter Of recommendation, his manner
changed, he addressed me kindly, and pre-
sented me to my captain, who had just re-
turned from a Reconnaissance. This captain,
whose acquaintance hardly had time to
make, was large, dark-complexioned man,
with hard and repulsive features. He had
been private soldier, and had earned his
cross and epauleties upon the battlefield
His voice which was weak and husky, con-
trasted strangely with his giant-like figure ];
was told that this weakness of voice was
owing to shot he had received at Jena.
Hearing that l was from the school at Fon-
tainebleau, he said, with an expressive
erimace, My lieutenant died Yesterday
! understood what he meant. You will
have to take his place, and you are not fit. ;
A sharp answer came 10 my lips, but held
my tongue.
The moon came up behind the fortifca-
lions Of Cheverino, (Which were at two
cannon shots distance from our csmp.)
looking large and red as usual at its rising !;
but this evening il seemed to me of extra
ordinary size. For an instant the redonbt
showed black against its brilliant disk, re-
sembling the cone of volcano at the mo-
ment of eruption. An old soldier, who
stood near by, remarked the color of the
moon. 1t is very red, said he: that is
sign that we shall have hard work to lake
that famous redorbt,' ] have always been
somewhat supers;iious, and this prediction,
afsdch u time, sensibly affected me. / lay
down but could not sleep. arose, and
walked back and forth for some time,
watching the long line of lights which
blazed on the nights above the village Of
| Cheverino. When / thought the fresh
bracing night air had sufficiently cooled my
blood, returned TO the fire, wrapped my
self in my cloak and shut my eyes. hoping
not to open them again till morning. But
sleep would not come TO me. Insensibiy
my thoughts took gloomy turn; / remem-
bered that had not a single friend among
the hundred thousand men who covered
that plain. If ! were wounded, should
be placed in hospital and treated carelessly
by unskillful surgeons. All that had ever
read or heard of surgical operations came
back TO my mind; my heart beat painfully,
and nvoluntarily arranged in the fashion
u a breast-plate the handkerchief and port
folio which | carried in my bosom. was
very tired, but if dozed, those gloomy i'm
ages were continually recurring, and |
awoke with start of terror. AT length
fatigue oyereame me, and when the reveille
beat | was sleeping soundly. We were
drawn up in line, the roll was called, and
then our arms were stacked and everything
promised quiet day.
About three o'clock an aid de camp bear
ing orders rode up. The troops were sum-
moned TO arms and the artillery drawn
out on the plain, while we followed slowly
and in twenty minutes saw the advance
guard of the Russians retire within their
Notifications. A body of artillery was sta
both at considerable distance in advance
of us, who opened sharp fire upon the
enemy, which was energeically returned,
and soon the Notifications of Cheverino
were lost TO sight beneath thick clouds of
smoke. Our regiment was almost COM
pletely sheltered from the fire of the Rus
slams by rise Of ground. Their bullets,
when they were aimed at US, which was
seldom, for they fred chiefly upon the ar
tillery companies, passed over our heads,
or at most threw upon US earth and stones.
As soon as the order TO advance was given,
my captain turned upon me an inqniring
look, which forced me 10 strcke my nascent
mousiache with as nonchalant an air as
could assume. And in fact, | was not
frightened; the only anxiety | felt was lest
should be suspected of fear. The harm
less bullets contributed not little to pro-
duce my heroic calmness. Vanity whis-
pered that was in great danger, being at
last under the fire of battery, and was
delighted TO find myself SO comfort; ble,
promising myself The pleasure of relating
the capture of Cheverino in the drawing
rooms of Madame de Saint Luxan, In the
Rue de Provence.
Our colonel rode along the line and ac-
costed me - Well,' said he, you will have
a jolly time for your debati' smiled COM
placently. and with a solder-like air, as
brushed the sleeve of my coat which bull
let, striking some thirty PAGES of, had COW
cred with dust. Ii seemed as if the Rus
SLAMS perceived the small effect oi their fire,
for they now began to send shells instead