The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1862-08-09

stood near by, remarked the color of. the
moon. "It is very red," said he; "that
is sign that we shall have hard work to
take that famous redoubt.'
| have always been superstitious, and
the prediction at such time, sensibly af-
fected me. I lay down, but could not
sleep. | arose, and walked back and
forth for some time, watching the long
lines of light which blazed on the heights
above the village of Cheverino. When /
thoug ght the fresh, bracing night air had
sufficiently cooled my blood, I returned to
the fire, wrapped myself in my cloak and
shut my eyes, hoping not to open them
again till morning. But sleep would not
come to- me. Insensibly, my thoughts
took a gloomy turn Z: I remembered that
l had not single friend smong the hun
dred thousand men who covered that
plain. If were wounded, I should be
placed in. the hospital and treated care
lessly by unskilled sugeons. All that I
had ever read or heard Of surgical opera
tions came back to my mind my heart
beat painfully, and I involuntarily arran-
ged in the fashion of breast-plate the
handkerchief and portfolio which carried
in my bosom. was very tired, but if I
dosed, those images were continually re-
curing, and I awoke with start of ter
ror. At length fatigue overcome me, and
when the reveille beat I was sleeping
souudly. 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
bearing orders rode out The troops were
summoned 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 ar
tillery was stationed on our right, and an
other on our left, both at considerable
distance in advance of us, who opened a
sharp fire upon the enemy, which was en-
ergetically returned, and soon the fortif-
cations of Cheyerino were lost to sight be-
meath thick clouds of smoke. Our regi-
ment was almost completely sheltered
from the fire of the Russians by rise of
ground.
Their bullets, when they were aimed at
us, which was seldom, for they fred chief
ly upon the artillery 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 inquiring look, which forced
me to stroke my nascent moustache with
as nonchalent an air as ! could assume
And in fact | was not frightened the
only anxiety | felt was lest / should be
suspected of fear. The harmless bullets
contributed not little to produce my he
roic calmness. Vanity whispered tnat I
was in great danger, being at last under
the fire Of a battery, and I was delighted
to find myself so comfortable, promising
myself the pleasure Of relating the cap
ture of Cheverino in the drawing g-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 jolly time for your debut ~ 1
smiled complacently and with soldier
like air as | brushed the sleeve of my
coat, which bullet striking some thirty
PAGES of, had covered with dust. Il
seemed as If the Russians perceived the
small effect Of their fire, for they now be-
gan to send shells instead of bullets, as
being more likely to tell upon us in our
sheltered situation. Presently one burst
with terrific explosion, killing man close
by me, and knocking off my hat, "I con-
gratulate you,' said the Captain, as I
picked up my hat :ayou are safe for to-
day." / was not ignorant of the military
superstition which holds that non gusis IN
idens is as good an axiom for the battle
field as for court of Justice, and put on
my hat with defiant air, saying as gaily
/ could, "This is rather an unceremoni-
Gus way of makinga man salute" which
forlorn joke seemed excellent considering
the circumstances. ~ congratulate you,''
again exclaimed the Captain syou viii
not get q scratch, and you will command
company this evening, for / shall get
my discharge to-day. Every time I have
been wounded, the officer next in COM
mand has been struck BY . spent ball.
added be in lower tone, as if ashamed Of
bis superstitious feelings, sstheir names al
ways began with Pr felt encouraged !;
|most men would have been, as / was,
struck with these prophetic words. No