The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-03-28

above ten or dozen in each-rushed into
collision, 90 IL unawares pistol-shots were
rapidly exchanged, saddles % rapidly en-
tied away went the horses back into the
smoke in various directions, not one rider
left: the whole was enacted in less time
than you have taken to read It.
We took up the ground which had been
occupied by the Black Brunswickers, and
still was occupied by . large number If them,
poor fellows! Very honestly had they been
fighting; very thick they lay. Close to me
was the body Of an officer, quite dead. As
II was . leisure moment, and had never
had fair view Of Q dead man before, de-
termined to take good look at him, and
felt much the better for 1t. He was not dis
6gured-quite placid, but - yellow IS any
duck in the market.
Wenow formed, not one, but two squares,
because we were 80 strong-above one
thousand bayonets. The French cavalry
had by this time got possession Of the field,
but could never hold it; they came and
went. Every now and then, they
would drive our artillerymen from their
guns; saw at one time seventeen guns in
row, abandoned. The gunners, as we'll as
all general and staff officers, would take
shelter in the squares, just as you pop into
q shop in shower, and beg leave to wait
till the rain 10 ever; and the squares be-
come crowded with announcement guests.
! remember one couple in particular, be-
cause the horse trod on my toes. He was
a. hot chestnut, but how sadly nervous
could not stand still for an instant. The
rider was curious contrast. His natural
temper was one Of tho most irritable ever
knew; but scene like this steadied him,
and he sat like statue. By the by, did
not in ONE single instance see horse in the
rampageous attitude which battle painters
are 20 fond Of No ha! hs! no mocking at
fear. They were not the animals they we're
in Jobs days, or this gunpowder made the
difference They do sniff the battle, poor
brutes, and realize the danger. Some, in
deed, showed no unusual symptoms. Here
and there (rarely) was case Of frantic
fright. More frequently, it was quaking,
shivering from head to foot
And now our turn came; the cuirassiers
were going to try US. Very calmly our
colonel gave his directions, quite in con-
versational tone: CHOW, mind, men-no
firing till give the word, and shan't do
that until they are within 30 yards" On
they came at Q trot-the ground was too
deep for any faster pace-the officers in
front cheering them on, Is the French SOL
der expects his officer to do.
It was mere murder. I do not think the
distance could have been 80 yards, when q
clear gentlemanly voice said: "Resdy!
Present. A fash and . crack from the
face Of the square. A heap Of them we're
down. 1.-THE rest they run away" rs the
nursery rhyme has it. The cavalry tried ds
no more. A large part of that wonderful
body Of troops was disheartened and wasted
in such hopeless attacks; it was one Of the
great mistakes Of that great day.
In our turn we advanced, still in square
We went over the bridge, and . little way
down the slope; but the enemy were too
many; we were in 3 perfect cloud Of skir-
mishers, and mark they could not miss;
nearly surrounded by them. It was an
ugly moment. There was call for the
rifles, who were near US, to 60 ct them, and
calamity the green-coats dashed into the
skirmish. The two lines were almost hand
to hand, without the slightest shelter. The
rides dropped 90 fast that I thought they
were done; but the French dropped faster,
and were driven off after short struggle,
too deadly to last. It gave us relief; but
we had to walk back-we did not run-to
our old ground.
Soon after the square Was reduced, and
We formed line just behind the ridge.
Was tall enough to see over it and here
want Of something better to do, got
watching French gun, exactly opposite
me. The flash came in very regular time,
and then the shot would whix right over my
head, and drop in the bottom Of the valley
behind, among our allies. Lwas trying for
an epithet, but the less said the better.
Time after time, savage screams Of "Vive
Napoleon! would break out, announcing
fresh attack. Very fierce they were, long,
destructive, and only not successful. They
took the name Of their God Of battle in
vain. A cannon shot struck the ensign
who carried one Of the colors, smashed his
raised arm and the color-stsff, and went
through his heart. Without word, he fell
forward on the color. A sergeant stepped
up in his place down he went instantly.
Another succeeded, only to share the same
fate. There was . moments hesitation be-
fore the next for duty took the deadly post;
but the storm was over, and all through it
the other ensign stood unframed beside the
dead.
Looking round to watch the fight Of one
Of the shots going to the rear, was aware
Of ssthe Duke" quite close to me, and en-
tirely alone, walking his horse slowly along
in the rear Of the regiment, shot falling ell
around him; his expression of countensnce
was, II you please, immovahle determine
ton, but am bound to confess It was the
opposite Of pleasing.
/ had asked my brother-subalten rather
early in the day: lie this what you call
much Of 6ghti"
mo-" he said; "nothing very extra
ordinary"
Some time after repeated the question,
and got similar answer; but rather,
fancied, in short tone 20 thought had
not better ask any more. But now he came
mp, and whispered in my ear swell,
never did see anything like this" So
felt satisfied. Presently, . sergeant came
round to him, four post Was in rear Of the
ranks, and said: "Please, Mr., come
and take command Of the company. Your
brothers down, sir |" Without word
without . change Of festurs-the young
stole went and did it.
The persecution our poor captain under
went was singular. A graxed shot on the
head knocked him down, stunned. Trying
to get up on his knees, his back towards the
enemy, musket-ball struck the sole Of his
foot, and made bad wound. Staggering
of as best he could, he leaned, for Q mo-
ment's rest, against an abandoned gun; a
cannon shot Instantly shattered the carriage
Of it, throwing him down with no further
hurt
As soon % the fighting was over, his two
brothers, both officers in the regiment,
started in search Of him; for the greater
part Of that night they rambled over the
ground we had been working ON. but in