Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-24
A SKETCH OF SEDAN.
From Lieutenant Colonel Pember-
toms Last Letter 10 the London
Times.

tons Last Letter 10 the London
Times.
Lieutenant Colonel Pemberton, cor
respondent of the Times, who was him
self killed at Sedan, narrates the follow
ing incidents cf the battle, in the last
letter which he probably ever wrote:
One poor boy struck me. He was
about seventeen, and what is called n
Fahnrich, or Ensign. 1t is in this army
necessary for all officers to serve year
as Fahnrich before they get their com
mission as Lieutenant, which is the first
grade in the military profession. He
was lying with his sword in his right
hand, pointing toward the enemy, having
fallen on his right side, and must have
died instantly, as the left hand grasping
his side told too plainly where the fatal
bullet had struck him. He had his gloves
on, which first attracted my attention,
and his face, which was turned upward
betrayed none of the emotions that it
must have exhibited as the bullet struck
him, for he looked wrapt in the softest
slumber. 1t was exactly like one of
Vernets dead warriors; and, indeed,
| have been able more fully to
appreciate that admirable painter of
battle pieces than did before, for have
over and over again recognized positions
in the field which had previously i'm
agined overdone in the canvas ! was,
during one part of the action, standing
near some hussars, who were in reserve.
The sun was pouring its rays upon us,
and around us on every side lay the
wounded, One poor fellow cried to them
for water: "Comrade, for Gods sake,
give me waterl one little drop. am on
fire. am on fire for Gods sake, give
me but one drop; only wet my lips
and another near him could only hold
his hands up in prayer and point to his
lips. A good-natured hussar, touched
by the appeal, got off his horse and ran
to them with his water-kettle he was in
the act of raising the mans head when
shell fell within a yard and, bursting,
blew the whole three to atoms. What
ever that poor hussar's faults in this
world may have been, surely his last kind
action must atone for them in some way.
The regiment moved off and his horse
followed ip the ranks.
Only those who have seen battlefield
can form notion of the extraordinary
way in which the horses, as long as they
have leg to crawl on, will follow the
regiment to which they belong. saw
what evidently had been sergeants horses
keeping their position in rear of their
squadron, wheeling with it, and halting
exactly as if their riders were on their
backs, and all the time streaming with
blood Poor creatures, they are indeed
to be pitied, for they have neither Water
land, promotion nor the coveted medal
to think of, whatever may be the issue;
and few indeed are there which have
been in action which have not some hon
orable scars to show.
While | am on the subject must re-
late one of the most pitiable sights /
think ever saw, which made an impress
sion on me such as shall never forget.
On the way to Homburg-not the Hom-
burg-we passed the Sd hussars, the
Colonel of which was mounted on a
chestnut horse so much like the one the
late Lord Cardigan used to ride, and on
which he made his celebrated charge,
that it seemed as if it must be the ident
cal horse. | saw him again just before
they made their charge against infantry,
in which they we're fearfully cut up; and
the third time ! saw him he was standing
in the middle of the plain on the morn
ing after the battle, totally divested of
bis tyappings, three bullets in him, and |
his fetlook Joint cut in two. Poor
creaturel He struggled up when he saw
my horse and neighed. The difference
in him from the last time had seen
him galloping at the head of the
regiment, king of horses, and now,
was appalling, added to which the
knowledge that his gallant owner
had already gone to his last rest with
so many other gallant souls of his
corps made me regret that the poor war
horse had not died then and there in all
the hot glory Of the charge, rather than
have so long to wait the pistol shot that
closed his world to him The havoc that
was made in the cavalry throughout the
whole of the 18th was fearful, and saw
a Cuirassier regiment, who in their
breastplates, white tunic, aud high boots
looked the very beau ideal of heavy cav
airy, come out of action numerically
about two squadrons strong. Their
Colonel marched slowly at their head,
utterly overcome at the loss of his gal
ant men. He had five officers with him
out of about twenty-five that had ridden
out with him that morning. On the 18th
,ne of the most brilliant actions of the
10y was admitted on all sides TO be the
It6rming 9f st, Privat, which was taken
lftsr the most terriEe csnnonade, by
which, as I told you In my letter, il was
imply riddled to pieces. Nothing
throughout could be brayer thap the
french troops. and they are all allowed
o fight remarkably well--the fault lying (
n bad generalship and iRfeFioF artillery I
IS compared with the opposing force.