Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-05

that the earth seemed proud TO carry 81
many brave men; but we were proud Il
belong to these brave and calm masses
Orders for charging we're given the
pressure of the coming battle was fell
more and more. Some soldiers who
carried cards in their knapsacks threw
them away, believing that they bring bad
luck. / had never played cards and
carried none; but this poor instance OF
timid superstition disgusted me so that
! purposely picked up pack and put it
in my knapsack. Our whole company
consisted Of very young men, nearly all
lads, who were impatient for battle, and
asking thousand questions, in their ex-
citement, OF the old, wellseasoned SER
geant major, who had been given to as
from the regiment. His imperturbable
calmness, which neither betrayed fear
nor excited courage, but took the battle
like muster, amused us much.
We now marched egain up the sloping
plain, and by one o'clock in the alter
noon arrived on the battle-ground For
tune held MS first on harrassing reserve;
the French field-pieces played hard upon
US, shells fell around US and took several
men out of our column. We we're COM
manded TO lie down, and | piqued my
self on making no motion when balls or
shells were dying over US. Behind us
stood some cavalry. One of their ofi-
GERS had been a near neighbor to us liz
Berlin be rode up TO me and asked me
to write home should he fall he would
do as much for me should be shot
down. He soon after fell. We longed
most heartily to be led into the Ere,
when our officer, a vell.tried soldier
spoke these few words my friends, it
is easier to fight than to stand inactive
exposed to fire. You are tried first by
the severest test; show, then, that you
can be as calm as the Oldest soldiers.
Ny honor depends upon your conduct.
Look at me, and promise you shall not
have bad example" AZ length, about
two o'clock, our column was ordered to
drive the enemy out Of the left side Of
the village. Our Colonel rode UP to us
and eaid, HRiaemeu, you are young, am
afraid too ardenti calmness makes the
soldier; hold yourselves in order" Then
he turned around march, and
THE DULL, HALF.MUFPLED DRUM
from within the deep column was heard
beating delicious music, When the
bugle gave the signal to halt we were in
front of the village of Ligny. The sig
nal was then given for the riflemen to
march out to right and left of the column
and to attack. Our ardor now led us
entirely beyond proper limits; the sec
80. A.. .L:oL L Ltla...J - ,,o1I,,
without firing, toward the enemy, who
retreated My hindmsn fell; rushed
on, hearing well but not needing the ur-
gent calls Of our old sergeant. The
village was intersected with thick hedges,
from behind which the grenadiers fired
upon us; but we drove them from one 70
the ether. ], forgetting altogether to
FIRE, and what | ought to have done, tore
the red plume from one of the grenadier
bear-caps, and swinging it over my head,
called triumphantly to my comrades.
At length we arrived at a road crossing
the village lengthwise, and the sergeant
major had now succeeded in his attempt
to bring us somewhat back to our reason.
There was house, around the corner Of
which he suspected that a number of
French lay. Be cautions" said he to
nae, "pphl the others are up" but !
stepped around where grenadier stood
about fifteen PAGES from me; he aimed
at nae. Ny antagonists ball grazed my
hair on the right side; ] shot aud he
fell. | found ! shot through his face
he was dying, This was my FIRST shot
fred in battle.
OF our whole company, which, on en-
tering the engagement, numbered about
1850 strong, at night only twenty or
thirty combatants remained. The old
soldiers of our regiment treated us ever
after this battle with signal regard,
while before it they had looked upon US
as beardless boys. We marched all
night. 1t rained the whole Of the 18th,
but We marched greater part of that
night also. Rain fell In torrents, and
the roads were very bad Early in the
morning of the 18th we found part of
our regiment, from which we had been
separated. Our men we're exhausted,
but old Butcher allowed US no rest.
As we passed the Marshal, wrapped up
in cloak and leaning against a mound,
our soldiers began to hurrah. Be
quiet, my lads" said he, hold your
tongues; time enough after the victory
Is gained. We entered the battle of
Waterloo with Blucher in the AFTERNOON;
you kgsY the history Of that memorable
day. :,
The great body of the Prusslan and
English armies marched toward Paris
but half our army corps TO which | be-
longed, received orders to pursue Van
damere, who had thrown himself into
Namur. We marched the whole Of the
18th; the heat was excessive, and our
exhaustion and thirst so great that two
men Of our regiment beoams dePanged
in consequence. At four in the after
noon we went to bivouac; we started
early again, and now my strengh for
sock me, / could not keep up with the
troops, and began to lag behind. Sud
denly, at about noon, ] heard
THE FIRST GUNS.
The battle of Namur had begun. When
/ arrived where my regiment stood, or as
| should rather say, the little band rep
resenting it, dropped down. but fortu-
nately one of my comrades had some
eggs, one Of which gave me great
strength. Our Colonel came up to us
saying: RiAemen, you have twice
fought like the oldest soldiers-I have no
more to say. This woods is to be cleared
be steady-bugleman, the signalY and
OF we went with great hurrahl driving
the French before US down hill toward
Namur, which lay in our front, When
saw our men rushing too fast down the
hill, | was afraid that some enemies
might. be hid under the precipice to re-
ceive them. Holding myself with my
left hand by tree, looked oyer the
precipice aud saw about seven French
men. "They will hit ms, thought
and, turning around to call to our sol
diers, | suddenly experienced a sensa-
ton as if my whole body were compress
ed in my head, and this, like ball, were
quivering in the air. ! could feel the
existence of nothing elsei it was most
paiafnl sensation. After some time /
was able TO open my eyes, or to see
again with them. found myself on the
,ronnd. ovar ma sfoOd a soldier firing