The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-02

and mum bering 16 900 men. Davis, 10 his splen. i.
did ballad. places the number of the column at
he made such great mistake; bat certain it
is that the best authorities concur in fixing
the number at the figure I have stated. Leoky,
in bis "EDg Dgland in the eighteenth century
ssys;-
"The Dutch gave way at an early hour but
the English and Hsnoverans remained firm.
and gradually formed into u solid column of
about 1900 men they advanced through the
narrow passage which was left between the
fortified village of Fontenoy and the neigh
boring woods, full against the centre of the
OCallaghan, in his history of the "Irish Bri-
gsde in the service of France" gives this 40
count Of
"The Duke of Cumberland, whose bravery
that day merited the highest euloginm, at the
head OF q great column Of British and Han
overiane, ACCOMPANIED by 90 cannon, notwith-
standing the difficulties of the ground and the
destr CcIive cross fire from the guns in the vii.
lage Of FontenOy and of the redoubt unsssaul-
ted by lpgoldsby, forced his way beyond both
into the French CENTRE"
Bat to return. This magnificent column,
with it's 20 pieces of artillery, skilfully ted
in front and on both fanks, and commanded
in person by Lord John Hay, stepped bravely
forward to retrive rhe fortune of the day. The
onfy point in the French line which seemed
pregnable was Inc space between the wood and
Fon tenoy and On that the column marched
with the steadiness of veterans parade.
SAKE cav at glance the danger, and took
regiments of the "Freuch Gaards," the Swiss
Guards, DE Aubeterre." DE Roi ,""De Nam
hault," "Des Vaisseaux," 'De Normandie." the
cavalry of the "Garde d du Corps" "Gsnsdar.
merie,' "Carabiniers," "Fnz Jsmes' Irish.
Horse" were sucessively marched against that
moving fortress; but, in spite of the most des
perate and courageous efforts, these men, the
very elite of the army, were driven back
broken, ronted and dispersed, carrying demo.
ralizatlon in to the very centre Of the position,
At the same moment a well timed attack was
right, and o sorte in force was attempted by
the belesgured garrison ofTournay. Both of
the latter movements were repulsed but still
the Eoglisn columR moved on as resistless as
destiny. at times, when the French lines ap-
proaohtd, the scarlet uniforms could be seen
cleaning in the sunlight; but the next Instant
as their vollies scattered death aro1nd on every
side they were hid from view by the dark roll
ling clouds of sulphurous smoke. The mobiles
crowded around the King, urging hin, to cross
the river and save his royal person from what
however, was no carpet knight, and be sternly
waved them aside, determined to do or die
with his heroic subjects As a last resource he
ordered his household cavalry to charge the
advancing enemy. These magnificent sword
ers were the favorite troops of the King, were
maintaine ed at his own expense, attended the
royal person, and were never used except in
some imminent, deadly extremity. A. position
In the ranks was regarded ample reward
for years of faithful service. and equal to
oomnasion 10 any other corps; and the off GERS
were scions OF the nohlest blood in the realm
Mounted on the finest horses France could pro-
duce, caparisoned In the most COS fly uniforms
and inspired by the kno wledge that they we're
going to f2ht under the Kings eye and for the
protection of his person, the gltsering squad
rops proudly rrotted to the front.
Never did monarch look upon a more gel.
liant array; and Louis unplomed head is bent
down in response to their ringing cbesr as they
swept down the slope.
"Hurrah! the lines moving. Hark to the mingled
OF Afe and s,eed and trump ard drum and waverinr
Now. by the lips of these you love- gentlemen CT
Charge for the golden lilies upon them with the
SAKE as raised from his litter to watch the
effect Of the shook and every eye is strained
almost to bursting, so intense is the anxiety
OF all who stand on the hill. At last the bu.
giles sound the charge, the trot breaks into q
gsllop, and every head is bent to the saddle
as if nothing human could resist that deadly
outset and 1.-THE very earth seemed to trem BILE
beneath that horrible, rush Of horses" SAKE
and the King exchanged looks of deep mean
ing and smiled grimly in anticipation Of vic.
tory. A mingled crash Of musketry and can.
non, deep, heavy smoke, and q moment of
teSrtal silence succeeded; but, as the battle,
cloud rolled away, cry of horror burst from
every lip, as they beheld the late gallant ranks
scattered across the field in most direfol con-
fusion, all seeming of formation utterly des-
troyed, as horses and riders lay piled in CHASTITY,
bleeding masses, through aud over which the
Eoglish column pressed nearer and nearer to
the Kings headquarters SAKE, who had sent
orders privately to the officers commanding the
redonbts on the right to withdraw and protect
the King, now cursed their tardiness, and re.
Peated the order to disobey at their peril.
Had these orders been promptly obeyed, the
bloody disaster of Families would have been
repeated; bntsA fortunately for France, they
were not.
The column had now forced its way past the
redoubts and Eontenoy, and had completely
severed the French line and nothing short of |
a miracle could prevent decisive EoRlish vic.
tory. Bot the miracle wss at hand. Disorder
began to prevail around the King, uhere. ao- l
coEding to Voltsire, q somewhat tnmuItuous |
council of war was being held, to nske hurried |
preparations to croes the Soheldt. At that last |
terrible moment, when all seemed lcss-uAy
whom all toGe loes-two horsemen, bareheaded,
begrimed with smoke and DUST dashed up |
witch spurs buried rowel-deep into their charg. i
ers' reeking hanke. They were the Lieutenant |
General Dnc de RichOlieu, and the glorious /
Count Laily of the "Irish Brigade" The mobiles
fall to right and left as they dash to where
Louis and SAKE are consulting together. Half
:, dozen words are scarcely spoken when the