Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-12-04

to take bis place.
He hastily armed himself, and
Joined the detachment, but his horse,
uncommonly gentle and dociIe, rear
ed of a sudden, plunged necessarily.
and dismounted his master, who, in
falling, fractured his leg /; and be-
hold my time came, and depart
ed, but, l must candidly confess, not
in my usual spirits.
/ commanded eighty men, who
were joined by one hundred and
twenty-four from another regiment.
Our position was nearly mile in
advance of the left wing, and as we
were protected by deep and extern
sive morass, covered with lofty
reeds, we did not consider videttes
necessary.
No one, however, quilted his sad
die, and the orders were to remain
till morning, sword in hand and car
bine loaded. All continued pro-
foundly tranquil for nearly two hours
when an approaching noise was
heard, and in an instant, amid loud
shouts of "Allah Allah |" our front
rank was charged and overthrow,
partly by the shock of seven or eight
hundred Turks.
An equal number of the enemy
was dismounted by their own impet-
uosity and our carbines but they
we're completely acquainted with the
ground, and We were thrown into
disorder, surrounded and defeated.
II received many wounds and my
charger fellSunder me. Our troops
fought with the couragesof despair !;
whilesthe: Turks, superior in num-
bers and stimulated by opium, made
a horrible slaughter, and in short
time not a singleaAustrian remained
capable of resistance. Such was the
beginning Of August the 2Oth.ss
The eonquerors having seized the
horses which were still fit for service
and pillaged the dead and dying, f.
nally began to cut of the heads and
| place them in sacks which they had
brought for that purpose.
The corps of Czekler had ample
means to know the ferocious dispo-
sition of the enemy, and my situa-
ton was consequently not very envi-
able, especially as | heard them urg-
ing despatch, lest succor should ar
rive, and that the nights work ought
to produce two hundred ducats-so
very accurate was their information.
In the meantime they passed and
repassed over me and while legs,
arms ard bullets few around, my
horse received another wound and
his convulsive struggles enabled me
to extricate my leg which had been
fastened under him.
instantly arose and resolved to
throw myself into the morass, 10 the
hope of being sheltered among the
reeds. | had observed several of
our people make the attempt, but uu
successfully; but the firing had, in
great measure, ceased, and the
darkness gave me confidence.
Although the distance was trifing
the danger OF being overwhelmed in
the water was imminent neverthe-
less | sprang over men aud horses,
and overthrow more than one Turk
who attempted to cut me down. Ny
good star and nay agility enabled
me to reach the morass, into which
only sunk to the depth of my
knees, crouching as / advanced
among the reeds, until fatigue com
PEELED me to pause, when ! heard an
exclamation that San infidel.had es.
caped-let US seek him.
Other voices replied, shat cannot
be ventured in the morass.n Wheth-
er the attempt was made I know
not, as loss of blood, extreme weak
ness, and intense anxiety, produced
faintishness that lasted Z several
hours, and when / recovered my
senses it was broad daylight.
/ was buried in the mud to the
middle, my hair rose erect at the
horrible images of the night, and the
twentieth of August was one OF my
first thoughts.
| counted my wounds to the num-
Der of eight, but none appeared dam
gerous, as they were chiefly sabre
cuts on my arms and body. The
autumn evenings are very cool ID
that country and very chilly l had
therefore worn thick pelisse, which
had materially protected me; but /
was very feeble.
/ listened to ascertain if the enemy
bad departed, but I heard nothing
save the groans of the wounded
horses. As for the riders, the Turks
had rendered them quiet enough.
exeried myself to get out of my
place of concealment, which I ac-
complished in about an hour. The
traces which | had left among the
reeds formed a safe guide. Ny at.
'tention aud regards were naturally
and Immediately attracted TO the
scene of massacre, where of all my
comrades, / singly stood in safety.
Rut harr shall 6aecribo fho bor.