The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-03-12

| iloih ol.e CnlckeC TO anOtnef, covered
the entire open space, and advanced,
with the same GOODNESS, and in the
same admirable style, as if they had
been marching upon parade. In their
rear, though far enough removed to
| be. in great measure, secure against
| the fire of musketry, came a compact
| line, whose business it was, rather to
give support wherever it should be
needed, than to take any active part
in the battle. On the road again,
dense column of blue,iackets pushed
forward, with the alacrity and con-
tempt of danger, which so eminently
distinguish the English sailor; whilst
battalion, likewise in column, march
ed after it, ready to follow up with ad-
vantage whatever successes the privil-
eyed, undisciplined valor of the seamen
might obtain
On the side Of the a Americans, again,
all was stiffness and expectation. The
corps which, up to this moment, had
been continually changing their
ground, now stood last. The whole
were in line, and, with shouldered arms,
appeared to watch the progress of their
enemies, like men who were determined
not to be beaten. l thought, indeed,
that could perceive a little wavering
at one particular point. 1t was a spot
towards their extreme left, which, in
the course Of the cannonade, had re-
ceived more than its due proportion of
salutations; but whether | am correct
or not, it is impossible for me to say,
inasmuch as the vision became almost
instantly obscured by columns of
smoke. The Americans had in their
line several pieces of cannon, from
which no discharges had as yet taken
place. What their object was in keep
ing them so long idle, know not; per-
haps they imagined that their fire,
when opened unexpectedly, would pro-
duce double ct,-and, on that ac-
count, reserved it for the attack. Be
this as it may, our infantry had not
advanced ten PAGES, when volley of
grape was poured upon them from
every gun in the field; and the plung-
ing of balls all along the grass, the
crashing of rails, trees and other OBJ
jects struck. as we'll as not few pros
trations among the soldiers themselves,
gave proof that the salutation was not
less serious than noisy.
As yet, it may be said, that | and
my immediate followers ranked moth
ing more than spectators of the dispo-
sitions and movements of our comrades
Occasionally indeed, cannon shot
passing through the windows of the
house, or lodging in one of the stacks.
bore testimony that the enemy were
not wholly unmindful of us; but we
were already SO far in advance. that to
push on till the others overlook us,
would have been the height of absur-
dity. Now, however, we began to feel,
that a state of quiescence was not ex-
actly that which became us. Having
waited till a few of the most forward
of the skirmishers began to seek shell
ter behind our barnyard, we likewise
assumed the offensive, and dashing
from our lurking place, pressed on
ward.
Immediately in front of the farm
house ran a high railing, similar to
those Of which | have before had occa-
sian to speak, as intersccting almost
every field or spot in this quarter of
America. We were in the act of
springing over it when the enemy, di-
rccting against us couple of six
Founders, swept down five or six men
out of the company. Among them
there was one poor fellow, who received
from that fire as horrible wound as
recollect at any period to have seen.
A round shot striking him in the shoul-
der, tore away the whole of the limb,
and left his very lungs exposed to the
view of the by-stander The man was
a bit of a favorite with his master. By
birth a gypsy, he possessed not only
in a high degree the qualities of con-
VITALITY and good humor, but he was
acknowledged to be by far the most
skilful maker Of fires, and therefore one
of the most useful individuals in the
regiment. No rain, however. heavy,
hindered him from striking a light,
and from a light once struck, he never
failed to produce a blaze. The loss of
such a parsonage could not but be
deeply and universally lamented. 1t
may not be amiss to add here, that in
spite of the severity of his wound, the
poor fellow fingered many days; he
was even removed to the ships before
he died Might not the blowing out
of a mans brains, under such crcum-
stances, be not only justifablc, but
praiseworthy?
Up to this moment, not Il single mus
ket had been discharged on either side,
and the most perfect silence prevailed
throughout the ranks of both armies.
The British soldiers moved forward
with their accustomed fcarlessness, and
the Americans, with much apparent
GOODNESS, stood to receive them. Now,