The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-11-02


which seemed to have been last thrown
up, he easily forced few bricks out
Of their places. An exclamation indi-
cativc Of the hi CHEST degree of pleas
urc, instantly gave notice that some
great discovery had been effected; it
drew the whole of us to the spot, and
in five minutes, the cellar was crowded
with men, filling. in the first place,
their own haversacks and bosoms, and
then han,l!ng oHt bottles, with the ut
most lib,rality, to their comrades. In
less than quarter of an hour, not a
single pat, either Of wine or spirits, re-
nj lined out of all this magnificent
stock.
Well pleased with the issue of our
undertaking, We rctraced our steps to
the picket where we were received
with the cordiality which our burden
was calculated to produce. There the
spirits were equally divided, and the
men, receiving their due proportion,
there fell to the share of Charlton and
myself a flask of exquisite cognac, with
two magnums of superior bordeaux.
With the help of these, we contrived
to make very comfortable meal upon
salt pork and biscuit. which alone re-
mained to us, and then lighting our
pipes, we sat down by the side Of the
fire, in state of excessive moisture, it
is true, but still of considerable enjoy
ment.
By this time darkness began rapidly
to set in, and the scene acquired every
moment more and more of interest and
sublimity. The rain still fell, though
not with so much violence as it had
fallen 4 little while ago; whilst the
wind rising hy fits and starts, waved
over the flat, and whispered through
the wools in violent gusts The
clouds rushed before it. and totally ob-
scured, from time to time, 4 young
moon which seemed to struggle lie against
their supremacy, and their dividing
into grey fleeces, suffered Ler for 4
moment to smile out upon the storm.
But it was not in the operations of ma
ture alone that we found much to adj
mlre. Oar outposts, extending in a
sort of curve, permitted us, who occu-
pied one of the extreme tlanks, to look
at once upon the fires, both of the
British and American armies, and the
effect of these, in dark and tempestu-
Gus night like the present, was in the
highest degree striking. Our troops
lay all along the plain; in part among
the wood which skirted the open coun
try, in part upon the open country it
self; and their order, probably through
motives Of policy, was as loose and
scattered as a due regard to safety
would permit. The consequence was,
that their fires stretched out in a single
line, presented an appearance far more
imposing, than if they had been con-
fined, as usual, to one or two spots.
On the part of the Americans again
there was no need for any artificial ex-
tension. Their fires ran along the
whole face of the hill. Like our own,
they were arranged in sort of Il semi
circle, only the horns of their crescent,
instead of advancing, fell back, on both
sides from the centre. 1t was impos-
siblc not to feel the contrast which the
dense arrangement of their bivouac
presented, to the scattered and some
what irregular dispositions of ours.
That they surpassed us IN numbers, at
least thrccfold, we had all along been
aware; the very nature and extent of
their works were, of themselves, sufli-
cirnt to prove this; but am not sure
that the knowledge Of that superiority
produced it's full effect, till after the
establishment OF the two camps for tie
right had brought it completely home
to Us. Yet there WAS not man
amongst us who entertained a doubt
I Il + },,tt L., Lao
gin when it might. We diSpiscd the
Yankees from our hearts, and only
longcd for an opportunity to show
them how easily they could be beater.
Nor was this eager desire to engage
of an impetuosity, which British sol
diers always experience when in the
presence OF an enemy. 1t had been
explained To us, that as soon us com
munication could be opened between
the army and the fleet, Of which all the
bombs, and all Of the lighter irigates,
were in the river, an attack upon the
American lines would be made. This
was to begin with Il heavy fire on the
right Tor the purpose of drawing to
that part the principal share of Jona-
than attack; after which, tue S5th
regiment, and the seam n, supported
bv the 4th and 44th were to penetrate
the left silently and with the bayonot.
Having overcome all opposition, the
column was to wheel up upon the sum-
NIT OF the ridge, to remain stationary
till dawn; and then taking the whole
of the works IN flank, to carry them
one by one in detail. But everything,
it was understood, was to depend upon
the ability of the fleet to cooperate.
There was, upon the extreme right Of
the American position, a strong post,
well supplied with heavy ordinance.