The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-12-07


what was coming, AMI my earn ,st
recommendation that he would lose no
time in occupying the ditch. had
hardly done so, when the noise of 4
column dcploying was distinctly heard.
The tramp ofhorses, too, came mingled
with the tread Of men; in word, it
was quite evident. that large f. rce,
both of infantry and cavalry, was be-
fore as.
There was pause at this period of
several moments, as il the enemy's line,
having effected its formation, had
halted, till some other arrangement
should be completed; but it was quick
ly broken. On they came, so far as we
could judge from the sound, in steady
array, till at length their line could be
distinctly seen rising through the
gloom. The sentine!s with one consent
gave their fire. They gave it regular
ly, and effectively, beginning with the
rifles on their left, and going off to-
wards the S5th on their right, and then,
i'll obedi nr' tn th"ir orders. fell back.
But they retired hot untn j sted.
This struggling discharge on our part
seemed to be the signal to the Amcrl-
cans to begin the battle. and they
poured in such a vollcy. as must have
proved, had any determined object been
opposed to it, absolutely murderous.
But our scattered vidcttes almost
wholly escaped it; whilst over the
main body OF the picket, sheltered as it
was by the ditch, and considerably re-
moved from its line, it passed entirely
harmless.
Having fired this volley, the enemy
loaded again, and advanced. We saw
them coming, and having waited till
we judged that they were within ex-
celIent range, We opened our fire. 1t
was returned in ten fold force, and now
went on, for full half hour. rs heavy
and close discharge of musketry as
troops have perhaps ever faced. Con-
fident in their numbers, and led on, as
it would appear, by brave officers, the
Americans dashed forward till scarcely
ten yards divided us; but our position
was an admirable one, our men were
steady and cool, and they penetrated
no farther. On the contrary, we drove
them back, more than once, with loss
which thei: own inordinate multitude
tended to render the more severe.
The action might have continued in
this state about two hours, when, to
our horror and dismay, the approaching
fire upon our right flank md rear, gave
testimony that the picket of the So Ii,
which hal cen in communication with
us was forced. Unwilling to abandon
our ground, which We hal hitherto
held with such success, we cIuny for :,
while to the idea that the reverse IN
that quarter might he only temporary
and that the arrival Of fresh troops
might yet enable us to continue the
battle in 4 position SO eminently fl.
orable to us. But We were speedily
taught that our hopes were with VT
foundation. The American ware y
was behind us. We rose from our
lairs, and endeavored: as best as VIC
could, to retire upon the right, but the
effort was fruitless. There too the
enemy had established themselves, and
we were surrounded. "Lct us cut our
way through cried we to the men.
The brave men answered onl y with a
shout; and collecting into Il small
compact line, prepared to use their
bayoncts. In moment we had penc
trated the centre of an American divi
sion; but the numbers opposed to us
were overwhelming; our close order
was lost; and the contest became that
of man to man; | have no language
adequate to describe what followed
For myself, did what | could, cut.
ting and thrustiny at the mutitudes
about me, till at last found myself
partly hemmcd in 10y crowd, and my
sword arm mastered. One American
had grasped me around the waist
another, scizing my wrist, attempted
to disar.n me, whilst third was pre-
vented from plunging his bayonet into
my DO ly, only by the fear OF stabbing
one or other of his countrymen.
s.lug yled hard, but they fairly bore
me to the ground The reader will be
lieve, that at this juncture | expected
nothing else but instant death; but al
the moment when | fell, blow upon
the head with the butt end of mus
ket dashed out the brains Of the IN IN
who kept his hold upon my arm, an
it was freed. saw bayonct pointed
! at my breast, and instinctively made
a thrust at the man who welded it
The thrust took effect, and he droppet
dead beside me. Delivered now from
two of my enemies, recovered my
feet, and founl that the hand whic.
| dealt the blow to which my preserv;l
tion was owing, was that of Charlton
| There were ab)ut ten men abou
him. The enemy in our front wer
broken, and we dashed through. Blu
We were again hemm,d in, and agair
it was fought han'l to hand; with tina
| 4 IF ,l,tarr,in,ti,>, Il x,h;.,,, tho =, ,