Year: 1862

one day his experience in his first battle. Hi
history Interested NE so much that took th,
first opportunity of writing it down from
memory:


Il joined my regiment on the evening o
September fourth. / found the colonel 10 tht
camp, aud he received me bluntly enough bu
after having received General BIS letter o
recommendation, his manner changed, he ad
dressed NE kindly, and presented me to my
captain, who had just returned from q recon
noiSsance. This captain, whose acquaintance
had hardly time to make, was large dark
/ compile xioned man, with hard and repulsivt
/ features. He had been private soldier, auC
had earned his cross and epaulets upon The
tle-feld. His voice, which was weak ant
husky, contrasted strangely with his giant-likt
was owing to shot be had received at jena
Hearing that was from the school at Fontaine
bleau, he said, with an expressive grimace
Ny lieutenant died yesterday l understood
what be meant. You will have to take his
place, and you are not fit A sharp answer
came to my lips, but held my tongue.


The moon came up behind the Notifications
of Cheverino, (which were at two cannon shots
distance from our camp looking large and red
as usual at its rising but this evening il seem
ed to me of extraordinary size. For an instant
the redoubt showed black against its brilliant
disc, resembling the cone of q volcano at the
moment of al eruption. An old soldier, who
stood near by remarked the color of the moon.


1t is very red' said he that is sign that
we shall have hard work to take that famous
redoubt | have always been somewhat su-
perstitous, and this prediction, at such time,
sensibly affected me. | arose, and walked back
and forth for some time, watching the long
line of lights which blazed on the heights
above the village of Cheverino. When |
emily cooled my blood, l returned to the fire,
wrapped myself in my cloak and shut my eyes,
hoping not to open them again till morning.
But sleep would not come to me. Inseusbly,
my thoughts took gloomy turn. remem-
bered that | had not single friend among the
hundred thousand men that covered that plain.
If were wounded, l should be placed in a
hospital and treated carelessly by unskillful
surgeons. All that had ever read or heard Of
surgical operations came back to my mind my
heart beat painfully, and | involuntarily ar
ranged in the fashion of breast-plate the
handkerchief and portfolio which carried in
my bosom. | was very tired but If | dosed
those gloomy images were continually recurring
and | awoke with q start of terror. At length
fatigue overcome me, and when the revilc
beat was sleeping soundly. We were drawn
up in line, the roll was called, and then our
arms were stacked, and everything promised a
quiet day.


About three O'Clock an add camp bear
ing orders rode up The troops were sum-
mOned to arms aud the artillery drawn cut on
the plain, while we followed slowly, and in
twenty minutes saw the advance guard OF the
Russians retire within their forifcations A
body of artillery was stationed on our right,
and another on our left both at a considerable
distance in advance of u.s. who opened sharp
fire upon the enemy. which was energetically
returned, and soon the fortiGcaton of Cheve-
rino were lost to sight beneath thick clouds of
l.o -, II
sheltered from the fire of the Russians by a
rise of ground. Their bullets, when they aimed
at US, which was seldom, for they fred chiefly
upon the artillery companies, passed over our
heads, or at most threw upon Us earth and
stones. As soon as the order 10 advance was
given, my captain turned upon me and inquir-
ing look which forced me to stroke my nascent
moustache with as nonchallant an air as cod
assume And in fact, | was not frightened
the only anxiety felt was lest should be SIS
pected of fear The harmless bullets contrbu-
ted not a little to produce my heroic calmness.
being at last under the FIRE OF battery. and |
was delighted to find myself so comfortable,
promising myself the pleasure of relating the
capture of Cheverino in the drawing rooms of
Madame de Saint Luxan, in the Rue de Prov
ence.


Our colonel rode along the line, and &C
costed me Well, said he, you will have a
Jolly time for your debut l smiled compla-
Gently. and with soldier-like air, as brushed
the sleeve of my coat, which bullet striking
some thirty PAGES of, had covered with dust.
1t seemed as If the Russians perceived the small
effect of their fire, for they now began to send
shells instead Of bullets as being more likely
to tell upon US in our sheltered situation
Presently one burst with terrific explosion,
killing man close by me and knocking off my
hat. L congratulate you said the captain, as
picked up my hat; you are safe for to-day
l was not ignorant of the military superstition
which holds that non rls IN rdem IS as good an
.,;o,,, Co. Tho hottla. .faId as for co,-t of ms