Who has not heard of the events of that fearful hour, on which the fate
of Europe hung as it were suspended in the scale? On one side supported
by the efforts of desperate resolution, guided by the most consummate
art; and on the other defended by a discipline and enduring courage
almost without a parallel.
The indefatigable Blucher arrived, and the star of Napoleon sank.
Pendennyss threw himself from his horse, on the night of the eighteenth
of June, as he gave way by orders, in the pursuit, to the fresher
battalions of the Prussians, with the languor that follows unusual
excitement, and mental thanksgivings that this bloody work was at length
ended. The image of his Emily again broke over the sterner feelings of
the battle, like the first glimmerings of light which succeed the awful
darkness of the eclipse of the sun: and he again breathed freely, in the
consciousness of the happiness which would await his speedy return.
"I am sent for the colonel of the ----th dragoons," said a courier in
broken English to a soldier, near where the earl lay on the ground,
waiting the preparations of his attendants "have I found the right
regiment, my friend?"
"To be sure you have," answered the man, without looking up from his
toil on his favorite animal, "you might have tracked us by the dead
Frenchmen, I should think. So you want my lord, my lad, do you? do we
move again to-night?" suspending his labor for a moment in expectation
of a reply.
"Not to my knowledge," rejoined the courier; "my message is to your
colonel, from a dying man. Will you point out his station?"
The soldier complied, the message was soon delivered, and Pendennyss
prepared to obey its summons immediately. Preceded by the messenger as a
guide, and followed by Harmer, the earl retraced his steps over that
ground on which he had but a few hours before been engaged in the deadly
strife of man to man, hand to hand.
How different is the contemplation of a field of battle during and after
the conflict! The excitement, suspended success, shouts, uproar, and
confusion of the former, prevent any contemplation of the nicer parts of
this confused mass of movements, charges, and retreats; or if a
brilliant advance is made, a masterly retreat effected, the imagination
is chained by the splendor and glory of the act, without resting for a
moment on the sacrifice of individual happiness with which it is
purchased. A battle-ground from which the whirlwind of the combat has
passed, presents a different sight; it offers the very consummation of
human misery.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account