The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1010, May 6, 1899Various
General
The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1010, May 6, 1899
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals
That of course could not be allowed, and orders were given that the
42nd and the 50th should advance to expel the foe from the village.
Moore, always to be found at the point of greatest danger, where his
presence would most be needed, was at hand. His voice could now be
heard to ring out in his characteristic challenge—
“_Highlanders—remember Egypt!_”
Like greyhounds from the leash, in response to those beloved tones,
they leaped to the charge, carrying everything before them. Moore, in
his passionate ardour, actually charged with them, and he told the men
that he was “well pleased” with their conduct. Baird, the second in
command, leading his Division, had his arm shattered with grape-shot,
and was carried from the field.
Before Moore appeared, the officers and men of the 50th
Regiment—ordered to advance with the 42nd—had been eagerly looking
out for him, realising that this would be the _crux_ of the English
position, and feeling one and all that “under him they _could not_
be beaten!” that, if only Moore were present, victory was absolutely
secure. “Where is he? Where is the General?” was heard in eager murmurs
along the line.
As they asked the question, he came, bearing down upon them at headlong
speed on his cream-coloured charger, a fiery animal, with flying
black mane and tail tossed in the breeze. The force with which Moore
reined in flung him forward almost upon the horse’s neck, while his
head was thrown back, and he examined the enemy with a gaze of such
extraordinary and searching intensity, that Charles Napier, in after
years, seeking to describe the scene, could find no language with which
he might fitly describe that look.
Without a word Moore then galloped off; but he soon returned; and
hereabouts it was that, as he was speaking to Major Napier, a round
shot from the heavy French guns on the height struck the ground between
them. Both horses swerved sharply, but Moore instantly urged his back
to the same spot, asking calmly if Napier were hurt, and receiving a
quiet, “No, sir.”
Then, as he watched the spirited charge of the 50th regiment, led by
Napier and Stanhope, he exclaimed—
“Well done, Fiftieth! Well done, my Majors!”
The French were rapidly driven out of Elvina, with heavy loss, both
regiments pursuing them beyond the village, into ground much broken
by stone walls. By this time the English were without supports, and
the French, having received strong reinforcements, rallied and turned
upon them with fresh fury. Napier got too far in advance of his men,
received five wounds, and was taken prisoner; and Stanhope was killed.
Moore, grappling anew with the danger, hurried up a battalion of the
Guards to reinforce the 50th, which was being slowly forced back, and
the 42nd, which had come to an end of its powder and shot. He galloped
to the latter regiment, and again his voice rang out with inspiring
energy—
“My brave 42nd, join your comrades! The ammunition is coming! _And you
have your bayonets still!_”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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