[Illustration: _Johnny writes an account of the Action to his Mother, which afterwards appears in the Star._] ‘Dear Mother, ‘In few words I will contrive ‘To let you know that I am safe alive. ‘I know, dear Mother, it will give you joy-- ‘The Colonel said, I was a gallant Boy. ‘But truly, Mother, my poor pen can’t tell ‘How we were Pepper’d by the Shots and Shell. ‘Poor Buckett too, you know, old Buckett’s son, ‘Was kill’d, and fell before we made them run. ‘And now, dear Mother, I’m sure for joy you’ll cry, ‘To know who led his Soldiers to the charge? but I. ‘Our glorious General too, he lives as hard ‘As any Ticket Porter in our Ward. ‘But I’ve no time, though much I have to say, ‘We’re order’d to March off without delay. ‘I don’t know where to give you my direction, ‘So give my loving Father my affection. ‘We shall have Peace, and then go home again, ‘So I most dutifully do remain, ‘J. N.’ [Illustration: _Half Rations._] The Rations now arriv’d, each took his share, And eagerly devour’d the scanty Fare; And scanty Fare it was, consisting chief Of flinty Biscuit, tough, and stinking Beef, Tho’ Teague’s report at first made John look glum-- ‘’Tis only half allowance, and no Rum.’ ‘O Damn those Commissaries! what a disaster, ‘They’ve brought us down, you see, to Lath & Plaster. ‘But, “Vive la guerre,” ’tis useless to repine.’ So on they March, and in the pursuit join. Now rapidly they on the vanquish’d prest, Snatching at intervals a hasty rest. Day after Day, and frequently all Night, They speed to check the Frenchmen in their flight: When luckily for John, an order came To Halt--for John was wearied, & poor Dobbin lame. Close to Medina now their Stations took, Amidst the standing Barley, near a Brook. Knock’d up was John, his spirits quite forsook him, So to his Hospital the Doctor took him. ‘Come cheer, my friend; come rally and be gay;-- ‘I’ve got some Lads to Dine with me to-day.’ John fain would rally, but was sick at heart; Though at the dinner tried to play his part. ‘Come,’ says the Doctor, ‘here’s Rum and Segars; ‘This is the way we carry on our Wars. ‘Here, smoke, my boy, I know ’twill do you good; ‘And try this Country wine, ’twill cool your Blood.’ John smoked, & drank, & drank, & smoked again, But nought upon his Stomach would remain. His head turn’d round--he tried to gain the door, But miss’d his mark, and sp--d upon the floor. ‘O Ja--s,’ says a lively Irish Blade, ‘I ne’er before saw such a grand Cascade.’ Holding his Nose, exclaim’d a chubbly Lad, ‘Give me some Rum, or I shall be as bad.’ ‘True,’ says a third, and winking as he spoke, ‘Though well he stood the Fire, he can’t the Smoke.’ ‘Aye,’ says the Doctor, sagely, ‘it a fact is, ‘Tobacco fumes corrode for want of practice; ‘Coming in contact with the Mesentery,