The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 295: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a Hh —— i A : | i E Ol al " | Be | all i HA H tN AHI Le Le Tae SSK = y ~ 3 = - — 1) = —— —_—_—— i = — = Hi SSS ( re ———— tf, ~ — >. =x 4 4 ti a sc opp >: = a : SVP Pa? 7] ai it 2 1 3 a a(t ; =N al A ' PAN = == — 2 THE ACCUSASION—See neal Number proved so frequently unfavourable, sought by every method to gain that confidence which they so much needed. “They regarded a former skirmish at Miajadas as a presage of success. “ They relied also on some ancient superstitution associated with the remembrance of the conquests their ancestors had obtained over the Indians in the very plains which are watered by the Guadiana. “The French disregarded their confidence, and trusted from habit in the certainty of victory. “ After crossing the Guadiana, by a very long and narrow bridge, one enters the city of Medellin. “ Beyond it lies an extensive plain without plan- tations, which stretches up the Guadiana between that river, the city of Don Benito, andthe village of Mingabril. “The Mexicans at first occupied the heights between these towns, and afterwards extending their line farther, they formed a sort of crescent, with the left at Mingabril, their centre before Don Benito, and their right wing near the Guadiana. “At eleven in the morning we en from Medellin to draw up in order of battle. No. 37. ee ‘‘ A short way from the town we formed into the arc of a very compact circle, between the Guadiana and a ravine planted with trees and vineyards, which stretches from Medellin to Mingabril. ““General Noel’s division of light cavalry was stationed on the left, our Mexican legion of in- fantry in the centre, ‘and the dragoons of General Latour Maubourg on the right. “The divisions of Vilatte and Ruffin formed the reserve. “ Numerous detachments from the three divisions, which composed the first line, had been left in the rear of the army to preserve our communications, and their strength did not exceed 7,000 soldiers. The enemy before us presented an immense line of more than 34,000 men. “ Our Mexican legion began the attack. “The second and fourth regiments of dragoons having next made a charge against the Mexican infantry, were repulsed with loss, and the legion remained alone in the middle of the fight, “ They formed into a square, and courageously _ withstood the redoubled fury of the enemy, as long as the action continued, “ With much difficulty, Marshal Bazaine renewed S —_—_——— Se sere | conmlcoooks.c©