The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

—_——_ Nr SL 358 guns ; the count was in charge of Caspar’s infantry: but Caspar had sole control of the cavalry. ‘“At 4 A.M. next morning, we cautiously took up the line of march, and when within a mile of the Ferry abruptly left the main road and approached the heights. “We could distinctly see the tall bold rock at the Ferry, encircled by mists and clouds, “And as we journeyed quietly through the forest and ascended the steep wood-covered mountains, the sun rose, revealing the swiftly-flowing river, as I have elsewhere described, with here and there a white*dwelling of the town sleeping in the quiet morning air, at the base of the gigantic rocks which overhang the Ferry. ‘‘ With excessive labour we pulled the pieces up the face of the hill, and had them in an ambushed position overlooking the town long before the enemy had sounded reyeille, “Their camps about the Ferry were distinctly seen. ‘Various trenches, forts, and earth-works were counted and examined with glasses; the whole panorama of the valley lay several hundred feet below us. ‘While on every road leading to and from we Saw numerous picket fires and yidettes. “There was no sign of Caspar or his command. “When the mists of morning cleared away, and the distant woods were visible, small faint columns of smoke indicated where his forces lay along the main road. ‘At the base of the hill on which we were a streamlet ran towards and emptied into the river, a mile northward at the foot of the town. “So that on the north and east, two difterent rivers ran winding through the landscape, while beyond the first-named stream in the valley lay a _ picturesque village, where the commandant of the post and merchants delighted to dwell in the pecu- lation times of old. “The chief buildings, however, were now con- verted into barracks and storehouses, establishments that Caspar had long beheld with a jealous and covetous eye. _ . “About 7 a.m.I observed several horsemen dash _ from the distant woods and approach the village in great haste.. ‘The drums began to beat very wildly. “Shortly afterwards clouds of dust indicated _ Caspar’s approach, “At 8 a.m. to a minute he halted on the main road, and fired a shot at the infantry barracks, ‘This was a signal to us, ‘‘ We hoisted a flag, and two shots answered that all was right. ‘The enemy were not long in assembling, and could be seen swarming into their field works and rifle pits. | ‘‘Skirmishers were sent out by both parties, and little puffs of smoke and faint reports told that | they were hotly engaged. ‘The enemy did not seem inclined to leave his | fortifications, ‘Yet to draw Caspar forward, sent out two _ regiments as decoys, ‘They were saluted with round shot and ‘shell, and quickly turned and fled to the woods south- west of the village, “They were mistaken in their calculation. “For as they approached the timber, volleys saluted them, and a squadron of cavalry dashing _ forward on their flank, cut down many, and dis- persed the rest in wild confusion, —$—$—$—$—$—$—$———$$ rr THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “Caspar now advanced several hundred yards nearer. = “The foe brought forward field pieces and fresh regiments to oppose him. “ While this was progressing our artillerists had taken accurate range of the chief storehouse, mills, &c., and then shelled very fast into them. ‘This unexpected assault seemed to discom- fort the enemy within the town and suburbs, ‘ And although they endeavoured to save their stores, most of them were fired, and the build- ings smashed, * Had they ascended the opposite heights (not, more than half a mile across the river), our posi- tion would have proved untenable, ‘‘ For they were much higher than thcse on which we were. “* They did not. ‘Our cannonade was maintained with great vigour. “Every object within reach being smashed up in succession. “The enemy now began to cross the river on flats at different points. “ Observing it, a few shell were directed towards them with decided effect. : “‘The flats capsized, and submerged the parties on them, “ Still the enemy advanced, and still Caspar held his ground, ‘“As the Imperialists advanced in line of battle he put forth a few to meet them ; but the latter, at the first fire, broke and fled. ‘The Imperialists seeing this, gave a tremeridous cheer, and ran ferward with the bayonet, but in confusion and with broken lines. ‘And as they advanced towards the woods out came a regiment of cavalry, and was among the Imperialists in a few moments, pistoling and slash- ing awkwardly with sabres. ‘' The cavalry attack was made in great confusion, and most of the enemy effected their escape by running into a very large fortified house used for barracks in the village. | ‘Caspar observed this place, and stealing along the road with his 24-pounder on waggon axles, directed a few well-aimed shells at it, broke the walls, blew off the roof, and the refugees sallied out to their nearest lines in great confusion, and with loss. ‘This unsatisfactory style of fighting was main- tained with fluctuating success until nuon, when a courier swam the rivulet, ascended the mountains, and begged us to bring our force into the valley, and assail the enemy on the right, while Caspar pushed the centre. “Our orders forbade—we dare not go; and although the men crowded round me and begged to. be led against the enemy, I was compelled to refuse. “The cannonade was renewed with great fury by either party, and many shells came screaming over and on to the heights on which we stood, but with no effect. “ Caspar, seeing that the enemy greatly out- numbered, and were endeavouring to surround him, used his field pieces with so much destruction as to hold them in check while he drew off his small force to a better position. “The rustics Caspar had with him becomin accustomed to the thing, gallantly advanced and repulsed the enemy; while Caspar, conspicuous on a white horse, led on the cavalry, and made several very brilhant charges, “Having effected his main object, viz., of de- Gomichbookssco S 0 a