The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 385: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 379 of the conquered strip of woods, so that when their forces appeared on our right, up rose the brave old count to meet them. “They were apparently astonished. ‘But while engaged in reforming their lines, and bringing forward fresh forces to make a desperate effort to restore the lost equilibrium of things, their right was assailed with great fury by our left, _ Another force, assured of our victory, was rapidly marching through country to their right and rear. “The absence of artillery sorely perplexed us, and particularly on the left, where their cannon were sweeping all approach with canister and grape. ‘‘ Several regiments had been thrown forward to capture these pieces on their right, but, having pro- ceeded to some distance, they were exhausted and baffled by the enemy changing position and gradu- ally retiring, ‘Oecasionally rising to their feet, our thinned and bleeding regiments staggered forward a short distance further, but suffering severely, they again fell on their faces, and picked off scores of can- noniers, completely unmanning several guns. “ As to the advance of their infantry, they cared notajot. - “Tt was exactly what they desired. “Their cavalry charged; but, without forming square, our men closed up their broken files, and received them with such unerring aim that they never essayed to gallop down upon us again. ‘“‘ Their infantry next appeared ; but without wait- ing for them, our men rushed forward and fired, while they rushed back again in unmanageable confusion. “ Acain and again their guns fired ; it was evident they were gradually preparing to retreat, but while several regiments were annoying their guns and killing scores of gunners, a wild shout arose to the - rear. “On came the Frontier-men at a run, officers in front charging among their redoubts and guns— smashed up their right—and while desperately engaged against great odds, the whole line closed up, and a hand to hand conflict ensued at all points |! “ Clouds of dust, woods smoking on every hand, long lines of musketry fire, the deafening roar of artillery, and piercing yells, arose on every hand, “The dark, dense mass of the enemy slowly re- tired through their camps, across the creek and though the woods in the north-east part of the field ; bursting of caissons, and explosion of ammunition waggons, lighting up the scene on every hand, “ But while myself and others were hurling our commands at the stubborn enemy, and rapidly cap- turing guns, munitions, and prisoners at every turn, the distant roar of cannon, miles away to our front, breaks upon the ear, and news 18 soon brought that Escobedo in person 1s breaking their line of retreat towards their fortified camps on the north bank of the river, and has already captured several thousand prisoners, including cannon, waggons, and officers of all ranks, «“ And thus the battle of Queretero was over, and the victory ours ! “ Couriers and generals and regiments moving to and fro told that the enemy were to be hard pushed, and nothing left undone to completely annihilate those which had been opposed to us. ‘So that, though the roar of musketry to our O Bs. — connicloooks.com front, and southward across the creek, told that we were driving them closely towards their fortified hills and camps near the city, it was certain these movements and preparations were in anticipation of hostilities on the morrow, should Maximilian essay a second attempt to maintain possession of the city, under cover of his numerous fortifications still untouched, several of which in the distance could be seen, not more than a mile away, with camp fires burning and rockets quickly ascending in the star-lit sky. “The field was rich in booty. ““T myself counted several magnificent brass guns pointed south-west and north-west, with caissons, and horses, and dozens of cannoniers, just as they were left by vanquished owners. Camps, clothing, thousands of prisoners, and immense quantities of small arms, banners, drums, etc., etc., were gathered in a few hours, while most of the troops lay where they had halted, and fast asleep; many using a dead man-for a pillow ! | “The destruction was certainly awful, and, if many guns fell into our hands, heaps of men round them told that they had been heroically defended. “Many horses were shot, but the enemy finding themselves unable to carry off the guns had de- liberately cut the throats of uninjured animals to prevent them falling into our hands. ‘“Without giving the enemy breathing time, a council of war was held, and a vigorous pursuit was resolved upon. “This determination on the part of Escobedo and our other generals was a wise one. _ “Spies from the city of Queretero came out in dozens, and informed us of the state of affairs in that city. “Tt was ascertained from these men that the Emperor Maximilian had staked almost his very existence on the result of the battle just fought. “ He was reported to have said that if the combat should take an unfavourable turn, that there and then would be a termination to his hopes of empire. . “He is said to have raved and sworn like a madman because of the departure of the French troops for Europe. ‘But Maximilian was deceived by the impostors who surrounded him. , “They told him that the Mexican people loved him, and desired the establishment of an empire among them, and that they would not desert him. ‘‘ All this was false. ‘The people as a nation absolutely abhorred the very idea of an empire founded by an Austrian prince, and resolved to die in defence, not of him, but of their own national rights. ‘‘ That this was the true sentiment of the people cannot now be doubted, “ A succession of bloody encounters in all quarters proved to Maximilian that the masses were heart and soul with Juarez and the Republicans, despite the petty intrigues of Lopez and a few others who wished to sow the seed of desertion in the ranks of the peoples’ army. “The people of Queretero were burning with im- patience for the advance of Escobedo and our gallant men, ‘Without taking much time to consider, there- fore, our army marched boldly towards the city of Queretero, a TET rrr een