Noon had just passed, when the word was given to halt, by which means
every facility was afforded of posting the piquet’s leisure and
attention. Nor was this deemed enough to secure tranquillity: parties
were sent out in all directions to reconnoitre, who returned with an
account that no enemy nor any trace of an enemy could be discerned. The
troops were accordingly suffered to light fires, and to make themselves
comfortable, only their accoutrements were not taken off, and the arms
were piled in such form as to be within reach at a moment’s notice.
As soon as these agreeable orders were issued, the soldiers to obey
them both in letter and in spirit. Tearing up a number of strong
palings, large fires were lighted in a moment; water was brought from
the river, and provisions were cooked. But their bare rations did not
content them. Spreading themselves over the country as far as a regard
to safety would permit, they entered every house, and brought away
quantities of hams, fowls, and wines of various descriptions; which
being divided among them, all fared well, and none received too large a
quantity. In this division of good things, they were not unmindful of
their officers; for upon active warfare the officers are considered by
the privates as comrades, to whom respect and obedience are due, rather
than as masters.
It was now about three o’clock in the afternoon, and all had as yet
remained quiet. The troops having finished their meal, lay stretched
beside their fires, or refreshed themselves by bathing, for to-day the
heat was such as to render this latter employment extremely agreeable,
when suddenly a bugle from the advanced posts sounded the alarm, which
was echoed back from all in the army. Starting up, we stood to our
arms, and prepared for battle, the alarm being now succeeded by some
firing; but we were scarcely in order, when intelligence arrived from
the front that there was no danger, only a few horse having made their
appearance, who were checked and put to flight at the first discharge.
Upon this information, our wonted confidence returned, and we again
betook ourselves to our former occupations, remarking that, as the
Americans had never yet dared to attack, there was no great probability
of their doing so on the present occasion.
In this manner the day passed without any further alarm; and darkness
having set in, the fires were made to blaze with increased splendour,
our evening meal was eaten, and we prepared to sleep. But about
half-past seven o’clock, the attention of several individuals was drawn
to a large vessel, which seemed to be stealing up the river till she
came opposite to our camp; when her anchor was dropped, and her sails
leisurely furled. At first we were doubtful whether she might not be
one of our own cruisers which had passed the fort unobserved, and had
arrived to render her assistance in our future operations. To satisfy
this doubt, she was repeatedly hailed; but returning no answer, an
alarm immediately spread through the bivouac, and all thought of sleep
was laid aside. Several musket-shots were now fired at her with the
design of exacting a reply, of which no notice was taken; till at
length, having fastened all her sails, and swung her broadside towards
us, we could distinctly hear some one cry out in a commanding voice,
“Give them this for the honour of America.” The words were instantly
followed by the flashes of her guns, and a deadly shower of grape swept
down numbers in the camp.
Against this destructive fire we had nothing whatever to oppose. The
artillery which we had landed was too light to bring into competition
with an adversary so powerful; and as she had anchored within a short
distance of the opposite bank, no musketry could reach her with any
precision or effect. A few rockets were discharged, which made a
beautiful appearance in the air; but the rocket is at the best an
uncertain weapon, and these deviated too far from their object to
produce even terror amongst those against whom they were directed.
Under these circumstances, as nothing could be done offensively, our
sole object was to shelter the men as much as possible from the iron
hail. With this view, they were commanded to leave the fires, and to
hasten under the dyke. Thither all accordingly repaired, without much
regard to order and regularity, and laying ourselves along wherever we
could find room, we listened in painful silence to the pattering of
grape-shot among our huts, and to the shrieks and groans of those who
lay wounded beside them.
ATTACK.
The night was now as dark as pitch, the moon being but young, and
totally obscured with clouds. Our fires deserted by us, and beat about
by the enemy’s shot, began to burn red and dull, and, except when the
flashes of those guns which played upon us cast a momentary glare, not
an object could be distinguished at the distance of a yard. In this
state we lay for nearly an hour, unable to move from our ground, or
offer any opposition to those who kept us there; when a straggling fire
of musketry called our attention towards the piquets, and warned us to
prepare for a closer and more desperate struggle. As yet, however, it
was uncertain from what cause this dropping fire arose. It might
proceed from the sentinels, who, alarmed by the cannonade from the
river, mistook every tree for an American; and till the real state of
the case should be ascertained, it would be improper to expose the
troops by moving any of them from the shelter which the bank afforded.
But these doubts were not permitted to continue long in existence. The
dropping fire having paused for a few moments, was succeeded by a
fearful yell; and the heavens were illuminated on all sides by a
semi-circular blaze of musketry. It was now manifest that we were
surrounded, and that by a very superior force; and that no alternative
remained, except to surrender at discretion, or to beat back the
assailants.
The first of these plans was never for an instant thought of; the
second was immediately put into force. Rushing from under the bank, the
85th and 95th flew to support the piquets, whilst the 4th, stealing to
the rear of the encampment, formed close column, and remained as a
reserve. And now began a battle of which no language were competent to
convey any distinct idea; because it was one to which the annals of
modern warfare furnish no parallel. All order, all discipline were
lost. Each officer, as he succeeded in collecting twenty or thirty men
about him, plunged into the midst of the enemy’s ranks, where it was
fought hand to hand, bayonet to bayonet, and sabre to sabre.
I am well aware that he who speaks of his own deeds in the field of
battle lies fairly open to the charge of seeking to make a hero of
himself in the eyes of the public; and feeling this, it is not without
reluctance that I proceed to recount the part which I myself took in
the affair of this night. But, in truth, I must either play the egotist
awhile, or leave the reader without any details at all; inasmuch as the
darkness and general confusion effectually prevented me from observing
how others, except my own immediate party, were employed.
Offering this as my apology for a line of conduct which I should
otherwise blush to pursue, and premising that I did nothing, in my own
person, which was not done by my comrades at least as effectually, I go
on to relate as many of the particulars of this sanguinary conflict as
came under the notice of my own senses.
My friend Grey and myself had been supplied by our soldiers with a
couple of fowls taken from a neighbouring hen-roost, and a few bottles
of excellent claret, borrowed from the cellar of one of the houses
near. We had built ourselves a sort of hut, by piling together, in a
conical form, a number of large stakes and broad rails torn up from one
of the fences; and a bright wooden fire was blazing at the door of it.
In the wantonness of triumph, too, we had lighted some six or eight
wax-candles; a vast quantity of which had been found in the store-rooms
of the chateaux hard by; and having done ample justice to our luxurious
supper, we were sitting in great splendour and in high spirits at the
entrance of our hut, when the alarm of the approaching schooner was
communicated to us. With the sagacity of a veteran, Grey instantly
guessed how matters stood: he was the first to hail the suspicious
stranger; and on receiving no answer to his challenge, he was the first
to fire a musket in the direction of her anchorage. But he had scarcely
done so when she opened her broadside, causing the instantaneous
abandonment of fires, viands, and mirth throughout the bivouac.
As we contrived to get our men tolerably well around us, Grey and
myself were among the first who rushed forth to support the piquets and
check the advance of the enemy upon the right. Passing as rapidly as
might be through the ground of encampment amidst a shower of grape-shot
from the vessel, we soon arrived at the pond; which being forded, we
found ourselves in front of the farm-house of which I have already
spoken as composing the head-quarters of General Keane. Here we were
met by a few stragglers from the outposts, who reported that the
advanced companies were all driven in, and that a numerous division of
Americans was approaching. Having attached these fugitives to our
little corps, we pushed on, and in a few seconds reached the lower
extremity of a sloping stubble-field, at the other end of which we
could discern a long line of men, but whether they were friends or foes
the darkness would not permit ups to determine. We called aloud for the
purpose of satisfying our doubts; but the signal being disregarded, we
advanced. A heavy fire of musketry instantly opened upon us; but so
fearful was Grey of doing injury to our own troops, that he would not
permit it to be returned. We accordingly pressed on, our men dropping
by ones and twos on every side of us, till having arrived within twenty
or thirty yards of the object of our curiosity, it became to me evident
enough that we were in front of the enemy. Grey’s humane caution still
prevailed; he was not convinced, till he, should be convinced it was
but natural that he should alter his plans. There chanced to be near
the spot where we were standing a huge dung-heap, or rather a long
solid stack of stubble, behind which we directed the men to take
shelter whilst one of us should creep forward alone, for the purpose of
more completely ascertaining a fact of which all except my brave and
noble-minded comrade were satisfied. The event proved that my sight had
not deceived me: I approached within sabre’s length of the line; and
having ascertained beyond the possibility of doubt that the line was
composed of American soldiers, I returned to my friend and again urged
him to charge. But there was an infatuation upon him that night for
which I have ever been unable to account: he insisted that I must be
mistaken; he spoke of the improbability which existed that any part of
the enemy’s army should have succeeded in taking up a position in rear
of the station of one of our outposts, and he could not be persuaded
that the troops now before him were not the 95th Rifle corps. At last
it was agreed between us that we should separate; that Grey with one
half of the party should remain where he was, whilst I with the other
half should make a short detour to the right, and come down upon the
flank of the line from whose fire we had suffered so severely. The plan
was carried into immediate execution. Taking with me about a dozen or
fourteen men, I quitted Grey, and we never met again.
How or when he fell I know not; but, judging from the spot and attitude
in which I afterwards found his body, I conceive that my back could
have been barely turned upon him when the fatal ball pierced his brain.
He was as brave a soldier and as good a man as the British army can
boast of; beloved by his brother officers and adored by his men. To me
he was as a brother; nor have I ceased even now to feel, as often as
the 23rd of December returns, that on that night a tie was broken than
which the progress of human life will hardly furnish one more tender or
more strong. But to my tale.
Leaving Grey—careless as he ever was in battle of his own person, and
anxious as far as might be to secure the safety of his followers—I led
my little party in the direction agreed upon, and fortunately falling
in with about an equal number of English riflemen, I caused them to
take post beside my own men, and turned up to the front. Springing over
the paling, we found ourselves almost at once upon the left flank of
the enemy; and we lost not a moment in attacking it. But one volley was
poured in, and then bayonets, musket-butts, sabres, and even fists,
came instantly into play. In the whole course of my military career
remember no scene at all resembling this. We fought with the savage
ferocity of bull-dogs; and many a blade which till to-night had not
drunk blood became in a few minutes crimsoned enough.
Such a contest could not in the nature of things be of very long
continuance. The enemy, astonished at the vigour of our assault, soon
began to waver, and their wavering was speedily converted into flight.
Nor did we give them a moment’s time to recover from their panic. With
loud shouts we continued to press upon them; and amidst the most
horrible din and desperate carnage drove them over the field and
through the little village of huts, of which notice has already been
taken as surrounding the mansion on our advanced right. Here we found a
number of our own people prisoners, and under a guard of Americans. But
the guard fled as we approached, and our countrymen catching up such
weapons as came first to hand, joined in the pursuit.
In this spot I halted my party, increased by the late additions to the
number of forty; among whom were two gallant young officers of the
95th. We had not yet been joined, as I expected be joined, by Grey; and
feeling that we were at least far enough in advance of our own line, we
determined to attempt nothing further except to keep possession of the
village should it be attacked. But whilst placing the men in convenient
situations, another dark line was pointed out to us considerably to the
left our position. That we might ascertain at once of what troops was
composed, I left my brother officers to complete the arrangements which
we had begun, and walking down the field, demanded in a loud voice to
be informed who they were that kept post in so retired a situation. A
voice from the throng made answer that they were Americans, and begged
of me not fire upon my friends. Willing to deceive them still further,
I asked to what corps they belonged; the speaker replied that they were
the second battalion of the first regiment, and inquired what had
become of the first battalion. I told him that it was upon my right,
and assuming a tone of authority, commanded him not to move from his
present situation till I should join him with a party of which I was at
the head.
The conversation ended here, and I returned to the village; when,
communicating the result of my inquiries to my comrades, we formed our
brave little band into line and determined to attack. The men were
cautioned to preserve a strict silence, and not to fire a shot till
orders were given; they observed these injunctions, and with fixed
bayonets and cautious tread advanced along the field. As we drew near,
I called aloud for the commanding officer of the second regiment to
step forward, upon which an elderly man, armed with a heavy dragoon
sabre, stepped out of the ranks. When he discovered by our dress that
we were English, this redoubtable warrior lost all self-command; he
resigned his sword to me without a murmur, and consented at once to
believe that his battalion was surrounded, and that to offer any
resistance would but occasion a needless loss of blood. Nor was he
singular in these respects: his followers, placing implicit reliance in
our assurances that they were hemmed in on every side by a very
superior force, had actually begun to lay down their arms, and would
have surrendered, in all probability, at discretion, but for the
superior gallantry of one man. An American officer, whose sword I
demanded, instead of giving it up as his commander had done, made a cut
at my head, which with some difficulty I managed to ward off; and a few
soldiers near him, catching ardour from his example, discharged their
pieces among our troops. The sound of firing was no sooner heard than
it became general, and as all hope of success by stratagem might now be
laid aside, we were of necessity compelled to try the effect of
violence. Again we rushed into the middle of the throng, and again was
the contest that of man to man, in close and desperate strife; till a
panic arising among the Americans, they dispersed in all directions and
left us masters of the field.
In giving a detail so minute of my own adventures this night, I beg to
repeat what has been stated already, that I have no wish whatever to
persuade my readers that I was one whit more cool or more daring than
my companions. Like them I was driven to depend, from first to last,
upon my own energies; and I believe the energies of few men fail them
when they are satisfied that on them alone they must depend. Nor was
the case different with my comrades. Attacked unexpectedly, and in the
dark, surrounded, too, by a numerous enemy, and one who spoke the same
language with ourselves, it is not to be wondered at if the order and
routine of civilised warfare were everywhere set at nought. Each man
who felt disposed to command was obeyed by those who stood near him,
without any question being asked as to his authority; and more feats of
individual gallantry were performed in this single night than many
regular campaigns might furnish an opportunity to perform.
The night was far spent, and the sound of firing had begun to wax
faint, when, checking the ardour of our brave followers, we collected
them once more together and fell back into the village. Here likewise
considerable numbers from other detachments assembled, and here we
learned that the Americans were repulsed on every side. The combat had
been long and obstinately contested: it began at eight o’clock in the
evening and continued till three in the morning—but the victory was
ours. True, it was the reverse of a bloodless one, not fewer than two
hundred fifty of our best men having fallen in the struggle: but even
at the expense of such a loss, we could not but account ourselves
fortunate in escaping from the snare in which we had confessedly taken.
To me, however, the announcement of the victory brought no rejoicing,
for it was accompanied with the intelligence that my friend was among
the killed. I well recollect the circumstances under which these sad
news reached me. I was standing with a sword in each hand—my own and
that of the officer who had surrendered to me, and, as the reader may
imagine, in no bad humour with myself or with the brave fellows about
me, when a brother officer stepping forward abruptly told the tale. It
came me upon me like a thunderbolt; and casting aside my trophy,
thought only of the loss which I had sustained. Regardless of every
other matter I ran to the rear, and found Grey lying behind the
dung-heap, motionless and cold. A little pool of blood which had
coagulated under his head, pointed out the spot where the ball had
entered, and the position of his limbs gave proof that he must have
died without a struggle. I cannot pretend to describe what were then my
sensations, but of whatever nature they might be, little time was given
for their indulgence; the bugle sounding the alarm, I was compelled to
leave him as he lay, and to join my corps. Though the alarm proved to
be a false one, it had the good effect of bringing all the troops
together, by which means a regular line was now, for the first time
since the commencement of the action, formed. In this order, having
defiled considerably to the left, so as to command the highway, we
stood in front of our bivouac till dawn began to appear; when, to avoid
the fire of the schooner, we once more moved to the river’s bank and
lay down. Here, during the whole of the succeeding day, the troops were
kept shivering in the cold frosty air, without fires, without
provisions, and exhausted with fatigue; nor was it till the return of
night that any attempt to extricate them from their comfortless
situation could be made.
FIELD OF BATTLE.
Whilst others were thus reposing, I stole away with two or three men
for the purpose of performing the last sad act of affection which it
was possible for me to perform to my friend Grey. As we had completely
changed our ground, it was not possible for me at once to discover the
spot where he lay; indeed I traversed a large portion of the field
before I hit upon it. Whilst thus wandering over the arena of last
night’s contest, the most shocking and most disgusting spectacles
everywhere met my eyes. I have frequently beheld a greater number of
dead bodies within as narrow a compass, though these, to speak the
truth, were numerous enough, but wounds more disfiguring or more
horrible I certainly never witnessed. A man shot through the head or
heart lies as if he were in a deep slumber; insomuch that when you gaze
upon him you experience little else than pity. But of these, many had
met their deaths from bayonet wounds, sabre cuts, or heavy blows from
the butt ends of muskets; and the consequence was, that not only were
the wounds themselves exceedingly frightful, but the very countenances
of the dead exhibited the most savage and ghastly expressions. Friends
and foes lay together in small groups of four or six, nor was it
difficult to tell almost the very hand by which some of them had
fallen. Nay, such had been the deadly closeness of the strife, that in
one or two places an English and American soldier might be seen with
the bayonet of each fastened in the other’s body.
Having searched for some time in vain, I at length discovered my friend
lying where during the action we had separated, and where, when the
action came to a close, I had at first found him, shot through the
temples by a rifle bullet so remarkably small as scarcely to leave any
trace of its progress. I am well aware that this is no fit place to
introduce the working of my own personal feelings, but he was my
friend, and such a friend as few men are happy enough to possess. We
had known and loved each other for years; our regard had been cemented
by a long participation in the same hardships and dangers, and it
cannot; therefore surprise, if even now I pay that tribute to his worth
and our friendship which, however unavailing it may be, they both
deserve.
When in the act of looking for him I had flattered myself that I should
be able to bear his loss with something like philosophy, but when I
beheld him pale and bloody, I found all my resolution evaporate. I
threw myself on the ground beside him and wept, like a child. But this
was no time for the indulgence of useless sorrow. Like the royal bard,
I knew that I should go to him, but he could not return to me, and I
knew not whether an hour would pass before my summons might arrive.
Lifting him therefore upon a cart, I had him carried down to
head-quarter house, now converted into an hospital, and having dug for
him a grave at the bottom of the garden, I laid him there as a soldier
should be laid, arrayed, not in a shroud, but in his uniform. Even the
privates whom I brought with me to assist at his funeral mingled their
tears with mine, nor are many so fortunate as to return to the parent
dust more deeply or more sincerely lamented.
FIELD OF BATTLE—HOSPITAL.
Retiring from the performance of this melancholy duty, I strolled into
the hospital and visited the wounded. It is here that war loses its
grandeur and show, and presents only a real picture of its effects.
Every room in the house was crowded with wretches mangled, and
apparently in the most excruciating agonies. Prayers, groans, and, I
grieve to add, the most horrid exclamations, smote upon the ear
wherever I turned. Some lay at length upon straw, with eyes half closed
and limbs motionless; some endeavoured to start up, shrieking with
pain, while the wandering eye and incoherent speech of others indicated
the loss of reason, and usually foretold the approach of death. But
there was one among the rest whose appearance was too horrible ever to
be forgotten. He had been shot through the windpipe, and the breath
making its way between the skin and the flesh had dilated him to a size
absolutely terrific. His head and face were particularly shocking.
Every feature was enlarged beyond what can well be imagined; whilst his
eyes were so completely hidden by the cheeks and forehead as to destroy
all resemblance to a human countenance.
Passing through the apartments where the private soldiers lay, I next
came to those occupied by officers. Of these there were five or six in
one small room, to whom little better accommodation could be provided
than to their inferiors. It was a sight peculiarly distressing, because
all of them chanced to be personal acquaintances of my own. One had
been shot in the head, and lay gasping and insensible; another had
received a musket- ball in the belly, which had pierced through and
lodged in the backbone. The former appeared to suffer but little,
giving no signs of life, except what a heavy breathing produced; the
latter was in the most dreadful agony, screaming out, and gnawing the
covering under which he lay. There were many besides these, some
severely and others slightly hurt; but as I have already dwelt at
sufficient length upon a painful subject, I shall only observe, that to
all was afforded every assistance which circumstances would allow, and
that the exertions of their medical attendants were such as deserved
and obtained the grateful thanks of even the most afflicted among the
sufferers themselves.