The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 351: what you’re looking at

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

—-- ——- iM, “SL Vite \i "Ae @, Jy. ve 2, J a ‘ if FA f SS yl = MO ME gleegae ff ' ‘ yf * ' 1 72 i tout Sry c 1 { ¥? = Ay" oh ‘ ‘ a3 ml \' CHAE: ‘ is - ' Y/ «lems Y 3 - ot ene A} ieee on \ , =258 ER ~ W\ = +3 be ' ‘ b hs VWiv y ' ! \ i THE ACCIDENT. “The whole aspect of the country was unbroken rolling land, but to the north stood a cluster of three hills, all alone in the landscape, the tallest and most conspicuous of which was called the Peak. The Imperialists occupied this on our approach, and had a full view of all that transpired on our side of the river, the distance being but twenty-five miles to their forces: . “Their pickets lined the whole river, fromthe Ferry to Pontsville, and it was impossible for any to approach the San Juan without the fact being instantly telegraphed from post to post to General Mejia, who now was chief in command. Our general, to deceive the enemy, had divided his force into small parties, with an over-allowance of tents. “And as white canvas-covered waggons: were continually seen moving about over the hills, and as our various camps were wide spread and plen- tifully supplied with fuel, it was thought: by their journals that Juarez was in chief command of us, and had not less than from 30,000 to 40,000 men. “Our whole force, however, did: not »number more than 3,000 infantry, four light field-pieces, and & squadron of cavalry. Our general, however, moved us about continually. ‘‘Now we marched opposite the Peak, our tents still standing in the old camp ground, near Mata- moras, “ Next day Wie find us in some other directi o. 44, “So that at last the enemy were completely deceived ‘as ‘too our numberior position, and ‘were even on the gui vive. “Such were our movements) that» scouts daily informed us of the enemy’s) counter-movements, who, with whole brigades and divisions, were con- tinually moving from place to) place to prevent our supposed attempts at crossing: ‘The Imperial commander Mejia was an old school-fellow with; Juarez, ‘and smart messages, it is said, were frequently passed between the rival commanders across the river. “Picket firing was) constantly maintained be- tween the guards’on opposite banks of the stream, with more animosity, Emenee than any decided effect. “The enemy was still.on our side of the San Juan at Pontsville, and it was determined first to entice them into the interior and then surround them, if possible, “ Scouts came in daily, correctly informing us of the position, number, and depredations ot the enemy, but we were sorry to learn that the in- habitants of the surrounding country patronized them, “They had on several occasions betrayed our men to the enemy. “Our general had warned them to desist har- ring the foe, but they replied by concocting a as comicooo CO