The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 352: what you’re looking at

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plan to destroy all our cavalry in the-neighbour- hood, « An old broad-brim proprietor of an antiquated hotel, invited the captain of cavalry to halt and refresh his men. “ Thé soldier willingly did so, but while engaged at dinner the whole premises were surrounded by several hostile squadrons. “ Our men mounted and fought their way out as best they could, but lost half their number in killed and missing. “Bxasperated at the perfidy of these fanatics, our general summoned his brigade, and leaving camps standing, to deceive the telegraph at the Peak, sallied forth towards Pontsyille. long before When the sun rose we had: just Balted on a lofty hill, and lay in the woods.” #Ae<s enery on either hand was enrapturing, Has of us lay a wide expanse bathed in gold, while #hepan Juan and Rio Grande, winding to the sea, were overed with a dense white vapour that. sparkled hike molten silver. i Oh ep ile “ Clouds capped the Peak, while to the west rose dark lines of mist-coyered hills and mountains, with snow-white villages dotting the undulating landscape, while the distant crowings of early owl could be faintly heard upon the morning alm, " “The column pushed rapidly forward, but ere midday large black clouds gathered on the moun- tains, and tremendous rain poured into the valley, deluging everything, and swelling the streams. “At ‘secure arms’ all manfully trudged for- ward through mire and flood, but as we approached our destination horsemen could be seen hovering and rapidly disappearing in the distance. “With our cavalry to the front we moved for- ward at a quick pace, but could never secure any of the horsemen we saw moving on the hills. Halting within a mile of Pontsville our cavalry unexpectedly came upon a large body of horse, and, without hesitation, charged them. ‘A desperate encounter ensued. ‘The enemy gave way. ‘A running fight took place, friend and foe simultaneously charging through town, in great confusion and fury, the enemy being at last driven into the river in sight of their whole force drawn up on the opposite bank. “Binding the place deserted, and malcontents fled, we departed next morning without damaging the village, although both officers and men were sufficiently incensed to have burned the miserable place to the ground. “Tong excursions of this nature were of weekly occurrence, for our general seemed to delight in keeping his men moving. ‘But what the causes might have been we never knew, and to the remonstrances of sundry fat old officers, who did not much relish ‘marching and countermarching, retreating and advancing, the general swore roundly, and threatened to kick them out of his office. ‘‘Tt cannot be denied that our position was a critical one, and required great caution, “The enemy were now fully aware we did not meditate crossing, and massed their troops at different points to dislodge us, if possible, from our fertile region. “ All our reinforcements were leagues distant, and from the state of the country it was impossible to bring up supplied or receive reinforcements, agains fe Nige BY “ Our general was told to ‘hold the place at all hazards,’ and such instructions to a ‘fighting general,’ were likely to be fulfilled to the letter. ‘Tn other points of view the possession of Mata- moras was of paramount importance. ‘ ‘“Tt was populous, wealthy, and the most fruitful in supplies of any county in the State. ‘Tt had been somewhat disaffected, but that had all passed, and now none were more enthusiastic for independence. ‘The rail and other roads ran through the town, and should it fall, a large area of fruitful country would come into Imperial hands, with its accumu- lated crops—a consummation devoutly wished by the Imperialists, as the country they were then in- habiting, beyond the San Juan, was incapable of supplying wants, keenly felt. © “ They had, moreover, to pay for all things among, their ‘friends,’ whereas by being quartered among the ‘R ican aa YS 1 things would follow, and sayg vast inconvenience and expense. “ These considerations made our service very irk- me and arduous. With a river front of over forty miles to guard st a superior force, and a multitude of spies, feud the utmost vigilance and self denial. “Qur yidets, who were young and inexperienced, occasioned much annoyance and unnecessary march- ing. < Sa wr habitual life of excitement that we could not call @ single hour our own. ad uke or‘ crossing,’ and night or “we marched to the threatened ons undeceived, until at last, and with tremendous first cavalry man that the officer commanding point, to find our supicion our general, in gréab wrat oaths, vowed to hang “thé brought in false alarms, an likewise, for permitting it. “ After this informal order, we were much relieved, and enjoyed our leisure hours as best we might in town, or country if furnished with a ‘pass,’ from the provost marshal or officer of the day. ‘Once, however, the cavalry were correct in their reports. Some of Mejia’s men were in the habit of crossing in large boats, and. despoiling the country. “ All kinds of things were stolen by them. “ They committed all manner of outrage upon unoffending women and children, whose fathers or brothers were in our army, and not unfrequently burned the house above their heads, | “ Our "company of foot was sent up, and lay perdu in the woods for more than a week without success, ‘‘ At last two large scows were seen approaching containing more than a hundred individuals, some of them being renegades, but most of them French - soldiers, and all well armed. | ‘Two other scows, similarly freighted, were descried crossing higher up. . “ Both landing-places were in full view of us, and when most of them had departed on their de- predatory excursions, the guards at the boats were surrounded, and surrendered at discretion: **The prisoners were secured in the woods, and we awaited the return of the marauders. ‘“ After a few hours, one of the parties ap- proached in a body, well laden, but,” probably, informed of our being in the neighbouthood, observed military order against a surprise. 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