ther 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
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 o