s a glorious moment when we found that we had won a great
victory, as we cheered and cheered again, and comrades grasped each
other's hands, and congratulated ourselves on what we had done. To show
what strict discipline is kept up in the army, at this moment I found
myself placed under arrest for having fired after the order to cease
firing had sounded. On the circumstance being reported to the
commanding officer, he directed that I should be brought before him.
"Why did you fire?" he asked. I told him.
"Then I only wish that every man in the army possessed the same spirit,"
he answered. "Let him be released. And now let me tell you that I
shall have the satisfaction of reporting your cool courage and
steadiness before the enemy to the proper authorities."
My comrades cheered lustily when they heard this decision.
The army remained on the heights we had won till nearly dark, when the
regiments were ordered to the positions allotted to them for the night.
After we had formed our bivouac, I was much pleased at being sent for by
the officers, and complimented by them on the way I had behaved during
the day. At last we were ordered to remain quiet, and fresh ammunition
was served out to us. We then lay down to rest, but all ready for a
surprise; and rest we did on the bare ground, for we were well weary
after our day's toil. The Russians, however, had had enough fighting
for the present, and let us alone.
A little before daylight on the 21st, we fell in, and remained under
arms for some time. On its being ascertained that the Russians had
retreated to a distance, we were ordered to clean and examine our
rifles, and then to pile them. Rations were then served out to us, and
we ate them with no small appetite, while waiting for orders. Sir Colin
Campbell, soon after this, rode into our midst, and called his brigade
of Highlanders to attention. His speech was short, but to the point.
He congratulated us all on the success which had been gained the day
before, and complimented all--officers and men--on the cool courage they
had exhibited under trying circumstances. He reminded us that the
fighting was not over, though we had gained a victory; but he was
persuaded that we should continue to perform our duty as true soldiers
to our queen and country.
"To-day and to-morrow the army must remain on the ground to remove the
wounded and to bury the dead," he added. "I regret to say that the dead
are very numer
|