returned to their ranks, we again
moved on, continuing to march without once stopping to rest
during the whole of the night. Of the fatigue of a night march
none but those who have experienced it can form the smallest
conception. Oppressed with the most intolerable drowsiness, we
were absolutely dozing upon our legs; and if any check at the
head of the column caused a momentary delay, the road was
instantly covered with men fast asleep. It is generally
acknowledged that no inclination is so difficult to resist as the
inclination to sleep; but when you are compelled not only to bear
up against that, but to struggle also with weariness, and to walk
at the same time, it is scarcely possible to hold out long. By
seven o'clock in the morning, it was found absolutely necessary
to pause, because numbers had already fallen behind, and numbers
more were ready to follow their example; when throwing ourselves
upon the ground, almost in the same order in which we had
marched, in less than five minutes there was not a single
unclosed eye throughout the whole brigade. Piquets were of
course stationed, and sentinels placed, to whom no rest was
granted, but, except these, the entire army resembled a heap of
dead bodies on a field of battle, rather than living men.

ARLBOROUGH

In this situation we remained till noon, when we were again
roused to continue the retreat. Though the sun was oppressively
powerful, we moved on without resting till dark, when having
arrived at our old position near Marlborough, we halted for the
night. During this day's march we were joined by numbers of
negro slaves, who implored us to take them along with us,
offering to serve either as soldiers or sailors, if we would but
give them their liberty; but as General Ross persisted in
protecting private property of every description, few of them
were fortunate enough to obtain their wishes.

We had now proceeded a distance of thirty-five miles, and began
to consider ourselves beyond the danger of pursuit. The
remainder of the retreat was accordingly conducted with more
leisure; our next march carrying us no farther than to
Nottingham, where we remained during an entire day, for the
purpose of resting the troops. It cannot, however, be said that
this resting-time was spent in idleness. A gun-brig, with a
number of ships' launches and long-boats, had made their way up
the stream, and were at anchor opposite to the town. On board
the former were ca