WAR. 367 



the lightning-like glitter of steel on the height to our left, I could 

 see that the conflict had been there, of no less severe a nature. Our 

 troopers were now riding about over the broken remnants of the 

 enemy's column of infantry, and the smoke began gradually to clear 

 a little off. By our powerful diversion, we had decided the battle 

 in this quarter, and our advantage was rendered complete by a vi- 

 gorous charge made by the bayonetsof General AlexanderCampbeH's 

 brigade, supported by two regiments of Spanish infantry, on that 

 portion of the enemy which had pushed on, on the right. Eighteen 

 pieces of cannon, planted by Colonel Robe of the Royal Artillery 

 in an oblique direction, at the same time were brought to bear on 

 the flank of the enemy's column, both as they advanced, and as they 

 retreated, beyond the reach of the British musketry. 



After having maintained our forward position for some time, we 

 were obliged to retreat, fresh bodies of French troops having been 

 advanced, and a battery of artillery opened in our direction. But 

 this had been the enemy's grand attack, and though they opened a 

 heavy fire of cannon and musketry on the brigade of guards, of Gen- 

 eral Sherbrooke's division, which in its charge had advanced too far, 

 they soon found that their efforts to force our lines had been ineffec- 

 tual, and began to retreat. The brigade, exposed to a dreadful fire, 

 was extricated by the advance of the first battalion of the 48th re- 

 giment, supported by General Cotton's brigade of cavalry. The 

 French, seeing themselves foiled in all their attacks, shortly after 

 commenced retreating across the Alberche to Santa Olalla. A rear 

 guard of 10,000 men was left in the heights behind the river ; but 

 this body was also withdrawn on the 31st. 



WAR. 



BARD of Spania, wake thy ivre ! 



Sing the toils the woes of war : 

 Flush the warrior's glow of wrath 

 Contempt of foemen scorn of death 



O'er thy rugged hills afar. 

 Sing the scene where havock reigns 

 Bid them " tremble " at thy strains ! 

 Note Destruction's giant path 

 Through the crimson tide of death ! 



List the squadron's loud huzza, 

 " Cheering " to the charge again ; 



Bid that phalanx disappear 



Fallen in their fierce career, 



A mass of carnage on the plain ! 



Let the storm of battle rise 



The victor's shouts the wounded's cries ! 



" Onward ! Onward point the brave 



" To victory, or a bloody grave ! " 



