Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

DEAD ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. 359
we could see, off in the distance down on the plain, three
long Austrian columns which were slowly advancing, now
turning to the right, now to the left, but always keeping in our
direction ;
they were so far away that we could scarcely distinguish
their white uniforms and bayonets gleaming in the distance.
One of my officers was instantly sent with two cannon to the
right side of the hill. I, with my
lieutenant and four cannon,
remained where we were. At the cannon on the right
(here the captain turned to the oldest brother)
. . . was
your brother."
The old man made no movement
;
he was intent and impassible.
The captain continued :
" He was at the cannon on the right. They instantly began
firing. Hardly was the cannon loaded, when your brother, as
sergeant, had to 'point
shouted.
the
order.
'
Yes, sir ! '
'
it.' 'At the middle column!' I
he replied, leaning down to carry out
'
Let us do ourselves honor ! I added. He
smiled, took aim, stepped back, ordered :
'
Fire !
'
and almost
at the same moment I saw the trunk of a tree which was in
the middle of the centre column dash into the air
;
the latter
began moving confusedly, spreading out and getting
into disorder
;
the wounded officers galloped here and there ;
then
by little the lines formed again, and continued marching.
'
'
Bravo ! I shouted to him. Now, another '
He took
!
little
'
aim again, and once more hit the mark."
The old man clapped his hand on the bed.
" He hit the mark perfectly ;
the column became more disordered
than before ;
the officers galloped around again ;
the
column re-formed, but stopped. At that moment we saw
four cannon appear in the distance, reach the line of the col-