Death of Sir John Moore.

From Mr. Southey’s History of the Peninsular War, a work of sterling merit.

Marshal Soult’s intention was to force the right of the British, and thus to interpose between Corunna and the army, and cut it off from the place of embarkation.  Failing in this attempt, he was now endeavouring to outflank it.  Half of the 4th regiment was therefore ordered to fall back, forming an obtuse angle with the other half.  This manoeuvre was excellently performed, and they commenced a heavy flanking fire:  Sir John Moore called out to them, that this was exactly what he wanted to be done, and rode on to the 50th, commanded by Majors Napier and Stanhope.  They got over an inclosure in their front, charged the enemy most gallantly, and drove them out of the village of Elvina; but Major Napier, advancing too far in the pursuit, received several wounds, and was made prisoner, and Major Stanhope was killed.

The General now proceeded to the 42nd.  “Highlanders,” said he, “remember Egypt!” They rushed on, and drove the French before them, till they were stopped by a wall.  Sir John accompanied them in this charge.  He now sent Captain Hardinge to order up a battalion of Guards to the left flank of the 42nd.  The officer commanding the light infantry conceived at this that they were to be relieved by the Guards, because their ammunition was nearly expended, and he began to fall back.  The General, discovering the mistake, said to them, “My brave 42nd, join your comrades:  ammunition is coming, and you have your bayonets!” Upon this, they instantly moved forward.  Captain Hardinge returned, and pointed out to the General where the Guards were advancing.  The enemy kept up a hot fire, and their artillery played incessantly on the spot where they were standing.  A cannon-shot struck Sir John, and carried away his left shoulder, and part of the collar-bone, leaving the arm hanging by the flesh.  He fell from his horse on his back; his countenance did not change, neither did he betray the least sensation of pain.  Captain Hardinge, who dismounted, and took him by the hand, observed him anxiously watching the 42nd, which was warmly engaged, and told him they were advancing; and upon that intelligence his countenance brightened.  Colonel Graham, who now came up to assist him, seeing the composure of his features, began to hope that he was not wounded, till he perceived the dreadful laceration.  From the size of the wound, it was in vain to make any attempt at stopping the blood; and Sir John consented to be removed in a blanket to the rear.  In raising him up, his sword, hanging on the wounded side, touched his arm, and became entangled between his legs.  Captain Hardinge began to unbuckle it; but the General said, in his usual tone and manner, and in a distinct voice, “It is as well as it is; I had rather it should go out of the field with me.”  Six soldiers of the 42nd and the Guards bore him.  Hardinge, observing his composure, began to hope that the wound might not be mortal, and said to him, he trusted he might be spared to the army, and recover.  Moore turned his head, and looking stedfastly at the wound for a few seconds, replied, “No, Hardinge, I feel that to be impossible.”