All the plain, from Kishan to Rodosto, a distance of sixteen leagues, was alive with troops, or with the camp-followers, all in motion at the approach of a battle.  The small garrisons were drawn from the various towns and fortresses, and went to swell the main army.  We met baggage waggons, and many females of high and low rank returning to Fairy or Kishan, there to wait the issue of the expected day.  When we arrived at Rodosto, we found that the field had been taken, and the scheme of the battle arranged.  The sound of firing, early on the following morning, informed us that advanced posts of the armies were engaged.  Regiment after regiment advanced, their colours flying and bands playing.  They planted the cannon on the tumuli, sole elevations in this level country, and formed themselves into column and hollow square; while the pioneers threw up small mounds for their protection.

These then were the preparations for a battle, nay, the battle itself; far different from any thing the imagination had pictured.  We read of centre and wing in Greek and Roman history; we fancy a spot, plain as a table, and soldiers small as chessmen; and drawn forth, so that the most ignorant of the game can discover science and order in the disposition of the forces.  When I came to the reality, and saw regiments file off to the left far out of sight, fields intervening between the battalions, but a few troops sufficiently near me to observe their motions, I gave up all idea of understanding, even of seeing a battle, but attaching myself to Raymond attended with intense interest to his actions.  He shewed himself collected, gallant and imperial; his commands were prompt, his intuition of the events of the day to me miraculous.  In the mean time the cannon roared; the music lifted up its enlivening voice at intervals; and we on the highest of the mounds I mentioned, too far off to observe the fallen sheaves which death gathered into his storehouse, beheld the regiments, now lost in smoke, now banners and staves peering above the cloud, while shout and clamour drowned every sound.

Early in the day, Argyropylo was wounded dangerously, and Raymond assumed the command of the whole army.  He made few remarks, till, on observing through his glass the sequel of an order he had given, his face, clouded for awhile with doubt, became radiant.  “The day is ours,” he cried, “the Turks fly from the bayonet.”  And then swiftly he dispatched his aides-de-camp to command the horse to fall on the routed enemy.  The defeat became total; the cannon ceased to roar; the infantry rallied, and horse pursued the flying Turks along the dreary plain; the staff of Raymond was dispersed in various directions, to make observations, and bear commands.  Even I was dispatched to a distant part of the field.