Page 107 - A Jacobite Exile

Chapter 6

: A Prisoner.

A fortnight after the fortifications of Marienburg were completed, Colonel
Schlippenbach sent off Lieutenant Colonel Brandt, with four hundred

horse, to capture a magazine at Seffwegen, to which the Saxons had forced
the inhabitants of the country round to bring in their corn, intending later to

convey it to the headquarters of their army. The expedition was completely
successful. The Saxon guard were overpowered, and a thousand tons of
corn were brought, in triumph, into Marienburg. Some of it was sent on to

the army, abundance being retained for the use of the town and garrison, in
case of siege.

It was now resolved to surprise and burn Pitschur, a town on the frontier
from which the enemy constantly made incursions. It was held by a strong

body of Russians.

Baron Spens was in command of the expedition. He had with him both the
regiments of Horse Guards. Much excitement was caused, in Marienburg,
by the issue of an order that the cavalry, and a portion of the infantry, were

to be ready to march at daylight; and by the arrival of a large number of
peasants, brought in by small parties of the cavalry. Many were the

surmises as to the operation to be undertaken, its object being kept a strict
secret.

Captain Jervoise's company was one of those in orders, and paraded at
daybreak, and, after a march of some distance, the force joined that of

Baron Spens. The troops were halted in a wood, and ordered to light fires to
cook food, and to prepare for a halt of some hours. Great fires were soon
blazing and, after eating their meal, most of the troops wrapped themselves

in the blankets that they carried, in addition to their greatcoats, and lay
down by the fires.

They slept until midnight, and were then called to arms again. They
marched all night, and at daybreak the next morning, the 13th of February,