Page 96 - A Jacobite Exile

The next morning the men fell in. Captain Jervoise, who, like all of his
rank, was mounted, took his place at the head of his company, and the little

army marched away from Wesenberg. It was a dreary march to Purts, but
the sight of the ruined villages, and devastated fields, aroused a feeling of

indignation and fury among the troops, and a fierce longing to attack men
who had so ruthlessly spread ruin through a fertile country. Orders were
issued, that evening, that the men were to husband their provisions as much

as possible, and the order was more strictly obeyed than such orders usually
are, for the men saw, for themselves, that there was no possibility of

obtaining fresh supplies in the wasted country, and were well aware that
there existed no train of waggons and horses capable of bringing up stores
from Wesenberg.

There were a few aged men and women remaining at Purts, and from these

they learned that their next day's march would take them to a very difficult
pass, which was held by six hundred of the Russian cavalry, together with a
force of infantry and some guns. It was the intention of the king to encamp

that evening near the pass, and, when within three or four miles of it,
General Meidel, who had with him the quartermaster of the army, and four

hundred cavalry, rode on ahead to choose a site for the camp. He presently
saw a large body of Russian foragers in front of him, and sent back to the
king for permission to attack them. Charles ordered the army to continue its

march, and, hurrying forward with some of his officers, joined General
Meidel and charged the foragers, killing many, taking others prisoners, and

putting the rest to flight. He followed close upon their heels, and rode right
up to the mouth of the pass, in spite of the heavy fire of artillery and
musketry opened by the Russians.

He at once determined to take advantage of the alarm produced by the

defeat of the Russian cavalry, and, although darkness was now drawing on,
brought up some of his infantry and artillery, and attacked with such vigour
that the Russians fled, after offering a very feeble resistance.

A battalion of foot were ordered to occupy the pass, while the rest of the

army piled their arms, and lay down where they stood. In the morning, they
were astonished at the strength of the position that had been gained so