Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/341

Rh "Let us gather laurels, General," said he, "by gaining an instantaneous and therefore decisive victory over this lawless band; let us strike a panic into the enemy, and Ireland, so long disturbed, will be restored to peace."

Captain Curtis, in the meridian of his years, of a sober judgment and undoubted discretion, led the General to give an over-weight to his opinions. Thus actuated, urged and impatient of delay, the General rose from his seat with looks of fire that spoke his martial zeal in the cause.

"To business," said he; "our time is precious! Apprise the officers commanding their respective detachments of my intention; call them instantly before me, that I may issue my orders preparatory to their march—Captain Blackwood of the artillery, Major Harrold of the line."

Scarcely an interval elapsed, when they were in the presence of their General, who conferred with them upon the necessity of marching without delay, to anticipate the views of the enemy: between their respective divisions of artillery and line, a body of three hundred men could be raised to act as a skirmishing party or advanced guard, in order to reconnoitre the strength of the enemy. Giving his orders to Major Harrold in particular, as the commander, the General, with the strictest