Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/220

210 "Having broken through, they passed along the parallel and in rear of it, until they came in contact with the troops stationed in our advance parallel, extending into the ravine, from the right of our advance, where it connects with the French trench.

"The enemy was here met by detachments of the 77th and 97th regiments, forming part of the guard of the trenches, who, although thus taken suddenly both in flank and rear, behaved with the utmost gallantry and coolness.

"The detachment of the 97th, which was on the extreme right, and which consequently first came in contact with the enemy, repulsed the attack at the point of the bayonet.

"They were led by Captain Vicars, who, unfortunately, lost his life on this occasion: and I am assured that nothing could be more distinguished than the gallantry and good example which he set to the detachment under his command."

By the same post, their tone according with the solemn and hallowed associations of the day, the following letters confirmed the fatal tidings.

" — It is with the deepest sorrow that I write to announce the death of Captain Vicars, of the 97th Regiment. He was killed last night in the trenches, while gallantly cheering on his men to the attack of a body of the enemy, who, taking advantage of the darkness of the night, got close in to our trenches. From what I can glean of the affair, he rushed bravely into the middle of them, knocked down two, and was in the act of striking a third when one of them shot him through his right arm, high up close to the shoulder; the ball divided the principal artery, and he must soon have bled to death; therefore, it is a melancholy satisfaction to know that his sufferings were short.

"I cannot express my own sorrow, and that of the Regiment, at the loss of so valuable an officer, further than to say, as regards myself, I feel that I have lost a brother;