Adventures of a soldier

Front matter

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Book.

■ ADVENTURE? OF A SOLDIEB;

Preface

TO

THE FIRST EDITION.

So many Lives of Soldiers have already been written, and by abler pens than mine, and so many tales have arisen out of the chequered scenes of the late Peninsular War, and the short existence of the British Legion, that I dare not be very sanguine of creating for my work any great degree of interest.

But every man's life is a volume of change, felt and expressed according to his peculiar dispositions and feelings, which are as varied under a military as they can be under a civil life. Could the never to be forgotten Tom Crawley but give his own detail ! — could Long Tom of Lincoln, once one of the smartest of our regiment, now the forlorn bone-picker of Knightsbridge, but pen his own eventful track — could Wilkie, Hetherington, Plunket, and many others of those humbler heroes, conquerors in such well-contested fields as Bodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, and Waterloo, &c, whose exploits form the principal attractions in this volume, and whose stubborn spirits and perforated

VI PREFACE.

bodies formed key-stones for the fame of our immortal Wellington, whose standard might have found a sandy support but for the individual bravery of the soldiers of his invincible divisions: could they but recount their varied casts of fortune— who would fail to read their histories and help to rear a cypress to their memories ?

With these considerations, I send this volume forth, trusting that the reader will bear in mind that he who wrote it was both actor and spectator in the scenes he has narrated, and feels assured that by their perusal, he will be enabled to guess at what is generally felt and experienced by the individual soldier.

In the British Legion I held a medium rank. I saw not only what its soldiers were, but caught a glance at their officers : with them my military career flickered out its last moments of existence. Its brighter fortunes, short as they were, however, gave me * sufficient opportunity to value those unfortunate men — my humbler comrades, and to be convinced by their deeds, that the British soldier, with sickness, oppression, the lash, and other distresses, still possessed his old spirit, and was as fitted to reap laurels as he had been in more glorious times.

EDWARD COSTELLO.

Chapter I

Introduction of myself to the reader—To the service— Who would not be a Soldier ?— A recruit — Wilkie— Cupid's Row-dow— The service endangered by another— Arrival at Liverpool— I am made prisoner, but not by the French- Recaptured by our sergeant— Lichfield round-house— St. Paul's— I join my regiment, and the regiment joins us— Great numbers of rank and file burnt alive ....... 1

Chapter II

I join Captain O'Hare's company— He falls in a passion— The "fair" and "unfair" appointment — Disappointment — Things of a private nature — Tom Crawley— An example— The Hero — How to catch "flats" in "squads"— New way to tap a barrel — A Rifleman's plan for sweeping chimneys and taprooms — Pipe-clay and parade — The regiment embark for Portugal. . 6

Chapter IV

Arrival in Portugal — Crauford's forced marches — Teetotalism with a vengeance — The effect of the opposite extreme — Spanish mode of keeping a man from stealing wine — False reports — Talavera — We arrive the day after the fight — A battle scene— Sir Arthur Wellesley — General Cuesta — Dough Boy Hill — The fever — I am taken ill— Elvas hospital — How to cure a fever — Convalescence — Burial scenes— Our Sextons — March to my regiment— The Germans— Pig-skins in danger, our own also — Captain Pakenham — Hanging matters — Two dozen of each — Not sham pain — German discipline « » 19

Vlll CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Old Trowsers— Sleeping and waking — O'Hare again — Colonel Beckwith— Two upon one — Meagher— Barba del Puerco — General Crauford taken by surprise — The Portuguese incorporation with the light division — Rodrigo — Gallegos — The Beacon night scenes on picquet — Lord Wellington — Napoleon's Marriage — Crauford's stratagem— The French spy— We retreat to Fort Conception. 28

Chapter VI

Villa de Mula — Night expedition to Villa de Puerco — Both parties retire — Death of Colonel Talbot— A soldier's grave — The effects of a miscarriage — Fort Conception blown up — A mistake and no mistake— Another mistake, a ball in the right knee — The bridge over the Coa— A friend in need, a friend indeed — Charity abroad and at home — A surgeon's advice — A blessing — A cough, an uncomfortable companion — Spanish apathy — We •arrive at Fraxedas ....... 34

Chapter VII

Mondego— The Coimbra— Figueras — The maggots— Lisbon— Battle of Busaco — Retreat to Torres Vedras — Lord Wellington's generalship — Belem — Jack ashore and Jonathan also — Yankey and Lankey — Billy M'Nabb — The Highland kite and Lowland tail — Josh. Hetherington — Sperum Poco — Portuguese piety — Aruda — Doing what the enemy left undone — Tom Crawley again — In state — A hot berth — Our enemies laugh at Tom in his glory . 41

Chapter VIII

The enemy retire upon Santarem — We retire upon Valine — The bridge over the Rio Mayor— The French out-lying sentries — Their camp ground — Comparative quietude — The still — Escape from assassination — Tom Crawley's ghost- story —The "Death and Glory men"— The charms of a Brunswickian appetite — Their desertions — Sergeant Fleming — His court-martial — We meet our enemies on the water and contend — A comment on both sides . . 50

Chapter IX

General Crauford leaves for England— Sir William Erskine takes the command — Mounseer Strauss — We enter Santarem — Scenes of horror— Mile posts of the "grande armeV — Retaliations of the Portuguese — Two upon one — Pombal — Smart work — German gallantry — Auction — A new division — Redinha — An accident — Long Tom of Lincoln — The deserter — A retur of favours . . . . * . 58

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter X

Our march upon Condeixa — Tom Crawley again — Hot and cold — Affair of Casal Nova — Death of Major Stewart — The French continue retreating — The two brothers — Night scene — The French continue their havoc — The Caeadore — The pet goat — Lord Wellington again — Our old Colonel — The promise of the Staff— The Recruits — British enthusiasm inspired — The two French prisoners — Particulars of Massena's retreat and state of his troops — St. Patrick's Day — If I had a donkey— The river Caira — Our distressing privations — O'Brien and the old Patrone — Arrival at Friexedas — Adjutant Stewart killed — Sabugal — Carrying of the enemy's position— Encomiums of our Colonel — Death of Lieut. A .'^uthnot — Disagreeable bed-fellow — A light on the subject — Evacuation of Portugal by the French, Almeida excepted — The British follow into Spain — Arrival at Gallegos — The enemy active in Rodrigo — The skulker — Poor Burke — Expedition and disappointment in search of a convoy . 66

Chapter XI

Our advance videttes, and the French cavalry — Manoeuvring in front of Villa Formosa — The Suttler and the Dragoons — Sergeant-Major Sharp — Morning of the 5th May — General Crauford returns — Portuguese welcome — Fuentes d'Onor— French Dragoon challenges to single combat — Retreat on Navez d'Aver — Charges of cavalry — A deep game by the French — Squaring it with the enemy — The 79th Highlanders — A prisoner against his will — The French sentry and General Crauford — The Light Dragoons again— Sergeant-Major Sharp again — Scene of discipline — That lash disappointed — The German fratricide ..... 77

Chapter XII

Almeida closely invested by the fifth division, but not close enough — Evacuation by the French — Suicide of the Colonel of the 4th — Sabugal — We cross the Coa — The comet — Much ado about nothing— Tom Crawley's fears — March through Castello Branco — Portalegre, &c, to Campo Mayor — Tom Crawley poisoned — Blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo — Atalaya — Hunting excursion with the Staff — Our third battalion joins us— Colonel Barnard — Tommy Searchfield— Middy ashore — Deficiency of rations — A new arrival — His adventure — Spanish spite — The pigs — Rodrigo relieved by the French — Our division — We rejoin the army— Battle of El Bodon — We return to Guinaldo — Again invest Rodrigo — January, 1812— Fort Piquerine stormed — The stripping of the prisoners by the Portuguese — Tom Crawley again — Cure for a skulk . . 86

Chapter XIII

Cold reception — Preparation to storm Rodrigo — I join the " Forlorn- Hope" — The breaches — General Crauford killed — Uniacke mortally wounded — Major Napier wounded — Taking of the town — A rough customer — Wilkie again — Death of Wilkie— A gift— The left breach after the battle— Wilkie's grave- Horrors of a storm— This is my niece, Sir— The right breach— Captain Uniacke — The Light Division leave Rodrigo in disguise — Who the devil are those fellows?— We enter El Bodon . . . . .94

X CONTENTS.

Chapter XIV

Burial of General Crauford— Anecdote of Ladrone ! Ladrone !— Corporal Miles — Burial of Uniacke — A French seat of honour in jeopardy — A wolf! a wolf! — Deserters shot — Scene of execution — March to Castello de Vide across the Tagus— Execution of Corporal Arnal for desertion — Badajoz — A man dreaming of his head being off with his head on j singular fulfilment — Tom Crawley's dislike to conchology — His alarms— The Duke of Wellington saluted by the enemy— Remarkable feature of the case— A French curative or an illwind, &c. ....... 102

Chapter XV

Storming of Badajoz— I join the Forlorn-Hope again— Presentiments of Major O'Hare and Captain Jones — Their deaths — The stormers — The Ladder-men — I am wounded — The French prisoner— O'Brien — Sacking of the town — Scene of horror — Reflections— The Duke of Wellington and his men — Johnny Castles introduced with a rope round his neck — The drummer-boy— A firelock goes off, and so does a Corporal — I return to the camp — Casualties at Badajoz — The French prisoner and a new acquaintance — His account of the evacuation of Almeida — His opinion of the British soldiers . . .114

Chapter XVI

I recover from my wounds and rejoin my regiment at Ituera — " Nine holes" — March for Salamanca— Sergeant Battersby— The grenadier and the murder of his wife, &c, &c— Marmont out-manoeuvred— Assault of Fort St. Vincent- Retreat of the enemy— We arrive at Rueda— The wine-vaults— My descent into one— Fright, &c— Manoeuvring of the two armies— Skirmishing— A gallant Frenchman— Pratt and his prisoner . . . .126

Chapter XVII

Battle of Salamanca— My wounds break out afresh— I go into the Hospital at Salamanca— The Germans and their prisoners— A recognition— Michael Connelly—His death and burial— Josh. Hetherington again— A new acquaintance —His accounts of the Guerillas, &c— A keepsake for a sweetheart— The Guerilla— The army retrace their steps to Salamanca— Proceed to Rodrigo— Heavy wet— Spanish payment j acknowledgment— A dry coat— Lord Charles Spencer and his acorns— We continue our march— The babes in the wood- Hard skirmishing with the enemy's advanced-guard— A woman in distress- Pepper— Hunger, cold, and fatigue— Finish of the Burgos retreat . 133

Chapter XVIII

Head-quarters at Grenalda— Don Julian Sanchez, the celebrated Guerilla Chief —Weakness of our numbers— Incorporation of Spaniards into our regiments— A thief— Punishment of, and opinion of the men— General orders for a collection among the men and officers to relieve Russian losses— A ball, in which

CONTENTS. Xlll

CHAPTER XXVII.

Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters— March to Vittoria— Enemy oblige us to go round — The rear of the Legion engaged — Baggage divided from it— Commencement of the plunder at Bilboa — Arrival at Castro — Enemy supposed to be in the vicinity — We remain at Castro — March the next day — Mountainous route— An accident— The pass of Las Goras— March to Bonia— My company placed in the advance— Orders to prepare for cavalry — Doubts and fears — A narrow escape— Arrival at Breviesca — Breviesca — Head Quarters — My old Patrone — Hints to revolutionists — System of regular drill begun — Riflemen drilled collectively— I practice my company in sham fighting — Provosts and hardship— Lay in a winter stock of sickness — Legion paid up to November, 1835 — Last payment— March of death — We march for Vittoria — Pass of Pancorbo— The dead Patrone— Approach to Vittoria— My old recollections — The 45th — Halt about three miles from the city — Spanish troops come out to meet us — Triumphant entry into Vittoria — The veteran Colonel . . . . . . .222

CHAPTER XXVITI.

Vittoria as it then was — A bad wind that blows nobody any good — Rifles rather comfortable at first — Severe weather — Morning scenes and cries in Vittoria — The flogging system — Men not starved— A comparison of facts — Hospitals get crammed with sick — Singular economy — The old Colonel's two sons — The Chapelgorris decimated by order ot Espartero — The Rifles march to Matuca — The whole Legion assemble at Matuca — Cordova engaged — A Carlist village — A confession — A night retreat — Colonel's anxiety — Arlaban — Change of looks both in the men and the inhabitants — March to Trevina — Sharp winter of 1835 . . . . . . .232

CHAPTER XXIX.

Return to Vittoria — The mortality and state of the hospitals — Deaths among the medical officers — Scenes in the wards — Legion supposed to be poisoned — Don Jose* Elgoez — His first ordeal — A discovery — Execution of the two bakers — Description of the " Garotta" — Legion march and counter-marches — Mode of warfare adopted by General Evans— Frequent desertion. . . 238

CHAPTER XXX.

Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers— Copies from General Orders- Spanish compliments to the French and British Legions — Cordova between two fires — Some French officers resign — Difference betwixt the British and French Legion — Parting moments between a French Colonel and his men — Legion receive orders to proceed to San Sebastian — The sick left behind to guard the sick — March through the country to Santander — Arrival at the Convent of Carbon — New clothing — Recruits, &c. — My opinion of the Legion ....... 244

XIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Embark for San Sebastian— A thirty-two-pounder, and no mistake— A bloody force— Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately— A prize— Arrival at San Sebastian— Anticipated attack— Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill— Major Fortescue— Opinions— His maiden speech— Two companies broke up the others of the regiment— 5th of May— Attack on the lines of San Sebastian— A hullabaloo —6th Scotch taken for enemies— Helter-skelter— I receive a severe wound— Am carried into San Sebastian — My letter to my wife . . 250 !

CHAPTER XXXII.

The loss of my company in the late action— Apprehensions about my leg— Meda and pewter— A candidate for Knighthood— Captain Plunkett— His death, &c. — A Rifleman assassinated — Fire-eaters— Sketch of San Sebastian — Lord John Hay's battery — Ramble towards Passages— Something serious — Awkward squads— Singular decline of Spanish Bigotry — A Sectarian alarmed . 256

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Disorganised state of the Legion— Three months' pay— A holiday— The 6th and 8th Scotch lay down their arms — Reasons — My wishes to retire from the Legion I give up the command of the company — A reflection — I embark for Santander — Report myself to Colonel Arbuthnot — My new command — The convent of Carbon — Short description — Inhabitants of — First sample — A speculation — A Quarter-master's conscience — I place him under arrest — A horse ! A horse! . . . . . . .26a

CHAPTER XXXIV.

An orderly dragoon puts us all in confusion — A stir — Retreat upon Santander- The dangers of forgetfulness — Cure for a fever — We return to our old quarters — Captain Shields and Major Clark's visit— An appeal — A new mode of raising " Volunteers" — Glory or death by famine— One hundred and twenty men are starved into the service again — Scene in Santander — British soldiers and subjects — More assassinations — H cold-blooded Spaniard — A peace-loving Commandant—Captain Oakley and his " cats"— Continued horrors of the convent — Assassination — A relief from purgatory— A conclusion . . 2~~

ADVENTURES

OF

A SOLDIER.

Chapter I

To give a young gentleman right education, The army's the only good school in the nation.

SWIFT.

Introduction of myself to the reader— To the service— Who would not be a Soldier ?— A recruit— Wilkie— Cupid's Row-dow— The service endangered by another— Arrival at Liverpool— I am made prisoner, but not by the French- Recaptured by our sergeant— Lichfield round-house— St. Paul's— I join my regiment, and the regiment joins us— Great numbers of rank and file burnt alive.

It has ever been the fashion in story telling to begin, I believe, with the birth of the hero, and as I do not forget, for a moment, that I am my own, I can only modestly say with young Norval I am,

of parentage obscure

Who nought can boast, but my desire to be A soldier.

I was born at the town of Mount Mellick, Queen's County, Ireland, on the 26th October, 1/88. When I was seven years old my father removed to Dublin, where he had been appointed to the situation of tide waiter. As soon as I became a good sized youth, my father bound me apprentice to a cabinet-maker, in King William Street, in the aforesaid city; but urged by a roving and restless spirit, I soon grew tired of my occupation, which I left on morning early " without beat of drum."

B

Z ADVENTURES OF

I next went to live with an uncle, a shoemaker, who employed several men to work in his business. Among these was an old soldier, who had lost a leg, fighting under Sir Ralph xibercrombie, in Egypt. From this old blade, I think it was, I first acquired that martial ardour that so frequently infects young men in time of war. There was, indeed, no resisting the old pensioner's description of glory. I became red hot for a soldier's life, and although rejected as too young for the regulars, I " listed," as it is technically called, in the Dublin Militia on the 1 7th of June, 1806.

At the latter end of the following year, our regiment was stationed at Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, where I volunteered into the 95th, since made the " Rifle Brigade." It was rather singular, but I remember I was the only volunteer from the regiment who joined the rifles.

After receiving my bounty of the eighteen guineas (£4 of which were deducted for my kit, which I was to have on joining), the sum allowed at that time to those who volunteered from the militia, I took the mail coach for Dublin, where I found a recruiting party of my new regiment, consisting of one sergeant, a corporal and six privates. I must say I felt highly delighted with the smart appearance of the men, as well as with their green uniform. The sergeant proposed that I should remain in Dublin, being as it were, almost a native of that city, from which circumstance he thought I might materially assist in raising recruits.

Recruiting, on the pay of a private soldier, is anything but pleasant, and particularly if he be confined to the mere shilling a-day, doled out to him once a-week, for he not unfrequently spends it all the first night he receives it. I myself had woefully experienced this, having been frequently for days without food, through my irregularities and my unwillingness to acquaint my friends that I was so near them.

I was crawling about one clay in this manner, heartily tired of my first sample of military life, garbed in an old green jacket of the sergeant's, when I was accosted by a smart young fellow. After eyeing me rather shrewdly from

A OLDIER. 3

head to foot for several seconds, " I say, green boy/ 5 said

he, "do you belong to the Croppies? D me, but I

like your dress. What bounty do you give ?"

"Eighteen guineas/' replied I.

"Come then/' said he, "tip us a shilling. I'm your man." Unfortunately for me, I had not a farthing, for I had eaten nothing for that and the whole of the previous day. However, knowing that we received two pounds for every recruit, I hurried into a public-house near at hand, and requested of the landlord to lend me a shilling, telling him the use for which I wanted it. This he very kindly did, and I handed it over to the recruit, who, chucking it instantly on the counter, called for the worth of it in whiskey. While we remained drinking, the sergeant, whom I had sent for, arrived, and supplying us with money, the recruit passed the doctor and was sworn in for our corps.

His name was Wilkie, he was an Englishman ; his father having been sent for from Manchester to superintend a glass manufactory in Dublin, accounted for his being here. He was a fine young fellow of about five feet eight inches in height, and possessed all the genuine elements of a soldier, that is, was quarrelsome, generous and brave, of which qualities he gave us a specimen the evening he enlisted, by quilting a pair of coal-heavers. After a few days, he introduced me to his family, consisting of his parents and a sister, a remarkably pretty girl of about seventeen. Had war not claimed me with her iron grasp as her proselyte, I, no doubt, should have interwoven my destinies with the silken web of Cupid, who, very naturally, when my youth and early passions are considered, for I was but nineteen, lapped me very seriously on the shoulder.

I, however, went on recruiting, and the two pounds I received for enlisting Wilkie, I handed oyer to my landlady in advance for future food, which my last misfortune had taught me to value. This precaution, as is generally the case, was now no longer necessary, for in a short time after, we enlisted so many recruits, that money became very plentiful, and I was enabled to get coloured clothes. While we remained in Dublin, I became a constant visitor at the house of Wilkie' s father, and the young lady I have

b 2 alluded to, not disapproving of my advances, a serious attachment followed. But my stay threatened to be speedily terminated, as the sergeant and his party received orders to join his regiment immediately, then at Colchester,

Mars and Cupid beat to arms,

and placed me in the predicament of the donkey betwixt the hay stacks. I became bewildered as to which to take, both being, as it were, necessary to the calls of my nature.

At last, the time for parting arrived, which took place after a little private snivelling and simpering, and the usual vows of eternal fidelity, passion and remembrance — which last I have kept to this day. She and her mother accompanied Wilkie and myself towards the Pigeon House, Hingsend, and in something more than twenty -four hours, we found ourselves cheek by jowl with the quays of Liverpool. It was past midnight when we cast anchor. We were ordered to remain on board ; but Wilkie' s and my own anxiety to see the place took advantage of a loop hole in the waterman's pocket, and we got ashore in our coloured clothes ; from the lateness of the hour, however, we were obliged to take lodgings in a cellar. We had not been long settled and asleep below stairs, before I was awoke by the bright glare of a bull's eye lanthorn staring me fall in the face, and some five or six rough sailors all armed to the teeth, standing before us.

The first thing they did was to feel our hands, which, finding to be rather soft, one remarked to the other, that we had never been sailors, though nevertheless they took us as lawful prey. Wilkie, at first, wanted to fight with them, but was persuaded by half a dozen bull dogs, and some cutlasses to walk quietly to the tender, in which we most probably should have taken a voyage, but, for one thing, we had been sea-sick and were sick of the sea, and on being examined by the officer on board the next morning, we gladly sent for our sergeant, who, claiming us, accordingly, we were liberated.

Our party continued their march, and Wilkie, whom for more reasons than one I was growing exceedingly attached

A SOLDIER. O

to, was always my companion and many a scrape he got me into. He was continually in hot water ; on several occasions and particularly at Lichfield where we were caged, for kicking up disturbances amongst some Irish recruits in which, however, I supported my friend, we were detained for want of means to pay for the damage done to a public-house, the scene of riot. Sergeant Crooks (for that was our sergeant's name) had not unfortunately the means to satisfy this demand, having nothing but the men's bare allowance to carry us to London. Meanwhile, we remained in the cage, which was in a very conspicuous part of the market-place.

The fact of an Irishman being there, seemed to have aroused all the little brats and blackguards of the neighbourhood, (my countrymen were not so plentifully scattered then as they are now), and every minute of the day we were annoyed by, " I say Paddy, Hilloa Paddy, which way does the bull run?" Taking both of us for Irish, the young devils kept twirling their fingers on their noses, even through the bars of the cage. The poor sergeant, who was a mild good fellow, arranged matters, after all, with the magistrates ; the money was to be sent to the injured parties as soon as we joined the regiment, and deducted from our pay — which was done accordingly.

Wilkie, however, continued his pranks, and once while in London when on a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral, stopped the pendulum of the clock, and set the bells ringing ; for this we were again imprisoned, but escaped this time, by paying a fine of five shillings for being drunk, after which nothing occurred till we arrived at Colchester. Here I joined the 1st battalion, then under the command of Colonel Beckwith, afterwards known as General Sir Sidney Beckwith, and was attached to Captain Glass's company.

Shortly after my arrival, the regiment was ordered to Spain, the campaign having then commenced. But not being perfect in my exercises, I was left behind as depot, until time and practice had made me a greater proficient in Light Infantry duty. Although this was a necessary consequence to a mere recruit, at that time, I felt not a little mortification at being prevented sharing in the glory* which I believed the regiment about to reap.

As it was, however, I had no great reason to complain.

1 became an adept in my drill, and a tolerable shot along with some other recruits, before the regiment returned. This took place in the month of January, 1809, at Hythe, where we were at that time stationed, the depot having moved from Colchester.

The Rifle regiment, it is well known, had distinguished itself, and had suffered severely, especially in the retreat to Corunna under the gallant Moore. From thence, they had embarked for England, where, on their landing, they presented a most deplorable sight. The appearance of the men was squalid and miserable in the extreme. There was scarcely a man amongst them, who had not lost some of his appointments, and many, owing to the horrors of that celebrated retreat, were even without rifles. Their clothing, too, was in tatters, and in such an absolute state of filth as to swarm with vermin. New clothing was immediately served out and the old ordered to be burnt, which order was put into execution at the back of our barracks amid the jests of the men, who congratulated each other on thus getting effectually rid of those myriads of enemies, that had proved such a source of personal discomfort to them abroad.

Chapter II

I join Captain O'Hare's company — He falls in a passion — The "fair" and " unfair" appointment — Disappointment — Things of a private nature — Tom Crawley — An example — The Hero — How to catch " flats" in " squads" — New way to tap a barrel — A Rifleman's plan for sweeping chimneys and taprooms — Pipe-clay and parade — The regiment embark for Portugal.

Shortly after the return of the regiment, I was drafted into the company commanded by Captain Peter O'Hare ; a man whose eccentric habits were equalled only by his extremely ugly countenance. Peter, for that was the cognomen by which he was generally known to the men, was as brave as a lion ; and had risen, it was said, to his present commission from the ranks.