Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

224 LIFE OF COL. BLACKADER. CHAI>. X.
enterprises, but our persons very wicked, and there-
fore our carcases are strewed like dung upon the earth
in Germany. Among the rest I have also got a small
touch of a wound in the throat;* but this, so far
from making me doubt of the care of Providence, is
really to me a great confirmation, and a remarkable
instance of his protection ; for the wound is so gently
and mercifully directed, that there is no danger ;
whereas, if it had been half an inch either to one side
or other, it might have proved mortal or dangerous.
The Lord is a shield and buckler to me. We have
all indeed good cause to rejoice ; but O, shall nothing
work upon us — shall nothing be blest to reform us,
when so many of us are cut off — shall not the rest be-
think themselves and turn unto thee. If they will
not, thou wilt yet break us more and more, for thou
canst waste us with victories, as well as with defeats.
O Lord, thou hast assisted me, and given such liberal
supplies during the action, that I was helped to dis-
charge my duty, even with credit and reputation.
Dear Lord, I lay down all at thy feet. I have no
reason to be lifted up. It was not my own strength
that carried me through, it was a borrowed stock, so
the praise is thine, and not mine; for hadst thou
withheld thy support, I had behaved scandalously.
Such are the humble and modest reflections he
makes on his own conduct, although, on this occasion,
it appears to have been highly courageous. His con-
fidence and composure in the heat of action, are thus
expressed by himself, in a letter written on the field
of battle to Lady Campbell at Stirling : — " I am just
• Vid. List of Allied and. Wounded. Lediard, vol. i. 269.