Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XVIIi CAMPAIGN TENTH. 421
August 22. This night we were again at arms all
night, and marched to our alarm post, where we lay
till sun-rising. In the midst of all these confusions
God is a refuge. This is all my comfort and peace,
for from every other quarter, nothing but trouble.
The humour of those we have to do with, and the
society we live in, are among the greatest uneasinesses
we meet with in the world. There is nothing I have
a greater aversion and fear of than living in strife
and contention. I would live with all the world
peaceably, quietly, and innocently, and would have
every body about me calm and easy.
August 25. I visited the siege on all sides, seeing
what was most observable and curious about all the
works and trenches.
Of this alarm, and some other particulars, the Colonel
gives an account in a letter to his Lady, of this date.
Thursday, August 23.
Since I last wrote to you we had an alarm which
has given us both fatigue and trouble. On Monday
night, about twelve, they gave the alarm at the village
where we lie> by firing upon a redoubt and battery
we have. We hurried out immediately and, marched
down to our alarm post ; but the French retired from
this place, and in the meantime attacked Hordain,
and took some of our Generals there ; but the regi-
ments there repulsed them, and then they came up
our side of the river and attacked a post we have at
Etrum, and took it, and have fortified themselves
there. But we, to prevent any trouble from them,
have made a strong line between us and them, all the
way. from this to Hordain ; so we reckon ourselves
better and safer than we were before. It has given
s