In many cases, where the number of slain can be counted by hundreds, the day following a great battle is a sad one. Experienced was the general who exclaimed—“Nothing but a defeat is more sad than a victory, for the losses of the latter are only exceeded by those of the former.” To give each man a separate grave, or to pronounce a funeral service over each man, would occupy more time than could be spared; thus, a large hole, and a funeral service for 100 men, who are rapidly covered with earth, and who, shroudless and coffinless, are thus disposed of, is the other side of the scene of pomp which we have described as a soldier’s funeral at home.
FOOTNOTES
[1] A beautiful model of the King’s Bastion is to be seen in the Rotunda, Woolwich.
[2] When the Highland regiments were first formed, it was customary to stick up the name of any man who had misconducted himself in his parish church, and this was deemed the severest of all punishments. This has now become an obsolete custom.
[3] See article on the Engineers, [p. 24].
FINIS.
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