It is with the doings of the Second Division, or more exactly with
Wilders's brigade of that body, that we are now principally concerned.
The task before it was arduous and full of danger, demanding devoted
courage and unflinching hearts.
At the moment of the advance the village immediately in front of them
burst into flames--a fierce conflagration, lighted by the retreating
foe. The dense columns of smoke hid the batteries beyond, and
magnified the dangers of attack; the fierce fire narrowed the path of
progress and squeezed in the advancing line. On the left, the Light
Division, moving forward with equal determination, still further
limited the ground for action; and, thus straitened and compressed,
the division marched upon a small front swept by a converging fire. So
cruelly hampered was the Second Division, so stinted in breathing
space, that a portion of General Wilders's command was shut out of the
advancing line, and circled round the right of the burning village.
In this way the Royal Picts got divided; part went with the right of
the brigade, still under the personal direction of its brigadier; part
stuck to the main body, and followed on with the general tide of
advance. With the latter went the headquarters of the regiment; its
colonel, colours, and sergeant-major.
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