Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-02-25

lchief. fearing off the vile chain OF coionl-
al denendence. which till then had hung
labouthe and encountered all her exeri =
Ions, she claimed an illustrious rank among
the nations OF the earth.
Britain on the other hand indignant at
her late defeat, and mortified at the dis
appointment Of her naughty predictions,
resolved TO put forth all her strength. 10
her own disciplined bands worthy indeed
( of better cause, she added hordes otthose
German mercenaries, who themselves, the
victims, are also trained from their infancy
I to be the instruments of oppression.
Before such host of enemies, after ln-
effectual resistance, Washington was COM
PEELED to retire. MANY of his brave con
panions atlested by lhelr blood, the purity
of the cause in which they were engaged
Suppressing the sad and tender recollecti'
ons which bound them TO their aoseats
friends, their distant homes, their widow.
ed wives and helpless orphans, from The
field of carnage, they raised their feeble
eyes, and poured out their last breath in I'M
ploring INSTRUMENTATION of heaven on their
beloved country.
Victory could not be expected to attend
an army composed principally OF men I'M
used TO war; who were enlisted tor few
monihs, drafted for single campaign, or
were to be tempted to the field, by the
promise or the hope of speedy termlna-
ton of their dangers, and their tolls. Nor
were the arms of asuperior enemy, among
the greatest of the calamities which now
assased the American general. He had to
teach his harrassed troops 10 support the
burthen of the most complicated suferln9s.
The sword of mcrciless and vindlcuge
enemy, without arms the rigor of cold,
without cIoathing: and the Cravings OF
hunger without bread. The beam OF hope
in the East, which had been taken for the
dawn of success, was now enveloped IN
dark, and portentous clouds. The lnke
warm Join the standard of the enemy the
timid retire, and the Responding consider
America as already subdued. Around the
dreary horizon, there is but a single light
to be seen. Ah! Its the undaunted soul
of Washington. Armed with conscious
virtue he !" looks comfort" through his
wasted retreating army. lie appeases
the inquietude of his troops, shares
their fatgues and hardships commise-
rates their wants, even weeps at their
distress by his example,
his faithful soldiers cling to him, through
every danger, suppress their complaints,
smile amidst their deprivations; and la.
ment that the traces of their bleeding feet
on the Aintv frozen ground, speak to the
heart of their general how much they en-.
dure Washington still lives" they ex.
claim g and is their not hoPeE!" Pasrlo-.
tic army Virtuous soldiers! Whos spurn.
ing in glorious ease at the sacred call OF liz
berry, embraced the tells and dangers Of
unequal war, surrounded by the dreadful
phantoms of nakedness, cold, and hunger,
rather than wear out your lives, in lgno.
minlous bondage amidst your country's ru-
ms, the God of our fathers, crowned your
pious hopes with success, and led your
Washington to Ictoryo Heretreats, from
the Hudson, to the southern shore CT the
Delaware, as if it were only part OF his
intended campaign, in order, like the great
HoratiHs, by separating his enemy in The
impetuosity of their progress, me more ca
sily to destroy them. Wearled OF truitless
victories and vain pursuit, aud. not dar,
iag to attempt the passage Of the Delaware,
in the presence Of Washington, the enemy
considered their campaign as closed and
spread along the northern bank of the De-
laware, in winter quarters. On that ever
memorable night of the 25th of December,
| in the Grst'year of our independence, after
the carousals of a festivity heightened BY
the consciousness of security, arising from
great superiority of numbers, a wide, rapid
and iuterposing river, aud the ex --sslve
severity OF winter, they yielded to the soft
ness efrepose, But the dread reign of WIN.