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

7
neraliadulged the confident belief, that his
enemy was caoght in his owpEo'ls Two
days, only, eiapse before tie hostile ar
mics meet. After sljght skirmish, the
Americans retire before superior numbers;
and narrow creek and the approach OF
darkness seperate them from the enemy
Around their fires, the British soldiers rest
upon their arms, secure OF approaching
victory. Burning before them, are the
fires of Washington. Their light sheds a
decei,ful CLEAN upon his guards, who, per-
formiog their accustomed rounds, order
fresh fuel 70 be added TO the flames, as rhe
night wastes away. While the enemy are
waiting impatienty for the return of day.
Washington takes up his silent marchto-
wasds one oftheir posts, twelve miles from
the groeId, on which, they supposed him
to be still encamped. He reaches II, 10y
circuitous route, at sunrise; bur, unfortu-
na.ely, instead Of completely surprising it,
he meets considerable detachment OF the
enemy under arms, fastening to the ground
which he had just left. An engagement en-
sues. The van ofhis army, consisting Chief
ly, of raw troops is Immediately defeated,
and its unfortunate general, in bravely,
though vainly, attempting to rally 1t, is
MORALLY wounded, and left weltering in his
blood. Believing the safety OF his army
and the liberty Of his country, TO depend on
the issue of the battle, Washington sur
passes himself. Despising danger, he flies
through the ranks, encourages, exorts his
troops, and turns the fortune of the day.
Routed and dispersed, the enemy fly IN
diferen. directions. The gathering clouds
which hung over the hopes of America,
once more bursts assunder, and victory IL
lumlned the banks Of The Delaware, and
the heights of Princeton, as she had done
the shores of The Mystic.
Bur, my audience, let not the glittering
standard nor the brazen trumpet of vic.
tory, dazzle or contound US. 1t was,
while pressed by an enemy Of thrice his
numbers, foil of confidence, Astounding
in resources, and equipped for the most
rapid pursuit; it was, when vanquished,
himself and retreasing, that Washington
displayedthe talents and the skill OF con.
summate general.
To lead an army along the howerY path
ofvictory, from conquest, TO conquest, to
command troops flushed with series of
successes over foe too feeble to oppose
them in the field. is task, indeed, of 40
great difficulty. Such an army is torrent,
deriving in its rapid course, additional We.
locify from every obstacle it surmoua.s,
and strength from every obstruction it re.
moves. The essential difference between
success and merit, which passion is so apt
to conceal from ordinary disarmament, IS
not obvious to a common soldiery. Such
an army, therefore, will cheerfuIly obey the
will of its general. But &c sustain course
Of unavoidable defeats, and then to retreat,
without flying, before superior enemy, a.
cross many large rivers, and through
counuyin dismay, equally disposed to as
sst the victors as the yanquished-To
conduct such retreat, without sustaining
an attack, or successfully repelling it; and,
at the same time, to continue the oh.
iect Of flial gratitude and reverence to an
army covered with wounds and scars, were
the peculiar and Distinguishing merit of the
hero Of our liberty. To foresight,
which left futurity nothing to untold, he
added penetration which no artiGce could
elude. To a prudence which no template
ous could betray, he united frmess, which
nospersuasions,n reproaches could shake:
With a vigilance which never slumbered,
be combined an activity @hich notoil could
overcome. With fortitude which no mis-
fortunes could subdue, a courage which no
dangers could appal.
He was, at once, the Fabius aud the
Marcellus the shield, and tie sword of
his country. Docs he decline hazard
Gus engagement with superior enemy
| 1t is because he believes that time, a.
La. .r,in raII,cn IL Z L.