The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-10-06
GENERAL. MARION.

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of Marion, the Republican Generai.-Frankan
Gaasns
About this time we received q flag from
ihc enemy in Georgetown, ). &. the object
of which, was to make some arrangements a.
bout the exchange Of prisoners. The flag sf'
ter the usual core emony OF nd.folding. was
conducted into Marion's cncampment When
led into Marion's presence, and the bandage
taken feom his eyes, ne Deneld IN our hero,
swathy smoke dried Iitle man, with scarce.
ly enough Of thteadbarc homespun, TO cover
Lis nakedness and instead of full ranks OF
galy dressed soldiers, handful OF suo-burnt,
yellow legged militia men, somc roasting po-
tatoes, and some asleep with their black iire
locks and powder horns, lying by them on the
logs. Having recovered little from his sur
prize, he presented his letter to Gen. Marion,
VINO perused IL, aud soon settied every thing
F. 10 his satisfaction. The officer took up his
hst to retire." oh no." said Marion, "it is
now about our time Of dining, and hope sir,
you will give Us the pleasure ot your compa-
nv 20 dinner" Al the mention Of dinner, the
British off ;cr looked around him, but TO his
great modification, could see no sign OF pot,
pan, Ouch oven, or any other cooking uten-
sill, ,ha, could raise the spirits of q hungry
man.
Well Tom" said The Gen. TO one OF his
men, Come, give us our dinner" The
tljnRer TO which he alluded, was no other than
"a heap OF sweet psiatoes, that were very snug
ly roasting under the cmbers, and which
Tom, with his fine stick poker, soon liberia
ted from their asby confinement, pincbing
them every now and then with his fingers,
especially the big ones, 10 SEQ whether they
wcfe we'll done or not. Then having cleans
cd ihem Of tho ashes, partly by blowing on
taem with his breath, aud partly by brushing
them with the sleeve of his old cotton shirt,
he piled some OF the bost ON large piece ot
bp,k, and placed them between the British
UEicer and Marion, on the trunk of the fallen
pine on which they sat.
81 fear" said the General, "our dinner
will no, prove SO pala,able to you as could
wish--but II is the best We have. Tho ofsi-
Ger who was we'll bred man, took up one OF
the potatoes, and affected to feed, as II he had
founds greet daiuty but II was very plain,
TIA, he.oto moro from good manners than
good appctue. Presently he broke out into
"a hearty laugh: Mariou looked surprincd--
I" beg your pardon General" (said be- "bu,
one cannot, you know, always CON mmsod ones
conceits. was thinking how drol somo OF.
my brother officers would, look If our govern.
ment we're TO give them such bill Of fare a,
this" [" suppose" said Marion, " il is no,
equal to their s,ylc of dining l".--" No, in-
deed" quoh tho officer, {" and this | itnagine
Is ono OF your sccidental lent dinners, a sorl
OF banyan In gennral 40 doubt, you live a
great deal better 7" "Rathcr worse" an.
swerc1 the Gen. I" for often we do not get G.
ncugh Of ,his."--" Heavens" r-ioined the
officer, " but probably what you lose IN meal,
you make up IN malt though s,in,cd 10 pro-
visions, you draw noble pay" Not cent. I"
---Heaycns and earth, then you must bs la q
bad box don't see General how you can
stand it," Why sir," replied Marion, with
smile Of self.app robaiion, I" these things de-
pend on fcciings." Tho Erglshman said
"he did not believe il would be en- sasv mat
tor TO reconcile his fcolings to soldiers life
on Gsn. M,rion's terms--all fighting, no
pay. and no provisions but pots,oes."--" Why
str" answered the General, " the heart is all
and when that is much Interested, man can
do any thing Many youth would think il
Il hard to indeot himself a slave for fourteen
ycacs ; but let him DO over head and ears in
love, and with such n Aeauteous sweetheart
as Rachel, and be will think no moro Of four.
teco years servitude than young jacob did.
= We'll oaw, this Is exactly my case, ! am in
love, and my sweetheart is Liberty, be that
heavenly nymph my shampion, and these
wood, shall have charms beyond London and
Paris in slavery.
To have no proud Monarch driving over
me wish his gilt coaches--nor his host Of cx-
ehemen and tsx-gatherers, insulting aud rob.
hing; hut to DC my own prince and sovereign
--elofioosly preserving my national dignity,
and pursuing my true hsppiness-plauting
my vidyards sod eating their luscious ftui,,
owning, my fields and reaping tho golden
grain. and seeing millions Of brothers around
me equally tree and happy as myself. 'Tois
sir. what long for." The officer replied,
bo., ss man ond o Briton, he must sub.
cribe 90 this as happy state Of things.
Happy" qoo,b Marion, "yes, happy indeed,
and would rather fight for such blessings
for my country and feed on roo,s, thao keep
s'oct, though wsllowing in all the luxurics Of
Soiomoo for now sir, I walk tho soil that