The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-08-19
REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE.


LIEUTENANT MAsNINe, late Adju,ant
General Of the Militia OF South Carolina.--l
Many other proofs could be adduced Of
Manning's presence OF mind, and cool in.
trepidity in action. 1t is grateful to me
to mention one OF these. Al the battle Of
Eutaw, after tho British line had been
broken, and the Old Bluffs regiment that
had boosted Of the extraordinary feats
they were to perform, we're running from
the field, Manning in the enthusiasm Of
that valor in which he was SO eininently
distinguished, sprang forward in pursuit,
directing the platoon which he command
ed to follow him. He did not cast an eye
behind him, until he found himself near a
large brick house into which the York
Volunteers commanded by Cruger. were
retiring. The British were ON all sides of
him, and not al American soldier nearer
thanone hundred yards. He did nothesitate
moment, but,springing at an officer who
was near him, seized him by the collar,
and exclaiming in harsh tone Of voice
-" Damn you sir, you are my prisoner"
wrested his sword from his grasp, drag
ged him by force from his house, and
keeping his body as shield of defence
from the heavy FIRE sustained from the
windows, carried him OFF without receive.
ing any injury. Manning has often related
that the moment when he expected his
prisoner would have made an effort for
liberty, he with great solemnity, com
menced an enumeration of his tides
am sir, Henry Barry, Deputy Adjutant
General OF the British Army, Captain in
the SGD regiment, Secretary TO the Com.
mandant at Charleston."--" Enough.
sir," said the victor, I" You are just the
man was looking for; fear nothing for
your life, you shall screen me from dan
ger, and shall take special care OF
you" He had retired in this manner
some distance from the .;rick house when
he saw Capt. Robt. Joielt, of the Virginia
line, engaged in single combat with a
British officer. They had selected each
other for battle little before, the Ameri-
can armed with broad sword, the Britain
with a musket and bayonet. AS they came
together, thrust was made at Joiett,
which he happily parted and both drop
ped their artificial weapons, being too
much In contact to use them with effect,
resorted to those with which they had
been furnished by nature,
They were both men of great bulk and
vigor, and while struggling each anxious
TO bring his adversary 70 the ground, a
grenadier who saw the contest ran to the
assistance of his officer made lounge
with his body, missed Joiett's body, but
drove i, beyond the curve into his coat.
In attempting to withdraw the entangled
weapon he threw both the combatants to
the ground when getting it free, he raised
it deliberately, determined not to fail IN
his purpose, but to transfix Joiett.--It was
in this crisis, that Manning approached
not near enough, however to reach the
grcnadier with his arm. In order TO gain
and 10 arrest the stroke he exclaimed in
an angry and authoritative tone" you
damn'd brute will you murder the gen.
tlemaD ?'-The soldier supposing him
self addressed by one of his officers, sus-
pended the contemplated blow, and look
ed round to see the person who had thus
spoken to him.-Before he could recover
from the surprise into which he had been
thrown, Manning. now sufficiently near,
smote him with his sword across the eyes
and felled himto the ground-when Joiett
disengaged himself from his oppone t.
snatching up the musket as he attempted
to rise laid linn dead by blow from the
end of it. Manning was of inferior size,
but strong and remarkably well formed.
Joiett, literally speaking,a giant fhi, pro-
badly led Barry, who could not have wish.
the particulars of his capture to be
commented on in reply,when asked by his
brother officers how he come to be taken,
l was overpowered by huge virginian."