American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-11-04
ON, TUESDAY, A NOVEMBER, 1925.
From the Ladies' Literary Cabinet.
THE SCENES OF A SOLDIER.
AN EXTRACT FROM HIS JOURNAL.
- lost a friend,
And in that friend u Hero:

And in that friend Hero:
EDWIN was the son of wealthy farmer living in
Grotton, Connecticut. Hisintrepid soul had caught
the hire OF patriotism. The wrongs Of his beloved
country had prompted TO the field OF battle his father
and Oldest brother and he longed to follow.
An opportunity soon offered: the traitor Arnold
with his floating batteries, armed with thundering
cannon and iniurated troops, arrived at the ofiDg
OF the harbor, Scarce had the dawn of day glim-
mered in the eastern horizon, and the signal gun
thrice sounded the alarm, when he was aroused
from his slumbers. An enemy was about invading
the domestic hresidcs of his friends and neghbors,
and his magnanimous soul thirsted for glory.
Accoutred in the only arms his dwelling afforded,
forth he rushed to Join his assembled countrymen.
The brave but unfortunate Ledyard commanded
Edwin * his companions oil that memorable day
"A day long to be remembered. While the le-
glons Of Arnold were landing to spread desolation
over the land Of his nativity, Fort Griswod received
her dauntess band. among whom with burning ar
dor stood Edwin; the fire OF manhood blazed in his
eyes as his commander ordered every man to his
post.
Already had the work Of death commenced on
the opposite side of the river. Already were the
flames fast spreading over New London, when the
dread demand was made for the surrender of the
garrison and its bold defenders. The indignant
swer Of Ledyard was returned to he naughty trail
tor, and Edwin grasped with hrmer hold his fire.
lock. Rank after rank the approaching enemy
fell beneath the deadly fire of our heroes. Edwin
more forward than the rest, mounted the parapet
the nodding plumes of Britain caught his eagle
eye, and the leaden messenger winged its fligkt-
The fell biting the ground in death. Twas vel
done said his comrade, whohad mounted with him
Edwin turned TO reply, when the dreadful shout O
rs surrender die.' met his car at the same time
he received the contents OF musket which shat
tered his right arm. IT'S nothing said he, as tht
manged limb dropped powerless by his side, and
he staggered towards his place in the ranks
/ What so soon disabled, my brave fellow p cried
veteran companion next to him. lis pure blood,
said Edwin, as he saw the crimson stream colo
the earth beneath his feet. Retire my son o
Mars said the veteran, 'youpwound must be dres
sed.'
The thunder Of cannon and musketry now shool
HE fort to its foundation, and the Genius of Colum
bia wept as Ledyard delivered his bright blade t.
the barbalous Briton, who stood before him as hi
conqueror. Thus receive, and thus | return
rebels sword said the merciless monster, as h
sheathcd to the lt the steelly caymore in the BODY
IF Ledyad. Vengeance sounded like lightning thro
the garrison. Edwin could stand no longer: hi
before powerless arm seemed new strung, and will
la mighty effort he caught his falling chief. Tn,
it, yet warm and bloody, through the murderer
At this noble deed shout rent the air, and fltee
alternate Britons and Americans, shared the fate @
Ledyard and the English chief. Edwin received
Through his body, and fell-his eyes closed to tn
| light OF day, the vital spark lay dormant. He wa
| put into cart which the unleeling wretchos heap
ed with mutlated carcasses of fathers and sons, t
roll to the foot OF the hill. Fortunately the wheel
Of the carriage struck projecting stump, and turn
ing over, cmpied its load ere it reached its destine
| place.
Buried beneath heap of slain, the inanimate re
mains of Edwin were found by his anxious mother
Thrice was his bloody body turned over ere he
tear dmmed eyes recognised the child OF her bosom
Life was not yet fed, the vital spark yet glimmered
the feeble pulse yet family vierated as they con
yeyed him from the spot
IF it is heavens will said the afflicted mother
as he opened his eyes for the last time; ii 1t
heavens will, | must not murmur.
He has fallen, bravey fallen,a wreath OF glor
encircles his martial brow
Edwin smiled, cast long look at his hon
lored mother, then closed his eyes forever. "a
; time erase such scenes as these from my rocco
Election? No, never while memory holds he
), empire, they are engrayen on the heart OF
y A SOLDIER.