The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register. (Wilmington, Del.) 1824-1825, 1825-03-03
BATTLE OF BJng-zER's 1zzI.y.


The battle is seen from Cooper's Hill, which
Lionel Lincoln Che hero of the tale) is ascend
ing in company with Generals Burgoyne and Clin-
ton.
"rhe troops formed with beautiful accura-
cy, and the columns moved steadily along
the shore, and took their assigned stations
under cover Of the brow Of the emincnce.
Their force was in some measure divided;
one moiety attempting the toilsome ascent of
the hill, and the other moving along the
beach, or in the orchards of the more level
ground, towards the husbandmen on the mea-
dows. The latter soon disappeared behind
some fruit-trees and the brck-kilns Just
mentioned. The advance Of the royal col
umns up the ascent was slow and measured,
giving time to their held-guns to add their
efforts to the uproar of the cannonade, which
broke out with new fury as the batal-
ions prepared to march. When each col
umn arrived at the allotted point, it spread
the gallant array of its glittering warriors
under bright sun.
sit is glorious spectacle" murmured
the graceful chiettain by the side of Lionel,
keenly alive to all the poetry of his alluring
profession; how exceeding soldier-like! and
with what accuracy his first arm ascends
the hill,' towards his enemy!"
The intensity of his feelings prevented
Major Lincoln from replying, and the other
soon forgot that he had spoken, in the over
whclming anxiety of the moment The ad-
vance of the British line SO beautiful and
slow, resembled rather the ordered steadi-
ness OF drill than an approach to deadly
struggle. Their standards futtered proud
ly above them, and there were moments
when the wild music of their bands was
heard rising on the air, and tempering the
under sounds of the artillery. The young
and thoughtess in their ranks turned their
faces backward, and smiled cxultingly, as
they beheld steeples roofs ,masts, and heights
teeming with their thousand eyes, bent on the
show of their bright array. AS the British
lines moved in open view of the little retoubt,
and began slowly to gather around its differ
ent faces, gun after guE became silent, and
the curious artillerist, or tired seaman, lay
extended OH his heated piece. gazing in mute
wonder at the spectacle. There was just
then minute when the roar of the canno-
made seemed passing away like the rumbling
of distant thunder.
"They will not fight, Lincoln" said the
animated leader at the side of Lionel" the
military front of Howe has chilled the hearts
of the knayes, and our victory will be blood
less!"
1--WE shall see, sir-We shall sect"
These words were barely uttered, when
platoon after platoon, along the British, de-
livered its fire. the blaze of musketry fash
ing swiftly around the brow of the hill, and
was Immediately followed by heavy volleys
that assembled from the orchard. Still no
answering sound was heard from the Ameri-
cans, and the royal troops were soon lost to
the eye as they slowly marched into the
white cloud which their own fire had alone
created.
"They are cowed, by heavens---thc dogs
are cowed" once more cried the gay COM
panion of Lionel. ''and Howe is within two
hundred feet OF them, unframed ~
At that instant sheet Of flame glanced
through the smoke, like lightning playing in
a cloud, while at one report Thousand
muskcts were added to the uproar. 1t was
not altogether their fancy which led Lionei
to imagine that he saw the smoky cano-
ply of the hills to wave as if the trained war
rors it envelloped faltered before this close
and appalling discharge; but in another in
slant, the stimulating war-cry, and the loud
shouts of the combattants were born across
the strait to his ears, even amid the horrid
din of the combat Ten breathless minutes
flew by like moment of time, and the bewil-
dered spectators on Copp's were still gazing
intently ON the scene, when voice was rails
ed among them, shouting
Hurrah let the rake-hellies goupto Breeds
the people will teach 'em the law