The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-03-22


evolutionary war. my father had at
tanned the age when the mind yields
most early to the passion of military
glory. and he was among the first
who were enrolled pndcr the banner
of American liberty.
The sentiment of freedom was G
iectric, and no aye or sex were ex-
tempted from It's influence. The
fond mother, who had shrunk from
Exposing the darling of her bosom
to the slightest personal danger,
now beheld with proud satisfaction.
that son decorated with a napsack
her own hands had wrought. and
cheerlully resigned him to the call
Of patriotism.
Thus do the sentiments of freedom
elevate the mind above lis ordinary
exertions, aud call forth tie latent
energies cfsouls, that have imm0lta-
lIzed Cornelia.
My venerable grandsirc, whom
can Just remember as am old man
With snowy locks, who used To paci-
iy my infant Clamors with tales Of
military proves, was often heard To
boast that he led five sons TO the bat.
tie of BUNKER HILL.
The third of these sons was he
from whom inherited that spirit of
patriotism, which has accompanied
me tlro' life. With feelings which
neither time nor sorrow can oblite-
rate. view the scenes of my child.
hood, aud while my brave parent,
bending with age and infirmity, is
yerging to the grave, "A desire to
snatch his memory from oblivion.
prompts me to record the following
detail
Some of the brightest years Of my
existence were passed in the vicinity
of Bunker Hill, and | was early
taught to vevcrate the spot, as con
nected with display OF the most
magnanimOus virtues. 1t WAS II that
spot my gallant father led his family
OF sprightly boys, aud, over the
grave of WARREN, inculCated lessons
of h9roism and virtue. Nor was
always excluded from the party,
for though my father believed that
nature had designed me for a d0mcs-
tic sphere, he did not believe that IN
ardent love of liberty, and tho
rough estimation Gifts value, az pnr-
chased by the blood Of my fathers,
could unfit me for the discharge
Of the important duties which Pro
violence has assigned To woman.
1t was fine morning in May,
and nature seemed to have oommu-
niCated her loveliest smile to the
heart, and diliused a Joyous serenity
over all its feelings, when my three
little brothers and myself received
the welcome summons to prepare 20
attend our parent in his morning
excursion. /" Whittier shall we
walk :" said he, as we sailed forth
with all the cagerncss Of childhood !;
- To Bunker Hill," was the spon-
taneous reply of every little voice,
and to Bunker Hill my father led the
way.
Days of artless innocence alas
ye are fled forever, Never can re-
call the sportive hIarity with which
We lightly bounded over the inter
laCent fields, never regain the inno-
cent gaiety and improyident light
ness OF heart, that, under the pre-
sent enjoyment, shut the future from
my view. Yet memory-busy me-
mory-oft retards the fiowery way,
and, in the vision Of the past, loses
the sense of the present, and the an
tlcipation Of the future.
With that bouyancy of spirit that
refuses to yield to WEAKNESS, we
climbed the ascent, and found our
selves on the summit, from whence
We were presented with view Of the
whole peninsula, with the bay and
harbor of Boston. My father poin-
ted out the relative positions of the
armies, and entered into minute
detail of events, which abier his
torians have recorded they will not,
therefore occupy Il place IN this mar
ration.
His own per sonal adventure, and
narrow escape from living grave,
are all that filial piety will justi-
fy this feeble attempt toperpetuate.
" Pray papa" said my eldest bro
Their, - was it here that you receiv-