Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-06-30

dered his services to Congress, but be-
/ fore he had obtained their decision
upon his offer, he repaired to the Amer
: lean camp. He was at the memorable
battle of Brandywine, with Lafayette
and other illustrious foreigners in the
suite Of Washington. His military ia
Tents were here Of much service to the
American cause When the right wing
ofhis army was turned by the victorious
enemy pressing upon il, and the retreat
of the right and centre vas likely to
ensue, Pulaski, at the head of thirty
h%orsemen, By a manoeuyre conducted
with his usual i~ntrepidity and skill,
succeeded in retarding their advance I,
thus affording greater safety to the re-
treating Americ ms. Perceiving that
the enemy were advanc Ing to take pos
session Of the Chester road, and ipus
cut of a part OF their baggage, he COLI
leeted a few of the scattered troops,
and attae king their front and right ilask
efectuaity defeated their object, and
protected the baggage and retreat
Washington did not fail TO appreciate
this important service, and recomnsn-
ded Pulaski to Congress-, which body,
on the 18th Of September, 1777, rssol-
we'd that q commander Of horse should
be appointed with the rank of a Briga-
der, and the ballots being taken, Count
Pulaski was elected.
On the day succeeding the battle OF
Brandywine, the American army halted
near Chester-and the day stter. Sep
TENDER 18th, passed through Pmlatel-
phia to Germantowa; on the lith il re-
crossed the ScbuyikiIl, and stopped OH
the Lancaster road, near the Warren
tavern. While here puiaski's vigilance
saved the army from s total surprise.
The troops at this period were in 9
melancholy condition, harassed by hun
ger and fatigue, dispirated by defeat, il
vas q bsolutely necessary that they
should iepose. R%ations, OF which they
had been for a long time destitute, were
furnished to them. Pulaski being out
with a accommodating party Of cavalry
had not gone far when he discovered
til. whole English army in full match
upoathe camp. lie instantly retrcsted
and a~pprixcd General Washington OF
this alarming circumstance; he was
requested by the commander in chief
to express bis opinion in this emergen-
cy. He advised that a detachment Of
three hundred infantry, with his cavalry
should be despatched against them.
winch would be sufficient to hinder
their advance, until he had made the
necessary arr arrangements for their recep-
ton. This detachment under Major
Gen. Scott, of Virginia, according ely
proceeded to attack the enemy but they
had scarcely become engaged, when q
tremendous easterly storm came IN, ac-
compained with a deluge Of rain, which
continued throughout the night, this pre-.
venting both parties from acting.
Pulaski was in the battle ofGefman-
town but there were only four regiments
. Of horse raised nona ofthem completed.
Considerable attachments being made
from these 10 attend on the COMMANDER
in-chiet and ether generals, he found
himself a commander almost without
troops, and was unable to achieve any
thing worthy OF notice. When Wash
ington went into winter quarters at VAL
ley Forge, the cavalry was sent over
into Jersey, on account OF forage, and
for service on that side OF the Delaware.
Pulaski took up his head quarters at
Trenton. whence he represented TO
Congress the situation iii which he had
been placed at the battle of Germans
town as a nominal c~ommander,& propo-
sed to tina, body to give him the command
Of an independent Legion, with which
he might act as a partisan. On the 9stt
of March, IT'S, Congress. after reading
his letter, passed a resolution empow-
ering Count Pulaski to raise and take
the command of an independent corps
ofhorse and foot, the horse to be arm
ed with %lances, sndihe foot equip
ped in the manner of light infantry
This corps was To be raised under the
superintendance of General Washing
ton, and lis commander was authorized
in this instance to dispense with the
resolution of Congress against cnlisting
deserters. In accordance with this re-
solve, the new legion ives raised, organ
lied. and brought into the field with all
possible haste. 1t was recruited in
Pennsylvania and Maryland, and disci-
pinned in Baltimore, the place appointed
for the rendezvous.
Soon after enlistment had been com
pleted,the legion repaired toNewJersey,
then the theatre OF the war, where il
was in a short time actively employed