Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-26
PROVIDENCE.
THE EXPRESS.

ION atIrandywlne, ana his subsequent repuIse
al Germantown, the excitement OF the public
niind was deep and ANXIOUS, and the spirits OF
the. whole nation seemed depressed and paral-
yzcd by the overthrow Of their sagacbous lead
or in two successive battles. the public ex-
pectation was on tiptoe for every breath Of
news. IN hopes that 1t might bring accounts Of
some achievement which would wipe away the
stain OF Brandywine and Germantown, or 1t
should inform them OF some equally disastrous
battle. Towards the close OF a wet, uncom-
Portable day, a week or two after the defeat
al Germantown, a horseman, heavily armed,
and clad in a thick overcoat, which was near
ly covered with mud, was observed to ride up
from the river, through the main street OF Eas-
ton. He stopped at the first tavern in sight,
and inquired for the commanding officer Oh the
station. 1t was presently noised through the
town that an express had arrived, and the Cit
izens focked in crowds TO the house OF the
commandant, toSlearn the news. The stran-
ger quickly informed himL that he carried an
express Of great Importance, and that he must
be Immediately furnished with guides to con-
duct him TO the camp of Washington. Two
trusty men were forthwith selected, and just at
candle light, the three started for Whitemarsh,
whittier Washington had retreated after the
unfortunate attack upon the enemy at Ger
mantown. Pursuing an unfrequented path,
'hcy WViS ucsSSuuihS u iNpo uihhoh WHICH
overlooked the encam2ment, just as the sun
rose. after a wet and fatigulng ride, during the
whole night.
AS their faded horses slowly descended the
eminence, the bearer Of the express, and his
companions, could observe the line Of sentries
pacing 10 and fro on the wet grass, some dis
lance from the tents, and q few officers and
soldiers performing their morning ablutions.
Three horsemen of their mysterious charac-
ter, was al unusual sight at Whitemarsh, and
officers aud men regarded them with fixed at
%lentioD. The fact Of their approach was pass
ed into the tents, and u crowd Of officers and
soldiers soon appeared, all intentIy watching
their designs. AS they noared the sentries,
they dropped their muskcts to a charge, and
babe them halt. An officer approaching the
group at this moment, was told by one of the
guides in q loud voice, that they had an ex-
press for General Washington, upon which
they were instantly allowed to pass. Their
business reaching the ears OF the troops, an
immense crowd was soon collected o.nd
them, SO great as to prevent their proceeding
only at a very slow pace. The Impotence of
the troops to hear the news, could not be re-
strained, and they called loudly to be inform
ed. An officer approached one of the guides,
and putting his hand to his mouth, begged him
for Heavens sake just TO tell him whether it
| Was Soou VI ouu. Auo SuiuoS WIN was MN
self ignorant OF the news he was carrying, but
ashamed to let others know it, put his finger
beside his nose with a most important manner,
and gave the officer a significant shake Of the
head by way Of reply, and which might be
safely interpreted either weg. He chose to
receive it a. favorable aud polling of his
hat, gave three hearty cheers, which The sur
rounding troops Immediately joined with lauda-
BILE good humor-not one OF them knowing
what he was cheering about /! Tue nois
reached the ears Of those in the tents, they
too gave three cheers, although no whit wiser
than the others and Immediately joined NE
formidable cavalcade.
While the express and his guides wepe ad-
vancing, the aforementioned officer fastened
across the fields TO apprise Washington that an
express was near at hand. When the con-
course reached his lodgings, the multitude, dy-
ing with impatience to have their curiosity gra-
titled, in their eagerness tore the IN IN from their
horsSe, and bore them upon their shoulders up
the steps Of the house where Washington was
quartored. At that instant, the commander
in-chief appeared from the far end of the en-
try, and beckoned them in. They entered a
spacious room, in which was a large table,
covered with smoking dishes, and 10 which
Washington, with all his staff, was about sit
ting down to breakfast. The door was i'll
/ otuu'iJ shut, Nv u u SaPiSoS
stepped forward to General Washington, in
formed him that he bore important despatch
es, and opening his coat, pointed TO the left
APPEL in which he stated they were concealed.
Instantly a dozen knives were in operation,
and in a few moments the dispatches were ex-
hibited leaving the poor bearer with a ruined
coat upon his back.
A stiffness, unbroken but by the half-sup-
pressed bfeathings of the spectators, succeed
ed. Washington seated himself at the head Of
the table, unfolded the mysterious document,
and perused il silently. Not a muscle of his
noble features moved-but his eye was seen to
tighten up a little. Around him sat the flow
or Of the army-Knox, Pdldski, and Greene,
with Hamilton, his first aid de-camp, on his
right hand. While The General read the pa
per, the Impotence of his Off burning TO
be %gratified, was with the utmost difficulty re-
strained +; yet a solemn and deaih-like silence
relgned within the loom. AT the window
might be seen the equally impatient troops,
endeavoring TO catch some certain signal from
the group within. When Washington had FIN
ished, he turned 10 Hamilton, aud desired him
to read the document aloud. Hamilton began
with a voice already thick with joy for his
quick eye in an instant had caught the con-
tents of the paper. But he began. II was
the official report Of Gates, informing Of the
capture of Bureoyne's army |!
When Hamilton had read nearly enough TO
inform the company. The whole staff rose from
the table with tears in their eyes, and in the
presence Of their dignifed commander, gave
three hearty cheers. Washington, in a voice
made indistinct and tremulous with joy, COM
handed them to order, which, with extreme
difficulty, he succeed in restoring. He then
requested Hamilton to read the whole. When
he had done so, the officers again rose. and in
the excess Of their delight upset the table,
stamped upon the dishes aud the uniasiod
meats, and in spite Of washingion's repeated
1 call to order, broke the breakfast table and