Litchfield enquirer., 1829-03-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
BARON DE KALB.

Every American boy ten years old should be made familiar with all the cele- brated names connected with the history of his country. But am afraid there are many, who during the terrible period o the Revolution poured forth money anc blood, as freely as water, and yet are, al this moment, strangers to the memory o American boys. Every boy has heard O Lafayette--.almost every body has seer and shaken hands with him---but has every one heard of the brave De Kalb? Lest they have not, I will inform them, that he was German who, like Lafayette, left his country and his home, to fight, for our liberty. He was in the winter of life, when he joined our army, but apparently as wig orous as he could have been in his earliest youth. His face and his figure were em- nhatically German. His frame large and athletic, his clear, mild, blue eye and his glowing, ruddy face, seemed to give the lie to the snow white hairs, bleached by the suns and storms of sxty three winters. He used to boast of the iron constitution which industry and hardships gave his country men. "The Christmas before sailed for America" said he, ''I went to see my fa- ther, ,who lived about 800 miles from Paris. On my arriving at the house, I found my dear old mother, who was S3 years of age, sitting at her wheel, while one of her great grand-daughters carded the wool, and sang hymn for her.-As soon as the first joy of meeting was over, I eagerly inquired for my father. "Do not be un- easy, nay son." said she, " he has gone into the woods, with his three great grand-chil- dren, to cut fuel for the fire. They will be here presently" In short time, I heard them coming.-My father was the foremost, with his axe under his arm and a stout billet of wood on his shoulder. The children followed him, staggering along, each with his little load and prattling with all their might. assure you it was de- lightful, thus to see the extremities of youth and age mingled in cordial love. Nothing but exercise, and plenty of the healthy air of heaven, will make constitutions weal like my father's."
 The histories of battles are very much alike, and it is always painful to dwell or such scenes of bloodshed and distress: will therefore only say, that in every com. bat in which he was engaged, Gen. DeKalt evinced the utmost bravery. discretion and military shill.
 On the 18th of August. 17sO, the Amer ican army were stationed near Hugely Mills. about l2 miles from Camden. Nortt - Carolina. At 10 o'clock at night order! were given to march to Camden and sur prise the British army there. Unluckily the English at the same time, began | march to surprise the Americans. To theil mutual astonishment, the advance guarc of both armies met each other. A coun. cil fwar was immediately called. Dekalb cautions, as we'll as courageous, advised te fall back to Rugly's Mills; but Gen. Gates over-ruled this motion.
 The morning sun discovered the woods far and near, reddened with the flame col. cured uniform worn by the British army and the rolling of their drums and the thun' der of battle, had a most awful sound.- The undisciplined militia frightened a their numbers, scarcely gave them one dis tant fire, before they broke their ranks and fled in every direction. In vain Dc Kalb called upon them to return. He Wal left alone with handful of faithful Amer jeans to stand all the horrors of that iearfu day. His valour increased with his dan. ger. While he was bending forward, te encourage his troops, he received clever wounds, He fell and Americans and