Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-07-22
CAMDEN; 4 TALE OF THE SOUTH
"High 10 the air cur standard Hes,
And round 1t tolls and bIeeds and dies,
Anr GalellnnIa rricle -, Al..,n...n


? And round it tolls and bIeeds and dies,
Our CsLedonian pride .'-.&iemoir8.
The night passed away slowly, and Without
farther alarm. At dawn OF day, the line Of
battle was formed, and every necessary dis
position made for action, which was now un-
ayoidabte. The only change which Gates
Thought It expedIent to make. was to with
draw Carson's regiment Of Marylanders from
the line, and dispose them as reserve at a
bout half mile In the rear. This movement
was executed im the night, and received no
interruption from Carnwalis. Y'he fog lay 50
thick and heavy upon the ground that no OBJ
5eet could bs distinguished at the distance of
half nile, bat the neighing of horses, the
rumbng Of artillery, and the deep hum Of
multitude, announced that the foe was on tna
alert. The sun arose with feeble and sick
ty ray, which seemed struggling in vain, to
penetrate the heavy mist, which lay like the
shTond Of the dead Oh the cold and damp
Dos I'M Of the marshy flat, upon which the
combatants were formed As the Light grew
more distinct, Stevens, who commanded the
Virginia militia upon the left, observing that
the rencountre of the night had made deep
impression upon their minds, eudesvsrcd 10
encourage them, exhoEtHg them - fire with
good aInl, and rely upon their h~yOaets Tor
the resi-, Vain exh3rtation! The quick firm
steps Of the British veterans were 10 sooner
heard advancing to the eharre-the FIRST
glimpse of Their caps s. uniforms had scarce
ly appeared through the mist, when Inc Vir-
ginia militia, gviag one Intellectual and frre-
gu!ar fre--first wavetej-then a few mon
dropped off from the hank--a company fol-
lowed aud loag before the English were
within point blank shot, the whole brigade
threw down their arms, and rushed like
flock Of frightened sheep, through the woods.
Gates who had stationed himself midway
between the first line and the reserve, instant
ly exerted himself to stop tho negatives, aad
1t is probable, might have succeeded, bat
the flank of the Carolina militia became so
Ga-taady, and showed preference SO deci-
doi .-t the road 10 tie rear chat his atten-
ton VAS in some degree called off from the
tug4tlres, aud devoted 10 the encouragement
CT tlcir brethren Of the Carolinas. In the
meantime, the English gave q loud shout and
plc 5ad forward, indicating a disposition to
tara their flank, aud assail them ia front, at
one and ths same time. Terrified at the pros
poet OF being surrounded. the centre likewise
gave way. in defiance of the most strenuous
exefton5 Of tAcir officers. A single regiment
ofNogth Carolina, with a small part OF Leih-
bridges brigade, sill! CLING TO the contlneR-
tails, and remancd true TO their brethren, in
the Taidst OF the disgraceful panic. Gates,
aided by his staff, and many militia officers,
exertod himself with wonderful zeal and per
severance, to bring the negatives back, but
was borUe along by the torrent, which he
was unable to stem, and in less than-hFs min
Ntes from the FIRST fire, the single continental
division, aided by the small remnant Of the
Caroinians, was left to yield Oh die, in IRON
Of The whole British army.