Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-07-23

part or lot with him.
The sound of distant drums here interrupted
the conversation. 1t grew nearer aud nearer,
and presented ragged, miserably count, and
worse disciplined band coming upon the sight;yet
women and children, the aged and infrm, well
coined them with more heartfelt gratitude, and
deeper respect, than has often been given to the
giittering paSeantry of military despots. Who
that saw that wrctched troop of young patriots
eagerly marching to join the standard of Wash
ington and the youthful La Fayette, would have
believed that, ere half century had elapsed, the
aged La Fayette would have been welcomed in
the fourishing capital of New England, with all
the magnihcence of wealth, " the pomp and cir
lcumstance of war" Who could have believed
that the infant, then presented at Freedoms al
tar, there to be baptized in blood and tears,
would soon have been giantamong the nations
The music, loud, rapid aid merry, spoke the
cheerfulness of the departing regiment; bu.
when the dwelling of Mr., Warner and the widow
Leslie came in view, by one unanimous impulse,
the music ceased, the march stopped and divi-
ding to right and left they lowered their guns to
the father of William Warner. There were pc
culiar reasons VIII these houses were dear to
them all. There was young Leslie, who had
gone forth at the bud call of his countrys dis
tress, as healthy ami buoyant as ,hey--and how
had he returned? To send forth the soul i'm one
agonizing bound % the field of battle, had few
terrors for youthful enthusiasm but the stout
est hearts shuddersd at days of wearisome sick
ness and the slow progress of loathsome decay.
Then there was th venerable father of Warner
-I hpo tb,, <r, 4,
lage, and whose Intrepid spirit had given nerve
and sinew to themall There was the widow
Leslie, who always Aad sme as cheerful and
encouraging, as if tie last stay of her old age
was not about to be left from he- in this hour of
need. Then there was Frances So lovely, so
beloved, bringing the strongest claim that
be brought to the heart of man, thatof helpless
beauty and unguarded innocence. Therefore it
was that, while mothers, sisters and infant broth
ers were looking from every door and window,
they chose to halt here, and pay their last fare
well. Often during their brief march, they had
stopped to give their little ones parting kiss
and to receive the prayers tears and blessings of
those who were near and dear. But now they
paused for the last time and they paused too,
where every thing conspired to make their last
adieu more agonizing.
"Cone 10 me, William" said the old man, in
a clear, firm tone. The youth stepped forward
and lowering his hand on his rifle, kneeled at his
fathers feet "My son. continued he, here
is the sword of your brave old grandfather. II
did deadly execution in The French war: and
his hand WAS clenched around it in his diving
hour 1t IS an heirloom in the family and
should have been given TO my oldest boy but
his voice choked and for moment the vete.
ran covered his face with his hands, and rested
on the hilt of the weapon. e" Farewell, my son,
my only son" continued he, in a trembling
voice, " cango down to my grave alone. The
God of Israel bless thee, and anont thee with
strength for :heSe times of peril" The Young
soldier pressed his fathers hand with a convul-
sive grasp. gave one long, one lingering farewell
to the spot where his beloved Frances stood by
the side OF her mother, and fearing TO trust a
single word, hastily rejoined his companions.
There was not dry eye among them, and when
they came directly in front Of Mrs Leslie's all
rnvolnntarily uttered shuddering groan.
James Leslie nad entreated TO be bolstered up in
his chair, to tike last look of his Youthful as
sociates There he sat, pale wasted and ago
nized with pain his head rcposing upon his
mothers bosom, and his sister standing beside
, him like a seaph at the couch Of the dying An
unnatural intensity oflight poured from his eyes
and he raised his hand in faint attempt to max
a victorious flourish, as he exc laimed, God
will give the victory. He started up, with
one sudden bound of anguish-hs head sunk on
his shoulder--the glazed eyes remained fixed on
the youthful band before him !; but they saw no
longer
To the young soldiers there was something
dreadfully attractive, in the rayless look of the
corpse before them. It seemed as if the very
dead urged them onward. William would have
given his life TO have returned for while 10 his
y friends to aid and to sooth them in this dreadful
trial: but longer time than usual had already
Q been allowed TO the indulgence of personal feel
n ling, and the serieant was impatient of DELAY
:. The music struck up-and amid sobs and
n groans and tears, with brave but lacerated
}. hearts, they babe long farewell to their hum
d bic homes.
4 Sad sad indeed, was the dwelling of the wi
d dow Leslie on the ensuing day. Alas how
4" little do we appreciate the courage Of our ia
@ theirs, and the fortitude Of our mothers, at thu
" soul trying period of our revolution. In all
scenes OF public distress, woman is compelled t.
d make eSertions, not the less painful, or the less
+. difficult, because they not performed on thu
G public theatre Of sympathizing world. 7,
IT fastcn the knapsack round fathers neck, to fl
If the cartridges of a beloved husband, and see hin
go forth TO battle when his little ones are crying
n for bread, and his desolate home is left at thu
mi q 10, IoGf II Il =
t the grave Of an only son, and to consjgn him L
It the cold, damp earth, wcPt over only by the age