Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-05-21
BATTLE OF PRINCETON.
~ 4 SERGEANT.


Three or four DAYS after the victory al
Trenton, the American armv re-crossed
the Delaware into New Jersey.
Al this time our troops were in a des,i-
,u,e and dcplorablc condition. The hor-
Ises alta he'd to our cannon were without
shoes; and when passing over the ice, the y
would slide in every direction: and could
advance only BY the assistance of the SOL
der>. Our men too we're without shoes
Tor other comfortable clothing; and on ira
ices Of our march toward Princeton, the
ground was literally marked with the blood
Of the soldiers feet. Though my own feet
did not bleed, they were 50 sore that their
condition was little better.
While We were At Trenton, on the last
of December, 1873, the time for which !
and the most Of my regiment had enlisted,
expired. Al this trying moment, General
Washington, having now but handful of
men, and many Of them new recruits in
which ne could place but little confidence,
ordered Our regiment to be paraded, and
personally addressed us, that We should
stay month longer. He alluded to our
recent victory at Treeson, told u tlat our
services were generally needed, and tina,
we coul1 do more for our country than we
ever cond at any future period and in the
most aHectionate manner entreated US TO
stay. The drums were beat for volunteers,
but not man turned out. The soldiers,
worn dcwn witt. fatigue and privations, had
their hearts fixed on home and the cum-
forts Of the domestic circle; and it was
|, c. ,ntsc.naeoA ~Io g
the society Of our dearest friends.
The General wheeled his horse about.
rode through IN front Of the regiment, and
Us again, said, "My brave fel-
lows, you have done all ever asked you
to do, and more than could be reasonably
but your country IS at stake, your
wives, your houses, and all that you hold
dear. You have worn yourselves out with
fatigue and hard.hips. but we know 40,
how to spare you. Ifyou will consent TO
stay only one month longer, you will rem
der that service to the cause Of liberty and
to your country, which you probably nev-
cr can do under any other circumstances
The present is emphAtically tho crisis
which is to decide our Destiny" The
drums beat the second time The soldiers
felt tile force Of the appeal. One said to
the other, will remain if you will. Others
remarked, we cannot go home under such
circumstances. A few stepped forth, and
their example was Immediately followed
by nearly all who were fit for duty in the
regiment, amounting 10 about 200 volun.
teers. An officer inquired Of the Genera,
if these men should he enrolled. He re-
Piled, "No-men who will volunteer in
such case as this, need no enrolment to
keep them to their duty"
When we were about commencing our
march for Providence, lord CORVALLIS left
that place with the intention Of attacking,
and atone blow cutting offthe rebel army.
He appeared near Trenton. at Wood
Creek. on the Assumpsit river, where a
sAirmish took place at a bridge over the
creek. The Hessians were placed in front
ofthe British troops, and endeavored to
force the bridge. They were repulscd
and driven back :hree times by the Ameri-
can cannon. The Hessians were pushed
on by the British commander, and were
cut down until the dead lay in heaps by the
bridge. They retired, and we were left
undisturbed for the night.
Leaving our fires kindled to deceive
the enemy. we decanped that night, and
ty circular route took up our line Of
march for Princeton. General Mercer
the front guard, Of which the
200 volunteers composed a part. About
sunrise on the morning Of the Sd ofJanua-
~, J777, reaching the SUNNI: Of hill
near Princeton, We observed a light
horseman looking towards u, as we view
an object when the rising sun shines d.
rectly in our face. Gen Mercer. obse,v-
irg him, gave orders 10 the riAemen TO
pick him off. Several made ready, but at
that instant he wheeled about and was out
of their reach.
Soon after as we were descecdin. a
hill through an orchard, a parry Of the
enemy, who were entrenched behind a
bank and furze, rose and fred upon u.s.
Their frat shot passed over our heads, cut
ting the limits OF the trees under which we
were marching. AT this moment xe were
ordered to wheel. As the platoon which
commanded were obeying the order, tbs
corporal who stood at my left shoulder,
received ball and fell dead on the spot.
He seemed 20 bend forward to receive the
ball. which might otherwise have ended
nv life. We formed, advanced and fired
upoa the enemy. They re:reased about
eight rods TO their packs, which were laid
in line. Isdsanced to the fence on the
Opposite side Of the ditch which the enc
my had just left, fell On one knee, s. load
ed nv muskes with bali and buck shot
Our firing WIS most destructive; their,
RANKS grew thin, and the victory seemed
nearly complete, wben the British were