Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-01-29
From the Newark Daily Advertiser.
BATTLE OF PRINCETON.
BY A sERGEANT,

BY SERGEANT.
Three or four days after The victory
ct Trenton, the American army re-.
crossed the Delaware into New Jer.
sey.
AT this time our troops were 10 a
destitute and deplorabIe condition. -
Ihe horses attached to our cannon
were without shoes; and when passing
over the ice they would slide in eve.
ry direction; aud could advance only
by the assistance ofthe soldiers. Our
men too were without shoes or other
comfortable clothing; and as traces of
our march towards Princeton, the
sground was literally marked with the
blood Of the soldiers feet. Though
my own feet did not bleed, they were
so sore that their coalition was little
better.
While we were at Trenton, on the
ssst OF December, l776: the time for
which and The most of my regiment
had e0listed, expired. At this try.
ang moment, General Washington,
having now but handful Of men, and
many of them new recruits 10 which
he could place but little confidence
ordered our regiment to be paraded,
and personally addressed US, urging
that we should stay month longer
''He alluded to our recent victory at
Trenton, told Us that our service was
greatly needed, and that we could do
more for our country than W, ever
could at any future period; and in the
most a1ectlOnaie manner entreated US
TO stay. The drums were beat for vol
unteers, but not a man turned out.-
1he Soldiers, worn down with fatigue
and privatioOs, had their heerts fixed
an home and the comforts Of the do.
mesIIc circle, and it was hard TO fore
70 the anticipated pleasure Of the so
elety ofOur dearest friends.
The General wheeled his horse a
hout,--rode through in front of the
regiment, and addressing US again said
~'My brave fellows, you nave done all
ever asked you to do, and more Than
could be reasonably expected; but
your country is at stake. your houses
and all that you hold dear. You have
worn yourselves out with fatigue an d
hardshjps, but we know not how 10
spare you. dfyou willeonsent TO stay
only one month longer, yol will ren
. der that service 10 the cause Of liberty
and 10 your country which you prob
ably never can do under any other cir
cumstanees. The present is emphat.
Dcally the crisis which is TO decide
our destiny" The drums beat the
second time. The soldiers felt the
force of appeal. O1e said to the 9TH
er ! will remain If you will. others
remarked, we caanOl go home Under
such circumstances. A few stepped
forth, and theii example was immedi.
atety followed by all who were Fl for
duty in the regiment, amounting 10 a
bout 200 volunteers. An officer in.
quired Of The General, if these men
should be enrolled. lie replied, =
"No: Men who will volunteer in such
a case as this, need no enrolment 10
keep them to their duty"
When we were about commencing
our march for Providence, lord Corn.
wallis left that place with The inteution
OF attacking and at one blow cutting
off ths rebel army. He appeared near
Trenton, at Wood creek on the As
sunpsit river, where a skirmish took
place at bridge over the creek. The
Hessians were placed 10 front of the
British troops, aud endeavored to force
the bridge. They were repulsed and
driven back, three times by the Amer
ican cannon. The Iessi0ns wereI
pushed oo by iae 9s:!.,;;:a 9s!,;;la 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 fres kindied 10 deceive
the enemy, we deCamped that night,
and by a circular route took up our
line of march for Princeton, General
Mercer commanded The froni, Of which
The 200 volunteers composed part
About ,unrse on the moring of the Sd
of January l777, reaching the summit
ofa hill near Princeton we observed
a light horseman looking towards US,
as we view an object when the-rising
sun shines directly A our face. Gen.
eral Mercer, observing him, gave or.
ders to the riAemen to pick him off,
N.-u..I ..nIn rnodx, hat m ahak in