Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-02-27

perceived. ISSUING from the enemy
advanced pickets. body OF horse.
commanded bv an officer. and pro-
ceedins along a road that led directly
by the spot where the rlfienen had
halted. No spot could be better cilo-
sen for an ambuscade: for there were
rocks. ravines. and also shrubby oaks.
that grew thicklv on the eminence by
which the road we have just men,
toned passed, lat not exceeding an hum
dred yards.
( SHOWN. bows. down. cried Nor
gan, as the horses approached. nor
did the clansmen of the Black lshod-
eric disappear more promptly among
their native heather than did Morgan's
woodsmen in the present instance:
each to his tree. or rock. 'lAe close
there. my lads, till we see what these
fellows are about
Meantime, the horscmen had GAIN
ed the height. and the officer drop
ping his rein on his chargers neck.
reconnoitred the American lines
The troopers closed Up their file. and
were either cherishing the noble ami
mails they rode, adjusting their equip
ments or gazingupon the surrounding
scenery now fast Frightening in the
beams of rising sun.
Morgan looked at Long. and Long
upon his superior, while the r,tiemca.
with painting chests and sparkling
eyes. were only awaiting some sig
nal from their officers. 'to let the rum
fly
At length the martial ardor Of Nor
gan overcamc his prudence 4 sense
of military subordination. Forgettul
of consequences. reckless of every
thing but his enemy. now within his
grasp, he waved his hand. and loud &
sharp rang the report of the rifles a.
mid the surrounding echoes.
Appoint blank distance. the certain
and deadly aim of the Hunting Shirts
of the Revolutionary Army is too
well known to history to need remark
at this time of day. In the instance
we have to record. the effects of the
fire of tie riflenen were tremendous.
OF the horsemen, some had fallen to
rise no more. while their liberated
chargers rushed wildly over the adjoi-
lining plains; others wounded, but en-
tangled with their stirrups, were drag
ged by the furious animals expirlngly
along, while the very few who were
unscathed spurred hard to regain the
shelter of the British lines.
While the smoke yet canopicd the
scene Of Straightforward the picturesque
forms of the woodsmen appeared a
mong the foliage, as they were reload
ing their pieces. the colossal figure of
Morgan stood apart. He seemed the
very Genius of War, as gloomlly he
contemplated the havoc his order had
made. He spoke not, lie moved not,
but looked as one absorbed IN an IN
tensitv of thought. The martial shout
with which he was wont to cheer his
comrades in the hour of combat
was hushed. the shells from which he
had blown full many a note OF battle
and of triumph on the fields OF Sara
toga. hung idly by his side: no order
was given to spoil the slam, the arms
/ and equipments for which there was
ALWAYS a bounty from Congress. the
| shirts for there was such need IN that
the sorest period of our country
privation. all. all were abandoned. as
with an distracted air. and voice
struggling for utterance. Morgan sud
denly turning to his captain, exclaln-
ed. Long. to the Camp. march. y
The favorite Captain obeyed, the Rl
/, flelnen with trailed arm, fell into file
and Long and his party soon disap
peared. but not before the hardy fel
lows had exchanged various opinion
on the strange termination oil the lat
!. affair. And they agreed nem. con
that their Colonel was tricked. icon
= iured.) or assuredly, after such Il fir
) as they had just given the enemy
such an emptylng of saddles. an
;. such a squandering of the trooper:
u he would not have ordered his poo
u rifle-boys from the field. without s
much as 4 few shirts, pairs of stool
e incs being divided among them
:, Yes. SAID tall. lean. and swarth
d looking fellow. an Indian hunter fror
e the frontier. as he carefully placed hi
( moccasined feet. in Inc footprints {
5 his fle-leader. ives. nv lads. it stand
IS to reason our Colonel is trickcd.'
:. Morgan followed Slow ) on the ira