The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-01

OFT " ;s,,,anant Colonel and under the most
disheartenng circumstances, detained po'sesss,Dw
Fort Duauesne, (Which had been reduced ny NJ. 80
ineton) until relieved, acquitting himself
,6at seemed an almost impossible task Inc Lecturer
here paused before enterng on the history OF 'e
yolution 10 call TO mind the difference OF those u'es
with these which we now enJoy-oi thoso oays -;
neither home friends, children or BRIDE couiu ue'a'
them from the awful struggle-wheh the SUI If
on the peaceful Sabbath but on scenes OF poou
The struggle OF weak band of men against me n'9ny
mower Of the greatest monarchy IN the woria -oi ay
when the cloud of despair lowered heavily upon ~
hopes, and want, prlyation, and suffering piss, g.,
sn,n them What honor then, can be TOO gIea' ,oi
those who by their blood, have cemented the iounus
ton of a republic whose wide spread blessings mn
lions Of those who in another Cline have felt the IRON
hand of persecution, now enjoys. The nag OF 'na
nation is the shroud OF the naton gai'an' SUNS
its happy stars shine brightly over their graves,
Ofthe eventful period preceding the battle OF Prince
ton when hope seemed dead-when by successive
defeat want and priyation the army OF washington
had been reduced to only 1000 effective men, VINO mao
taken up their post on on the western bank OF The
Dclawaie- when Philadelphia seemed but as city OF
the dead her deserted streets and houses evidencing
how deeply despair had fixed itself in the hearts OF te
Americans-in that dark hour, when destruction
seemed closing upon them, was the policy Oh thc wal
changed, and the desperate band resolved to become
the assailers.
The discussions Of the proposed measures the deep
dependency of Washington, the wretched condition
of the soldiers depicted in sou-s.irrlng words
the sratacem the night march, the surprise ana the
capture all meditated upon Finding heavy BODY OF
cavalry of reserve coming up, General Mercer sug-
gested to Washington that he should throw his bri,
gade between the party engaged and the reserve, ana
thus compel general engagement. Inc movement
was successfully executed In the heat OF the charge,
General MERGERS horse was shot under him, and ne
fought the ground, disdainng to surrender, ana
rrtated at the conclusion which his fall had occasion
ed he singy faced whole detachment, was beaten 70
Al hvf ha hutta musk
| wounded under the arm with bayonet
General Armstrong shortly after found him on the
field, and bore him to neghborng house, where he
received the almost maternal of two ladies, who
undsmayed by the conflict had bravey abided the
result One Of these marons, few months since,
passed to the silent tomb; and II was her proudest
boast through life that she had soothed the parting
anguish, and smoothed the death pillow of revou
tionary soldier
The orator closed his memento of soldiers life and
gave vent to the feelings which solemn spectacle
was calculated to excite. Not vainy will these obsc
ques pass away if the love of country, which il is emf
nently calculated excite, shall have been raised in
the breasts of the thousands who witnessed the specta
Gle if the flame of patriotism has burned brighter and
freezer been given to the honest impulses of
nation.
The grafton being closed, the coffin was borne out
by file of Marines and placed in the regular order of
procession- borne the bier to Coates street,
where it was again placed in the hearse.
The procession moved on through the principal
windows doors, roofs and pavements, seemed
alive with human beings who had thus come together
in the midst numbers to pay their respect to one who
had died that they might be free.
The minute guns in the Square doomed sorrowfully
on the air-the bands joined their dirgeike music,
and the measured tread and serious countenances OF
all in the procession told how solemn was the occasion
how deeply felt the lesson of patriotism and
bravery.
Having reached Twelfth and Coates street, the
procession paused the coffin placed in the hearse,
the escort proper took their places in the carriages the
military with the exception of the cavalry were dis,
missed and the cOrtege proceeded toward Laurel lii
Cemetery the coffin being still surrounded by the
Honorary Guard Of the First City Troop. Arriving
at the Cemetery the coffin again placed upon the
bier the escort reformed and in due order, moved to-
wards the spot for interment The scene at one time
was most beautiful as turn of the walk brought the
whole escort into view Arriving the grave, the cot
fin was set down, and Mr.. Quintin Campbell, the
President Of the ST. Andrew Society, delivered an ad-
dress.
AT the conclusion Of which, Mr.. Tulhope addressed
the Throne of Grace in prayer in most eloquent
manner Col. Mercer the relative of the deceased
then came forward to bid farewell to the remains
they again committed to the earth.
That ceremony over the coffin lowered into the
grave, thus terminated of the most sublime moral
spectacles which Philadelphia has ever witnessed.
Peace to the ashes of the brave, may they rest
disturbed until the final trump of doom shall summon
him to his account More than generation has
passed away since this bloody corpse borne TO the
tomb, and fany survive who have witnessed that day
they but the last leaves ofautumn which the
winter blast may consgn to their long home.
Yet even though the time be distant, the grateful
collection Of their deeds has not sumbered faded
and the nation yields its spontaneous homage at the
shrine Of the patriot. What lesson of patriotism
does not yesterdays soemnties nculcate-long will it
be remembered and trust that will it be for
gotten-U S. Gazette.