Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-01-30

taken from the enemy during the month
should be the property Of the men, aud
the value Of il divided among them
These promises, although they had no
weight or effect in inducing the men to
engage, ought to have been fulfilled
though, at the time they were made, no
one could suppose il probabls we could
take stores or baggage from the enemy
who had six men to our one then 10 Jer-
sey. The request Of the General was
assented to, by our unanimously poising
the frelock, as q signal. Within two
hours after this vote, we were on our
march for Trenton, which place we had
left two days previous. From the bad
ness OF the road, the darkness of the
night, and accidents to the artillery car
riages, or the falling Of horse, &c. we
consumed the whole night, in the march,
and quartered in the morning in houses
from which the Ilessians had been taken
the week before. When we had kindled
FIRE, and were collecting from our KNAPP
sacks or pockets stray remnant OF bread
or tainted pork, and thus taking our little
share OF rest and comfort, the drums beat,
and we were Immediately 2aradcd -
Most of those who have attempted tn
write history Of the war, have given
some, though imperfect accounts of the
transactions Of this day. Lord Cornwall
lis was on the march from Princeton,
with, as it was said, ten thousand men,
to beat up our quarters. Here was the
whole army oi The United States, which
was supposed TO amount to about four
thousand men, commanded by his Ex
cellency General Washington, Milllin,
Sullivan, Greene, Knox, SC.
Our troops were posted on the south
side OF brook or small river, wbic h
crosses the town near the south end, and
enters the Delaware "a continuation OF
the Main street crossed this little river
over o stone bridge. 1t was evidently
the purpose Of General Washington, to
induce CORVALLIS TO approach and enter
the town, at the north end for this pur-
pose, company of artillery and picket
was placed on the road leading from
Princeton, who were attacked by the
advance Of the British. Our brigade
WIS ordered TO cross the bridge and
march through tho main town street, to
cover the retreat of the artillery and
picket, into aud through the north end
orthe town. This was towards the close
Of the day. We met them and opened
our ranks to let them pass through we
then closed in "A compact and rather
solid column, as the street through which
we were to retreat To the bridge was
narrow, and the British pressed closely
on our rear part Of the enemy pressed
into street, between the Main street
and the Delaware, and fired into our
right flank, at every space between the
houses (; when what was now our front,
arrived near the bridge which we were
to pass, and where the lower, or Water
street formed a junction with the Main
street, the British made a quick advance
IN an oblique direction to cut us off from
the bridge in this they did not succ ceed,
rs we had a shorter distance in a direct
line to the bridge than they had, and our
artillery, which was posted on the south
side Of the brook, between the bridge
and the Delaware, played into the front
and flank Of their column, which induced
them to fall back the bridge was mar
row, and our platoons were in passing il
crowded into dense and solid mass, in
the rear Of which, the enemy were ma
king their best efforts. The noble horse
Of Gen. Washington stood with his breas,
pressed close to the end of the west raj
Of the bridge, and the firm, composed,
and majestic countenance Of the General
inspired confidence ana assurance in o |
SO important and critical. In |
his passage across the bridge, it was
my fortune to be next the west rail, and l
arriving at the end of the bridge rail, ] |
was pressed against the shoulder Of the
Generals horse, and in contact with the
boot Of the General. The horse stood
rs firm as the rider, and seemed to un-
1erstand that he was not to quit his post
and station. When l was about half.
way across the bridge, the General ad-
dressed himself TO Col Hitchcock, the
commander Of the brigade, directing him
% march bis men to that field, and form
hem Immediately, or instantly, or as
quick as possible which Of the terms
ne used, ! am not certain at tho same
ime extending his arm and pointing to a
title meadow, at little distance, on the !
south side Of the creek or river, and
between the road and the Delaware
This order was promptly obeyed, and
hen we advanced to the edge of the
stream, facing the enemy, who soon
ound it prudent to fall back under cover
If the houses. What passed at the
fridge while we were forming as direc-
ed, | of course did not witness, but un-
|erstood that as soon as our brigade had
'assed, the cannon which had been
lrawn aside, to leave us a passage, Il
we're again placed at the end of the
ridge and discharged into the front of
he enemy's column, which was advan-
lug towards it at the same time seve.
al pieces at the right and left Of the
ridge, with musketry at the intervals,
ook them partly in the flank. They
id not succeed in their attempt to cross
he bridge, and although the creek was
ordable between The bridge and the
Delaware, they declined attempting a
'ossage there, in the face Of ihose, who
rcsentcd more serious obstruction
han the water. II