The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-11-28
CROSSING THE DEtAwARF
by ELY MOORE.

by ELY MOORE.
In no instance, perhaps, was Washinc,
tons influence with the army SO strikin1f,.
exemplifed, as in his attack on the eneSn'.
at Trenton. Der and DER have lislene3
with intense anxiety, in the day of nv bov.
hood, whilst my now departed sire. WI,
fought and bled on that proud field, rec,ed
with thrilling interest, all that related 10 tbe
enterprise. Il was on December's niob,
would he say) when our little heart.broken
army halted on the banks of the Delaware
That night was dark, cheerless, tempes,u.
Gus, and bore strong resemblance 10 opr
country's fortunes. 1t seemed as if Heaven
and earth had conspired for our destruction
The clouds lowered darkness and ,be
storm came on apace. Tho snow and tho
hail descended, beaten with unmitipa,ed vi.
olence upon the supperless, half clad, shiy.
ering sold or; and in the roarings of the
food, and the wailings of the storm, were
heard by fancy's ear the knell Of our homes
and the dirge Of liberty. The impetuous
river was filled with floating ice;an attempt
to cross it at that time and under such cir.
oumstances, seemed desperate enterprise;
yet it was undertaken. and thanks be 10
God and Washington, il was accomplish.
ed
From where we landed on the JERSEY
shore to Trenton was about nine miles,and
on the whole line Of march there was
scarcely word uttered, save by the Off
GERS, when giving some order. We were
well nigh exhausted said he, and manv of
uJ trost-5inen, and the majority of US SO
badly shod, that the blood gushed from our
frozen and lacerated feet al every tread; vet
we upbraided not, complained not, bu.
marched steadily and GrmIy though mornn.
fully onward, resolved 10 persevere TO the
uttermost, not for our counlry-our coun.
try, alas! we had given up for lost. Not
for ourselvcs-life Tor us no longer wore
charm-but because such was the will of
our beloved chef-'twas for Washington
alone we were willing to make the sacrifice.
When we arrived within sight of the sns-
my's encampmenis, we were ordered to
form line, when Washington reviewed US.
Pale and emaciaied, dspirited and exhaust.
ed,we presented a most unwarlike and mel.
sneholy aspect. The paernal eye of our
chief was quick TO discover the extent of our
sufierings, and acknowledge them with his
tears, but suddenly checking his emotions,
he reminded us that our country and all
that we held dear was staked upon the com.
ing battle. AS he spoke we began 10 gath
or ourselves up, and rally our energies; ev-
cry man grasped his arms more firmly
and the clenched hand, and the csmpressed
lip, and the steadfast look, and the knit
brow, told the souls resolve. Washington
observed US well; then did he exhort us
with all the fervor of his soul, " on wonder
| field TO conquer, or die the death of the
brave" At that instant the glorious sun, as
il in prophetic token of our success, bust
forth in all its splendor, bathing in liquid
light the blue hills of Jersey. Our chief
with exutaiion hailed the scene: then cast
ing his doubts to the winds, and calling on
the ICED of battles" and his faithful SOL
diers. led on to the charge. The conflict
was Gerce and bloody. For more than
twenty minutes not gun was ired--the
sabre and the bayonet did tho work of de-
struclion; twas hurricane of fire, and steel
and death. There did we stand, (would he
| say') mere DID we stand "foOt 10 foot, and
hit to hlt, with the serred foe! and where
we sloed we died or conquered.
| E5Hi22lzZgs1rssUEl
| n Misunderstanding occurred on board
the steamboat Elizabeth, lying at Cincinnati,
on Wednesday week, between the Captain
ana another person, whose name is not Civ
en-. After some very harsh words had pas
sed between them, the latter drew a pistol
from his bosom, and levelled it at the Cap
tain, evidently with the intention of killing
him. A bySlander knocked u1 the pistol,
ana II wenI of and shot the person himself
IN the head, who was about 10 take tile life
Of another.
| sEE42ss=zzEzSN-Lzl
The Unfathoma6le Ocean.-The sea
was recently sounded by lead and line, in
lDtl'ude 81 degrees south, and s5 degrees 6
minutes west longitude from Paris, by the
officers OF the French snip Venus, during