Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-01
THE BATTLE OF TRENTON.
FROM TIE Manuscript OF ANnYE WITNESS

FROM THE MANUSCRIPT OF AN EYE WITNESS.
| had scarcely put my foo, in the sirrup be-
fore an Abide Camp from the Commander-in-
Chief galloped mp to me with a summons to
the side of Washington. bowed inreply and
dashed up the road. The General-in- chief
was already on horseback, surrounded by his
staff, and on the point Of setting out. He was
calm and collected, as if in his cabinet |
checked my steed on the instant, and lifting
my hat, waited for his commands.
''Iou are native of this countryr'
"Yes-your Excellency."
"You know the roads from McConkey ferry
TO Trenton-by the river and Pennington
the bye-roads and ALL"
'As well as know my alphabet" and | pat
ted the neck Of my impatient charger.
''I'hen lmay have an occasion for you-you
will remain with the staf-ah that is a spir-
tied animal you ride, Lieutenant Ascher," he
added, smiling, as the fiery beast made demi-
volt, that set the groupin commoion.
''Your Excellency"-
"Never mind" said Washington, smiling "a
gain, as another impatient spring of my char
ger cut short the sentence. 81 see the heads
of the columns are IN moton---y0u will remem-
ber," and waving his hand, he gave the rein
to his steed, while fell back bewildered into
the staff
The ferry was close at hand. hut the intense
cold made the march any thing but pleasant.
We all, however, hoped on the morrow TO re-
deem our country by striking signal blow,
and every heart beat high with the anticipation
ofvictory. Column after column Of our little
army defiled at the ferry, and the shades of
night had scarcely drawn her dark mantle
DER the western sky when the embarkation
began.
At last we crossed the Delaware. The
whole night had been consumed in the trans
portaiion ofmen and artillery, and the morn
ing was within an hour or two OF dawning be-
fore the detachment had been embarked. AS
| wheeled nv horse on the little bank above
the landing place, paused an instant TO look
back through the obscurity of the scene. The
nigh, was dark, wild, and threatening
clouds betokened an approaching tempest
and / could with difficulty penetrate with my
eye, the fast increasing gloom. AS put my
hand across my brows to pierce into the dark
ness, gust Of wind, sweeping down the riv-
or, whrled the snow into my face and momen-
tariy blinded my sight. At last | dscerned
the opposite shore amid the obscurity The
landscape was wild and gloomy. A few des-
olaie houses only were in sight, and they
scarcely preceptible in the shadowy twilight
The bare trees lifted their hoary arms on
high, groaning and creaking in the gale. The
river was covered with drifting ice, that now
iammed with a crash together, and then float
ed slowly apart, leaving scarcely space for
the boats 10 pass. The dangers of the nayi-
CATION can better be imagined than described
for the utmost exertions could often Just
prevent the frail structures from being crush
ed. Occasionally a stray fife would be heard
shooting shrilly over the waters, minglng
feebly with the fiercer piping Of the winds
and anon the deep roll of the drum would
hoom across the night, the neighing of horse
would float from the opposite shore, or the
crash OF the jammlng ice would he heard like
far off thunder The cannoneers beneath me
were dragging piece OF artillery up the as
cent, and the men were rapidly forming on the
shore below as they landed, 1t was a stir
ring scene. At this instant the band Of the
- regiment struck up an enlivening air,and
plunging my rowels into my sieed, whitfield
around into the road, and went of on gallop
10 overtake the Generals staff.
II was now O'Clock, and so much time had
been spent that i, became impossible TO reach
our destination before daybreak, and conse-
quenily all certainty Of a surprise was over.
hasiy council was therefore called on horse
back TO determine whether 10 retreat or not.
4 few minutes decided It. All were unani-
nous TO proceed at every peril.
"Gentlemen," said Washington, after they
had severally spoken, Then we all agree
the attack shall take place-General," he
/ continued, turning 10 Sullivan, "your brigade
shall march by the river road, while | VIII
take that by Pennington; let Us arrive as near
O'Clock as possible. But DO not pause wien
YOU reach their ouipost-dTive them in before
1 their ranks can form. and pursue them 10 the
centre Of the town. ! shall be there 10 take
them in the hank-the rest we must leave to
the God OF battles. And now, gentlemen, 10
7 our posts" Ia five minutes we were in mo-
ton.
The eagerness Of our troops 10 come
with the enemy was never more conspielo
than on the morning Of that eveniful day. "
had scarcely lost sight Of Sullivan's detae
meni across the Intervening fields, beioTe I
long threatened storm boTs, over Us ~
hight vas nrensely cold the siee, and Ia