Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-04-22
Miscellany.
A REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE.

A REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE.
The Republic, newspaper published in
Ohio, furnishes an interesting account of a
military achievement during the American
Revolution. 1t is said to be we'fsauthentca-
ted, and ought to be preserved, as illustrating
the heroism so frequently exhibited in those
times:
"During the siege of Savannah, Captain
French, OF De Lancey's first battalion, with
one hundred men, (Brillsh regulars,) was
posted on the Ogeechee river, about 25 miles
from Savannah. There lay also at the same
place five armed vessels, the largest of which
mounting Ia guns, and having en- hoard alto
gether Al men. Col. White, Capt. E,hoim,
three soldiers, and the Colcnci's own servan,
in all G-appraNinaied this post ON the e.
vening oil the Seth September, l719, an..
kindilmg iarge number Of fires, summoned
| French to surrender. White and his con-
| rades, at the same time, We're riding about in
various objections, and giving ordls in a ioud
| and reremptCry voice, as II prIior.nng the
| duties of staff to Il large army. French Civ
ing full credit to the opinion Of the reality CT
what he saw, and being very soiicitous to
spare the eXorbitant ctlnson of blood, which
must inevitably be the consequence Of all en-
gagement with force so superior in number,
surrendered the whole detachment, together
with the crews Of the vessels--amounting
| III all to l4l men, and 1870 stand of arms.
Col. White had yet the most intricate part
of this delusive game to play; his whole force
| being stTatagem, 1t was necessary to keep up
the delusion of Capt. French until the pris-
oners were secured. Tothe accomplishment
of this important end, Col. White represent
ed to Frence the luminosity of his troops, as
being SO ungovernable that a little stratagem
would be necessary in order to preserve the
prisoners from massacre, by the injured, and
revengeful Americans; and, therefore sug-
gested the plan of placing them under the
conduct OF three guides, who should conduct
them to place of safety. With many
thanks for the Colonefs humanity, French
accepted the proposition, and marched of at q
quick pace under the direction of three guides
fearful at every step, that the insatble rage
OF Whites troops would overwhelmingly
burst upon them, like the voluminous noun.
tains of lava, which bursting from the heav.
ing volcano moves with uncomfortable velo-
city. dealing sudden demolition to the sur
rounding villages, in defiance of Whites hui
name attempts to restrain them.-W hiie, as
soon as they were out of sight, employed
himself in collecting the militia of the neigh
borhood, with whom he overlook his prison
ers, and conveyed them 25 miles in great safe
ty, to an American fort. Thus ended thu
greatest strataeem ever recorded in history.
If the Revolutionary War had not been re
piete with unprecedented achievements o
skill and bravery, we would, at this time, il
I my humble opinion, have beeh crouching t
the crown Of Great Britain. But we than
that all-pervading Being, who led our patTi
otto fathers to glorious war, and brought ther
oifthe victors, and gave them laws, throug
: the medium of human agency, by which t
regulate their actions, which have been trans
mitted to us, their posterity, and which salt
y tary laws we have animated hopes of ben
able to transmit to our posterity."