The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-21
AN OLD SOLDIERS STORY.
BY An EYE WIrNEss.

BY AN BYE WITNESS.
few days since | stopped al the public house in
Colraine and while my horse was feeding, sat down
in The bar-room, and heard sensible old relate
he substance Of the enclosed account
During the revolutionary war there point
Of land the Jersey side Of the Hudson, and not far
distant from New York, which the scene of
bloody conflict. There were about three hundred
acres next To the riyer, from which the wood and
timber had been cleared of; and at The back of this
was forest On the cleared point large number Of
lat cattle, destined to supply the American army, were
placed -Four or five miles distant, m New Jersey,
there were three thousand light infantry under
mand of Lafayette. was one Of that detachment.
Our business was 10 that the cattle were not la
ken by the enemy. One morning Intelligence was
brought into the camp, that several vessels approach
ed and that large body of British soldiers land
ing My regiment was ordered immediately for the
point Kuius Putnam, nephew of Old General,
was Colonel, and he was we'll stocked with the Put
nam mettle. lie was brave officer indeed. | cou d
never discern that he was not Just cool and self
possessed when gong into battle when sitting IN
his tent. We made hurried march, and upon APP
preaching the edge Of the woods, the Colonel or
dered the adJu,ant To go forward and see where
the troops were and what their number The
Adutant soon returned and reported they were form
ing shore IN three columns, containing about one
thousand each Then (said the Coonel) ride back
to the camp quickly as possible and tell Lafayette 10
come on" When the Adjutant had gone, Colonel
Putnam rode up to my captain, who was Daniel
shay, oil msurrection memory, and sa d, Well Cap
tam Shay, shall we be playing with them unit the
General comes 7" e" Yes" replied Captain Shay.
Or.ers were soon given TO advance TO the open
land upon the point. We stood face to face with
our foes. Firing very soon commenced. The can
non from the shipping in the river poured forth their
volleys, and the small arms did fatal execution
Col. Putnam rode back and forth in from the regi-
ment as calm as man at home, though the balls
were whstlibg about him in every direction. We
worked very fast, and, for regiment, made con-
siderable The corporal at my right hand re-
ceiyed two balls through the body and fell dying.
was young, and dying man at my feet, bleeding and
gaspinS, might perhaps cause my color TO fade lit
tie Capt Shay stepped forwari. George" said
he . never mind II will take his place !" and he
was good as his word he took the corporal's gun
| aud used IT. Shay the best captain | ever
served under. He was bold and kind will give him
his due, though he has been unworthy since ; for we
stood shoulder to shoulder that day Of peril.
was loading my gun the 22d time when General
Lafayette, with the main body of the light infantry
issued from the wood Never shall forget the feel
ing Of that moment. Wellington was hardly more
pleased TO Butcher in the Battle of Waterloo
than we TO our brother i'll arms. The main body
formed at once upon lett Lafayette rode for
ward. lie was an elegant oilcer--and never did he
ill my eye SO entirely as at that momcnt-though a
stripping IN appearance lin action he a man
and had CORVALLIS seen him then saw hun, he
would not have called him the boy As he APP
preached, Col Putnam, said he how dare you fire
before arrived"
| Oh said the Colonel, thought would be play
ing with them little
Lafayette, at that moment seemed full of energy
and fire--urnng towards the line, and with a loud
and distinct voice. marked by his French accent-he
said We fire no the rohoe line charge bayonets, rush
on and drire them uhere The deri droue The hogs ="
The effect Of his presence and his words were as
tonishing. Every heart beat quick and full We did
rush on and such scene of carnage my eyes never
feet nn oh road to ct m.
bu, they could not stand against US, and ed from the
shore we followed them and drove them into the
water; Of the three thousand, abou, IF cen hundred
got abo Ird Of the ycssels-the rest slain, and
most OF them at the point Of the bayonet
have described to you the most painfully interest
! ing and horrld enc which had ever witnessed
never ENJOY drilling men fought because thought
II my duty"