Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-17

Il
ever have TO be endured again! egI
! The dawn at las, came; bat the storm still
ragged. The trees were borne down with sleet,
and the slush was ankle deep in the roads.
The few fields we passed were covered with
wet spongy snow, and the half buried houses
looking bleak and desolate in the uncertain
morning ligh'.-It has been my lot TO witness
few such forbidding scenes. AT this instant
shot was heard in front, and messenger DASH
ed furlously up 10 announce that the ou,posts of
the British were driven in.
Forward, forward cried Washington him.
self, galoping up to the head OF the column
,ppsh on, my brave fellOw SION. s*'1at eaafs,
The men started like hunters at the cry Of
the pack and their generals voice was second.
ed by harly fire from the rifemen in the
van, and forgetting every thing but the foe,
marched rapidly with silent eagoIness, toward
the sound of the conflict, As they emerged
from the wood the scene burst upon them. s
The town lay but short distance a head,
just discernable through the twilight, and SEEM
ingy buried in repose. The streets were
wholly deserted, and as yet the alarm had
not reached the main body of the enemy.
single horsenan was seen however fleeing
moment through the mist,--he was lost behind
a clump of trees, land then re-appeared, DASH
ing wildly down the main street of the village.
| had no doubt he was messenger from the out
posts for enforcement; and if suffered to raj
ly once we knew all was gone. To the forces
he had eft we now therefore turned our atten-
ton. 4sa Sons SD
The first charge OF our gallant coniinentas
had driven the outposts IN; like the shock OF
an avalanche. Just aroused from sleep, and
taken completely by surprise, they did not at
first pretend TO make stand but retreated rap
idly and in disorder, before our vanguard.
few moments, had suhced TO recall their reel
ing faculties. perceiving the Insignificant force
opposed to them, they halted hesitaled, raj.
lied poured in heavy fire, and even advan-
ced cheering TO the onset. But at this mo-
ment our main body emerged from the wood
and when my eye first fell upon the Hessan
grenadiers, they were beginning to stagger
'On---on.---Push on. continenials Of the
- shouted the officer in command.
The men with admirable discipline still for
bore their shouts, and steadily pressed on a.
gains, the now flying outposts. In another
instant the Hessians were full retreat upon
the town. s.t.sz.
BY heavensr eacalated an aid decamp at
my side, as rolling fire Of musketry was all
at once heard at the distance Of half a mile
across the village, there goes Sulivan's brigade
1.-The day is ours .a III
Charge that artillery with a detachment
from the eastern regiment shouted the gene
raj, as the battery of the enemy was seen lit
lie 10 our right. G
The men leveled their bayoneits, marched
steadily up to the mouth Of the cannon, and
before The artillery could be brought 10 bear,
carried them with cheer. Just then the sur
eaI apdaaunrlnn N form
in the main stree, ahead, and the rpidly increas
ing fire on the side Of Sullivan, told that the
day on that quarter. was fiercely maintained.
A few moments of INDIGESTION would ruin all.
Press on---press on there shouted the com,
mander.in-chief, gallopng TO the front and
waving his sword alofi, charge them before
they can form---follow me-
The effect was electric. Gallant as had
been their conduct before, our troops now SEEM
ed 10 be carried away with perfect enthusiasm,
The men burs, into cheer at the sight Of
their commanders's daring, and dashing into
the town, carried every thing before them like
hurricane. ihe half formed Hessians opened
desultory fire, fell in before our impeiuous
attack, wavered, broke and in two minutes
were flying pell nell through the town.--whiIe
our troops, with admirable discipline. still
maintaining their rankes, pressed steadily up
the street driving the foe before them. They
had scarcely gone a hundred yards, before The
banners Of SuIivan's brigade were seen float
ing through the mist ahead---a cheer burst from
our men---it was answered back from our APP
preaching comrades, and perceiving them
selves hemmed in on all Sides and tina! further
retreat war impossible, the whole regiment
we had routed laid down their arms. The
instant victory was ours, and the foe had sur
rendered, every unmanly exulIatlon disappear
ed from the countenances of our brave troops.
The fortune Of war had turned against their
foes: it was not the part Of brave Ihen 10 add
insult to misfortune.
We were on the point Of dismounting when
an sid-de-camp wheeled around the corner OF
the street ahead, and checking his foamlng
charger at the side Of Washington, exclaimed
breaihlessly.
"A detachment has escaped-they are in full
retreat GU the Princeton road
Quick as thought the commandments
flung himselfinio the saddle again, and look.
ing around the group Of officers singled me
out.
Lieut.. Archer.---you know the roads. Col
onel - will march bis regiment around,
and prevent the enemy's retreat. You VIII
take them by the shortest route
bowed 10 acknowledgment to the saddle
bow, and perceiving that Colonel was some
distance ahead went like an arrow down the
street TO join bin. 1t was bot the work Of an
instant 10 wheel the men into neighboring
avenue, and before FIVE minutes the muskeis Of
the retiring foe could be seen through The in
tervening trees. had chosen a cross-paih
which making, as it were, the longest
side Of triangle. entered the Princeton road