The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-03-25
The Blacksmith of the Battle of Bran.
DIVINE. III.


| DIVINE. 1q4
| And now have given you some instances OF cour.
age and heroic daring among those high in station and
renowned in famo. One instance MORGAN example
ofrecklcss courage. The hero was stout black
smith, but his frame hardened by toll throbbed
with Ms generals nm in pulse OF freedom as ever beat
in the bosom of Lafay cite, or thobbcd around the
heart Of mad Anthony Wayne. a-iar
TWAS in the full tide Of retreat that follower Of
tho American camp, who had at least shoudered
cnrt-"hip in his countrys service was driving bag
gage wagon from the battle field, lille some short
distance behind body Of Contnertals were rush-
ing forward, with troop Of Britishers in close pur-
suit - ~.
The wagon had arrived at narrow point of the
byo road leading to the SOUTH where two high banks
Of rock and crng arising either side afforded just
space sufficient for the passage ofhis wagon and
an inch moro.
His eyowas arrested by the sight of a stout, mus
cs!or man, some forty years Of age, extended at ihs
foot OF tree NJ the very opening Of this pass TO
was clad in the Coarse attire of q mt chanic His
coat mad been flung asids and, with the shirt sleeves
rolled up from his muscular arm he lay extended on
the turf, with his rifle ia hi, grasr while tho blood
streamed in torrent from his rishl leg. b,oken at
the knee by cannon ball
The wogoner's fympalhes were arrested by the
sight he would have paused in 1.-The cry instant
OF lis flight, aud placed the wounded blacksmith in
his wagon but tho s,out-heared mechanic refused.
"I'Il not get into your wagon" he exclaimed in
his rough way: " bu, I'll tell you what will do, Do
you see yondcr cherry tree on the top Of that rock
that hangs the road Do you link you could
liz of my build up thcrc? For you SEQ, neigh
L.. a. 81. al = r..
wound, ~ never medded with the Bri,ishers until
they came trumpIing this valley and burned my
house down And now | m al ridded to pieces, and
haint got more than fifteen minutes life in mel! But
have go, three good rife balls in my cartridge box,
and just prop up against that cherry tree, and
I'll give 'cn tho whole three shots, and then, he
exclaimed, "l'll die" q. -7aass
The wagner started the horses ahead, and athcr
with sudden effort of strength, dragged the black
smith along the sod the foot of The cherry
mounting the rock by the road side t,H
~ moment his back was propped against the
tree, his face was to the advancing troopers, and
while his shattered leg hung the bank the wagon
rushed on his way while the blacksmith very cooiy
proceeded to load his rife. 1ge3
twas not long before body Of American soldiers
rushed by. with the British in full pursuit. The
blacksmith greeted them with shout, and then rails
ing his rife TO his shoulder, lie picked the fnreaiust
from his seed. with the exclamation, "thht's for
General Washington" In moment the rifle *hs
loaded again was cred, ind The pursuing British
rode the body of another fallen officer 'Thats
FOR MYSELF cried the blacksmith And lien witha
hand strong with the feeling Of coming death, TIA
sturdy freeman aga,n loaded, again raised his rifle.
He fred his last shot, and another soldier kissed
the sod, the quivercd in the eye Of tho dying
Blacksmith. sand that" he cried, with husky voice
which strengthened into shout 'And that's for
Mad Anthony Wayne!' t''"t 20
Long after the bu,tls was past the body found
propped against the tree, with The features frozen in
DEATH smiling grimly, whilst the right hand grasped
the never failing rao. "' 2"
And ihus died one OF the thousand brave mechanic
heroes Of the revelation, brave in the hour of bae
undaun,ed 10 the hour Of ietreat; undisayed in tho
hour of DEATH Citisen Soldier fhfs' H'a3g
r" A'"'fs7 - 80 - : L. - ! =. .'tla# OFT
FATAL DuEL.--A duel was fought at yicksburg.
Mississippi, the 29th ult, between Mr. IIammett
editor Of the Vcksburg Wing. (and brother Of the
member ofCongress from Mississipp) and Mr. Ryan.
editor of the They Tough, thpistols and
mt the usual distance At the fourth FIRE Mr. Ryan FELL
rnortay wounded being shot directly through the
lungs. lie died within minutes In two OF thepve-
yious 6res Mr. iIammc,t bad heen Yodnded boz tho
affair was allowed to proceed, probably in conformity
with the original terms qf the meeting The same par
ties had before met and exchanged shots wtb rhes.
but the difficulty then arranged upon tIs stoand
'h-.E -.-sa~ks- -adoJ ~