American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-16
THE BATTLE OF TRENTON.
FROM THE MANUSCRIPT OF AN EYE-wITNEss
"Whose bullet Oh the night ar sanc.',

5.
''Whose bullet Oh the night air sang
had scarcely put my foot in the stir-up be-
fore an ad-de-camp from the commandments
chief galloped up 20 me with a summons to the
side Of Washington The General in chief was
already on horseback, surrounded by his staff,
and on tie point OF setting out. He was calm
and collected as if in his cabinet. No sooner
did he see me than he waved his hat as sigma!
to halt. checked my steed on the instant, and
lifting my hat waited for his commands.
You are a native of this country
Yes your Eycelency.'
you know the road from M'Conhey's ferry
to Trenton, by the river and Pennington-the
by roads and alll'
"As well as | know my own alphebet,' and
patted the neck of my impatient charger.
Then | may have occasion for you-you
will remain with the staff ah that is spirited
animal you ride, Lieut. Archer he added
smiling, as the fiery beast made a deaiyolve
that set half the group in commotion.
Your Excellency-'
Never mind, said Washington, smiling a.
gain as another impatient spring of my charger
cut short the sentence. i see the heads of the
column are in motion, you will remember, and
waving his hand, he gave the rein to the steed
while fell bewildered in the staff.
The ferry was close at hand, but the intense
cold made the march any thing but pleasant
We ell. however, hoped on the morrow to re-
deem our country, by striking signal blow
and every heart beat high with anticipation Of
victory. ColQmn after column of our little ar
my defed at the ferry, and the night bad
scarcely set in before the last detachment had
been embarked, As wheeled my horse on TIE
little bank above the landing place, paused
TO A}n oh. ~,
of the scene. The night was dark, wild and
threatening, the clouds betokened an approach
lug tempest, and could with difficulty pcno-
trato with my eye the increasing gloom. As
put my hand across my brow TO pierce into the
darkness, gust of wind, sweeping down the
river, whirled the snow into my face and mo-
rnentarly blinded my sight. At last discern
ed the opposite shore amid the obscurity The
landscape was wild and gloomy A few DESC
late looking houses only were in sight, and
they now TANNED with crash together and
floating slowly apart leaving scarcely space for
the boats TO pass. The dangers of the naviga-
ton can better be imagined than described for
the utmost exertions could Just prevent the
frail structures from being crushed. Occasion
ally stray fife would be heard whistling over
the waters, mingng teebly with the fierce pip
ing of the winds, and anon the deep roll Of the
drum would boom across the night, the neigh
of horse would float from the opposite shore,
or the crash of the jammlng ice would be heard
like far off thunder. The cannoneers beneath
me were dragging piece OF artillery up
the ascent, and the men were rapidly for
ming on the shore below as they landed
1t was stirring scene. A. this instant, band
of the - regiment struck up an enlivening
air, and plunging my rowels into my steed,
whirled him around in the road, and went of
on gallop to overtake the Generals staff.
1t was now ten o'clock, and so much time
had been consumed that it became impossible
to reach our destination before daybreak, anc
consequently all certainty Of surprise was
over. A hasty council was therefore called or
horseback to determine whether to retreat OF
not. A few minutes decided. All were unani
nous 10 proceed at every peril.
sGentlemen,' said Washington, after they haC
severally spoken, then we all agree; the attack
shall take place-Genera, he continued, turn
ing to Sullivan, your brigade shall march by
the river road while | will take that by Penn
ington-let us arrive as near O'Clock, as pos
sble. But do not pause when you reach the
outposts-drive them in before their ranks can
form, and pursue them to the very centre OF
the town. | shall be there to take them in the
fank-the res. we must leave to the God OF
battles. And now gentlemen to our posts. In
five minutes we were in motion.
The eagerness of our troops to come up to
the enemy, was never more conspicuous tthar
on the morning of that eventful day. We had
scarcely lost sight of Sulliyan7s detachment
across the intervening fields, before the long
threatening storm burst over US. The night
was intensely cold; the sleot and rain ratified
necessarily upon tie mems knapsacks; and the
wind shricked, howled and reared among the
old pine trees with terrific violence. AT time.
the snow fell perpendicularly downwards-
it beat horizontally into our faces with furious
impeluosity, and again it was whirled wildly OF