The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-08-25

the skin, shlverng with every blast and too often
marking their footsteps with blood. Old as am
now, the recollection is still vivid in my mind. God
forbid that such sueringa should eyer have to DO
dured again
The dawn at last came; but the storm still ragged
The trees were borne down with seet, and the sush
was anclo deep in tho roads The fields that pass
cd were covered with wet snow--and the half buried
houses looked bleak and desolato in the uncertain
morning light 1t has been my lot TO witness few
such oreboding scenes. At this instant messenger
dashed rurously up to announce thar The outposts
the British driven in
'Forward-forward,' cried Washington, himself
galoPing up 10 the head of tho columns, push on
my brave follows--oN.
The men started like hunters at the CIV orthe pack
their Generals voice was seconded Jy'i Nasty fire
from the riAemen in tho van, and forgetting every
thing but the foe, marched rapidly in silent cagerness
towards the sound of the conflict As they emerged
from the wood the scene burst upon them.
The town lay but short distance ahead, just dis
cernabIe through the twilight and buried in rcpose.
The streets were wholly deserted and as yet the
alarm had not reached the main body Of the army.
single horsemnn was seen,a moment however,nee-
ing through the mst-he was lost behind cump OF
trees, and then reuppeared, dashing wildly down the
main street Of the village. had doubt but that
he messenger from the outposts FOR a reinforce
ment, and fsuiiered to rally knew all hopo
gone. To the forces ho had left we turned our
attention.
The first charge Of our gallant continentas had
driven the ouposts in like the shock Of an avalanche
Just aroused from sleep, and taken completely by
surprise, they did not first pretend to make "A stand,
but rereated rapidly in disorder before vanguard
few moments however, had suiliced 10 recall their
Keeling faculties; and perceving the insignificant for
opposed to them they halted, hestaled, rallied
poured in heavy frc, and advanced cheering
the onset But a, this moment main body e.
merged from tho WOOD and when my eye first fell
upon the Russian grenadiers, they beginning to
stagger.
'On-on-push on conluentals Of the -, shout
ed the officer in command.
Tho with admirable discipline still forcbore
their shouts, and pressed against the now flying
ouposts In another instant the Ilessans in u Il
retreat upon the town.
by Heaven! calculated an aid-do camp at my
side, as rolling fire Of muskery was all at once
heard at the distance Of hllra mile across the village
there goes SulIivan's brigade-the day is our own,
'Chargo that artillery with detachment from the
eastern regiment, shouted tho General the battery
Of the enemy was seen little TO the right
The men levelied their bayonets, marched steadily
up 10 the very mouth Of the cannon, and before fle
artillery could bring their pieces 10 bear carried tn
with cheer. Just then the surprised enemy were
seen cndeavoring TO form in the main street ahead
and the rapidly increasing fro the side of Sullivan,
told that the day in that quarter was fercey main
tanned. few momen! Of INDIGESTION would ruin all.
Press on--press on there, shouted the commander
in-Chef,- charge them before they can form follow
me. The effect was electric. Gallant as they had
been beiorc-our brave troops seemed carried away
with perfect enthusiasm. The men burst into a cheer
at the sight Of their Commanders daring and dashng
into the town carried all before them.
Tho halG-lormed IIessans opened a desutory fire,
fell in before our impetuous attack wavcred, and in
five minutes were flying pcll.mel through the town
while our troops, with admirable discipline, still
maintained their ranks pressed steadily up the street,
driving tho foe before them. They had scarcely
gone hundred yards before the banners ofSulivan's
brigade were seen floating through tho mist ahead
cheer burst from men-it was answered back
from our approaching comrades, and perceving them
selves hommod in, the whole regiment we had rout.
ed laid down their arms.
The instant victory was ours, and the foe having
SNS'J uiiiH"nlJ eAultdtoH u's1IPSH
cd from the countenancea of our brave troops. Tho
fortune Of war had turned against their foe not
the part of brave men to add insult to misfortune.
We tho point of dsnounting, when
aid -do-camp wheeled around the oG;he street
ahead, and checking the foamng charger at the side
of Washington, exclaimed breathlessly,
"a detachment has escaped-tlsoy are in full re-
trcat on the Princeton road
Quick as thought the communicative chief flung
himself into the saddle again and looking hastily a.
round the group of officers singled mo out.
Lieut.. Archer, you know the roads, Colonel -
- will march ho regiment around and prevent tho
enemy's retreat. Take the shortest route.
l bowed in humble submission TO my saddle bow,
and perceivng the Colonel was some distance ahead,
went like an arrow down the street TO join him II
was but the work of an instant to wheel the men in
TO neighboring avenue, and before five minutes the
muskets of the retiring foes could be seen through the
intervening trees. ! had chosen cross path which
made as were the longest side Of a riang entered
the Princeton road short distance above tho town,
(which ,yould anabla M completely off the