American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-16


| high eddying round and round, sweeping away
on the whistling tempest far down in the gloom.
| The tramp of the mGn-the low orders Of the
ohicers--the occasional rattle ola muskct were
almost lost in the shHll voice of the gale, or
| the deep, sullen roar ofthe forrest. Even these
sounds at length ceased, and We continued to
march in profound silence, increasing as we
drew near the cutposts OF the enemy. The re-
doubled violence of the gale, though it added
to The suferings of our brave continentals, was
even hailed with joy, as it decreased the chan
ces of our discovery, and made us once more
hope for a successful surprise. Nor were those
sufcrings light. Through that dreadful night
nothing but the lofty patriotism of frecincn
could have sustained them. Half clothed, ma
ny without shoes, whole companies without
| blankets, they yet pressed heavily on against
the storm, though drenched to the SKIN, SILVER
ing at every blast, and too often marking their
| footsteps with blood. Old as am the recol-
lection is still vivid in my mind. God forbid
that such sufierlngs should ever have to be en-
dured again.
The dawn at last came; but the storm still
ragged. The trees were borne down with the
seet, and the slush was ancle deep in the roads
The fields that we passed were covered with
wet spongy snow, and the half buried houses
looked bleak and desolate in the uncertain NOR
ming light. 1t has been my lot to witness but
few such foreboding scenes At this instant a
messenger dashed furiously up to announce that
the outpcsts of the British were being driven
IN.
"Forward-folward!" cried Washington him
self galaopjng up to the head Of the columns,
'push On, my brave fellows-eE."
rhn eta tod ll.n l,tpf.,r, Of t,o Of
the pack, as their Generals voice, seconded by
a hasty fire from the rihemen in the van, and
forgetting every thing bu: the foe, marched ra-
pidIy in silent eagerness, towards the sound Of
the conflict. As they emerged from the woods
the scene burst upon them.
The town lay bat short distance ahead,
Just discernabIe through the twilight, and scenl-
cd buried in Iepose.
The streets were wholly deserted and rs vet
the alarm had not reached tie main body of
the enemy. A single horseman was seen how
ever, fleeing moment through the mist-he
was lost behind ciulnp Of trees, and then re-
appeared, dashng wildly down the main street
OF the village. had no doubt bat that he was
messenger from the Cutposts for a reinforce
ment, and if suffered to rally once we knew all
hope was gone. To the forces he left we now
turned eur attention.
The first charge OF our gallant continentals
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 pre-
tend to make stand, but retreated rapidly in
disorder before our vanguard. A few mo-
ments, however, had sutiiced to recall their
Keeling faculties; and perceiving the insigni-
cant force opposed to them, they halted: hes-
tated, rallied, poured in heavy fire, and even
advanced cheering to the onset. But at this
moment our main body emerged from the
wood, and when my eye first tel! upon the
Hcssian grenadiers, they were beginning again
to stagger.
'On-on-push on continentals OF the -
shouted The officer in command.
The men with admirable disc Dne still! fore
bore their shouts, and steadily pressed or
against the now flying outposs. In another
instant the Hessians were in fall retreat upon
the iowa.
BY Hoaven' calculated an a;d-ie-c&mp At
my side as 4 rolling FIRE Of ,nnsketEY Was all
at once heard at the distance Of half 4 mile
across the village, there goes @a.llva?s tri-
gade-the day IS oar own
Charge that ar9 'rrg from Z dctac3r"u'
from the eastern regsinr!. - -.a.,aa tie tr.r.-
raj as the battery Of the gAsn., w&s seen It,
tie to the right
The men levelied their ha yoacts, marched
steadily TO the mouth of the cannon, and be-
fore the artillery could bring their pieces to
bear, carried them with a cheer. Just then
the surprised enemy were seen endeavoring to
form in the main street ahead, and the rapidly
increasing fire on the side of Sullivan, told
that the day in that quarter was iercey main
tanned. A few moments Of INDIGESTION would
ruin all
Press on-press on there, shouted the Con-
mander-in- Chief--'charge them before they
can form-follow me- The effect was cleo
trio. Gallant as they had been before, our
brave troops now seemed carried away with
perfect enthusiasm. The men burst into
cheer at the sight of their Commanders daring,
and dashing into the town carried every thing
before them.
The half formed Hessans opened desalto-
ry fire, fell in before our impetuous attack, wa
vered, broke, and in five minutes were flying
pell-mell through the town-while our troops,
with admirable discipline still maintaining their
ranks, pressed steadily up the street, driving
the foe before them. They had scarcely gone
hundred yards before the banners OF Sulll-
vans brigade were seen floating through the
msts ahead-a cheer burst from our men, 1t
was answered back from our approaching COM
rades, and perceiving themselves hemmed in
on all sides, the whole regiment we had rout-
ed laid down their arms. The instant victory
was ours, and the foe having surrendered, every
humanity exuitation had disappeared from the
countenances of our troops. The fortune Of
war had turned against their foe, twas not the
| part of brave man to add insult to mister
tune.
We were on the point of dismounting when
an aid-de-camp wheeled around the corner of
the street ahead, and checking his foaming
charger at the side of Washington, exclaimed
breathlessly,
"A detachment has escaped-they are in full
retreat on the Princeton road
Quick as thought the Commander-n- chief