The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-09-19

second rank; fire!" and as no discharge
Immediately followed, the cavalry Off
GERS felt great solicitude. lest its reser-
walton was meant to make itmore fatal
on their approach, for on the narrow
road, and in the close column in which
they were rushing on, a well directed
fire would have emptied half of their
saddles; but the soldiers, alarmeiby the
formidable appearance Of the cavalry,
threw down their arms and supplicated
for quarter, which the cavalry were
most happy to grant. The prisoners
being secured the main body OF the
cavalry pushed on under Capt. Arm
strong for the bridge, which was still
about three miles in front, in the hope
of cutting off the enemy before they
should succeed in reaching it. As Arm
strong came in sight, he found that
Coates had passed the bridge and was
indolently and dlspersedly reposing on
the opposite side Of the river, awaiting
his rear guard and baggage. He had,
by way of precaution, taken up the
planks from the bridge, letting them
lie loosely on the sleepers, intending as
soon as the rear should have crossed to
destroy it. Armstrong drew up, and
sent word back TO Lee. who was still
with the prisoners, requesting orders,
not communicating the fact that the
bridge was interposed. Lees adjutant
soon came galloping back with the la
comic message:
"The order of the day, sir, is to fall
upon the enemy without regard to con-
sequencesw Armstrong, fora moment
leaned upon his saddle, towards the
Adiutant, Numbered struck at this re-
Election on his courage--in the next,
his sword glanced like a streak oflight
around his head, his noble horse leaped
with snort, clear of the ground, as the
spur rowels were buried to the gafls
in his sides, and in another, shouted in
a voice of thunder-"Legion, cavalry
cl.arge!' At the head of his section,
he cleared the bridge, the horses throw
ing off the loose planks in every dlrec-
ton in their career. The next instant
driving the soldiers headlong from the
howitzer which they had mounted at
the other END to defend it, he was cut
ting and slashing in the very centre of
the British regiment, which taken com
pletely by surprise, threw down their
= arms, retreating IN every direction
Y The horses Of Armstrong; section had
thrown off the planks as they cleared
f the bridge, leaving a yawning chasm
;, beneath which the black stream was
. rushing turbidly onwards; but Lieut.
Darlington, at the head of his section
took the leap, and closed with Arm.
|. strong, engaged in desperate person
, al encounter with Lieut.. Col. Coates
- who had barely time 10 throw himself
e behind some wagons where they were
parrying the sabre cuts made by the
= Dragons at their heads. Most Of the
: soldiers, alarmed at the sudden attack
" " had abandoned their officers, and were
'o running across the fields to shelte
themselves in neighboring farm house
= Lee, had now got himself up to tn
.S bridge, where Capt. O'Neal, with tn
Il, u. third section had halted, the chasm hav
a. = ING become so much enlarged by Cal
e;' rington's horse throwing off addltlona
y, pIanks, that his horse would not TAX
% - the leap, and seeing the howltzer abar
r doned, and the whole regiment dIspers
- - ed except the few officers who wer
"a defending themselves with their sword
90 while they called upon the flying so
s -, diers for assistance, he proceeded t
w. w. recover and replace the planks.
h. The river was deep in mud, and sti
deeper in water, so that the dragoon
,l. could neither get footing to replac
at the planks nor firm spot from whic
e. they might swim their horses 10 the al
IF of their comrades. Seeing this po:
e. ture of affairs some Of the bravest c
IN the British soldiers began to hurry bac
pe to the assistance of their officers, an
Ie- Armstrong and Darlington, being un;
or bic to sustain, with only one troop
oh dragons, so unequal combat, abal
of doned the contest, forcing their wa
&c. down the great road, into the wooe
re- on the margin of the stream, in the e
he fort TO reioin the corps. Relieved fro
10. immediate danger, Coates hurried bae
he he, to the bridge. and opened deadly fiji
hi from the deserted howitzer upon LIZ
bv and the soldiers, who were frultlessl
nj striving 10 repair the bridge, and belr
m. armed only with their sabres, whle
es. the chasm made perfectly useless,
,e. they could not reach the enemy aero
ad it, they were also forced to give up Il
IRE attempt, and retire without the rams
to of the fire from the gun.
lis Marion shortly after coming up,
lat CONJUNCTION with Lee, marched son
nl. distance dnwn the banks. where The