The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-17

IN the RANKS oI MS cOuntrymen, and
share their sufferings and their glory.
But his young wife looked in his face
with her weeping eyes whose eloquence
added to the infrmities of his parents,
deferred him from the sacrifice. Be-
sides, as the roads became more passa-
BILE, and the season more temperate,
robberies and midnight excursions OF
struggling Hessians and skinnsrs were
more frequent, and the house ofone of
their neighbors had been pillagsd, the
inmates brutally murdered, and the
dwelling set on fire. within sight Of their
friends, who could offer them no as.
sistance, expecting, as they did, every
moment to meet similar fate,
In this state Of inquieIude passed
away the summer. until the intelligence
reached George of the engagement be-
tween the American and English ar
mics at Brandy wine, on the nth of
September, when the Republican forces
were compelled to retire after day s
hard fighting, with loss that was esti-
mated at three hundred killed, about
six hundred wounded, and between
three and four hundred made prison
ers.
This reverse Of the American arms
aroused anew the patriotic feelings Of
George, and he at once communicated
his intentions to his father, who offer
ed no impediment to his Immediately
joining the army and helping to re-
trieve what had been so unfortunately
lost.
SEQ my son." said he, 81 am beyond
service. myself; but like Abraham of
old, I am willing to offer my son to the
sacrifice. Let the plea of protection
to your parents be no longer an ex-
cuse to keep you from the ranks Of
those brave and devoted men who fol-
low Washington, but receive our bles-
sing, and bid farewell to your young
| wife. whose love of her country am
sure cannot be less than her affection
for yourself. If you fall it is in a just
and holy cause"
| This was heroic advice, but nowise
unc ommon. in the mouths OF our ven
| cradle sires. George communicated
his designs to his mother, and after.
wards to his wife, but the latter would
not listen to his arguments, and wept,
and beseeched him not to leave them
to the mercenary ro obbers that overrun
the country in the neighborhood Of the
British armies. Earnestly did he plead
the sufferings of his countrymen and
the necessity of his presence among
:hose who were battling for the bles-
sings of liberty-to nothing would she
listen-no argument could convince
her. What single arm in the mighty
strife! Despairing and impatient, our
hero at length resolved to leave tor the
army the ensuing night, and fol this
purpose he made all necessary .prepa-
ration for his secret departure. His
gun and knapsack were deposited in
the barn, and letter OF farewell writ
ten which he would leave to be read
LATTER his departure.
Midnight al iehgth came, melancho-
/ ly and gloomy to George; but he arose
from his bed, to which he had retired
in the early part Of the evening to lull
suspicion, and kissing his wife aaec-
tionately as she lay asleep, ne hled to
| the barn, accoutred himself as well as
his few equipments would allow, and
was soon on his way to JON the army.
He had not far to travel, as Washing
1 ton had encamped within eighteen
miles Of Germantown, and but halfthat
1 distance from his own residence, and
long ere daylight on the first OF Octo.
ber he had presented himself within
2 the lines OF the American army, and
made known his desire to enlist, and
that mornings reveille, as il beat the
time to rise, was also answered by the
presence of George Madden.