Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-09-10
VOLUME 13--.NUMBER IS.

your reward be prOporuonac.'
! Count DeZengcame To the relief Of his friend.
by remarking that if the latter ursook father and
mother, there was one al least whom he was not
required To forsake, but who was herself amcng
the pioneecs of liberty. He then spoke enthusi.
astcally Of the letter Of Miss Ganseyoort. which
he had been allowed to see, aud begged a simi.
lar favor for Dr. Franklin. This having been
granted, the latter after perusing few lines, as.
Red The privilege Of reading portion of il aloud.
Inc request was so earnest, and so heartily sec.
onded by the by-slanderS, that il would have been
uncourteous TO refuse. The best educated class.
es o France, II is we'll known, fully understood
the English language when spoken, although but
lew can converse in ii with precision or elegance
The part selected for perusa was brief descrip.
ton of the battle Of Bunker Hill, Of which Miss
Gansevoort had had the extraordinary fortune
to be witness, while on a visit at Boston.
The crowd thickened around the majestic form
OF the ambassador, as with distinct but slightly
trembling voice, amidst general silence he read
the ioIlowingexracIlrom Miss Ganseyoort's letter:
"Ihe British army, under Gen. Howe, crossed
the Firth about noon, in multitude Of soo2s and
boats. Every house.Iop in the northern part Of
the city, every steePe, and dome, and hill, was
crowded with spectators, The anxiety of all
classes was most intense, and especially of those
who, like myself, sympalhized with the patriots
1t seemed as if on The passing hour hung the fl.
nal destiny OF our land. II was the first real
struggle, aud It's issue was TO animate or forever
dampen the hopes of her gallant defenders.
"Ihe attacking army had formed on the oppo.
site side, and advanced in solid column toward
the American redoubt. How breaihlessly | a.
waited the shockl was in the midst Of my
loyallst friends, and on every side heard moth.
ing but confident predictions of an immediate
rout Of the Americans.
"'Now, now,' were the whispered words in
moment you'll see them fly could not reply
my voice was choked. could only send up
silent prayers TO the Throne Of Power; and /
firmly believe that tens Of thousands of petitions
were at that moment ascending simultaneously 10
Heaven in behalf Of our army.
"Fhe British approached nearer and nearer to
the cIoud-lke cluster which hung upon the sum-
init Of the hill, without an opposing gun being f..
red. death-like silence prevailed in the A.
merican camp. They'll surrender without
blow" exclaimed one. They hare surrender.
ed said another. In The midstof these remarks,
a flash of lightning seemed to pour down the
sides Of the hill; one long, continuous, rapid roll
! OF musketry was heard, while shouts, and char
glng cheers rose wildly on the air. Ceaseess,
unremlung, deadly, was the fearful discharge Of
musketry from the camp. The ranks Of the as.
sallants were decimated al breath. Appalled, at
this unexpected reception, they wavered, and rail-
lied, and wavered again. Still downward poured
the iron hail. Vain wasthervalor. No human
courage could have withstood the shock. The
British army retreaed rapidly down the hill, and
one wild shout of triumph rent the sky. From
every roof, from every dome and height, those
thrilling cheers went up. So great was the con-
sternaIon of The retreating army that many fled
Ipreciptaely TO their boats. But their officers,
with indomltable skill and courage, succeeded in
rallying them at length to second attack. In
the meantime the flames Of Charlesiown were il.
Illuminating the heavens. A detachment of the
British had fired that beautiful town, and its pill
lars OF flame and smoke, 'volumed and vast, for
med terrific background to the tragedy enact
ing on the hill. The charge was renewed with
increased ardor. Needless of their CALLING fire,
the Americans, as before, silently awaited the
approach of the enemy, and again greeted them
with the same reSstlesS deuge of balls. Com
pIeteIy broken and routed, the British second
time fled TO the shore. The dauntIess general,
Sir William Howe, remained for some time alone
on the field Of batlle-all the other officers being
either killed or wounded.
"But the contest was not yet decided. The
well-dlscpned troops of Sir William were ra-
rled TO third attack, and by the aid Of General
Clinton, who, Witnessing from the city their i'm
mnent peril, had crossed rapidly to their relief.
another and more judicous assault was planned.
There is little reason to doubt that even this, al
though made with tremendous force, might have
been successfully sustained, but for most unfor.
tunae and unforeseen event. The ammunition of
The patriots began to fail. They were also un-
provided with bayonets; and, after brief resis.
lance, they abandoned the works, and retired
with but litlle loss.
THAT the Americans were virtually victorious
in this contest is allowed even by many of their
enemies; but however that may be, the effect of
the battle upon The people is quite the same us
that Of victory. 1t inspired them with The full
lest confidence in their powers, aud will lead, be-
yond doubt, TO still nobler achievements. The
whose country rings with the tdings"
murmurO of appreciation succeeded the silence
which had prevailed during the reading of this
eplStIe. Conversation at once became animated,
and the compliments, which were showered with
a lavish hand, were divided between the Amer-
can army and its fair encomasl.
"When do you embarkl" inquired De Zeng
of his friend.
"Wthin few weeks" said the other.
81 will go with yoI," was the sententious reply
He who had watched the excited bearing of
the young marquis at this moment, and the proud
fashngof his eye, would not have doubted that in
his breast also was forming that lofty resolution
which was subsequently, carried 10 so glorious
iulillment.
CHAPTER II.
The city OF New York was at this period in
the possession of the British. Forced 10 evacu.
ale Boston, and clad of nermiSsnn neaceahlu IN