Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-02
cHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XIII.
"There is bu, one hope for usl" shouted colo
mel Musgrave. as his regiment rushed in full re-
treat toward the British line. "One hope, ma
jor Tracy! If that fails our forces will be de.
feated-Philadelp re.iaken-and the rebe
cause triumphant We must make fortress o.
Chew's house-yonder mansion Of stone-il';
walls are in some places three feet thick, and We
can hold the place for hoursl Away to Chew's
house"
Major Tracy by his words and example en-
couraged the scattering regiment TO press onward
toward the mansion, which stood retired from
the road at the distance Of over hundred yards.
1t was, and is, q substantial edifce, built Of the
most lasting stone, which will resist the tooth o
time for ages. 1t stands facing the road, with
two wings Of stone, supporting it in the rear, and
toward the north, the ediice presents plain side
of stone, only varied by two deep silled windows
which afford light to that part Of the mansion one
in the first and the second story. The roof de-
scends with gentle slope and the ewes are de-
Tended by massive cornices, which give an ap-
pearance of sodty and strength TO the building.
In front Of Chew's mansion, on the battle morn,
lay a wide lawn, reaching over hundred yards
TO the main road Of the village, extending south
the same distance, and spreading toward the
north, in an open field, Of some two hundred
yards in extent.
This lawn, was defended along the road, by a
wall of stone, and few trees were scattered
here and there over its surface, while an enclo-
sure Of sheds and fences, for confning cattle,
was pitched some fifty yards TO the north Of the
mansion, in direct view Of the northern windows.
In the north window, Of the second floor of the
mansion, Marian Wallham sat gazing through
the gloom and obscurity Of the mist, upon the
lawn that cncrcled the ediice. Her fair bosom
trembed with indefnable terror as she
listened to the increasing tpmult Of battle with
her head inclined to one side, her blue eyes
Frightening with interest, and her lips parted with
intense anxiety. This tcrrorthe kind offices of the
housekeeper Of the mansion, whose porty form
was seated at her side, in vain endeayoring to dis
pei or assuage.
"La! Miss Waltham, what's the use of taking
on sol" exclaimed the housekeeper giving the
keys at her girdle an important rattle, "As sure
as my names Betty Fisher, and as sure a;
Mr. Chew's family are all in Philadelphia, leav,
ing me TO take care Of this place, as sure as I've
had to provide for colonel Musgrave, and all his
rampaging red-coats, jis so sure, will you be as
safe here as though you were in your own faith
er's parlor, over on the ridge road And so a
rascally rebel run off with you-did he? The
ragamuhin! Jist as you were a-goin' to be mar.
ried, tool How unpoite--" Miss Betty Fish.
ers round and rubicund face, assumed an expires.
sion Of intense curiosity, and her volumnous
figure moved closer to Miss Walham's side
"How kind in colonel Musgrave to rescue ycu
from the rebels clutches! believe in my heart
that old Quaker was al the bottom of it ALL do!
Jst to thnk-goodnoss grashus! What's that
coming from the log-oh Lud!"
Miss Waltham gozed with hurried gesture
from the window, at the,exclamation Of the house
keeper, and behed. rushing from the depths OF
the fog, which concealed all objects beyond thir-
ty PAGES in the vicinity Of the mansion, contu-
sed band of British soldiers, some mounted, 9th.
ers on foot, who ran with shouts and imprecaons
towards the hall door which opened on the lawn.
The soldiers continued to pour along the lawn
for the space Of several minutes, in the same il.
regular stream regardless Of order or discipline;
some Of their number were covered with blood
others had their uniform Soiled and torn; others
were destitute ofarms, and the entire body pre-.
sented all the appearance that accompany defeat
and dsmay.
There's colonel Musgravel" screamed Betty
Fisher, "and there's major Tracy all covered
with dust and blood, among rumpaging troopers!
Oh! Lud! here's purity how dye do--and in Mr.,
Chew's house, tool Goodness grashus!"
Ere Marian had time 10 wonder at the appear
ance of major Tracy and colonel Musgrave, in
the plight in which she saw them, the room in
which she was seated, was filled with British SOL
dier's and Miss Betty Fisher, hurried her fail
charge away, to an obscure corner Of the man.
sion.
While the preparations for an obstinate de.
fence were progressing in every part of the man.
sion, the American troops,in pursuit Of the flying
enemy arrivedin full chase along the Germantown
road in front of the field in which the edifce was
situated.
Herbert Tracy with his men, placed together
with the legion of the brave Lee, near the per
son of the ommander-in-che(, swept on in the
very van of the pursuit. When the American
forces were called to sudden halt, in front of the
mansion, so thick were the clouds of dust, anC
the smoke Of battle that rolled over their heads
and so dense was the fog that enveloped thei
line Of march, that when the young cap
tain gazeo around him, all objects beyond thC
vicinity Of his own men, were wraptin obscurty
The stately form of Washington. surrounded by
his staff, was visible, however, amid all the mis-
and gloom, as an ad-de-camp came galloping up
and gave information ofthe Judgement of colone
Musgrave with six companies of infantry il
Chew's mansion.
"Shall we press onward" exclaimed Wash
ngton turning TO the brave men around him, "il
pursuit Of the main body ofthe enemy who are
flying before us, or shall we halt and dislodge tn,
party of colonel Musgrave, who have throw
themselves into the mansionl"
"Halt by all MEANS" cried general Knox, ii
is against every of warfare to leave fortress
possessed by an enemy in the rear"