Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-09-21
JOLIET. ILLINOIS. SEPTEMBER 81 is47.

4
hors'emnen, heroes every one. rVigilan.
untiring. brave, they lowered with such
threatning aspect around the advancing
columns that they were compelled to
march in close order to prevent an attack.
The least negligence, or oversight. and
the blow would fall like lighting. Never
die the rear guard behave more CALAMITY.
The men were allowed only three hours
sleep out of twenty four, and but one meal
day. But starting and pushing forward
three hours before daylight they were en-.
ahled to get a breakfast, and this was the
last repast till next morning. Yet the
brave fellows bore all without murmur;
and night after night, and day after day.
presenting the same determined front to
the enemy. CORVALLIS, believing for
while that he had the whole American
force in front, rejoined in ist proximity,
knowingthat when it reached the river il
must perish-then Virginia would be op
en- to his victorious arms, and the whole
South be PROSTATE. But when he al
length discovered his mistake, he strain
ed forward with desperate efforts. IS -Hoiy
In the meanwhile, that fleeing army
presented most heart rending spectacle.
Half clad, and many of them barefoot,
with only one blanket for every tour men,
they toiled through the mire, or left their
blood on the frozen ground--pressing ON
throught the wintry storm aud cold winds
in the desperate. struggle for life. At night
when they >natched a few moments re
pose. thee soldiers would stretch them,
selves on the damp ground under one
,lanket, and the fourth kept watch, and
happy were those W 10 had eventhis scan
fy covering. Over hills. through forests,
across stream, they had their anxious
way, drenched by tie rains, and chilled
ny the water through which they wade1-
and. unprotected, and uncovered, were
compelled TO dry their clothes by the heat
oftheir own bodies. Greene saw their
distress with bitter grief but il could no, he
helped-his cheering words and bright
example were all he could give them.
Now hurrying along his exhausted col
umns. and now anxiously listening to hear
the sound of the enemy's guns in the dis
lance, he became prey to the most was
ing anxiety. From the time he had set
out for the camp of Morgan. on the banks
of the Catawaba, he had not taken off
his clothes; while not an officer in tn e
army was earlier in the saddle, or later
out of it, than he. But undismaYed-his
strong soul fully resolved yet TO conquer
he surveyed with calm, stern eye, the
dangers that thickened around him.
Should the rear guard fail. nothing but a
: miracle could save him-but it should NOT
fail Every deep-lafd plan was thwarted
every surprise Disconnected, and every
sudden movement TO crush it eluded by
its tireless sIeepless leaders. Oft within
gun shot OF the enemy's vanguard, the
excited soldiers wished TO return the fire;
but the stern orders to desist were obey
ed, d the two tired armies t0iled on. Ii
was fearful race for life, and right nobly
) was 1t run. Is $50 Il a.~
At length the main army arrived with
in forty miles of the ferry boats which
5 were to place deep river between them
and the foe, and hope queickened every
step. All night long they swept onward
: through the gloom, cheered by the though
! that mother day would place the objec
5 tor which they struggled within thei
r grasp. On that same cold and slipper,
5 night the noble rear guard slowley re-
treating, suddenly saw, al twelve o'ciuck
watch fires blazing in the distance There
: then lay the army. for which they hac
> struggled so nobiy and suffered so much
, overtaken at last. and sure to. fall Ia this
5 fearful crisis, that gallant band paused
2 and ned short consultation; and than
D resolved, with the accord, to throw them
d selves in an Overwhelming charge on the
a English army, and relling ii back on Itself
by sacrifice as great as it was glorious
! secure a few more hours of safety to those
: they were projecting. This noble devo
e ton was spared such a trial; the fire,
if were indeed those kindIed by Greene's
It soldiers, bu, the tired columns had de
: parted, and staggering from want of re
d pose and food, we've now stretching for
b ward through the midnight, miles in the
g distance. al q a3l~-- -1'-s- -4t
B n Cornwallis, when he arrived at tht
J, slnoiderng camp fires believed himsel
alms0t up with Greene. and allowing hi-
!. troops but few moments repose, march
II ed all night long. In the morning his var
!, was close uponthe rearlof that firm guard
}; Now came thealast prodigious effort ofth'
]. British commemorative rear guard mus
d fall, and with it, Greene, or all labor ant
n sacrifices would be in vain. On the bank
e Of the Dan he had resolved to bury tn,
e american army, and if human effort an,
: human energy could effect it, il should b
d done. His steady columns closed NOR
B. threateningIy and rapidly on the guard
10 pushing it fierceIy befor them. and scorn
Of ing all meaner success, pressed forward
/ for the greater prize. Sill Lees intrepi
r | legion and Washinoton's fearless horse