Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-06-25

front by the Queens American Rangers and
battalion Of light infantry. The 4Olh regimen
under command Of lieutenant colonel Musgraye
IS posted nearly mile in advance Of the mai
line, between Chcw's house and chesnut bin
and battalion Of light infantry, occupies tn
summit Of the hill, three miles in advance Of III
spot"
"Your information, captain Tracy" said ih
commander-in-chief, "agrecs in every esscntia
point, with the data already in my possession
So, scntlemen, our original plan Of battle hold
good. While the divisions Of general Wavnt
and Sullivan enter the village by way Of chesnu
bill, the divisions Of Greene and Stephens, flank
ed by McDougall's brigade, will take a c.rc,.i
along the limckiln road, some two miles east
ward Of Chcw's house, and attack the enemy.
right wing. The militia Of Maryland and New
Jersey, under command cf generals SmaIwooc
and Foreman, will march down the old Yori
road, which lies three miles to the cast Of The
Iimekiln road, and engage with the rear Of The
right. General Armstrong; Pennsylvania br
gade, will attack the enemy's left at Vanduring'
mill, at the conjunction of the Wissahikon with
the Schuykill. Think you, captain Tracy, thai
we shall be able to surprise the enemy"i
81 think the movement might be effected with
care and ccIerily, your exceIency."
A shade of thought came over the noble brow
OF the commanderin-chief, aud he leaned bis
head musngy upon his hand for an instant.
"GcnlIemen," he exclaimed after the pause OF
moment, 81 need not tell you that every thing
depends upon the suddenness and secrecy Of our
movements. five surprise the enemy, we shall
win the best Of all boons, our counlry's lndcpen.
dence, and terminate this disastrous war; if the
enemy are on the alert, and ready 10 receive US,
il Is more than probable that the superior disci.
pIlne oIhis troops will triumph over the irregular
bravery and undiscplined courage Of great
portion of the army, which have the honor 10
command. What think ye, gentlemenl"
And as each hardy veteran or brave aspirant
gave his opinion, the scene assumed an appear
ance Of interest, which told the deep and fixed
determination ofthe American commanders. ne.
yer to lay down the swords which they had so
galIantIy unshealhed, until the independence Of
their common country was achieved.
The gIaring light of the lamps, placed in the
centre Of the oaken table, cast a ruddv glow upon
the faces and forms that clustered round the com
His face so calm. so mild. and
yet 50 full that native dignity of expression.
which tells Of mind formed to rule, was shown
in the boIdcst light and strongest shade, as he
turned from one brave man to another, to re.
ceive their opinions and suggestions on the COM
ing contest. There was the towering form and
bold and open Countonance of Wayne, whose
sword-thrust never failed, and whose charge
moved the encmy's ranks, like the scahings of
an earth.riven thunderbolt; there was the gallant
Knox, with his bluff honest vsage, every line
beaming good humor and dignifed by an expires.
sion Of determined courage; there was the SAGA.
cious Greene, whose counscls were as full Of
wisdom as his sword was sure, and his mind
clear and scIl-pos5csscd in the hour Of mortal
conflict and there gathered around the man upon
whose shoulders heaven had placed the destiny
of his country, were the brave men, who hocked
from every hill and vale of the continent, from
foreign lands, from the misrulo Of dcspolism in
every part Of oppressed Europe, from the hearth.
sides Of their infancy, and the homes of their
throngod in one gallant band around
he banner Of lrccdom-there they stood with
heir good swords that had tasted blood in many
4 battle grdled to thcirsides, with their noble vs-
ages marked by scars and darkencd by the toll
and exposure Of battle. and with hearts as true
md bold as ever beat in the bosom of the most
,hivalric knight or daring warrior Of the age of
gallant deeds, and generous warfare.
And standing by the side of Washington, was
a young soldier, whose form was moulded with
Ill the symmetry Of manly beauty, whose cheek
vas yet warm with the bloom of early youth.
md whose piercing eye and high forehead, with
Is bold outline indicative of the highest order Of
mind, gave rich promise Of the mature man,
whose words Of burning eloquence, were in fu-
ure years, 10 fall like oracleS on the ears Of his
Washington, ever and anon, would incline his
head TO lieutenant colonel Hamilton, and listen
10 the suggestions he offered with an interest Of
which older men might have been proud, or in
vito his opinion with an eagerncss that showed
now strong hold the young soldier had attained
n the heart Of his commander. Little did the
atherof hscountry think oGthc future fate Of his
aspiring soldier! Little did he imagine that the
youthful form by his side, would survive the Pc
rils Of war, to die alter the quicude of peace had
succeeded the strife of bauIe, in an ingIorous
combat, the fruit Of participation in the scenes
of political conflict!
The council lasted until an hour after mid
night, when the plan of operations for the sue
eeeding day being resolved upon, the various
officers retired TO their different commands, to
snatch such hasty repose as the lateness of the
hour might allow, and to make such arrange
nents for the coming conflict as might tend to
ensure success to the American arms.
And under the broad canopy of Heaven, un-
sheltered from the dews and damps of the night
'ir by covering or tent, slept the brave soldiers
If the American host, as soundIy, as securely as
hough the coming morn was TO bring scenes of
peace and quietness instead of the tuomoil and
,loodshed Of battle.
As Herbert Tracy stood gazing upon the scene
lround, from the elevation of the haunted house;
Is his eye wandered from the vast dome of the
heavens above, hung with a million stars, to the
andscape, with its hills covered with forests, its
valleys, and its level fields, along