Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-02
From the United States Saturday Post.
HERBERT TRACY;
Or the legend Of the Black Rangers.
BY GEORGE LIPPARD.
CHAPTER XII. COZ

CHAPTER XII. CONTINUED.
"Look!" shouted Herbert Tracy, as he halted
his steed for an instant on the brow of a hill,
within pistoI-shot orthe Germantown road, be-
low mount airy. "Look ye, my Rangers, how
the Loyalists feel See how the Continentals
sweep all before hem-there's Mad Anthony
I'd swear to the stroke ofhis sword-and there's
Pulaski-there's Washington in the very centre
of the melee. blow for Washington, Ran
gers! Whoop and awayl"
With an answering shout, the Rangers clashed
down the hill, and swept across the plain toward
the Germantown road.
While Herbert Tracy was engaged with the
troop ofleutenant Wildwood, "a mile westward of
chesnut hill, the central body Of the American
troops under Wayne and Sullivan, with Wash
ington at their head had reached mount airy,
surprised battalion of light infantry, lodged in
Aliens house in that vicinity, and by bold and
determined movement, drove the enemy before
them at pleasure, following up the work with all
the flush and heat Of an unexpected triumph
Scattering their arms along the way, or ever and
anon turning to face their purSuers, the remains
of the battalion of light infantry proved the apt
ness Of their name, and in the course of fifteen
minutes, fled preciptatey down the German
town road, for the distance Of three quarters of
mile, until they reached the point where the 40lh
regiment was stationed under the command OF
colonel Musgrave.
Here the attack was renewed with all its vigor
and the American soldiers pressed forward as
one man, and engaged with the British muzzle to
muzzle. Colonel Musgrave was seen hurrying
hither and thther along the lines, and the form
of q tall dark kbrowed man, in the dress of private
citizen, with star Of honor on his left breast,
was ever at his shoulder, aiding him in his at
1empts to restore confidence 10 his men. and RI
ding in the very lhickest of the fight. But twas
in vain. In vain did the British infantry plant
their muskets in the sod, and sinking on one knee
present TO advancing Americans wall of brst-
ling bayonets. The charge Of Wayne came
laundering on, and his loud war cry-"Upon
them! over them!" rose the above din Of battle. In
vain did the British dragons form in one solid
front, and with uprased sword, sweep as 10 meet
the American infantry. They were received
midway by the fire Of the backwoodSmen, each
rifemarklng its man; and each shot told as surely
effectually as though it was aimed at aninanimate
rather than living mark.
The confusion Of the scene increased with
each moment. Vast clouds of thick smoke be.
gan to roll in heavy folds over the field of contest
and from its bosom flashed tho glare of musoue
trv and the blaze ofthe rifle, while the clash o.
;nterminaling swords, The shouts Of the combat
tants. the wells orthe dying, shrieks of the woun
ded, swelled upward to the Heavens, in one fear.
ful chorus, more terrible to hear than the SOUND
Of na,ure's most horrible convuIsions, the rum
bling of the earthquake amid the subteranear
caverns, or the thunder peals bursting around the
SUNNI. of the Andes. These sounds strike us