The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1848-05-31
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| rom the Sunday st ilDess
a STORY 0Ts PULASKfss 81: f:!.t $
Compiled from ths} Diary 81 a DeesasM off,
Ger Of 3abs Rspolation. ,5s
By HENRY a. BUCKINGHAM.
s0nthe night Of Tho 7thsof September,
17I77, our army rested on. the right Of Red
Clay Greek, awaiting the approach ofthe
British troops that landed at Elk River. as
far aa the aees could bring them two
weeks before! q! ~
Sl Onrarny had marched through Phila.
delphia some time before, for the very
purpose of meeting Gen. Howe and giy.
ing him battle if q favorable opportunity
occurred. Some Of our regiments had
becomein IN measure veterans, although
destitute in degree Of proper arms and
clothing, whilst the British troops were
well fed, well clothed, we'll armed, and
in every way well supplied. is;3SsS
One object Of the British commander
wnsto capture the Congress- at Philadel.
phia by q coup de saain; but Washington,
aware Of this movement, had placed him.
self between the English troops and that
body, so that in any event the Congress
itselfeWould3 be- SAFE. ~ s>s5S
The army under comrnapd ofSir WilS
liam Howe was full eighteen thousand
men; whilst our own, including the mill.
tia, did not exceed twelve thousand. The
intention Of our commander was not to be
the assault, butto be the assailed-to pro.
tect Cong and risk the event Of q bat.
tie when attacked. ,s,. .l3s
b MorgaD's regiment Of Eflemen, had
been sent forward 10 Gates, to aid the lat
Ter to check the advance Of Burgoyne-a
measure right in itself, bet one in my op.
inion that led to the easy passage oyerthe
Elk by the enemy.
was attached to the staff of General
Greene at this time, acting as a volunteer
aid de camp, for a few days, my company
being on its march TO the main army from
the north. tx
Greene's division consisted chiefly: Of
eastern troops, to which had been assign
ed corps Of light horse under the com
mand Of Count Pulaski, The only corps Of
regular cavalry at that time belonging to
the army. i,s SIS .3j,y1rls
Pulaski's, career had been curious one.
a felander by birth, ia conjunction with
four or five other Polish mobiles he had en-
deavored to carry off Stanislaus, the last
king of that country, aud partially sue
ceeded in so doing. Their purpose was
to create revolution and elect new king
Poland being an elective monarchy. !.
They had nearly succeeded in getting the
king beyond The frontiers, when rescue
took place; but Pulaski making his es-
cape. After remaining some tine in
France, he came over to this country as
volunteer, and entered our service.
said previously that it was on the
night Of the 7th Of September, l777, that
our army rested on the right of Red Clay
Creek. Onthe night OF the 9th, Wash
ington perceiving by certain movements
that Howe was endeavoring 10 turn his
right flank, altered his position; and cross.
ed the Rrandywine at Chadd's ford-,hus
placing the river and creek between him
and his enemy.
The armies were divided from each
other by distance Of some six to eight
miles, with the Brandywine creek be.
tween them. A division commanded by
General Maxwell remained on the olher
side Of the creek to dispute the passage Of
the enemy.
On the evening Of the 10th, General
Greene gave me communication 10 oar.
ry to Count Pulaski, who was on the right
of The division. had never seen this
foreign officer, but had much curiosity to
do SO, having heard SO much respecting
him.
1t was about nine in the evening when
| started with small escort for the quar-
ters Of Pulaski. His rank was nominnlly
that Of q colonel, although, he did not at
that time enjoy full command, His
quarters were at farmers residence, to-
wards the upper fords ofthe Brandywine.
A half hours brisk ride brought us to the
spot, and dismounting, | knocked with my
sabre's hilt agains. the door, having frs.
given the sentinel the conntersign,l ! was
ushered in bya handsome rosy checked
girl, on inquiring for Count Pulaski.
'Ho is busy writing, sir, What name
shall / giye?' s' -
Say to him, q messenger from General
Greene
The girl disappeared, and soon return
ed saying
'The count is anxious to see you.'
followed her, and was speedily in tho
presence Of Pulaski. He was busy writ
,, ing IN small bed room, the furniture of
which consisted Of a table, on which were
his writing implements, bed and two
chairs: For moment he did not raise
his head, but continued writing. He how
ever pushed the remaining chair towards
me, and said in Foreign accent.
sit down, SIR
lsat down as he requested me. had
an nsexcellent opportunity to examine his
eINbo., rod In x,roElo