The Arkansas banner., 1848-11-07
THE BlrrLR OF TIE COWPBNx.
rn0& THE DIARY OF AN OFFICER OF TIE .rrolvroz.

fh"A THE DIARY oF AN OFFICER oR THE RkSoLrTloS-
 Have yoH, my little fellow. been in tho camp of Lord CoFnwallisf' inquired Moran, as he affce- tionately placed the boy or child. ss might calI him. upon the rough table near by
 'Hes, sir was the immediate reply of the lad. Il dreve the od buli and potatoes down the Bri- tish camp, and daddy told not forget anythingI heard; and don't iorget Captain Dan. Daddy likes you, and co do L.
 The boy put his thumb Into his mouth, and con- tinued to gaze al Morgan, from head to foot, with as much astonishment as at first
 Well. my little lad, what do you think of meF said the General.
 'Thsnk T said he, and his voice sweed as he spoke
 -sI think you can lick dadfy, and It's pretty hard to do that, bat you are mighty big man, General This sally of the little fellow created quite laugh. In which the father joined as heartily as be rest. There wse something tn the manner and toae of the lad that indicated truth and frmness. Nov, my little boy, want you 10 tell me all yoa know or heard about the movement of TaTiton's troops, and there's guinea for you.' said Morgan.
 Pat the piece of gesd back into your pocket, or won't tell you . word. General ' That was ut- tered in 90 firm tone that Morgan took up the piece of money and restored it to his pocket.
 Nov, sir, I'll tell you all " said the lad T sold the old ball and the potatoes to the British eommis sary. as they called hum, and he gave me the money tn gold didn't aboat that for daddy had sent me in camp to learn something about matters and things to scnd you or General Green. When got through, asked if I could see Lord CornwaIlis, and the eommissary took me 10 him. What do you want to for, little boy7' Cornwallis said and said I'd heard good deal about him, and l want to see him. Well, he's pretty big man. Dan, but hain't as tall you are and he treated me, little as l an just as kind if I'd been his own boy. He made me eat with him at dinner, and asked me t. drink the kings health in glass of wine but drank General WashiBgto, s health, and he laughed and said was little rebel. Pretty soon ssout man come into the tent dressed in scarlet and blue, and don't know why, but thought 8; irst he Colonel TarIton. and Ii was him. So he and CornwalIis had . long talk in corner of the tent, and they did mt pay much attention to little boy like me. heard enough, Captain Dan- The Colonel was ordered, with . thousand men, to fol- low you up and fight you wherever you could be found, and they know yonr whereabouts. Colonel Leslte-I think they call him by that name-is on his way to attack General Greeu's outposis.'
 My dear boy,' said the General, 'ycu have given us information of the utmost importance Now will you accept the gold piecef
 No, Captain Dan. or GeDeral-for you are both Il won't Bat if my daddy will let me go with you drummer boy--I know how to beat drum --Iili be glad to do it
 You've my permission, Dick was the prompt reply of his daddy as he called bis father.
 Then go with us now
 very short time elapsed before the boy was fully dressed and with adieu to his father, our depar- ture took place.
 Look to the lad, Captain Dan,' said his parent. If he shrinks shoot hin down; he's no business to do so considering tine stock from which he comes
 The brave little fellow justified his conduct throughout tho war, and in lsf2 occupied high government position.
 Morgan's movements were speedily fixed upon. lie had under his command about 6O0 men--300
 infantry, led b. the gallant Coi. Howard. of Mary land; It. Col. Washington's drSgoons did not num- ber Sn, and in addition were two ecmPanies of
 rf11Sfar 0f dfxrharvHd tinental soldiers perfect veterans-under the conn mand Of Captains Taite and Tripiet.
 On the morning Of the l4th January, i7SI, Nor gan crossed Pscolet and awaited the attack of Tar ton. The place where Morgan drew up his troops has been 6 matter of comment That he intended to engage TaTIton, cannot be matter of doubt.
 The t!ographer> of Col Pickens has endeavcred to prove that Morgan was more anxious to retreat from Tsrton than to fight him. This IS wrong, for was near Morgan waen he gave his orders to Howard.
 Tarston crossed the PacoIet on the night of the 18th January, six miles below Norgan's camp, at the Cowpens. It was about 3, in the morning, when Tsrlton commenced his movement upon Morgan His advance composed of cavslry and many of the harsemen carried behind them an infantry sol der with his musket and bayonet, little thinking of their reception. Morgan, the instant he heard of the advance of Tarton selected the position of his defence. IL hiiiy eminence- partially, might say an open 77sovl Our whole force did no. amour; to 800 men The front line was composed or some North Carolina and Georgia volunteers, jed by two Majors from their respective States. The next line was composed chiefly of militia and the Irregular coutinr ntas, as consider the two Virginia coDpa- 1 nies of veterans. They were brave fellows; never knew militia to fight so we'll
 Morgan himself remained in commend of the rear fine of the contne ntals upcn which all Of us de- pended. Col. Howard the next officer in com mand; he headed the Maryland and Delaware rcgi- ments. When Tariton advanced. he received ter rible fire from the militia under Pckens. and his meu recoiied. Our contnentals were astonshed at the courage of the miiItia and advanced al once. | They hardly awaited orders from Morgan, when 1 Howard gave the word--''Sweep the field with your 1 bayouets my lsdsH And they did sweep the held. The battalion of the British regiment and the Eight infantry companies speedily threw doan their arms flor Tsrton and his legion from reception so ua- expected. The biters were bit l remember seeing Col Howard with at least half doz swords of ihs officers who surrendered in his hands, sudden and complete was the discOmhture.
 i was never more affected in my life, than when saw Morgan take up the little drummer hey before mentioned and kiss him on both cheeks. This boy, only years of age. saved Morgan's command, and beat the first charge his drum at the bette Of the CowPens.