The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-02-01

which that day saved the army Il will stav with
you, my dear general, and die trith lou. Let rs
all die hear rather than retreat Noby said. brave
Hamilton the frmest prop of American liberty
stands fast in this dreadful hour
In this critical moment Washington appeared
on the field, and rapidly formed his division in
front of the enemy. Casting his eve over the bat
tie, he saw at q glance the whole extent of the
danger, and strained every nerve TO avert it. His
orders flew like lightning in every direction, while
full on his centre came the shouting battalions of
the enemy. Both in his right and left flank were
threatened almost simultaneously; yet calm and
collected, he sternly surveyed the steadily ad-
vancing columns, without one thought of retreat-
ing. Never did his genius shine forth with great
er splendor than at this moment Ordering up
Sterling with the artillery the left and the 9TH
er portion OF the army TO advance, he watched for
an instant the effect of the movements. Sterling
came up on furious gallop with his guns, and
Numbering them, poured such sudden fire on
the chasing columns, that they reeoiled before it.
At the same time the veteran Knox hurried ND
his heavy guns on the right, and began to thun-
der on the dense masses Of the enemy while the
gallant Wayne at the head of his chosen infantry.
charged like fire full on the centre. The battle
now ragged along the whole lines, and the plain
shook under the uproar. But nothing could with
stand the impetuosity of the Americans, and the
fierce fire of our artillery. The holly worked bat
teries of Knox and Sterling were ike two spots
of fame on either side; while the head of Wavnes
column enveloped in smoke and flame pressed
steadily forward, bearing down every thing in its
passage, and sweeping the field with shouts that
were heard above the roar of the artillery Every
step had been contested with the energy of despair
and under the oppressive heat scores of brave fel-
lows had fallen in death, unsmitten by the foe.
The whole English army retreated, and took up
a strong position on the ground Lee had occupied
IN III morning. Almost impenetrable woods and
and swamps were on either side, while there was
nothing but narrow causeway in front, over
which an army could advance to the attack The
battle now seemed over; for under that burning
sun and temperature of ninety-six degrees, the
exhausted army could hardly stir Even Wash
ingtOns powerful frame was overcome bv the heat
and toll he had passed through, and as he stood
begrmed with dust and the smoke of battle and
wiped his brow, the perspiration fell in streams
from his horse which looked as if il had been
dragged through muddy stream rather than rode
by living man. The tired hero gazed long and
anxiously on the enemys position, and, nofwith-
standing its strength and the heat of the day and
the state OF the army, determined TO force it. His
strong nature had been thoroughly reused, and the
battle he sought thrown Unexpectedly upon him.
and he now resolved to press it home on the foe
All around him lay the dead, and the cry fol wa
ter was most piteous 10 bear; while those who
bore back the wounded, were ready themselves to
sink under the heat. The eye of Washington, how
ever, rested only on the English army and
ordering up two brigades to assail it, one on the
right flank and the other on the left. he brought
the heavy guns of Knox forward TO the front In
a few minutes these tremendous batteries opened
and the English cannon replied till it was one
constant peal of thunder there over the hot plaiu
in the mean time the burning SIM was stoopine
to the western hills, and striving in vain with its
level beams TO pierce the smoke and Justified
atmosphere, that spread like cloud over the field
Still that heavy cannonade made the earth eroan
and still those gallant brigades were forcing their
way onward through the deep woods and over the
marshes TO the attack But the almost uusur-
mountabe obstacles that crossed their path so de-
layed their march, that night came on before they
could reach their respective positions. The FIRE
ing then ceased and darkness shut in the scene
For awhile the tread of battaons taking I'D their
positions for the night, the heavy rumbling of ar
tlllery Wagons, and the means of the wounded
and the piteous prayer for water. disturbed the
calmness OF the Sabbath evening, and then all was
still The poor soldiers, overcome with heat and
toll, lay down upon the ground with their arms in
their hands, and the two tired armies slept. With
IN sight of each other they sunk on the field while
the silent cannon loaded with death, still frowned
darkly from the heights of the foe The stars
one after another, came out upon the sky like 81
lent watchers, while the smoke ofthe conflict bunr
in yapory masses over the woods or plain Wash
ington, determined with the dawn of day TO re-
new the battle, wrapped his military cloak around
him and throwing himself on the ground beneath
a tree, slept amid his followers. So did Bona
parte, on the first night of the battle of Wagram.
sleep by the Danube, lulled by its turbulent wa
tiers.
But at midnight the English commander rous-
ed his sleeping army, and quietly withdrew, and
before morning was beyond the reach of Wash
mgton's army So profound were the slumbers
Of onr exhausted troops, that no intimation of the
departure of the enemy was received until the
morning light revealed their deserted camp The
prey had escaped him. and so Washington slowly
followed on, moving his army by easy marches 70
the Hudson