The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-09-29

fore narrate our incident under the pre-
sumption that of the battle itself, our read
ers need not be informed second time.
The first of the action occurred with the
rifemen near where we now find the beau.
tiful resting place for the dead-Green-
wood Cemetery. 1t was the left wing Of
the royalists under Col. Grant, that assum-
ed this position, while the right and centre
occupied other memorable ground. The
carnage ofthat day-the terrors. the cruel
ties, the recklessness and desperation of
that battle-fought with the utmost despe-
ration by both parties--were almost be-
yond belief. In close proximity to the
cemetery is creek, whose waters were
dyed with the blood of some of the best
Americans, who were moved down with
out hope of escape, by the artillery
Not only companions, but regiments were
destroyed in this manner-the Maryland
ers in particular. While death was be-
ing apportioned here so terribly, strip Of
woods not far distant was quite as disas-
trous to the British. From every trunk,
bough, protection or shelter of any kind,
the riAemen poured forth their appalling
showers. 1t was not once in twenty times
that shot failed. The utmost consterna-
ton prevailed with regard to this mode Of
fighting. Indignation was also manifest
ed by the royal officers.
"By heaven, Baxter" said one Captain
to another, as they met, "look how our
men fall, and not hope of furnishing their
murderers. AS we'll seek to thread the
mazes of labyrinth as this light and open
wood in safety. See, there falls another
officer.
"Good God!" said Baxter, pale with
excessive agitation, "this is the most cow
ardly species of warfare ever encounter
ed. We must get out of this ground, or
else make up our minds to be buried here.'
"We dare not-cannot-stir without
orders. We have our place assigned, and
must not avacuate it. And yet it is dread
full to stand here, comparatively idle, and
be shot down like sparrows."
Men were falling here and there in eve.
ry direction, while the din of the battle
was heard whithersoever any combatant
might turn,
Now and then riheman was dislodged
and killed, but the invisible foe remained
as numerous and serviceable to the cause
of Liberty as ever. On the outskirts o.
the wood--or rather in q sort of clearing
made by the hand of nature-was tall
oak tree, as stately and dignifed as
George Washington. Within 800 yards
of this tree was circle of English soldiers
dead, and almost all marked in the fore.
head, or about the breast by single shot
At regular intervals the sharp crack of a
rifle was distinguished above all other
sounds, and it was surely followed by the
immolation of victim. This had been
observed with trembling by the officers
and privates during an hour or more; and
what was also palpable was, that the un-
seen dispenser Of desolation picked of
the company officers in preference to the
men in the ranks. The shots at last be-
came so frequent and fatal that search
was instituted to ascertain their source.
1t could not be found. Like the great
plume Of Murat among the Austrians, the
invisible marksman became the talk of the
whole left line, and ultimately the matter
reached the ears of Grant.
"Order out platoon Instantly" cried
| he to one of his aids, sand let it be held in
readiness to make short work of every one
found engaged in this assassin-like meth
cd ofcombat Pause not until the lurking
foes is dislodged and rendered powerless. .
This order was communicated to the
proper personages, and second search
was induced. The file of men detailed to
the duty Of the search were led by cap
tain remarkable for his height; and when
they came within musket range of the tall
tree, the sharp ringing report so terrible
was the precursor Of his death. A corpo-
raj saw the smoke, and noticed stir a.
mong the branches. With keener eve
and quicker perception than the rest, and
being withal an old soldier who had seen
service on other fields where England had
deluged innocent soil with the best blood
of its human. offspring, he at once guessed
the whereabouts of the invisible marks
man. The moment he communicated his
discovery to the rest, there was a speedy
retreat indicated towards the platoon
This body at once dashed towards the
towering oak, and halted within musket
shot.
"That for your leader" shouted voice
among the branches; and true to the
marksman's purpose, and the ball enter
ed the brain of the ill-fated commander
A yell of rage was uttered as the officer
next in rank stepped up, and paused a
moment:
"That for the next man on the right!''
exclaimed the voice, and again the victim
bit the dust. e
"Now, men," cried the Britain, waving
his sword with frantic excitement over his
head-"Now, men, fire-FIRE, say, be.
fore he has time to reload" 9s
The volley startled the echoes Of the
heights and the muskets belched forth theil
contents in flame and smoke. A few twigs
dropped from the tree, but the tenant was