Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-10-12

noble fellows fight All, gentlemen, when
shall we be able to keep an army long enough
together TO display a discipline equal TO our
enemies
The regular troops that constituted the grand
army at the close of the campaign of '76, were
the fragments of many regiments, worn down
by constant and tollsome marches, and suffer-
ing OF every sort. In the depth of winter
The fine regiment of smalwood, composed
of the flower of the Maryland youth, and
which, in June preceding, marched into Phil
adelPhia eleven hundred strong, was. on the
Sd of January, reduced to scarcely sixty men,
and commanded by captain. In fact, the
bulk of what was then called the grand army
consisted OF the Pennsylvania militia and
volunteers, citizen soldierswho had left their
comfortable homes at the call of their country.
and were enduring the rigors of hard win
ter campaign. On the morning of the battle
OF Princeton, they had been eighteen hours
under arms, and harrassed by long nights
march. Was it then to be wondered at that
they should have given way before the vete-
ran bayonet of their fresh and well-aPpointed
foe,
The heroic devotion of Washington was
not wanting In the eXigencies of this memoir
able day. He was aware that his hour was
come to redeem the pledge he had laid on the
arms in her cause; to win her liberties or to
perish in the attempt Defeat at Princeton
would have amounted to the humiliation of
Americas last hope; for, independent of the
enemy's forces in front, CORVALLIS, with the
flower of the British Army eight thousand
strong, was already painting close on the rear.
1t was, indeed, the very crisis of the strug-
gle. In the hurried and imposing events Of
little more than one short week, liberty en-
dured her greatest agony. What, then, is
due to the fame and memories of that sacred
band who. with the master of liberty at their
head, breasted the storm at this fearful crisis
Of their country's destiny
The heroic devotion of Washington on the
field of Princeton is a matter of history. We
have often enjoyed touching "reminiscences
Of that ever-memorable event from the late
Colonel Fitzgerald, who was aid to the Chief,
and who never related the story of his Gen
erals danger and almost miraculous preserva-
ton, without adding to his tale the homage Of
a tear.
The aid-de-camp had been ordered to bring
up the troops from the rear of the column,
when the band under General Mercer became
engaged. Upon returning to the spot where
he had left the CommandeT-in-Chief, he was
no longer there, and, upon looking around, the
aid discovered him endeavorng to rally the
line which had been thrown into disorder by
a rapid onset of the foe. Washington, after
several Intellectual attempts TO restore the for
tunes ofthe fight, Is seen to rein up his horse,
with his head to the enemy, and in that posi-
ton, to become immovable. 1t was last ap-
peal to his soldiers, and seemed to say. will
you give up your General to the foe ! Such
an appeal was not made in vain. The dis
comhtted Americans rally on the instant, and
form into line; the enemy halt and dress their
line; the American Chief in between the ad-
verse posts, as though he had been placed
there, target for both. The arms of both
lines are leveled. Can escape from death be
posslble' Fitzgerald, hoTror-struck at the
danger of his beloved commander, dropped
the reins upon his horses neck, and drew his
hat over his face, that he might not see him
die. A roar IF musketry succeeds, and then
a shout. 1t was the shout of victory. The
ald-de-camp ventures to raise his eyes, and
oh glorious sight, the enemy are broken and
flying, while dinly amid the glimpse of the
smoke is seen the Chief, ''alive, unframed,
and without wound" waving his hat, and
cheering his comrades to the pursuit.
Col. Fitzgerald, celebrated as one of the
finest horseInen in the American army, now
dashed his rowels IN his chargers flank, and,
needless Of the dead and diving in his way,
flew to the side of his Chief, exclaiming,
Thank God! your ExcelIency is SAFE
while the fayorite aid, gallant and warm
hearted son of Erin, man of thews and ''al-
belt unused to the melting mood gave loose
to his feelings, and wept like child for 10Y.
Washington, ever calm amid scenes of the
greatest excitement. atfectionately grasped the
hand Of his aid and friend, and then ordered,
Away, my dear Colonel, and bring up the
troops--the day is our own!''