Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-07-19
Story Of Daniel ID. Tompkins.

1
in contact with great number of persons. His
memory up to certain period, was extremely ten
aclous; and he possessed, in an eminent degree,
that remarkable faculty, so useful to public men
OF recoecting, not only the persons but the names
of those whom he had ever met At the first
drafts of militia for active service, the governor
was overrun with applications from various COM
manders, for employment on the lines; and the
most urgent of these was an individual who resi-
ded near the northern frontier, who painted for an
opportunity of !" shedding the last drop of his
blood, and dying in the last ditch, in defence of
his country" The beligerent spirit manifested in
the frequent communications fthis gentlemen in-
duced the governor 10 grant his supplication; and
he was advanced to the rank of major, and ordered
to Sackeus Harbor
The newly appointed officer, with becoming
gratitude acknowledged the receipt of his com
misunderstanding his former protestatons, and
closed with declaring his resolution to "rampart
with his body the firesides and the alters of the
free sons of Columbia!" The gallant officer took
the field the affair of Sackett's Harbor occurred
and, in the detail of that battle he was reported as
brought off his command In good orders The
major had not been without competitors for prefer
ment-perhaps many who had better pretensions
than himself; and the governor was congratulating
himself that the appointment had been so we'll be-
slowed, when fortnight after the battle, he re-
ceived visit from the triumphant militaire, who
had obtained leave of absence from the general
Al rTNl-
the congratulations of the governor upon his
achievemets rather awkwardly and, after some
preliminary conversation, he finished by asking
leave to resign his commission.
Surprised at this unexpected request, the gov
governor asked if he met with any i'll usage from
his superiors, which had driven him to that meas
ure. " None at ALL" was the answer. He was
asked if any domestic affliction had befallen him
If his health had suffered in the campaign and
urged to disclose the cause which impelled him
TO abandon career so auspiciously begun. All
these questions were answered in the negative /;
and yet the major rendered his resignation with
great urgency. He detailed a catalogue of reas-
ons for the measure, all of which the governor
controverted, and concluded by telling him that
the good of the service required that he should
hold his commission. "Well governor" said the
major, if you will be good enough to dismiss
your private secretary for short time will give
you some other reasons which, perhaps, you will
deem more substantial"
The secretary was accordingly despatched upon
a short mission; and the major drawing his chair
as near as possible to that of the governor, in a
very low tone commenced the disclosure:
The real truth then, governor, s-is-it must
come out--that am most internal coward l
am not half SO fit to command in the army, as my
wife is, who has been rating me night and day
ever since determined TO resign; but, the truth
must be told, am a coward, and that is all that
is 10 be said about it !"
The governor was incredulous. Nonsense -
said he, I" you probably felt some unpleasant emo
tions at first; these are all very natural, and will
subside in time Few are without such feelings,
at the first encounter with the enemy. Make up
your mind, major, to renquish your purpose, and
return to the army. There will be warm work by
and-by. and you will soon get used to it."
/" 1t is just that scarm york., responded the ma
jor. that am afraid Of; and as for getting used
to it, | know that can't be done. will tell you
governor, the whole story and then think, you
will agree to accept my resignation. When the
news came that the British were coming over,
! do think crowed louder than any one else and
got our battalion under arms, and made speech
to them and talked about the duty we owe to
the country, TO ourselves, and to our wives and
children and ended with the Fourth of-July -four
ish ,Dulce ct decorum, de-. and really thought |
would do as | said would-wade knee deep
in blood and drive the bloody British into the
lake. When the orders were given to advance, l
dsmounted and took the head of the battalion,
and every thing went on finely. The British boats
were approaching the beach, and we were drawn
up in a line to oppose their landing. The drums
beat and we gave them volley at long shot, and
some of them dropped but, as the boats ground
ed, the troops sprang ashore, formed their line,
and advanced upon u.s.
1.-THE red-coats were so cool about 1t, they did
not seem scared In the least; and on they came,
with their guns at a shoulder, marching as steady
as if at training. We kept popping away, but