Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-05-12

he shall strike a blow for the liberation of
his father, and if fate smiles upon us this
night he shall be folded to that fathers
heart. But you, Ellen cannot stay with
us. l have friend not far from hence,
under whose roof you can find shelter and
protection until you are assured Of our sucA
cess"
The thanks of brother and of sister are
warmly rendered, and after an aflectonate
embrace and mutual prayer for the others
safety, they separate, and Ellen departs un-
der proper protection for the promised shell
ter.
1t is not long after this incident that the
troops are summoned from their relaxation
and ordered on the march to meet the ex-
pected aid from the army at Clermont, or
TO encounter the enemy's convoy. James
Willard is in the ranks, and bears himself
as steadily as though he had been trained
to arms.
An hour and more has passed, and the
approach of another body of troops is an
nounced to General Sumpter. In the dis
tance the rising dust shows where they
move, though they are not themselves per-
ceptibe. It is like an earth-bound cloud
freeing itself from its thraldom, and undu-
lating towards the heavens Nearer they
approach, and nearer, and the cloud be-
comes denser and more dense. They can
not be the reinforcement from Gates, for
they are in an opposite direction. They
come from Nnety-Six, the way the con-
voy is to traverse.
There is no hesitatation in Sumpter's
mind as 10 what course TO pursue. His
troops are formed, the word is given, and
they are advancing to meet the strangers,
whoever they are.
Now the cloud clears away, and we are
near enough to see them. There is the
scarlet unitorm-therc are the British SOL
diery-there is the long train of guarded
wagons which will be the victor'r prize.
Sumpter baIts his troops for moment,
and only for moment, TO address them.
"Noble hearts OF Carolina" he says, as
he raises himself in his stirrups, ''the enemy
are before us and they must be beaten,"
He is answered with cheer.
"In addition TO being foes TO our coun-
try, they have in their possession what we
are most in need of You see before you
arms and ammunition to supply hundreds
who are anxious to share our dangers and
our triumphs. You, yourselves, lack cloth
ing, shoes and food. These wagons con-
tain all that you require. They must be
ours. Advance''
Boldly do the British regulars await the
threatened attack, and when it comes, they
do, for an instant, make it recoil. That
first fire is terrible !--Volley after volley
sweeps IN among the Americans.
"Forward. my boys" shouts Sumpter, as
heads them.
"Sumpter and victory" is the response,
and like an avalanch they rush on, bearing
down before them all opposition.
There is again pause, and fight around
the British standard. Hand to hand and
desperately they struggle for that symbol of
national honor. Now it is borne proudly
aloit; now it sways with the rush Of men
in fatal conflict; now it ialters, wavers,
falls to the earth, and--behod the red
coats fly, the Americans are in pursuit,
while, at the same time the contested stand
ard is seized and borne aloit in triumph by
mere stripping.
sBravo, my brave boy" Sumpter cries,
as he gallops past James Willard, came
rica can never be subdued while even her
boys fight so we'll"
The pursuit is over, the convoy captured,
and the flying enemy made prisoners
Sumpter has resumed his march, and now
he has received the reinforcement for
which he has been looking. One hundred
continentials, and two pieces of artillery
have been added to his numbers, and he is
proceeding towards the fort upon the
| Wateree.
1t is now nearly sunset and the fort is
Just in sight. The yellow light is falling
upon the massive walls, and the Struggling
soldiers, as they lean over the parapct, are
tinged with a golden hue. The British
standard is hauled up to the tall flag staff,
and as il catches the evening breeze that
rolls inwards, it floats broadly and mag
nifcently. 1t is not the first standard OF
the kind that has waved proudly this day.
One is already the spoil of conqueror;
this may be so too Will it' We shall
see.
There are no more Struggling soldiers
now in that fort. All is preparation and
anxiety. The cannoniers stand TO their
guns and wait but the orders of their supe-
rior to let the iron monsters yomit forth
their freight of death and fire. .....
The fort is invested-the garrison is
summoned to surrender. They refuse in
dignantly, and send their defiance TO the
assailants in discharges Of musketry and ar
tilery. This is answered again and again,
until not man In the garrison dares show
his head above the walls. -a
"We shall batter the walls about their
ears, in time" Sumpter observes TO the old
Major, ''but the operation takes too long for
our patience. We must storm their works."
"Only give the order," isthe reply, sand
you shall see it done. We have secured
ladders enough for storming party, and
the rest can follow in their wake"
James Willard has been standing within
hearing of this conversation. He now
modestly approaches the General. "May
ask favor of you, General Sumpter pa
be says, as he gazes anxiously in his COM