Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-09-05
VOL. V.

horse with his spur, and ul, moment after
wards he was hidden frors he fearful gaze O
the young girl by a clump trees.
The young patriot had just time to regair
the house, and throw himself from his horse
when the van of the retreating column came il
sight quarter of mile distant. 1t was NOV
ing on in great confusion, several of the pla
toons broken, and running, each man by him
self, in advance of the main body, while the
officers, both on horseback and on foot, were
trying to rally them. As they came on, young
Munroe could see them occasionally wheel and
fire in platoons, at either side of the highway
wherever the flash of gun showed them tina,
an enemy was concealed. Those who ran in
advance, before passing barn, or tree, OF
any object that would afford shelter to their
enemies, would rush upon it with shout, dis
charging their muskets, to drive to distance
any lying in ambush. The firing from the
| fields was incessent, and George could see the
British soldiers dropping in their ranks in
great numbers.
As he took his position at an upper window
of the house, he felt that to fire upon an enemy
so harassed and driven was almost unmanly
but a moments reflection upon the character OF
that enemy confirmed him in the fearless dis
charge of his duty. As the column came near
those in the van fired upon the house, but did
not stop, for at this moment they were more
closely pressed by the Americans than they
had been since the commencement of their re-
treat, They went by at long heavy trot, evi-
IDENTITY greatly fatigued. The faces of the
soldiers looked stern and haggard and many
an eye was turned warily from side TO side OF
the perilous road for from unexpected quar-
tiers the death-shot had fallen into their ranks
and lessened their number.
"Poor fellows said George, as he obscrv-
ed them through a crevice in the window, :. |
will not fire upon them, but upon one of their
chiefs. These men are but hirelings. Their
leaders most merit TO become the targets of our
rifles
Secure in his position, which concealed him
from view, while he could see clearly the dis
orderly march of the scarlet columns of the
flying enemy, he waited until he should discov-
er an officer of rank The whole body of the
enemy had nearly passed, no one of them stop
ing near the house save single wounded sold
ier, who seated himself upon the curbstone OF
the well, and, wistfnlly looking down, called
painfully for "water.' His comrades were in
too great peril themselves to heed him. The
whole body of British to a man felt that unless
would ever reach the city One third of their
company was already killed or wounded and
while they were diminishing, their American
assailants were increasing. The whole coun-
try was pouring from its bosom its strong men,
who were rushing to the scene of battle and
death with whatever weapons they could lay
hands on. Each instant the situation of the
foe became more desperate and from march
the retreat was fast taking the character of a
flight. No man, therefore, could give heed to
his fellow. The rear of the column, which
were most exposed to the terrible fire of the
ambuscaded Americans, just as it came in sight
of the position which George had taken up,
wheeled and poured in by platoons fierce ard
destructive fire upon their foes The Ameri-
cans drew back for a few minutes, and the
British soldiers, encouraged, gave loud huzza
and pressed on past the house. Nearly in the
rear rode British colonel, whose voice and
courage had contributed mainly to keep the
column in marching order, and save it from
general rout. He was galloping at one mo-
ment from the head of the column to the rear,
and next moment was In the centre, and then
in the van, encouraging, commanding, maneu-
vreing, entreating his men to take courage and
hope for succor.
GA little longer hold out, my brave fel-
lows" he cried, i" and we shall meet Lord
Percy with artillery and cavalry to succour US.
Expresses have been three hours gone ahead
to inform him of our condition.
As he spoke these words, George raised his
rifle TO his shoulder, and covered the officer s
heart with the barrel. A fiash-a report-and
the British colonel clapped his hand to his
breast, threw back his head, and, reeling in
his saddle, tumbled headlong to the ground
His fall, however, was broken by two grena-
diers, who placed him upon the roadside near
the wall At the same moment there was a
general rush of the soldiers towards the house,
TO avenge the fall of their leader. Munroe,
however, was already in his saddle, and scour-
ing the path leading 10 the forest uplands. A
volley was fired after him without effect. The
British soldiers prepared to set the house in
flames, when the pursuing Americans, press
ing closely upon them, compelled them TO con-
tinue their retreat, which now became a
highest in command, yet the most active and
brave threw them into despair, and all disci-
pline at an end. They thought not Of
their wounded colonel, who was left, with on
ly one of the grenadiers, lying upon the grass
near the door of the farmhouse.
George had not gone quarter of mile
when he met Catharine. Whittier are
YOU going." he asked, surprised at meeting
her.
"To share your fate. could not remain
away and hear the firing, and not know where
and how you were. Has the enemy passed
byl"
Yes, but the colonel has fallen at my