Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-01-31


which, like that of Merengo, seemed made on
purpose for battlefield. Forming his men in
the woods, TO conceal them from the enemy, he
and Wayne rode forward to reconnoitre, and 10
all the ample plain below them was dark with
the moving masses. To the stirring sound of
music, the steady columns of the grenadiers
moved sternly forward, their bayonets gliftsring
in the morning sunlight, while as far as the eye |
could reach, followed after the immense train
horses and wagons toiling through the sand, and
filling the air with dust
Wayne descended like torrent upon this
line of march and soon the sharp rattle of mus
kerry, ana roar Of cannon, nd hoAvy srr,si.s 4il
where he was pouring his troops to the charge.
Lee, in the meantime with the rest of his divis-
ion, took a circutous march to fall on the head
of the corps with which Wayne was engaged
when he learned that the whole British army
had wheeled about and was hurying back to
protect the rear. That plain then presented a
magnificent appearance. Far away the cloud
Of horses and wagons was seen hurrying from
the field while nearer by, the glittering columns
fell one after another, in the order of battle
the artillery opened like a sudden conAagraton
on the plain-the cavalry went dashng for
ward to the charge and amid the pealing Of
trumpets, unroliing Of standards, and shouts of
men, the battle commenced.
But at this moment, Lee, who had not expect
ed to meet strong force, and not liking to have
a heavy battle thrown upon him, with morass
in his rear, ordered a retreat; and the brave
Wayne, grinding his teeth in rage, was compel
led to fall back, and came very near being cut
off in the attempt. Across the morass, retreat.
ing, with the victorious columns Of the British in
full pursuit.
In the meantime Washington, ignorant of this
shameful retreat was marching up with tine 9TH
er division Of the army. AS the sound of the
first cannonade broke dull and heavy over the
woods, the troops were hurried forward, and the
troops eager for the encounter, threw aside their
} knapsacks, and many of them their coats, and
with shouts pressed rapidly on. 1t was a terri
, BILE day-the thermometer stood al ninsty-sir-
and as the sweltcring army toiled through the
| sand and dust, many sunk in their footsteps o.
verpowered by the heat. Washington had dis.
: mounted where two roads met,and stood with his
arm thrown over the neck This white steed that
was reeking with sweet, listening to the can
nonading in the distance, and watching his ca.
y oo1, tha Eor
in the distance, he heard the thunder of artillery
: lhatyas moving down his ranks, while before
! him duttered the flag Of his country, soon also,
to be enveloped in the smoke Of battle A
horseman, bursting into his presence cried out
that Lee was in full retreataGNring down with
d his divided ranks, full on his own advancing
columns. The expression of ofWashington's face
: at that moment was dreadful, and with q burst
of Indignation that startled those around him, he
| sprang to the saddle, and plunging the rowes
{ in his steed, launched like thunderbolt away.
e sped onward, and those who looked on him then,
J with his unusually pale face flushed, and his blue
d eye emitting fire, knew that storm was soon 10
e burst somewhere. He swept in headong gal
e Iop to the van of the retreating army, and the
o moment his white horse was seen, the brave fel-
n lows, who had long been hall beaten, sent mp a
shout that was heard the whole length of the
iues and Long Hre Washington :" rent the
IS air.
'f Flinging hasty inquiry to Osgood, as to the
reason Of this retreat, who replied with terrible
e oath, i" Sir. 'ce are fleeing from shadoio"--ht
$, galoped to the rear, and refining up his horst
o beside Lee, bent on him face Of fearful expires
: sion, and thundered in his ear, as he leaned o
y yer his saddle bow, " Sir, desire 10 kno,c tcha
is is The reason and Whence nriSeS this disorder an
h confusion ?" Il was not the words but the snoth
Is eled tone of passion in which they were uttered
ar and the manner which was severe as blow
that made the rebuke so terrible. Wheeling
his steed he spurred up to Oswalds and Stew
s. arts regiment, SAYING" On you depend t
T. check this pursuits" and riding along the rank
's he reused their courage to the highest pitch b
o' his stirring appeals, while that glorious shout c
" Long liue Washington !'' again shook The ielC
" The sudden gust of passion had swept by br
ar the storm that ever slumbeIed in his bosom wa
e; now fairy up, and galloping about on his spler
Ia ded charger, his tall and commanding form Tow
C. ering above all about him, and HE nobIO oO"n
IL enance lit up with enthusiasm, he was the i'm
personation of all that is great and heroic
man. In moment the aspect of the geld wa
changed-the retreating masses halted--oiicer
were seen hurrying about in every direction
their shouts and orders ringing above the fO''
of the enemy's guns. The ranks openeo, dg
be under the CALLING fire of the enemy the ID or
~. battalions wheeled, and formed in sp,e"a and
r. der. Washington then rode back to ~, ! agoinst
Doipting to the firm front he had arrayo1 ,r,ond
~ Il the enemv exclaimed, viii yOr ~, wU .U"" @sn
an in that plae.q" He replied yes '", i'm.d "v.'
H.. said he "Ierpect you to check "' sorod rpo,ied
ctelv.n "Your orders shall be oOey'1' .y Sp .bo
ad the stung commander; "and | W." wv .aI w.,
~ first 70 leave the field" The battle then opened
he with witt renewed fury, and Washington hurried
d. back to bring his own dl'lsion in'o '"e a0'
re tion.
", |. was the glorious triumph of dlsci plne' 'nd
he the power of one master mind, to see how 'osl
nd rotreating troops recovered their confidence M be-.
ce formed under the very fire oftheir Pursn''a the
to fore the panic had been commun'c"''
en- other PORTION Of the army. od. tho
ut But the danger had only just comi'e'c c,.vsrd,
in few reyimer,. h.S ~ hss hoen thrown fOrwN'u'
BE- could not long w.sSs.od Sw.nt by the artil-
b. "n'cn tLey WeTed in fire, they were gra1u p."no
Oy lery, and enySSer the field They fought brave,
forced oasy knew the fate Of The Oo'o ooro. 'sS sDs
ur, on y, hack on the reserve. On this, too the
III l., on =. &c tho enemy thundered with