Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-10-09

From Curtis Recoections and Private Memoirs nf the
Life and Character of Washington.
The outposts of the two armies were very
near each other, when the American Comman-
der, desirous of obtaining particular inforna-
summoned the famed leader of the RfemeB,
Col. Daniel Morgan, to head quarters.
1t was night and the Chief was alone. AT
ter his usual polite, yet reserved and dgnifed
salutation, Washington remarked:
l have sent to you Col. Morgan, 10 iutrust
to your courage and sagacty small but very
important enterprise. | wish you to reconnoi-
ire the enemy lines, with view to your ascer-
tanning correctly the position of their newly
constructed redoubts-also of the encampment
of the British troops that have lately arrived,
and those of their Hessian auxiliaries Sc
lect, sir, an officer, non-conmissioned officer,
and about twenty picked men, and under cover
of the night proceed, but with all possible eau
tlon-get as near as you can-learn all you
can-and by daylight retire and make your re-
port to head quarters. But mark me, Colonel
ever engage in any skirmishing with the enc
my-if discovered, make speedy retreat; let
nothing induce you to fire single shot: | re-
peat sir, that no force of circumstance will ex-
cuse the discharge of a single rifle or your
part; and for the extreme precision of these
orders, permit me TO say that have my rea-
sons Filling two glasses of wine, the Gen
eral continued: And, now, Colonel Nor
gan, we will drink good night, and success
to your enterprise Morgan then quaffed the
wine, smacked his lips, and assuring his Ex-
cellency that his orders should be punctually
obeyed, left the tent of the Commander-in-
Chief
Charmed as being chosen as the executive
officer of daring enterprise, the leader of the
woodsmen repaired 10 his quarters, and calling
for Gabriel Long, his favorite captain, ordered
him TO detail a trusty sergeant and twenty
prime fellows; who being mustered and or
dered TO lay on their arms, ready on a mo-
ment's warning, Morgan and Long stretched
their manly forms before the watch fire to await
the going down of the moon, the signal for
their departure.
A little after midnight, and while the rays
of the setting moon still family glimmered in
the western horizon, Up, sergeantn cried
Long, stir up your men; ! and twenty athlet-
ic figures were upon their feet in a moment
Indian file, and march, and away all sprung
with the quick yet light and stealthy step Of
the woodsmen.
They reached the enemy's lines, crawled up
so close TO the pickets of the Hessians as 10
inhale the odor of their pipes; discovered by
the newly upturned earth, the positions of the
redonbts, and by the numerous tents that dot
ted the field for many rood around and
shone dimly amid the night haze, the encamp-
ments of the British and German reinforce
ments; in short performed their perious duty
without the slightest discovery, and pleased
with themselves and the success of their enter
prise. prepared 10 retire, just as Chanticleer,
from neighboring farmhouse, was bidding
salutation to the morn. The adventurous par
ty reached small eminence at some distance
from the British camp, and commanding an ex-
tensive prospect over the circumjacent country.
Here Morgan halted, TO give his men little
rest, before taking up his line of march for the
American outpost. Scarcely had they thrown
themselves on the graas, when they perceived
issuing from the enemy's advanced pickets, a
body of horse, commanded by an officer, and
proceeding along road that led directly by the
spot where the rifemen had halted. No spot
could be better chosen for an ambuscade for
there were rocks, rayines, and shrubby oaks,
that grew thickly on the eminence by which the
road we have just mentioned passed, at not ex-
ceeding hundred yards.
Down boys, down = cried Morgan, as the
horses approached, nor did the clansmen of the
Black Rhoderic disappear more promptly amid
their native heather than did Morgan's woods
men iii the present instance; each to his tree,
or rock. Lie close there, my lads, till we see
what those fellows are about
Meantime the horseman had gained the
height, and the officer dropping his rein on his
chargers neck, with spy-glass reconnoitred
the American lines. The troopers closed up
their file, and were either cherishing the noble
animals they rode, adjusting their equipments
or else gazing upon the surrounding scenery,
now fast frightening in the beams of the rising
sun.
Morgan looked at Long, and Long upon his
superior, while the rifemen with their painting
chests and sparkling eyes, were only await
ing some signal from their officers, to let the
ruin fy.'
At length the martial ardor of Morgan over
came his prudence and sense of military subor-
dination. Forgetful of consequences, reckless
of every thing but his enemy, now within his
grasp, he waved his hand, and loud and sharp
rang the report of the rifles amid the surround
ing echoes.
At point blank distance the certain and dead
ly aim of the Hunting Shirts of the revolu-
tionary army is to well known to history TO
need remark at this time of day. In the In
stance we have to record, the effect of the fire
of the rifemen was tremendous. OF the horse
men some had fallen to rise no more, while their
liberated chargers rushed wildly over the ad-
Joining plains others wounded, but entangled
with their stirrups, were dragged by the furious
animals along, while the very few who were
Il Il