Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-11-20
Select CALI.
THE HEARTS SACRIFICE.
4 Fact at tho Battle of Germantown.
BY LAWRENCE LABREE

We have heard the story Of a young nar
who lived during the pcrious times of our
country. He was ardent and patriotic, and
thirstcd to be sharer in those glories which
our brave armies pluckcd from the bristling
bayoncts of the enemy; yet he had been
withheld from joining the rauks by aged
and infirm parents, whose only support and
comfort he was. As he looked upon the
fccbleness of their old age, and thoughts of
the perils they would be exposed to, with no
defender of their lclplcssncss, he would
SIGH for the destinies of his county, and
resign himself to the duties of the small
farm that was their only support. He could
not desert them. and leave them TO the mer-
ry of the vagabond stragglcrs from the cnc-
my's camp and worse traitors to his own
country. Instances were too fresh in his
memory of reverend heads and hoary locks
having been crushed 10 the dust by midnight
plundcrers and !ssasyins. and hirluvc for tho
authors of his being left him nothing but
prayers fUr his oppressed country.
But he had other affections growing in his
breast like spring flowers. shedding per
fnme of holiness upon his spirit. like the
Christians holy inspiration. There existed.
since their childhood, an attachment between
him and the only daughter of 4 widow VIII"
resided but a few rods from his fathers: and
that attachment had rircncd 10 mutual de-
rlara;ion OF love when the parties became
sufficiently old TO appreciate the glow OF
true devotion. A time was set fur The con-
summation of their VOWS, which was the
evening of the ever memorable 25't OF De
ccmber. l77G. ut the time Washington WAS
making his pcrious but triump phant passage
across the Delaware, amid floating Ice. and
suffering from the intense cold ofthc season.
The two families were now united
George removing his bride and ncr mother
To the house of his father. But still he WIS
not happy-he could not Danish from his
mind an oppressive anxiety for the welfare
of his country, and the doubtful struggle
which she WAS maintainingln in the hopes nt
acquiring that freedom for Which every noble
heart so warmly prayed.
In week from the night of the passage
of the Delaware, Washington met dctach-
mcnt Of the enemy ut Princeton, which he
defeated with small loss, with the cSccp-
ton of several officers. among whom WAS
the gallant and brave Gen. Mercer, while that
of the enemy was upward of one hundred
killed, and the remainder, about three hum
drcd, taken prisoners. The General then
retired to the winter quarters ut AlorrlStown,
which he did not leave until the latter end
of Nav, when an army amounting to but
little over seven thousand men. although
Congress had offered recruits bountics in
land, with increased pay.
At this time George burned to enlist in
the ranks of his countrymen, and share their
suffcrings and their glory. But his young
wife looked in his face with weeping eyes,
whose eloqucncc, added to the intirmiies of
his parents, deferred him from the srcrificc.
Besides rs the roads became more passablc,
and the season wore temperate, robbcres
and midnight excursions of struggling Hes
slams and skinners were more frequent. and
the house of one of their neighbors had
been pillaged, the inmates brutally murder
cd, and the dwelling set on fire, within sight
of their friends, who could offer them no re
sistance, expecting, us they did, every mo-
mcnt to meet similar fate.
In this state of inquietudc passed away
the summer, until the intelligence reached
Georrc of the engagement between tho
American and English armies ut Brandywinc
on the 18th September, when the republican
forces were compelled to retire after i day't
hard fighting, with loss that was estimated
nj three hundred killed, about six hundred
wounded and between three and four hun
dred made prisoners.
This reverse Of the American arms arous
cd anew the patriotic feelings of George
and he at once communicated his intentions
to his father, who offered no impcdimcnt te
his Immediately joining the army and help
inp to retrieve what had bcca so unforiu
natcly lost.
@Go, my son." said he, al am beyond ser
vice myself; but, like AbrAham of old, | an
willing to offer my son to the sacraficc. lie
the plea of of protection TO your parents . b. p
no longer an excuse to keep you from th'
ranks Of those brave and devoted men wh'
follow Washington, but receive our blessing
and bid farewell to your young wife, WHOSE
love of her country am sure cannot be les e y
than her affection for yourself. If you ia'
it is in AUST and holy cause.