Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-05-28

reacned the LADY, observing her KIND
d tions towards the soldiers.
N "Have l the honor of addressing Mr.
d Murray"
IS If thee means the wife of Robe
10 Murray, l am what thou callest me-" r.
d piled the lady, looking up.
1t "My dear madam, pardon my address
r The kindn'ss see displayed tells me 1 al
not mistaken. The commander in chic
has sent meto ask the favor, if possible
n of your dstsining the advance of tn
< British troops by receiving Sir William
e Howe and his associates with your civil
: ties, as they will probably stop to take
glass Of wine if requested! My deal
madam"-and he bowed his head nearer
r to the lady, as if in private conference, ":
, portion of our troops are yet in the city
and they can only escape by the Blooming
dale road. You may prevent the march
of the enemy across the island"
"Tcll your Geueral, young man, that
!. shall offer General Hove all the civilities
in my power"
"Thanks, Mrs. 'Murny-thanks !" and
the aid rode away.
Not more than five minutes had elapsed
from the time the officer departed, when
the sound of martial music with notes of
victory filled the air, and proclaimed
movements of advancing troops. Mrs.
Murray went down to the road, and with
! two or three attendants awaited their COM
ing.
Indeed it was a brilliant spectacle. An
advanced corps of cavalry iu scarlet uni
forms, came calamity up the hill, their
trumpets and kettle drums discoursing
most eloquent music. Next followed a
company Of grenadiers, then large num-
Der of officers in rich uniforms. The
foremost officer on horseback was Sir Will
liam Howe, commander in chief of British
forces. In frame Of body, and stature,
Sir William equalled Washington, both
being above the ordinary height. Here
the comparison stopped. The countenance
of the British General, so say historians,
was harsh, dark and forbidding, now and
then lit up by smile which seemed more
disagreeable than prepossessing. Onward
came the cavalcade, until they reached the
gate at which Mrs. Murray was standing,
upon whom all eyes were instantly turned.
"Will thee not stop and refresh thy
selves for season at my mansion! Thee
must be fatigued," she said, addressing
herself to Sir William Howe, and the Off
GERS Immediately about him.
"Really, Clinton, I think we may az
well accept this good lsdy's offer for few
moments. The troops have had hot work
SO far, and a general rest will not be amiss.
Madam, We accept your offer with pleasure,
the more so as it shows you to be a loyal
friend of his Majesty, whom l now humbly
represent ss commander in chief of his
forces in North America"
81 am alike the friend of King George
and of Congress-of William Howe and
George Washington. 1t becomes me not,
as poor weak thing of Gods making, to
dislike any Of his creatures"
Sir William bowed he was too polite
to argue political matters with the good
Quakeress. He rode into the park, after
general halt Of ten minutes
for the refreshment of the troops, followed
by Sir Henry Clinton, Gen. Knyphau.en,
commander Of the Hessians, Lord Percy,
Generals Leshe and Grant, and his staff,
and there dismounting, followed Mrs.
Murray into the mansion.
Refreshments of good wine and cold
meats were placed before them in rich
profusion, of which the officers partook
freely-and tradition says that Sir Henry
Clinton, who was great bon rirant, re-
marked to his superior officer in an under
tone, "that if the cellars of the mansion
any large quantity Of such Ma
leira, he should like to be billetted there
for the campaign"
In tho mean time, Mrs. Murray had
directed Cato, the black servant, privately
% 60 to the top Of the mansion, and the
instant he saw large body of men pass
certain point on the Bloomingdale road, to
yive her the first informrt;on by signal.
may as well remark that from the hill!
he road could not be perceived, but from
he cupola Of the dwelling it was very
lasily seen.
Nearer an hour than the ten minutes
Sir VIM. Howe gave orders for the halt of
lis troops had passed away, yet still before
he mansion he fingered with his officers.
Mrs. Murray had entertained them not
,nly with refreshments, but conversation.
The younger portion Of the officers had
entered the orchards and amused them
,elves with gathering the fruit with which