The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-10-29

cred stecd beside him, he exclaimed
in that lofty enthusiasm which
that day saved the army, II will
stay with you, my dear, General,
and die with you. Let MS die here
rather than retreat" Nobly said,
brave Hamilton! the foremost prop of
American liberty stands fast in this
dreadful hour!
In this critical moment, Washing
ton appeared on the field, and rapid.
ly formed his division in front of
the enemy. Casting his eye over
the battle, he saw at {; glance the
whole extent Of the danger, and
strained every nerve to avert it..
His orders flew like lightning in
every direction, while full on his
centre came the shouting, hcadlong
battalions Of the enemy. Both lis
right and left flank were threatened
almost simultaneously: yet. cool and
collected, he sternly surveyed the
steadily advancing columns, without
one thought of rctrcating. Never
did his genius shine fortl, with great
ter splendor than at this moment.
Ordering up Sterling with the
artillery on the left and the other
portion of the army to advance,
he watched for an instant tho effect
OF the movements. Sterling came
up on furious gallop with his
guns, and Numbering them, poured
such sudden fire on the chasing
columns that they rccoilcd before it.
At the same time, the veteran
Knox hurried up Ills heavy guns. on
the right, and began to thunder OH
tho dense masses Of the enemy
willie the gallant Wayne, at the
head of his chosen infantry. charged
like fire full on the centre. The
battle now ragged along tic whole
lines, and the plain shook under the
.nproar, -.aE's MOTHS * assiRls,A will.
stand the imPctuosity Of the Amci
leans, and the fierce fire of our
artillery. The hotiy worked na,.
terles Of ksoS and Sterling were
like two spots of fame on either
side; while the head Of Wavnc's col
umns, envelopcd in smoke and
flame. pressed steadily forward, bear.
ing down everything in its passage,
and sweeping the field with shouts
That were heard above the roar Of
artillery. Every step had been CON
tested with the energy Of despair.
and, under an oppressive heat, scores
Of brave fellows had fallen in death,
unsmlttcn by the foe.
The whole English army retreat
cd, and took up strong position on
the ground Lee had occupied in
the morning. Almost impenetrablc
woods and swamps were on either
side, while there was nothing but
narrow canseway in front, over
which an army could advance to
the attack. The battle now seemed
ovcr-.-tor under the burning sun, and
temperature of nincty.six degrees,
the exhausted army could hardly
stir. Even Washington's powerful
frame was overcome by the heat and
toll '1c had passed through; and, as
he stood beglimmed with dust and
the smoke Of battle, and wiped his
brow, the pcrspiration fell in streams
from lis horse, which looked as if it
had been dragged through a muddy
stream, rather than rode by liy
ing man. The tired hero gazcd
long and anxiously on the enemy's
position, and notwithstanding its
strength, and the heat of the day and
the state Of his army, determined to
force it. His strong nature had
been thoroughly aroused, and the
battle he sought thrown unexpected
~ upon him, and well nigh lost, and
he now resolved to press it home on
the foe. All around him lay the
dead, and the cry for water was
most pitcous to hear; while those
who bore back the wounded, we're
ready themselves to sink under the
heat. The eye of Washington, how
ever, rested only on the English
army; and ordering up two brigadcs
to assail it--onc on the right and the
other on the lelt--hc brought the
heavy guns Of Knox forward to
the front. In few minutes these
tremendous batteries opened, and the
English cannon replied, till it was
one constant peal Of thunder there
over the hot plain. In the mean.
time, the burning sun was stoouing
to the western hill, and striving in
vain with his Level beams to pierce
the smoke and dust filed atmosphere
that spread like a cloud over the
field. Still that heavy cannonadc
made the earth groan; and still those