Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-09-01
CLARKsBURG, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER

militia to gain their rear, he then direct
ed them, his sharp, quick tones, showing
that the moment for action had come, tc
+ close up and prepare to charge.
| As he spoke. he pointed with his sword
, ahead, and our hero beheld the renowned
regiment of Tarleton coming down upon
them at full gallop, and amid a cloud oi
dust, driving before them mass of dis
mayed fugitiyes.
The keen eye of Washington measured
for an instant the distance between them,
and then said
al want no firearms used to-day, my
lads. Stick to the cold steel. And now
for God and your-charge r'
Away went the troops, like thunder
bolt suddenly loosed from cloud, with
every scabbard jingling, every steed snort
ing with excitement, and the solid earth
shaking under them. In full career they
burst upon the ranks of the enemy, who,
disordered by his pursuit, could make but
a feeble resistance. Horse and rider went
down before the impetuous charge of the
Americans, who for a while fairly rode
down their foes. But British valor soon
proved too weak for the combined patri-
otism and courage of Washington's cav
airy and the troops, turning their bri-
dies, took to ignominous fight.
"On on |" cried Washington, waving
his sword for his men to follow, "remem-
Der the cruelty of these myrmidons. Re-
venge for our slaughtered eountrymen."
AT the word, his men, thus reminded
of the butchery of the Waxhaws, and of
the other atrocities perpetrated under the
eye of Tarleton, spured their horses on
afresh, and dashed on in pursuit. A COM
plete panic had now taken possession Of
the royal cavalry, who hurried on at full
gallop, each man thinking only of him
self. Close on their heels followed the
indignant Americans, cutting down mer-
cilessly every red coat they overlook, un-
til the road was strewed with the dead.
Foremost in this pursuit rode Washing
ton, a precedence he owed not only to his
superior steed, but his eagerness to over
take an officer just ahead, who he judged
to be Tarleton himself, from his efforts to
rally the fugitives.
The tremendous pace at which Wash
ington rode, at length carried him SO far
ahead of his men, that, at a bend of the
road he found himself totally alone. At
this moment, the British, looking back,
perceived his situation, and Immediately
turned on him; his principal assailants
being Tarleton and two powerful dra-
goons.
Knowing, however, that assistance must
be close at hand, Washington resolutely
advanced to meet the enemy, determined
to seize Tarleton for his prisoner. But
before he reached the colonel, the two
dragons dashed at him, the one ON the
right and the other on the left. He saw
only the first of them, however, and ac-
cordingly turned on him. Glove him down
with single blow of his sabre, and then
rushed at Tarleton himself.
But, in the meantime, the other dra-
goon was advancing, totally disregarded,
upon him, and with appraised blade would
have cut him down, had not our hero,
who had pressed close after our leader,
at this instant wheeled around the corner
of the wood. AT single glance he took
in the whole scene. Albert saw that be-
fore he could come up, Washington would
be slain unless the firearms were en-
ployed. In this emergency he did not
fail to disobey the orders of his leader
jerking pistol from his holster, he aim
ed full at the dragoon, just as the sabre
of the latter was sweeping down on Wash
ington's head. The man tumbled head
long from his saddle, his sword burying
itself in the dust.
"Ha who is that ?" said Washing
ton, sternly, so astonished to find his or
ders disobeyed, that he turned, move
ment that Tarleton took advantage of to
to make good his escape. You, AL
bert You %
"There was no other way" answered
our hero, as he pointed to the dead dra-
1 goon, " to save your life His sabre was
within six inches of you when fred"
'' 1t could not be helped, then, 1 sup
pose" answered Washington, who now
comprehended the event, and saw that he
owed his life to the quickness of thought
of his young friend but stay, you are
yourself hurt"
AS lie spoke, he saw blood issuing from
the sleeve of Albert, and Immediately af-
ter, the young soldier reeled and fell
senseless to the ground.
Two pistol shots had been discharged
from the enemy, Washington now recol-
lected, Immediately after Albert had fred.
Upon examination, one ball was found in
the arm of our hero. The other had per-
forated the coat. Immediately over the
heart.
"He is dead - cried the leader, ''that
second shot has touched vital part"
4 He tore away the garments as he spoke,
but uttered cry of Joy as he exposed the
chest, for there, right over the heart, lay
miniature, which had stopped the ball.
Washington looked at the picture, and
muttered: F-
Ha! have heard Of this-and now
win see if cannot do my young friend