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

his own advancing columns. The
next expression of his face at that
moment was dreadful--and, with a
burst of indignation that startled
those around him, he sprang to the
saddle, and, plunying the rowcls in
his steed, launched like a thunder
bolt away. A cloud Of dust alone
told where he and his suite sped on.
ward--and these who looked on him
then, with his usually pale face flash
ed, and his blue eye emitting fire,
knew that storm was soon to burst
somewhere. lie swept in head.
long gallop up to the van of the re-
treating army, and the moment his
white horse was seen, the brave fell
lows-who hal not been half beaten
sent up shout that was heard the
whole length Of the lines. and "Long
live Washington - rent the air.
FIinging hasty reply to Osgood, as
to the reason Of his retreat, who re-
| Piled with terrible oath, "Sir, we
arc fleeing from a shadow - he gal.
loped to the rear, and refining up his
horse beside Lee, bent on him fear
ful expression, and laundering in his
car, as he leaned over his saddle bow.
"Sir, | desire to know what is the
reason, and whence arises this disor.
der and confusion !" 1t was not The
words, but the smothcled tones of
passion in which they were uttered,
and tic manner, which was severe
as blow, thai made this rcbukc so
terrible. Wheeling lis stcet, he
spurrcd up to Oswald's and Stew
arts regiment, saying, "On you ]
depend to check this pursuit; and II
ding along the ranks, he reused their
courage to the highest pitch by his
stirring appeals, while that glorious
shout Of "Long live Washington !"
again shook TIC field. The snddea.
gust OF passion had swept by; but .sla
storm that ever slnmlcrcd in his 10.
9om was now fairly up, and galioplng
About on his splcnI'il charger, his
tt,iL anil commanding form towering
above all about him, and his noble
countcnancr lit up with enthusiasm,
he was the impcrsonation Of all that
is great and heroic in man. In
moment the aspect Of the field was
changed, the retreating mass halted
= officers were seen huriying about
III every direction, shouts and orders
ringing above the roar Of the cncmy's
guns. The ranks opened, and under
the CALLING fire Of the enemy, the
steady battalions wheeled, and form
cd in spcndid order. Washington
then rode back to Ice, and pointing
to the firm front he had arraycd
against the enemy. exclaimed, "Will
you. sir, command in that place Z"
He replied, YES" "Wcll thcn,'
said he, 81 expect you to check the
enemy immediately" "Your orders
shall be obeyed,' replied the stuny
commandcr-''anl | will not be the
first to leave the field" The battle
then opened with renewed fury. and
! Washington hurried back to bring
his own division into action.
1t was a glorious triumph Of dis
ciplinc, and the power of one master
mind, to SEQ how those rctrca ting
troops recovered their confidence,
and formed under the very fire of
their pursucrs before the panic had
been communicated TO the other por-
ton Of the army.
Bat the danger had only Just
commenced; the few regiments which
had bcccn thrown forward, could not
long withstand the heavy shock to
which they were exposed. Swept by
the artillery and cnvelopcd in
fire, they were gradually forced back
over the field. They fought brave.
ly, as if they knew the fate Of the
battle rested On their firmncss vet
the advanced corps finally fell bacl,
on the reserve. On this, too, the
victorious leyions Of the enemy thun.
dered with deafening shouts; the
grcnadicrs pressed furiously forward
= the cavalry hung like a cloud on
our ilanks- while the steadily adj
vanccd cannon CALLED the ranks with
a most destructive fire. Our whole
line Of battle began to shake. Wash
ington, with the rear division, was
not yet up, and every moment
threatened to throw Lees whole
sha!tcring corps back in disorder
upon it. Everything quivcrcl in
The balance-buy, at this terrible
crisis, the noble, the cl,ivalric Ham
lit"n, wIth lis bat OF, and his
hair streaming III the wind, was
seen crossing the field in a sweep.
ins sl!'pp, making straight for
he. knpwn.g thnt tic fate Of the