The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-10-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
n, The Bat,le OF Monmouth.
% IL !. v 4 4 .
by T. j. HEADLEY

strong, had evacuated Philadelphia,
and Was passing through New Jersey
pn its way to New York. The
sxEllole country was fillod with its
marching columns--the baggage
train alone stretching twelve miles
hlea3 Tie road. On the rear of this
army, in order to cut it and the bag
gage. train from the main body,
Washington determined to fall, and
sent forward five thousand men to
commence the attack. The com
lnand Of this belonged to Lcc--but
sslie refusing to accept it, it was given
to Lafayette. The former, however,
thinking it would have ar ugly look
TO decline serving in such an impor-
tant] battle as this promised to be,
changed his mind, and asked for the
post assigned him--which was gen
erously granted by Lafayette. The
morning of the 2Sth of June was one
of the sultriest Of the year; yet at an
carly hour, Lee, WHO was but five
miles from NIonmouth--whcrc :hc
british army had encampcd that
night-put his troops in notion
Pushing rapidly on, through the
3 broken and wooden country, he a.
Il length cmergen on the plain of Mon
mouth, which, like that Of Marcngo,
seemed made on purpose for bat
tie.feld. Forming his men into the
!, woods to conceal them from the cnc-
!. my, lie and Wayne rode forward to
.ircconnoiire-and 10! all the ample
ssaplain below them was dark with the
moving masses. The stirring sound
! of music, the steady columns Of the
grenadiers, moved sternly forward,
}8'their bayonets glittcriny III the morn
5ssing Sunlight, while far as The eye
S5l:quiuif reach t1loWod the itun1Nse
ssatrain-hbises and wagons telling
through the sand, and filing the alr
WithSdust.
Wayne descended Ike a torrent
Upon his line Of march; anil soon the
8aharp rattle Of muskctry and roar Of
cannon, and heavy smoke, told
where he was pouring his troops to
charge. Ire, in the meantime,
the TEST Of his division, took a
scircuitous march, to fall on the corps
sssith which Wayne was cnga- -cl,
ishen lie learned that the whole
Is British army had wKeclsd about; and
ssIwas hurryiig back to protect the
fear: The plain then presented a
5 magnificent appearance. Far away
the cloud Of horses and wagons was
gssecn hurrying from the field, while
nearer by, the glittcring columns fell.
d ono: after another, in order of battle;
tho artillery opened like sudden con.
migration on the in-thc cavalry
dashing forward to the charge
and amid the pealing Of trumpcts,
sNnroling of standards and shouts Of
lnen, the battle commenced.
5 But at this moment, Lee, who had
not expected to meet strong force,
.&and not liking to have a heavy battle
thrown on him, with a morass in his
rear, ordered retreat; and the
brave Wayne, grinding his teeth with
rage, was compelled to fall back,
and came very near being cut off in
the attempt. Across the morass,
S~and over the broken country, the di.
vision kept retreating, with the vic
SsS5 S5 ttorious columns of the British in full
s pursuit. In the meantime, Washing.
4 ton, ignorant Of the shameful retreat,
was marching up with the other di
vision of the army. AS the sonnd of
the first cannonade broke dull and
4 heavy over the woods, the troops
p were hurried forward, and tee SOL
diers, eager for the encounter, threw
aside their knapsacks, and many of
their coats, and with shouts pressed
rapidly on. 1t was a terrible day
the thermometer stood at nincty-six
and, as that swcltering army toilcd
& through the sand aud dust, many
& sunk in their footsteps, overpowcrcn
by heat. Washington had dismount.
ed where two roads met, and stood
u with his arm thrown over the neck
S3pf his white steed that vas reckins
%itll sweat. listening to the cannona.
I ding in the distance, and watching
M his eager columns as they swept
Is along tile road. Ear in advance, hc
heard tile Thunder Of artillery that
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