The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-10-12
Shirt MisteIlunp.
CAPTAIN MAURICE ASGILL:
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.
BY n, 2. CHAMTLIN.

The tragic story Of Major Andre, who
was executed as spy during the war Of
the Revolution, is ye, read with profound
and painful interest. His youth and .ac-
complishmenls as scholar and soldier,
the strict honor of his conduct, the lofty
and intrepid character he displayed du-
ring his trial and execution, together with
the romantic circumstances attending it,
all conspired 10 awaken at the time the
lenderest sympalhies Of human nature, and
almost produced regret lha, so stern
policy should have demanded his sacri-
fee.
In some respects, the story Of Sir Mau.
rice Asgill was similar to that of Andre,
although marked in its denouement by
less mournful result. In this instance, as in
that Of Major Andre, the sensibililies Of
the great and good Washington were per,
haps as deeply moved as by any event of
the war: and in both, his fImness, govern.
ed BY enlightened wisdom and an unyield.
ing military discipline, lriumphed over the
most touching appeal TO his heart. His
clear judgment saw himself justified, and a
fixed decision Of mind nerved his hand
while he discharged his duty as Command.
erin. Chief, although tears mingled with
the ink in which his signature was fixed
to the death warrant.
do not remember 10 have ever seen the
story of Sir Maurice alluded 10 in the
American prints, and hoping the narrative
may be read with something Of interest,
have collected and arranged its leading in
cidents. II the accurate reader Of history
should detect a mingling of romance with
reality in the narrative, although i, may
not increase bis interest, il will be found
no, seriously to have Inarred the series of
general facts, or varied any prominent
events Of n history which should be pre-.
served with strict fidelity. Ii is priy.
lege of the age; and the writer hopes that
in this instance its exercise may be par.
doned, however unfortunate he may prove
10 have been in the combination.
Sir Maurice Asgill was the only son Of
an English nobleman who lived upon an
estate in the northern part of England, in
1880. Born to afluence, he had been
educated in the best school Of Europe, and
was bred 10 arms. lie had risen to the
l rank of Captain Of his Majesly's Guards,
and at the early age Of nineteen was de.
tailed to the command Of such forces oil
George the Sd in America. The family
consisted OF his father, considerably ad.
vanced in age, Lady Asgill, his mother
/ and an only sister There was still an
other person. however, who acted an i'm.
5 porlant part in the events hereinafter por,
irayed. Mary 81. Clare was The belrothed
of Sir Maurice and dwell, with her widow
ed mother in a cottage near the ancestral
hall Of Asgill. Although Of humble birth
, she was beautiful and arlless, and com
bined in her character those qralilie.
which enabled her 10 act conspicuou;
part in fearful drama, and bear up undel
adverse fortunes with an ennObling lorli
lude.
II was autumn in 1880, and the las
evening Sir Maurice was to spend in En-
. gland. The next morning he was to de
part for America, then the theatre O.
bloutly conflict. This evening was spen
!, with Mary, and late in tie waiches Of the
e night after reiterated vows had been ex
d changed and registered in Heaven, lh'
: moment Of parting had arrived. II was I
lovely sight; the moon shed an eliulgen
light over the fairesI landscape In Englisl
scenery. The parting words had beel
y said. the kiss imprinted, and Sir Maurc,
y ascended hill which in the light of lh,
Q full moon overlooked the home Of Mary.
= 1t was again autumn, in 1881. Lort
}. CORVALLIS had taken possession Of York
town and Gloucester with his whole force
+ The main part of his army was nt York
S town, around which he threw up slron!
works Of defence, and prepared 10 sustain
y a siege.
Washington, by series Of skilful ma
n9uvres, had effected junclion Of lht
American with the French army at Will
iamsburgh. Count Degrassc with his who'll
c feet hovered upon the Chesapeake. o.
Il the 3Olh OF September Washington march
. ed and invested Yorktown when the seig
! was opened. The brilliant event Of lhi
seige was storming of two redoubts at tn
same lime-onc by party of American
d Light Infanrr, and The other by a part,
!, Of French Grenadiers and Chaussers, III,
6 former headed by La Fayete, and the LAT
ter by Baron De Vromenil. They wer
both successful, The assailans entere
the redoubls with the bayonel in BRAY
and spirited manner, under heavy fir
/" from the enemy. The advanced corps o
= the American party was led by Col. Ham
! Iron, who barely escaped sabre cut from
4 The officer in command, who evinced, say
report, "a spirit Of daring, courageous re
sislance commendable tO the character O
the soldier" This officer was Asgnl.
The seige was carried, and few day
after CornwalIis with over seven lhousan,
q men as prisoners Of war marched out Il
+ the roll Of the mullled drum, and lait
{ down their arms nt The feet Of the Amer
. can commander. A portion Of the officer