The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-10-12
WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 12, 1856:

M his diminished legions, the brave De-
halo still maintains the unequal contest.
But alas what can valor do against equal
valor; aided by such fearful oddsl The
sons Of Freedom bled on every side. With
grief their gallant leader marks the fall of
his heroes; soon himself to fall. For, as
with face all infamed in the fight, he
bends forward, animating his men, he re-
ceives eteven ,co"nds! Painting with loss
OF blood he falls to the ground. Several
brave men-Britons and Americans were
Killed over him as they furiodsly strove to
destroy or to defend. In the midst of the
clashlng bayonets, his only surviving Aid
Monsieur du Buyson, ran to him, and
streaching his arms over the fallen hero.
called out :-"Save the Baron DeKalb !
save the Baron DeKalbn The British
Officers interposed, and prevented his i'm
mediate destruction.
1t is said that Lord Cornwa,lis was so
struck with the bravery of DeKalb, that
he generously superintended while his
wounds were dressed, by his own surgeons.
1t IS also said that he appointed him to be
burned with the honors Of war. British
officers have been often known to do such
noble deeds, but that Lord Cornwallis was
capable of acting so honorably, is very
doubtful.
DeKalb died as lie had lived, the un-
conquered friend of liberty. For being
kindly condoled with by British officer
for his misfortune, he replied :-"I thank
you, sir, for your generous sympathy but
l die the death l always prayed for-the
death Of soldier fighting for the rights of
man."
His last moments were spent in dicta-
ting letter to friend concerning hi,
continentals, Of whom he said "he had no
words that could sufficiently express his
love and his admiration Of their valor."-
he survived the action but few hours
and was buried in the plains of Camd en-,
near which his last battle was fought.
When the great Washington, many
years afterward, can o on a visit to Cam
den, he eagerly inquired for the grave of
Dekaib. 1t was shown TO him. After
looking on it awhile, with a countenance
marked with thought, he breathed decp
sigh and exclaimed $50, there lies the
brave DcKalb; the generous stranger
who came from distant land, to fight our
battles, and water with his blood, the tree
of our liberty. Would to God he had liv-
ed to share with us it's fruits~
Congress ordered him monument. but
the friend ofSt Tammany sleeps without
his fame" l have seen the place of his
rest. 1t was the lowest spot of the plain.
No sculPtured warrior mourned at his low
laid head, no cypress decked his heel. But
the tall corn stood in darkening ranks a.
round him, ,and seemed to shake their green
leaves in JOY above his narrow dwelling.
But the roar Of his battle is not vet
quite passed away nor his ghastly wound.
forgotten. The citizens OF Camden have
lately enclosed his grave, and placed on it
handsome marble, with an epitaph CRATE
fully descriptive Of his VIRTUES and SER
VICES, that the people of future days may
like Washington, heave the sigh when
they read Of the generous stranger who
came from distant land, to fight their
battles, and to water with his blood the
tree Of their liberties
Fair Camden's plains his glorious dust in
hume.
Where annual Ceres shades her hero's tomb"