The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-04-19

clasped her hand conrulsvely, and the next
instant ceased to exist.
The lady said not a, word. She rose from
herrecumbent posture, drew snow white linen
sheet over the body, and, with stIlied sob,
again looked down the avenue. In different
| positions Of the open orchard appeared SOL
diers bearing the dying forms of their com,
radcs, which they laid carefully down, and
then rushed rapidly towards their regiments,
passing down the main avenue. In the space
of moment more than dozen soldiers were
placed in this way directly around the man.
sion.
Summoning her servants one and all, the
good lady went into the orchard to aid the
poor dying soldiers as far as lay in her power.
Her attention had not thus long been given,
before an officer in the blue and buff uniform
of Washington's staff came riding at full speed
| up the road, AMI turned without Stacking his
speed, towards the mansion. He rened in his
steed as he reached the lady, observing her
kind actions towards the soldiers.
HI ave the honor of addressing Mrs. Muir.
ray
IF thee means the wife of Robert Murray,
am what thou callest me- replied the lady,
looking up.
My dear madam, pardon my address.
The kindness l see displayed tells me am
not mistaken, the commander-;n-chief has sent
me to ask the favor, if possible, of your de-
tanning the advance of the British troops BY
receiving Sir William Howe and his associates
with your usual civilities as they will probably
stop to take glass of wine, if requested
my dear madam and he bowed his head
nearer to the lady, as if in private conference
= a portion Of our troops are yet in the city
and they can only escape by the Bloomingdale
road. You may prevent the march Of the enc
my across the Island
Tell your General, young man, that shall
offer General Howe all the ciyilities in my
power!' .,
"Thanks, Mrs. Murray thanks and the
/ aid rode away.
Not moro than five minutes had elapsed
! from the time the officer departed, when the
sound of martial music with notes of victory
filed the air, and proclaimed movements of
advancing troops. Mrs. Murray went down
to the road, and with two or three attendants
waited their coming.
Indeed it was brilliant spectacle! An ad-
vaneed corps Of cavalry, in scarlet uniforms,
came gallantly up the hill, their trumpets and
kettle-drums 'discoursing most eloquent mu.
sic next followed company of erenadiers,
then large number of officers in rich uni
forms. The foremost officer on horseback was
Sir William Howe, commander-in chief Of
the British forces. In frame of body and
stature, Sir William equalIed Washington,
| both being above the ordinary -height HorA
the comparison stopped. The countenance Of
the British General, so say historians, was
harsh, dark, and forbiddng, nov and then
lighted up by smile which seemed more dis
agreeable than prepossessing, Onward came
: the cavalcade, until they reached the gate at
which Mrs. Murray was standing, upon whom
all eyes were instantly turned
'Will thee not stop and refresh thyselves
for season atmy mansion? Thee must be
fatigued p she said, addressing herself to Sir
William Howe and the officers Immediately
about him.
Really, Clinton, think we may as well
accept the good lady's offer for a few moments.
The troops have had hot work so far, and a
general rest will not be amiSs. Madam, we
accept your offer with pleasure, the more so as
it shows YOU to be loyal friend Of his Majes-
ty, whom Inow huuibly represents as command
er.in.chief of his forces in North America
Il am alike the friend Of King George and
Congress-of William Howe and George
Washington 1t becomes me not, q poor,
weak thing of Gods making, to dislike any of
his creatures
Sir William Howe bowed; he was too Po-
lite to argue political matters with the good
QuakereSs. He rode into the park, after COM
mauding general halt of ten minutes for the
rctreshmcnt of the troops, followed by Sir
Henry Clinton, Gen. Knyphausen, commander
of the Hessi.ns, Lord Percy, Gems Leslie and
Grant, and his staff, where they dsmouuted
and followed Mrs. Murray to the mansion.
Reinforcements Of cake, wine and cold
meats were ordered cut upon the lawn in pro-
fusion, of which the officers Partook freely
and tradition says that Sir Henry Clinton, who
was great bon vivant, remarked to his supe-
rior officer in an under-tonc, that if the eel
lars of the mansion contained any large quanti-
ty of such Madeira, he should Ike to be bill
eted there for the campaign
In the meantime Mrs Murray had directed
Cato, the black servant, privately to 80 to the
top of the mansion, and the instant he saw a
body of men pass certain point on the
Bloomingdale Road to give her the mforma-
,tion by signal. may as well remark that
from the hill the road could not be perceived,
but from the cupola of the dwelling it was very
easy seen.
Nearer an hour than the ten minutes Sir
William Howe gave orders for the halt of his
troops had passed away, yet still before the
mansion he fingered with his officers. Mrs.
Murray had not only entertained them with re-
freshments but conversation. The younger
portion of the officers had gathering the fruit
with which the trees were bending, rlpened