The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-10-12
From The Wills Valley (Aia.) Post.
Characteristics of Alabama.

@''"' "e teS Fdtey (htd.) f|oSt.
characteristics of Alabama.
DEkALB.-This county, the one in
which this paper is published, lies in the
north east corner Of the State, and is strir
OF territory, embracing three or four val
leys, running from the north west corner
OF Georgia, toward the southwest. some
seventy miles in length, and perhaps fif,
teen in width. The glorious old warrior
from whom it took its name, the Baron
DekaIb, was born in Germany; in III.
LIE served in the French army AZ years,
and la the war between France and Eng
land, was sent by the French Government
to lncte the American colonies to revolt :
and to discover those circumstances ten
ding most to conquest. lie was seized
as spy, while here, and narrowly escap
ed. lie went into Canada, and after its
capture by the British, returned to France.
In l177 he came back to the United
States, offered his services, and was soon
after made major General. When Sir
Henry Clinton organized his expedition,
for the capture Of Charleston, South Caro-
lima, he led the Delaware and MARYLAND
troops to the protection Of South Carolina.
General Lincoln being made prisoner, the
whole Southern army came under the
command of Dekalb, till appointment of
General Gates. On the 18th of August.
1878, battle was fought near Camden,
between Gates and Lord Raw,ion in
which Dekalb commanded the right wing.
In this battle DeKalb fought, with great
gallantry on foot, covered with wounds
When Marion and Horry were ,ntroduc-
ed to him, just before this event, he ap-
pearcd Old, but still Of fine comple1iou.-
"lIis person, says Weems, "was large and
manly, above the common size, with
great nerve and activity while his fine
blue eyes, expressed the mild radience Of
intelligence and goodness. At this time
he WAS sixty-onc years Of age, and had
father and mother living. Of whom he
gave the following account -
"rhe very christmas before sailed for
America, went to see him. 1t was three
hundred miles, at least, from Paris. On
arriving at the house, found my dear oil
mother at her wheel, in her eighty third
year, mind, gentlemen. spinning very gaily,
while ono Of her great grand daughters
carded the wool and sang hymn for her.
Soon as the first transports of meeting
were over, eagerly asked for my father.
DO not he uneasy, my son. said she, 'your
father is only gone to the woods, with his
three little great-grand-chldren, to cut
some fuel for the fire, and they will all be
here presently, I'll be bound = And so
it proved for in a very short time heard
them coming along. My father was the
foremost, with his axe under his arm, and
stout billet on his shoulder and the
children, each with his little load, stagcer-
ing along, and prattling to my father with
al! their might. Be assured, gentlemen,
that this was a most delicious moment to
me. Thus, after long absence, to meet
beloved father, not only alive, but in
health and dear domestic happiness above
the lot Of kings; also, TO see the two ex-
tremes Of human life, youth and age, thus
sweetly meeting and mingling in that cor
dial love that turns the cottage into par
adise."
Just be fore the battle he took leave of
Marion and Horny, and the following is
the touching account of that interview and
bis dealt,
Immediately on receiving orders we
waited on the good old DeKalb, to take
leave ; and also to assure him Of our deep
regret at parting with him.
1T is with equal regret, my dear SIR
said he, that / part with you, because
feel prcsentiment that we part to meet
no more
We told him we hoped better things.
Oh, nor replied he, it Is impossible
War Is kind Of game, and has its fired
rules, whcreby,wben we are well acauaint.
ed with them, we can pretty correctly tell
how the trial will go. Tomorrow, |. seems,
the die is to be cast. and in my judgment,
without the least chance on our side
The militia will. suppose, as usual, play
the back game, that Is, get out Of the
scrape as fast as their legs can carry them.
But that, you know, won't do for me. /
am an old soldier, and cannot run and |
believe have with me some brave fellows,
who will stand with me to the last. So
that when you hear Of our battle, you will
| probably hear that your old friend DE
Kalb Is at rest"
I do not know that ! was ever more af.
fected 10 my lie. looked at Marion and
saw thatbis eyes were watery. DeKalb
saw Il too, and taking Us by The hand
with a firm tone, and animsted look, said