The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-27

clOSe tnere, my lduS, III we See Wudt tHeSe
fellows are about"
Meantime the horsemen had gained the
height, and the officer dropping the rein
on the chargers neck. with spy & ASS re-
connoitered the American lines. The
troops closed up their files, and were
either .caressing the noble animals they
rode, adjusting their equipments. or gaz-
ing upon the surrounding scenery, now
fast Frightening in the beams Of the rising
sun.
: Morgan looked at Long, and Long at
his superior, while the rihemen, with pant
ing chests. and sparkling eyes. were only
awaiting some signal from their officers
"to let the ruin fly"
AT length the martial ardor of Morgan
overcame his prudence and sense of mill
tary subordination. Forge.iul OF conse-1
quences, reckless of everything, but his
enemy. now within his grasp, he waved
his hand, and loud and sharp rang the re-
port OF their rifles amid the surrounding
echoes.
AT point blank distance, the certain and
deadly aim OF the Hunting Shirts of the
Revolutionary army is too well known to
history to need remarks at this time of
day. In the instance We have recorded.
the effect oil the fire of the rihemen was
tremendous. Or the horsemen. some had
fallen to rise no more. while their liberat
ed chargers rushed wildly over the adjoin-
ing plain; others. wounded, bu, en,ansled
with their slirrups. were dragged by the
iniuriated animals expiringly along. while
the very few who were unscathed. spnrred
hard to regain the shelter Of the British
lines.
While the smoke yet canopied the scene
OF slaughter, and the picturesque forms OF
the woodsmen appeared amorg the foliage.
as they were reloading their pieces, the
colossal figure Of Morgan stood apart.
He seemed the. very genius of war, and
soomly he contemplated the havoc his
order had made. He spoke not, he NOV
ed not. but looked as one absorbed in the
intensity of thought The martial shout
with which he was wont to cheer his com
rades in the hour of combat. was hushed;
the shell from which he had blown full
many note of battle and OF triumph on
the field of Saratoga, hung by his side; no
order was given to spoil the slain; the
arms and equipments. for which there was
always bounty from Congress, the shirts
of which there were such need. at that.
the sorest period Of our country's priva-
ton, all, all. were abandoned, as, with an
distracted air and a voice struggling for
ulterance. Morgan suddenly turningto his
captain exclaimed, "Loag, to the camp,
TO the camp The favorile captain obey
ed. the rifemen with trailed arms fell into
file, and Long and his party soon disap-
peared. bu, not before the hardy fellows
had exchanged opinions on the strange
termination of the late affair. And they
agreed. mem con-, that their colonel was
tricked, (coniured. } for assuredly after such
a fire as they had given the enemy. such
an emptying of saddles and scattering of
the troopers, he would not have ordered
his poor rifle boys from the field. without
so much as few shirts or pair OF stock
ngs being divided among them. Yes"
said tall, lean aud swarthy looking fell
low, an Indian hunter from the frontier. as
he carefully placed his moccasined feet in
the loot. prints of the file leader, '.Yes. my
lads, it stands to reason our colonel is
tricked."
Morgan followed slowly on the trail Of
guilt had rushed upon his mind. even be-
fore the report Of his rifles had ceased to
echo in the neighborlng forests. He be-
came more convinced Of the enormity Of
his offence, as. with dull and measured
strides, he pursued his solitary way, and
thus soliloquized! m
"Well. Daniel Morgan, you have done
Tor yourself Broke. sir, to the plough;
| your sword will be of no further use to
you. Broken. sir--nothing can save y on;
| and there is the end of Col. Morgan.
| Fool. fool, by single act OF madness
thus to destroy the earnings OF so many
tolls and oimany hard fought battle
| You are broken, sir. and there is an end
of Col. Morgan
To disturb his reverie. there suddenly
appeared at iull speed the -de-camp
the Mercury, Of the field. who, reigning
up. accos,ed the Colonel with. ii am or
dered. Col. Morgan, to ascertain whether
the firing just now heard proceeded from
your detachment?'
]. ..It did. SIR" doggedly replied Morgan
Then Col. Morgan" continued the aid
f..I am further ordered to require of you
your immediate attendance upon His Elk.
cellency, who is fast approaching.
Morgan bowed, and the aid, wheeling
his charger, galloped back to rejoin the
Chief - ~.
The CLEANS of the morning sun, shining
upon the sabres Of the horse guard. an.
nounced the arrival of the dread comman'
der-that being who inspired with de-
gree Of awe every one who approached
him. With stern. yet dignifed compo'
sure. Washington addressed the military
culpri,: 31.s ~;
:Can it be possible, Col. Morgan, tha
my aid-de. camp has informed me Alright
Can it be possible, after the orders yo,
received last evening. that the firing VIZ
J have heard proceeded from your detach
! ment? Surely, sir, my orders were SO ex
piicit as not TO be easily misunderstood.
Morgan was brave, but it has been often
and Justly, too, observed, that man wa
. never born OF woman who could approach
the great Washington, and not feel de
I gree of awe and veneration from his pres
ence. Morgan quailed for moment be
, fore the stern yet just displeasure Of hi
, Chief, till arousing all his energies for tn,