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


enemy's lines. They came<np immedi.
by the brushwood. There they halted {,
and gathered together like a flock OF part
ridges, affording me so tempting an oppor
tunity of annoying my enemy. and. may
it please your excellency, flesh and blood
could not refrain.
At this rough, yet frank, bold and manly
explanation. smile was observed TO pc IS
over the Generals suit. The Chief re-
manned unmoved; when. waving his hand
he continued: Colonel Morgan you will
retire to your quarters, there TO await fur
ther orders"
Arrived at his quarters. Morgan threw
himself upon his hard couch. and gave
himself up TO reflections upon the events
which had so lately and rapidly succeeded
each other. lie was aware he had snned
against all hopes of torgivness. Within
twenty four hours he had iall.n from the
command of IL regiment. aud being an
especial tavorite with his General to be,
what!-a disgraced and broken soldier,
Condemned 10 retire from the scenes OF
glory. the darling passion OF his heart
torever,o abandon the fair fields OF fight.
ing men, and in ohscuritv to drag out
the remnant of wretched existence.
neglected and forgotten. And then his
rank. so hardly and se nobly won. with
all his "blushing honors." acquired in the
march across the frozen wilderness Of thr
Kennebec. the storming Of the Lower
Town. and the gallant and glorious com.
bat at Saratoga
The hours dragged gloomly away. and
night came, and with it no rest for the
troubled spirit of poor Morgan. The
drums and flies merrly sounded the sol
dier's dawn, and the sun arose, giving
"promise of goodly day" And to
many within the circuit of this widely eX-
tended camp, did his genial beam give
hope. and Joy, and gladness, while it cheer
ed not with single ray the despairing
Leader Of the Woodsmen.
About ten O'Clock, the Orderly on duty
reported the arrival of an officer Of the
staff from head quarters, and Lieutenant
Colonel Hamilton. the favorite aid of the
Commander in- Chief. entered the marque
t"Be seated" said Morgan; "l know
your errand. so be short. my dear fellow.
and pu, me out of my misery at once.
know that ! am arrested, Ills matter ol
course. Wellsssthere is my sword; but
surely his Excellepcy honors me indeed,
in these last moments Of my military ex-
istence, when he sends for my sword by
his favorite aid. and my most esteemed
friend All, my dear Hamilton. if you
knew what | have suffered since the ac.
cursed horse came out TO tempt me to my
ruin"
Hamilton. about whose strikingly intel.
ligent coun&nance there always lurked
a playful, smile. now observed. "Col. Nor
gan. his Excellency has ordered me to-
IL know it," interrupted Morgan. ito
bid me prepare for trial; but, pshaw. why
a trial! Guilty. sir, guilty, past all doubt
But then, recolIecting himself. perhaps
my services might plead = nonsense-
against the disobedience OF positive or
der; no. no. it's all over with me. Ham
illon, there is an end to your old friend
Col. Morgan
The agonized spirit Of the hero then
mounted to pitch of enthusiasm. as be
exclaimed. But my country viii remem.
ber my services. and the British and Hes
slams will remember me; for though ! may
be far away my brave comrades will dc
their duty: aud Morgan's rifemen will be
as they always have been. a terror to the
enemy"
| The noble. the generous souled tlamil
ton. could no longer bear to witness th'
struggles OF the brave unforiunate; hs
called out. ..H"ar. me. my dear Colonel
only promise TO hear me tor one moment
and will tell you ALL
..Go on. sir" interrupted Morgan. de
spairingly. "go on ,"
.srhen," continued the aid de. camp
l"you must know that the commanders o
regiments dine with his Excellency TO
day"
..What Of ihat?" again interrupted Nor
gan; ..what has that to DO with me pris
oner and
mo. no." exclaimed Hamilton; ''n
prisoner-a once offending. but now
forgiven soldier; my orders are to invit
you to dine with his Excellency to-day, a
three o'clock precisely; yes, my brave ant
good friend, Col. Morgan. you still are
and likely long to be the valued and fame
commander OF the Regiment
Morgan sprang from his camp-bed, upo
which he was sitting, and seizing the han
of the great little man in his giant grasp
wrung and wrung it, till the cid de-cam
literally struggled to get free, then exclaim
ed: IAN | in my senses? but know you
Hamilton-you are too noble a fellow t
sport with the feelings OF an old brothe
soldier"
|
! Hamilton assured his friend that all wa
true, and gaily kissing his hand, as h
mounted his horse, bidding the now de
lighted Colonel remember three O'Clock
and be careful not to disobey secon
time, galloped to head quarters.
i Morgan entered the pavilion OF th
Commander-in-Ch Chief, as it was filling wit
officers, all of whom, after paying the
respects to the General, filed off to give
, cordial squeeze OF the hand to the Con
mander of the Rifle Regiment. and I
, whisper in his ear words Of congratuls
, ton. The cloth removed, Washingto
bid his guests fill their glasses, and CAV
his only toast of the days Of trial, the toa'
OF the evening of his ''time honored'' Iii
, amid the shades of Mount Vernon. "a
, our Friends Then. with his usual Ole