Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-04

ended in glorious triumph.
Colonel Reed, Colonel Handy and Captain
Forrest, with corps of infantry and few
pieces of artillery, were sent to check Corn
wallis, while Washington arranged a plan of
defence for Assumpnk river. But the British
army urging its way with great impetuOsity, |
Morgan and Miller, with their rifemcn, were
also sent to impede its march; and so close
and CALLING was their fire, that CORVALLIS halt
ed, and ordered up some heavy artillery TO
clear the way. This species of warfare con-
tinued nearly all day, and so stubborn Were
the Americans, that it was sunset before the
royal troops came to the rivers bank. NO
sooner were they within range of knox's ar
tillery, than it opened upon them with great
effect CORVALLIS halted his forces and COM
menced dreadful cannonadc. Evening gath
cred over the armies they stood face to face
upon the banks of that small river, their can
non shaking the earth, while the air was made
lurid by the quick flashes from thousands OF
muskets. Amid the din of battle, CORVALLIS
heard loud cheers and shouts from the Ameri-
can army, and Imagining that it was much
larger than had been reported, he hesltated
and gave orders to delay crossing the river
| until morning. This great military blum
der, but it saved Washington and his little
| band from destruction. Lord Erskine, it is
! said demonstrated with CORVALLIS for delay
| ing the attack until morning, but the Com
mander replied, 50 There will be plenty of
time; we shall certainly catch the old fox in
the morningl' and gave orders that the troops
lie down on their arms, and wait for daylight.
! The firing ceased. The confused sound Of
arms died away, as the camp-frcs OF each army
were lighted, and the weared Britons prepa-
red their evening meal. 1t was cold dismal
winters night, and the soldiers gathered
around their blazing fires, silent and Shyerlng.
But the army of Washington did not rest
Although its fires burned brightly, and a low
murmur came from the camp, Washington was
on the move. He silently assembled the bulk
| of his force, and leaving a small @'tt' ' AT
! TO keep up appearances and delude the enemy ,
| he sped on toward Princeton with all haste
All night long the British pickets heard the
! sound of pickaxes and intrenching toolS, and
they imagined the rebels were throwing up
a field work But il was only fcint; aided
by the starlight which cleaned fitfully upon
the snowy earth, the tired Americans inspired
bv their beloved General, marched steadily to-
wards Princeton. No music cheered them on,
! no loud, thrilling words of command rung
along the lines, and as the troops bravely
breasted the cold night wind, Washington and
, his staff brought up the rear Ever ana anon
the cautions Chief would command halt and
listen to hear if the British were IN pursuit
It was a moment of intense anxiety, but he
who maketh the thunder his artillery, gave
hope and good cheer to every patriot.
The morning of January 81, 1776, was clear
cold and frosty, and it was little after day
light aa the Americans were within u shor
distance from Princeton, that they came sud
denly upon two British regiments marching
towards Corvallis army. Washington at tina
: moment was in front of his column, and he a
once closed up his men and prepared to ente
the battle General Mercer, with about thre
|. hundred and fifty mon, was at that instant ad
vancing by another road directly upon tn
British force. His men were rifemen, ant
did not observe the British until very nea
them, and they had only time to seek shelte
behind rail fence and deliver one volley be
l. fore the enemy came down upon them wit
le the bayonet Being armed only with rifles
i MERGERS men could not hold their grounC
IN and in a few moments broke and fed down
Id small hill, the regulars in hot pursuit. Me-
he GER. deeply mortified at the conduct OF h
is men-though they could not be blamed-ieal
ut ed from his horse and endeavored to stop I'll
at retreat While in the act of waving his swoI
d. and ordering a halt, he received a blow from
he musket that stretched him to the earth
n the morning was cold he wore grey oyercoa
n which, falling opon, disclosed to the Brlti
his generals uniform. He was at once take
en- for General Washington, and the cry went l
N, = The rebel General is taken!'
RS. A furious rush was made around the wou
th ded man. and several soldiers putting the
nd bayonets to his breast, cried out: Call
of quarter YOU id rebel, call for quarter
he But the brave man dsdained to beg for his III
pc He struck at the grenadiers with his swol
to which so exasperuted them that they pinn
vas him to the earth with their payments, and Il
ias him for dead man. He, however, lived
- few days-long enough to say that he did
lor give up his sword-it was taken from him
ce Washington saw the rout of Mercer's rif
ish men. and pushed on with his sturdy contin'
de- tails to the rescue. Col. haywood, who CO
His manded the British forces, met him in gall
her style, and so pressed the Americans that tt
the began to break. This was cillical ihoihe
tir- Washington say that the struggle for Wet
ch had arrived, and galloping up to coior-De
on er. he seized his flag and rode directly
and tween his troops and the enemy, shouting
all his men to charge. The muskets OF each