Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-05-16

guafu edcIl f0fu-llle cry, ali Wtli, Iut
quick challenge, and the prompt answer;
the tramping Of a returning vidette and
the occasional tapping of a drum in the
guard-room, were heard in our camp. The
British general rejoiced in the belief that
the morning sun would behold him a con-
querer of our leader and ourselves. Sc
cure Of his, prey, the enemy made prepare
rations to attack our camp on the first
blush of morning. The noise Of hammers
THE heavy rumbling of cannon wheels
the clashing of the armorer's hammer, and
the laugh Of the artizan and pioneer, came
over upon the night-wind, and grated
harshly npon our sensitive ears.
An officer, mounted, and wrapped in a
military cloak, was now seen silently APP
preaching the commanders of regiments
in quick succession. He whispered his
orders in low tone-the colonies started
with astonishment, they looked-it was
their general, and they Immediately sent
for their captains. Each officer heard the
new order with establishment, but to hear
was to obey. The captains whispered it
to their orderlies, and in twenty minutes
after it was communicated to commanders
of regiments the whole army stood upon
their feet in battle array. Our tents were
struck, and our baggage wagons were
ready for march.
The scntinels paced their rounds as
though nothing was about to happen. The
laugh of the relieved guard was heard
above the din Of both armies, and "alps
Welln rang above the night
We now stood ready in open column to
march. General Hugh Mercer had com
mand of the van guard, and in few mo-
ments our captains whispered, forward
and be silent" our living mass imme-
diately moved onward, and filed off to-
ward Allentown. Presently we heard the
soos- sy..eA.4, 81 TIA
in our rear, and then our camp, SO quietly
deserted, was lost sight of in the shadow
of the hills.
For upward of two hours we moved on
in comparative silence. Nothing but the
whispers Of the officers, and the heavy
tread Of men was heard. 1t was quite
dark, and every beast seemed to be under
the spell Of mystery. At length noise
was heard ahead, and staff officer galloped
to the rear. As he passed along he said,
in clear voice, the enemy are in sight
In few minutes the voice of the gallant
Mercer was heard loud and distinct, Civ
ing his orders" attention, vanguard,
close order, quick time, march," We
sprang at the word each soldier grasped
his musket with firm grippe and away
we went upon the run.
Three regiments of light-infantry OPP
posed US upon the plain at Maidenhead,
and their drums were beating merrily as
we drew near them-our front now came
upon an open common. We broke into
three columns, and headed by the gallant
Mercer, dashed on. In moments stream
If fire passed along the British line, the
dead and wounded fell around me, and
our columns wavered. At this instant
while General Mercer, with his sword
raised, was encouraging the vanguard to
rush on and secure the victory, bullet
struck him, and he fell from his horse
MORALLY wounded. For a moment only
the battle was against us, but soon the
firm voice of Washington was heard, as
he pressed on to the front. Our musketry
now echoed terribly; the enemy began to
give way; well-directed fire from the
artillery told fearfully upon the small
armed foe, and they were routed. At this
moment'a British soldier clapped his bay
onet to my breast Charles Greedy thurst
it away with his right hand-the soldier
| ired-his musket and the noble-hearted
Greely fell upon my breast. L grasped
his hand-it family returned my pressure
and then he Strengthened himself.upon the
ground, his eyes became fixed, his jaw fell,
and he was dead. / bore him quickly to
wounded cart and FASTENED to my pla-
toon. The enemy were flying toward
Brunswick, and we were masters Of the
field.
On to Princeton" shouted our noble
leader, as he sent his wounded aid to the
rear on litter.
The line moved on in quick time, and
soon we entered the town. Our visit was
as unexpected here as at Trenton. A,por
ton Of the enemy had taken shelter in the
college. Our general, as at Trenton
headed the charge in gallant style, while
the troops, animated by his fearfulness
nobly seconded him. The artillery thun
dered against the garrisoned college, anc
| the muSketry rung wildly from every cor
i ner. Surrounded by a superior force
and not knowing but what CORVALLIS hae
been routed, for they had heard the mid
might cannon at Maidenhead, most of thu
Ienemy surrendered. 4 few, however, es
I, capped by precipitate fight along an IN
Il garded street at the commencement Of til,
attack. In this affair one hundred of tn,
enemy were killed, and three hundred
taken prisoners. Lord Corvallis as b
j lay on his camp bed, was reused by tn
roar of cannon. He started-the SCUM,
came from Princeton he Immediately or
dered his troops under arms, and hasten
ed to the scene Of action. When he al
rived the battle was won, and we were q
) our return march in triumph. AS "
! lcrossed the Milestone river, we were hall
/, ed to destroy the bridge at Kingston,