The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-12-26

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' secure few hours of safety to thos
they were protesting. This noble de
votion was spared such trial, the fire
! were indeed those kindled BY Greeua
soldiers, but the tired column had de
parted. aid staggering for want of re-
pose and food, were now stretching faf
ward through the midnight, miles in ad
vance. 2. 1et =
| CORVALLIS, when he arrived at the
smouldering campfres, believed himself
almost upon Green, and allowing hiI
troops but few moments to repose.
marched all night long. In the morn.
ing, this van was closed upon the real
of that firm guard. Now came the lasl
prodigious effort of the British com
mander; and the rsar-guard must fall,
and with it, Green, or his labor and sac
Eri6ce would be. in vain. On the banks
of the Dan he had resolved to bury the
American army-and if human energy
could effect it, it, should be dones His
steady columns closed more threStnine.
ly and rapid on the guard, pushing 81
fercely before .them,, and scorning ~
manner of success, pressed forward e
TIE greatest prize. Still Lees intrepid
legion and Washi6gton's fearless horse
men, hung black and wratbful around
their path, striving desperately but 10
vain, TO check their rapid advance. On,
on, like racers approaching the goal.
they swept over the open country, dfis
wing everything before. them 49, s.,
But at noon a.single herseman MsS
seen coming in a swift gallop up the road
along which Green had lately passed,
Every eye watched him as he approach:
| ed, and as be reined up bis painting steed
beside the officer of the exhausted bud
still sresolutei band, and exclaimed 2
The arzasfis ooey the River tn a loud
huzza rent the. air.
The, -main portion of the guard was
now hastily dispatched by the shortesi
route to the ferry, while Lee still AoHs
cred with his legion in front of Corn
wallis. AS the former approached Cid
river they saw Green, wan and haggard
st&ddipg on the shore and gazing anxs
iously up the road by which they wsrf
expected to appear. His army was ogef
but he had staid behind to learn the fat1
of that noble guard, and, if necessary
to fly to its relief. His eye lighted with
exultation as he saw the column rush
forward to the river, with shouts which
echoed in deafening accents from the op-
posite shore. It was now dark, and the
troops were crowded nth the utmost dis
patch into, boats and hastened over.
Scarcely were they landed when the
ground shook beneath the heavy tramp
of Lees legion. as it came laundering
on towards the ferry. The next moment
the shores 1ung with the clatter of ar
NOR, as the bold riders dismouuted, and
leaped into the boats ready to receive
them. The horses were pushed into the
water after them, and the black mass,
disappeared in the gloom. In few
moments, lights danced on the further
shore told their safe arrival-and shout
that made the welkin ring went up from
the American camp. Lee was the last
man that embarked; he would not stir
till his brave dragons were all safe;
and as the boat that bore him touched
the shore, the tread of the British van
echoed along the banks he had just left.
The pursuing columns closed rapidly
in towards the river, but the prey they
thought within their grasp had escaped.
Not boat was left behind-and Corn
wallis. saw with the deepest anguish,
deep broad river rolling between him
and his foe, It was a bitter disappoint-
ment. His baggage had all been de-
stroyed in vain, and this terrible march
of two hundred and fifty miles made on.
IL to be retraced
But no pen can describe the joy and
exultation that reigned in the American
camp that night. The army received
that gallant rear-guard with open arms,
and hailed them as their deliverers.
Forgot was all their lacerated feet, stiff
fened limbs, and empty stomachs. and
scanty clothing; and even the wintry
winds swept by upheeded, in the joy Of
their escape. Together they sat down
and recounted their tolls and asked each
of the other, his perils and hardships
by the way. Laughing and mirth and
songs, and all the reckless gayety of the
camp, from which restraint is taken,
made the shores echo. But it was with
sterner pleasure Green contemplated his
escapes, and he looked at the majestic
river rolling its broad current on in the
starlight, mountain seemed to lift from
his heart. He listened to the bolster
GUS mirth about him only torejoice that
so many brave fellows had been snatched
from the enemy then turned to his tent
to ponder on his position, and resolve
what to donext. esries
Yhus ended this glorious retreat. 1t
had been conducted for two hundred and
fifty miles, through countrp not fur
nishing defie in which stand can be
made. Three large rivers had been