Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-05-16
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY Is. 1856. !,

ton. I was with Washington. No one
in the ranks knew where he was to go
all was mystery; until we wheeled down
the steep bank of the Delaware.
i Onward" was the word. Gross the
river" Numbered along the line, and our
freezing legions moved on. Who shall
describe the pains and the perils of that
terrible march? Who shall reward the
noble spirits, who, trusting in their illus
trious leader, moved onward, amid famine,
nakedness, and hewinter's storm? Sure
ly at this day generous nation will not
let the poor, old vetran die who had his
scars-but no certifcate--to testify to the
glory of that night-better feed an impos
ter than starve hero.
But to my .tale.-Upon high bank
/ Washington, and Knox, and few staff
officers, wrapped in scanty military cloaks
sat upon their shivering chargers and
awaited the progress of the broken line.
We moved On-same on cakes of ice
some, on RATS with the artIlery-and
some in little boats. Dark reigned the
night around-the wild blast from the hills
swept down the roaring stream-the wa
ter froze to our tattered clothes, and our
feet were blstered and peeled by tread
ing upon the icy way. The snow, like
feathers borne upon gale, whirled around
us-the dark waters yawned fearfully be-
fore us-at every step we were in danger.
Now precipitated into the stream, and
now forced to climb the rugged sides Of
the drift-ice, still we advanced. At length
the cannon and tumbrils were landed,
and the last soldier stood upon the oppo
site shore.
Shivering with cold, and pale with hum
ger and fatigue, our column formed and
waited for the word Washington and
his staff were at hand. Briskly, men,
briskly," said he, as he rode at the head
Of tl,o lirre, r,sad. has- tho oap.eis.s ,e..e-
the word from company to company, and
the army marched on in silence. A Sc
cret movement of an army at night keeps
the drowsy awake, and the hungry from
complaining. Man is an inquisitive ami
NAL, and the only way to make him per-
form apparent impossbilties, is to lead
him after he knows. not what. Columbus
discovered America in cruize after Sol
omon's gold mine, and the vast. field Of
chemistry was laid open to human ken, in
search for the elixir Of life, and the phi
losopher's stone.
All night our troops moved down the
west bank of the river, and as the morn
ling spread her grey mantle over the east
ern hills.sw reached Trenton.
j The Hessians, under Rawle slept. No
one feared Washington,- and the nous
tached soldier dreamed of the Rhine and
the Elbe and the captain slept careless at
his inn. But suddenly the cry was raised
-" He comes he comes" Our frosty
drums beat the charge; the shrill flies
mingled in with a merry strain; and our
| hungry army, with bare feet entered the
city. Like the Scandinavian horde-in
! impetuosity and necessity -before the
eternal city we rushed in the streets, and at
tackled the surprised enemy at every turn.
The startled foe endeavored to defend
themselves; but, before any body of them
could collect a charge of our infantry cut
them to pieces. Their colors were abso-
/ lutely hacked off their standard-staff, while
they advanced in line, by sergeant's
sword, and their officers were cut down or
taken prisoners. Our victory was COM
plete. One thousand men were killed
and made prisoners, and the artillery con-
sisting of nine pieces, was captured. Such
was the effect of the Battle of Trenton
upon the enemy; but to US the consequent
ces were the reverse. Our hungry men
were fed, our naked were clothed, the rank
and file were armed, and the officers pro-
NOTED.
The same evening we re-crossed the riv-
er, but it was not the terrible stream of
the previous night. The footprints of
boots and shoes were left on our trail, and
the drums beat a merry call. while the bu-
giles answered sweet and clear.
i In few hours the Hessian tents shroud-
ed the captors on the site Of our old en-
campment; and Rawle's officers had the
i pleasure of drinking their oav7 aosae IN
their oscn tents. with General Washington,
and his subalterns, as prisoners Of war
| So we'll planned was this attack that we
lost but nine men, and two of them were
frozen to death after being wounded.
On the goth of December, 1776, we
: again crossed the Delaware, and at /, P
NJ, our eagles doated over Trenton
j The merry Christmas" Of our evening
: party astonished and aroused the kings
! generals. Lord CORVALLIS fastened te
2 form junction with General Grant al
: Princeton; and on the I'd of January, TIT
the British army marched against Iren
. ton.
e. 1t was latein the afternoon when tht
! advance guard Of the enemy appeared II
pI sight, their red coats forming a striking
/; contrast with the winters snow. Oul
r drums now beat to arms, and Genera
y Washington, with 5000 of US, crossed til,
riyulet Assumpinck. and took post upoI
Z the high ground facing the riynlet, a
$ heavy cannonade speedily commenced
land when night came on, both armies ha.
: q breathing spell.
vi Fresh food was now piled upon th
(, camp-6res the sentinels were posted il
/ advance small parties were stationed t