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

vision were levclcd, and the general was be-
tween them.
$ Escape seemed impossible. Col. Fitzgerald,
Washington's Camp, who was just
outside the line of fire, dropped his rcins, and
drew his hat over his face that he might not
witness the death of his commander. Again
Washington waved the standard, and gave the
charging word. A of musketry ensueu
from both armies, and the Americans, rush
ing forward, swept past their General, burst
the British ranks and forced them back scat
tered and broken, while cheer OF triumph
rent the air. But another British regiment,
firm and unbroken, appeared like living
wall. and again the Continentas, with Wash
ington at their head, dashed into the volcano
of flame and smoke, and again was the field
swept as with tornado
Col. Fitzgerald galloped to the side OF ms
commander, and grasping the CHIEFS hand,
said, while his eyes streamed with tears
Thank God, your Excellency is safe p
Washington, ever calm, returned the friend
ly grasp, and answered. Away, my dear Col.
and bring up the troops-the day is won =
This was one of the first instances, if we re-
fully drove back the British at the bayonet's
point; and Washington, speaking Of the cir
cumstance afterwards, commended the troops
in high terms.
| The British lost about two hundred men in
the contest, and the disorganized troops fled
in double-quick time towards Trenton, to JOIN
CORVALLIS. The Americans hurried on VIC
toriously to Princeton, and soon met another
body of Britons, the fifty fifth regiment, whom
/ they defeated after a brief conflict. Another
body of the enemy took refuage in the Col
| Iege Building, but a few pieces of cannon be-
ing brought to bear upon the cdiice, the men
| surrendered.
! The battle of Princeton was very severe,
perhaps, for the number engaged, The most
bravely contested fight in the whole war; and
it proved to the enemy that Washington's
men could stand the g cold steel'' and use II
also, with deadly effect. The British loss was
| three hundred killed, wounded and prisoners.
| The Americans had about one hundred men
| killed and wounded, besides several eminent
! officers, among them the gallant General Mer-
| Ger.
This battle being over, Washington called a
council of war. a hurried council, for Cornwall
lis angry and mortified was close at hand, and
it was concluded to push on to Morristown-
| Accordingly the tired army was put in motion
nor did they halt until the broken bridge al
Kingston was left to impede the British army
Resting a short time, the American force;
marched to Morristown and went into winter
quarters.
Early on the morning of the battle, Corn
wallis prepared to cross the river. As he wa
accommodating the American camp, dul
heavy sound echoed upon the frosty air.
came from the direction of Princeton. The!
listened, again
That heavy sound breaks in once more
As if the clouds its echoes would repeat
And nearer clearer, deadlicr than before
t told the astonished Britons that Washington
: was fighting the royal troops at Princeton
: :. To arms = shouted the English General
t Washington is at Princeton Let us fly t
t the rescuer = But it was too late. The vic
+ tory was fought and won and when the Brit
c ish army entered Princeton not an America
: was to be seen. The snow all trampled an
c dved with blood, the earth strewed with dea
and wounded men, the sulphurOuS clouds ye
r lingering in the air, told dreadful struggle
r but the old fox was far away.