Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-01-24


and held short consultation; and then re-
solved. gith one accord, to throw themsel-
YES in an overwhelming charge upon the
English army, and rolling it back on itself,
by a sacrifice as great as it was glorious, Sc
cure few hours of safety to those they
were protecting. This noble devotion was
spared such a trial; the fires were indeed
those kindled by Green's soldiers, but the
tired columns had departed, and stagger-
ing for want of repose and food, were now
stretching forward through the midnight,
miles in advance.
CORVALLIS, when he arrived at the smeul-
dering camp fires, believing himself almost
up with Green, and allowing his troops but
a few moments to repose, marched all night
long. In the morning, this van was close
upon the rear of that firm guard. Now
came the last prodigious effort of the Brit
ish commander; that the rear guard must
fall, and with it Green, or all his labor and
sacrifice would be vain. On the banks of
the Dan he had resolved to bury the Amer
lean army-and if human effort and human
energy could effect it, it should be done.
lis lis steady columns closed more threat
ningly and rapidly on the guard, pushing
it ficrcely before them, and scorning all
manner of success, pressed forward TO the
greatest prize. Still, Lees intrepid legion,
and Washington's fearless horsemen, hung
black and wrathfully around their path,
striving desperately, but in vain, to check
their rapid advance. On, on, like racers
approaching the goal, they swept over the
open country, driving everything before
them.
But at noon, single horseman was seen
coming in swift gallop up the road along
which Green had lately passed. Every eye
watched him as he approached, and as he
reined his painting stced up beside the Off
Ger of the exhausted. but still resolute band,
and exclaimed" THE army IS ocer tie
rirer!'-a loud huzza rent the air
The main portion ofthe guard was now last
ly dispatched by the shortest rout in the fer
ry, while Lee still hOvercd with his legion
in front Of CORVALLIS. AS the former ap-
preached the river, they saw Green wan
and haggard, standing on the shore and
gazing anxiously up the road by which
they were expected to appear. His army
was over, but he had staid behind to learn
the fate of that noble guard, and if necessa-
ry to fly to its relief. His eye lighted with
exultation, as he saw the column rush for
ward to the river with shouts which echoed
in deafening accents from the opposite
shore. 1t was now dark, and the troops
crowded with the utmost despatch into the
boats, and fastened over. Scarcely were
they landed, when the ground shook be
meath the heavy tramp of Lees legion, as
it came laundering on towards the ferry
The next moment, the shores rung with
the clatter of armor, rs the bold riders
dismounted, and leaped into the boats
ready to receive them, and the black mass
disappeared in the gloom.
In a few moments, lights dancing on the
further shore told of their safe arrival-and
shout that made the welkin ring went up
from the American camp. Lee was the
las. ,ns;n that embarked; he would not stll
mill his brav,, Dragons were all safe; and
=. ;, o boat that horo b,,., touched the shore
the tread of the British van ccno.,. aioh9
the banks he had just left. The pur-
suing column closed rapidly in towards The
river, but the prey they thought within their
grasp had escaped. Not boat was left be-
hind, and CORVALLIS saw, with the deepest
anguish, a deep, broad riverrolling between
him and his foe. 1t was Il bitter dissap.
pointment; his baggage had all been des
troyed in vain, and this terrible march o
two hundred and fifty miles made only t
be retraccd.
But no pen can describe the joy and ex
ultation that reigned in the American cam
that night. The army received that gallan
rear guard with open arms, and halle / thcn
as their deliverers. Forgot was all thei
lacerated feet, stifiened limbs, and empt'
stomachs, and scanty clothing, and ever
the wintry winds swept by unhccdcd, il
the JOY Of their escape. Together they sa
down and recountcd their tolls, and askc,
each of the other his pcrils and hardship
by the way. Laughing and mirth, an
songs, and all the reckless gaicty of tn
camp, from which restraint is taken, mad
the shore echo But it was with s;earne
pleasure Green contemplated his escape
and as he looked at the majestic river roll
ing its broad, deep current onward in tn
, starlight, mountain seemed to lift fror
his heart He listened To the boisterou
mirth about him ONLY To rejoice that SO man