The Placer herald., 1856-05-31
NUMBER 38.

w naC WIN Inc greatness OF tnc stake, the
darkness of the night, the uncertainty of the
design, and the extreme hazard of the issue, y
adds the same writer, sit would be difficult
to conceive a more deeply solemn and inter
estng scene"
The meaning OF this midnight gun was never
ascertained; fortunately, though it startled
the Americans, it failed to rouse the British
camp.
In the meantime the embarkation went on
with all possible dispatch under the vigilant
eye of Washington, who stationed himself at
the ferry experimenting every movement. In
his anxiety for Dispatch he sent back COL
Scanned, one of his ads-de-camp to hasten
forward all the troops that were on the march
Scanned blundered in executing his errand,
and gave the order to Miff1in likewise The
general instantly called in his pickets and
sentnes, and set off for the ferry.
BY this time the tide had turned; there
was strong wind from the northeast; the
boats with oars We're insufficient to convey
the troops; those with sails could not make
headway against wind and tide. There was
some confusion at the ferry, and in the midst
of it Gen. Mitflin came down with the whole
covering party, adding to the embarrassment
and uproar.
"Good God! Gen. Mit1in" cried Washing
ton, 81 am afraid YOU have ruined us by so
unseasonaby Withdrawing the troops from
the lines"
81 did so by your order, replied Miffln,
with some warmth. at cannot be. ''exclaim-
ed Washington. "By c., did" was the
| blunt reloinder. "Did Scanned act as aid
de-camp for the day, or did he not!" "He
did" ""1hen said Mifllin, 81 had orders through
him" ut is a dreadful mistake" rejoined
Washington "and, unless the troop: can re-
gain the lines before their absence is dscov-
cred by the enemy, the most disastrous con-
sequences are to be apprehended." I.
Mtilin led bacl, his men to the lines, which
had been completely deserted for three quar-
ters of an hour. Fortunately, the dense fog
had prevented the enemy from discovering
that they were unoccupied. The men resumed
their former posts, and remained at them un-
til called to cross the ferry Whoever has
troops in similar situation," writes Gen.
Heath, cor duly contempatas the human
heart in such trials, will know how TO appre.
ciate the conduct of these brave men on this
occasion"
The fog which prevailed all this time seem
ed almost proyidential. While it hung over
Long Island, and concealed the movement of
the Americans, the atmosphere was clear on
the New York side of the river. The adverse
wind, too, died away; the river became so
smooth that the row-boats could be laddened
almost so the gunwale, and favoring breeze
sprang up for the sail-boats. The whole en-
harkation Of troops, artillery, ammunition,pro-
vicone flo borcau op1 rto bor,>,1,,
effected and, by day-break, the greater part
aid of Glover's Marblehead men. Scarce
anything was abandoned to the enemy, ex-
cepting a few heavy pieces of artillery. At
proper time Mtilin, with covering party,
left the lines, and effected a silent retreat to
the ferry. Washington, though repeatedly
entreated, refused to enter boat until all
the troops were embarked, and crossed the
river with the last.
SLAVERY AeIrATIoN.-One of the honest All
olitionists writes from Lawrence, Kansas, to
the N. Y. Times, saying;
"Iou mast keep up the Kansas ercitement
1t is the only element of success for the Re-
publican party in the coming Presidential
contest"
This gentleman don't seem to be much
alarmed at the bug bear of border rut1iansm
lie is perfectly willing to let confusion reign,
if political capital can be made oft. 1t only
confirms what recent facts disclose, that the
excitement in the territory of Kansas, of
which so much has been said was in great
measure manufactured on paper for political
effect. Nepada Democrat.
CRY MoRTALITY-W record the deaths
of five of our citizens during the past week
from typhoid fever. This fatal epidemic
seems to prevail with the cold rainy season.
Since the commencement of the present dry
spell it has preeeptby abated. We hear of
no new cases. and many who have been
suffering with it are convaescing.-Ib.
TREATMENT OF SCARLET FEvER.--As the
scarlet fever is very prevalent at present it
may be Of great benefit to many persons to
publish two simple methods of treatment for
the disease, in its earlier stage. The one is
to rub the entire body of the sick with soft
lubricating substance-a piece of fat pork
has been used for this purpose 1t is stated
that it sottens the skin opens its pores and
produces soothing influence on the patient.
The other plan is to desolve some saleratus
in warm water, about one-fourth Of an ounce
to the quart, and bathe the patients body
with this at milk heat. A soft sponge is
employed in bathing the body, and soft
towel used for drying. This operation should
be done rapidly in comfortably warm apart
ment, and the patient placed in bed as soon
as possible afterwards.
The alkaline solution, it is stated removes
scurf from the skin, and softens it, and pro-
notes perspraton. Both methods, to our
knowledge, have been tried with good results
but we do not present them as substitutes for
any method Of treatment practiced by physi-