American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-21
H.voitrt.ouary ,uclde,,.

, revolutionary tncicicn,s
The hero Of the following thrilling
story was embodied in The person of IA
stbut blacksmith, aye, an humble
blacksmith, but in his stout frame har-
dened with toll, throbbed as generous
an impulse of freedom, as ever beat in
the bosom of Lafayette, or around the
heart of mad Anthony Wayne.
/ 1t was in full tide cf the retreat that
a follower of the American camp, who
had ut least shouldered u cart whip in
his country's service, was dragging
baggage wagon from the field of battle
while some short distance behind, Il
body of contincntals we're pushing for.
ward with body Of British in pursuit.
The wagon had arrived at narrow
point of the by-road leading to the
South, where two high banks of rocks
and crags, arising on either side, af-
torded just space sufficient for the pas
sage of the baggage wagons, and not
an inch more.
Ills eyes were arrested by the sight
OF stout muscular man, apparently
some forty years Of age, extended at
the foot OF a tree at the very opening
OF the pass. He was clad in the coarse
attire of q mechanic. His coat had
been flung aside, and with his shirt
sleeves rolled up from his muscular
arm, he lay extended on the turf with
his rifle in his grasp, while tie blood
poured in a torrent from his right leg
which was broken at the knee by can
non ball.
The wngoner's sympathics were ar
( rested at the sight. He would have
! paused III the very instance of his flight
and placed the wounded blacksmith in
/ lis wagon, but the stout hearted man
refused.
III not so into yout'wagon, said he
IN his rough way, but II tell you what
will do. Do you see yondcr cherry
tree on the top Of that rock that hangs
over the road! DO you think you can
lift man Of my build up there? For
you see, neighbor, he continued, while
the blood flowed down from his wound,
4 never meddlod with the Britishcrs
s until they came trampling over this
valley, and burned my house down.
And now I'm ali ridlled to pieces, ana
halnt got more than fifteen minutes in
me; / We got three balls in my cartridge
box and so ust. prop me up against
that tree, and I'll give the whole three
shots, and then, exclaimed the black
smith, III die. ...........
/ The WAGNER started his horses n
head, and then with sudden effort drag.
gPd the wounded man nlong the sod to
the foot Of the tree. His face was to
the advancing troops, and while his
shattered leg hung over the bank, the
wagner rushed on his way, when the
doomed blacksmith proceeded coolIy to
load his rife. ..
Itw not long before D body of 4
merlcan soldiers rushed by with the
British in pursuit The blacksmith
greeted them with shout; and raising
his rifle to his shoulder lie picked the
foremost from his spirited steed with
the eXclamation:
That's for General Washington.
In moment the rifle was reloaded.
and again it vas fired and the pursu-
ing British rode over another Of their
fallen officers.
That's for myself, cried the black
smith, and then with a hand strong
With the feeling Of approaching death,
! again loaded, raised his rife, fred his
last shot, and anbthers soldier kissed the
soil! A tear quivcred in the eve of
the dying blacksmith.
'And that, he said with husky
voice, which strengthened almost into
shout is for Anthony Wayne
Long after the battle of the Bran.
dywine was past, the body was discov-
cred against the tree, with the features
frozen in death smiling grimly, while
his right hand still graSped the never
failing rifle.
And thus died one of the thonsand
brave mechanic heroes Of the Rcvolu-
ton; brave in The hour of battle, un-
daunted in the hour Of retreat, and un-
dismaycd in the hour of death.
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