Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-08-20
An Original Sturg.
a ROMA NJ CE
ny JAMEs MONTGOMERY.
CHAPTER x.

Among the hills Of the Brandywine the
thunder of cannon, the roll of drums, and the
clang Of arms is heard. Armed hosts are rush
ing to the conilict-oflicers in blue coats on
the North, and officers in red coats on the
South side of the Brandywine, are riding from
one division to another distributing orders and
placing regiments in position. The young and
gallant Lafayette has enlisted in the American
cause, and for the first time, drawn his sword
in the cause of freedom. The British have
determined to march to Philadelphia, and for
that purpose have arrived at Chadd's Ford,
and there to find an opposition in the shape OF
the American army under General Washing
ton.
1t would be needless to say that Joshua
,saade his escape from the British camp at
Flltton. by means of the pass word that had
been ,;ven him by the drunken soldier, and
that he had tr 'veled day and night until he
had found Washin. ~ton and impaired to him
the whole DESIGN of Gen, ,sral Howe.
Washington, upon receiving TINS iniorha-
tion, determined to impede his progress Us
much as possible, and accordingly .'ao mus
tered his whole available army and met nm
at the Brandywine. This was to be the grea.
test of superiority and bravery. Upon this
contest depended the capability of the patriots
20 hold possession of Philadelphia. The eyes
Of the whole country were anxiously watching
this battle--it seemed as though the destiny
of the nation depended upon the result of this
contest.
Our young hero had resumed the uniform
of the army and was conversing with Wash
ton receiving his orders and conveying them
to their various destinations As the battle
waxed warmer he might have been seen in the
the thickest of the fight encouraging, with his
presence, the patriot forces as they commended
with the hreling Hessan, or stood the sturdy
British charge.
Washington, anxious for the safety of the
young Quaker, had frequently warned him OF
his rashness but still unscathed, lie was seen
amid the iron storm transmitting the orders
of his superior.
1t was not until late in the day, when the
enemy had crossed the Brandywine, at a dis
tance up the stream, and attacked the Amerl-
cans in the rear, completely out-hanking them.
Lafayette had fallen wounded and been borne
from the field of carnage and, in fact, the
army, by the order of Washington, was re-
treating towards Philadelphia. Joshua had
observed gallant soldier fall wounded
towards the close of the fight and had ordered
him to be placed beneath large oak tree, to
have his wounds dressed and properly cared for.
Although the enemy had got pretty much
possible to have him placed beyond the reach
of the enemy. With this intention he took
with him trusty soldier, and regardless OF
consequences, flew to the assistance of the gal
liant youth whom he placed under the care
of the surgeon, TO have his wounds dressed.
Small parties of the enemy were to be seen
searching the dead and wounded, and to take
what few valuables they had concealed about
them, while others We're engaged in getting
the cannon and munitions across the stream.
By far the larger portion of the army had
pushed on in pursuit of the Americans, who
were retreating towards Chester. Joshua found
the young soldiers wounds dressed, but he
was deserted by the surgeon, who had prom
offered to have him removed to place O
safety. He had arrived at this point unob
served by the enemy, and taking the young
man in his arms, placed him in the saddle O
his own horse, and was just in the act o
springing behind him to help balance him