Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-03-11
The MaSOn's Last Request.
A SKETCH OF THE BATTLE-FIELD.
BY EDWARD z. C. JUpsoN.

1t was very hot day in the summer
1873. The British General, Clinton, VII
a formidable army, was Fastening aeros
the sandy plains OF New Jersey to JOIN tn
forces of General Howe, at Sandy Hoot
And Washington, with an army once NOR
regenerated INTO life, determined, it it la
within the bounds Of possibility, to proven
that junction; and, to effect his purpose
sent on large detachment OF light troops
under General Lee, to harass their move
ments and retard their progress until ht
could come up with the main force and ell
feet their capture or destruction.
The British were overtaken by Lee
whom have more than once said, and no"
repeat it, only needed Arnolds temptations
and Arnolds wrongs to have been all OF
more a traitor than was the latter. The
will was in him, but opportunity did moi
serve.
But to return to my story. AS soon as
the American sharp-shooters, in the van OF
Lees division, began to annoy the British,
the latter drew up in order of battle and
prepared for defence. The Americans bold
iy pushed on, and were driving all before
them, when, to their utter astonishmenf,
and to the deep modification OF their gal
liant officers, who were flushed with the
hope of victory almost in their hands,
General Lee ordered retreat.
Shame mantled many brow then and
there and, in spite of discipline, angry
words broke from many a lip; for even
then, as now, the word retreat sounded
strangely, ay, most harshly upon an Amer
lean ear. But the order had been given
by him who had commanded, and he must
be obeyed. But SO angry and unwilling
were those who thus fell back, that they
did not preserve the order which they
would have done had they only been yield
ing to stern necessity.
And the British, overjoyed at victory
easy, were pushing their advantages, as
they ever did, mercilessly; and our brave
men were falling fast before them, when sud
denly dashing forward upon horse, which
was white with foam, rode that matchless
man upon whom nations fate depended.
What means this cowardy retreat !?
Who dared to order it ?" he Numbered.
Il did /" was the angry response of
General Lee.
Rally your men, coward, or 60 hide
your face in shame I" cried Washington,
that day giving full vent to a passion which
hitherto, under all circumstances, he had
managed to control.
Halt, and form'' he cried again, in
voice so loud that it fell alike upon the ears
OF friend and foe.
And, though the bullets fell like hail all
about him, and brave men dropped upon
his right hand and upon his left, he sat IN
moved upon his horse, stsmmed there the
tide Of retreat, and checked the advance of
the triumphant foe.
The carnage was terrible. Bayonet
clashed against bayonet, sabre met sabre,
while the sulphureous smoke almost hid the
combatants from view; and they sprang at
each other like fends, lighted by the flash
es Of cannon and the blaze of musketry.
One gallant officer whose gray hairs had
become tinged with blood, fought directly
under the eyes of Washington, whom he
loved not only as a general, but as brother,
bound by that mysterious and holy tie which
equalizes peasant with prince. BY his
side three sons, of lesser rank, the young
est scarce eighteen years of age, fought all
as bravely as himself.
1t was at the moment when, with Wash
ington at their head, the Americans drove
back the foe at the bayonet's point, that he
whom will call Major Carroll, who was
leading his battalion on, himself on foot
(for two horses had already gone down I'M
der him on that day. and to whom just
alIpIaI 81 f.tI 10
with a heroic gallantry striven to stem the
chan ting tide.
Though wounded and down, the brave
officer still struggled, and drawing pistol,
d'sa''ea man whose bayonet was at his
breast. Major CAROLS sword was raised
above his head but quickly sign, word,
the "widow's son " was safe, for the
sword which would have slain was now
shisld-the foe whose arm had just been
Iaisel was now brother, whose extended
hand was ready to lift him who lay upon
Tie earth in such distress.
But ah fatal pause that generous bo-
som, so full of fraternal love, which did not
forget duty even there, amid the wild car
mage of battle, was pierced by bullet :;
and the brave Carroll sank, dying, by the
side of him who had called for help and had
not been refused.
Washingtons eye was on him-he knew
who and aohat he was. for he had sat with
him in place where light abounded; but
he could not wait-the enemy were flying,
and must be pursued.
"Onl" cried the dying hero to his men.
Forward I" he shouted to his boys. ave
are victorious, and am content?'
The battle was over. The British had
been swept back over the CORY field which
they had taken, and night had drawn its
mantle OYER the horrors which the day ex-
posed.
And by Major CAROLS side knelt the
only one of his race that was left to life
his youngest born. His two oldest sons had
fallen on that dear bought fielI-like him
self contented that they died for their coun-
try, and fell in the hour when victory wa,
theirs.
Father, what can do for your" said
his hfax--f -