Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-14

horse rode up 10 the American Tines, where he
was hailed BY the sonifios, and 10 whom he
made known that he had something Of the
most vital importance 10 communicate 10 the
l6eneral His invincible pertinacity finally
procured him the coveted audience with the
commander in chief Of the American forces,
and tail Malachi placed the documents he had
procured with 80 much trouble ia his hands
Washington saw at a glance that, had the plans
they divulged been carried out, the American
army would have been placed in great peril IL
not utterly annihilatel. OF his masters share
in the Transaction, NJ ilaehi DOolittle said moth
| ing, for he was too much in love with Mary to
betray her father, but all other questions he
answered with promptness that proved he had
q large share Of good sense 10 make up ior his
uncouth appearance.
And you wish to serve in the army, said
| Washington kindly.
| "Sucb s my intention, your excellency, If
| you think my service worthy of regard"
1--WE are always glad to receive suoh good re.
eruits in the cause Of freedom az thou ART. -
The service thou hast rendered is a great one
to the American cause. Captain Doolittle, al
low me TO congratulate you for such is the
commission YOU hold henceforth in the cont
mental army"
The heart Of the new made officer was too
full to express his thanks; but he resolved 10
prove by deeds, aud not by words, that he was
wothy Of WashingtOns consideralion The
commander in chief saw that some immediate
steps must be taken not only to save Philadel
phla-which. as he learned by tho dispatches
brought by DOoltle, the enemy were deter.
mined 10 pOssess--but 10 arouse the spint of
the nation, that bad now sunk TO the depths Of
dependency lie resolved 10 anticipate tiiu
British, and cross the frozen Delaware, on the
night Olih 26th Of Deeemb y where he learn
cd that large body Of Hessians were encamp.
ed lie followed up his plan with eminent
success; for the attack bsing totally unexpec
ted more than nine hupdred of the enemy
we're taken prisoners of war lie reerossed the
river again, and, though his shadow OF an ar
my was weary aud exhausted, he determiaeJ
to make an attack ON the British forces al
Princeton Here he had the gool fortune tu
kill sixty, and take three hundred prisoners
more. This good fortune served TO dispel the
gloom that had settled over the American
cause.
Itis an undoub.ed fact, that Malachi Doolit
tie held ColOnel's commission in the army be
fore the close Of the war, which took plac,
when Great Britain acknowledged the lido
Pendenca of the United States, November 30th
1882.
On the banks of the Raritan, some ten year
/ |
stood fine house, built in the style of the Eliz
abethan period-thu residence Of Col Doolitt
and family, who was now one of the wealhies
farmers in the whole country He was one U
the most hOspitsble Of men, aud neither fren,
nor stranger could pass his door without beinl
, asked to take a mug OF the Colonel's good ci
DER or il it happened to be about tea lime,
cup Of tea, and a slice of short cak p, made b.
the fair hands Of his wife Molly. There wa
an old msn, too, who sat in the eOsiest place b.
the firelids, who, for a long time after the clos,
of the war, would advocate the cause OF th,
King aud talk about having somebody arrested
for stealing a soirel hOrse--at which ttse A-~gn
ter would wink alyly 40 her husband--but ID
Rnalt, sasno 70 the conclusion, ne peace an
r plenty crowned the land of freedom, tina
George Washington was not so much of a rebC
after all.
There was an old lady, too, who appeared +
never grow tired Of praising her son in law; an
little boy, the very image of his mother, VIII
at the close of many a summers day, woul
climb upon his fathers knee, and say, with
tone OF earnest entFeaty,
; "Now, pa, do tell me all about Ensign SpeI
GER, and General Washington and the Hessian
= and how you hooked grandpa's horse and liste
. for q soldier"
I "Willingly, my son." the Colonel would r.
ply, "but have related the story so often,
. should think YOU knew t by heart Yet Co
A Doolitte, for the especial benefit of his son an
q heir, often related the story and over agai
Such is one of the many incidents connecte
g with the dark hours OF the Revolution. Thong
. purchased with the blood of thousands it le
:, the legacy of freedom to mankind, and few
y those times which tried mems souls acquire
A greater fame in the American cause than Ma
/ Ach DoOlittle, the blacksmith's apprentice.