Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-09-17
VOLUME I.---No. q.

the transition to republicanism. Shc I'm
plGred him to use every means to produc
tina, glorious desiderdtum. He, i'll return
promised faithfully to forward her views a
far as he was able, and, if needed, to strik
for liberty upon the battlefield.
Joshua was vehement in asserting his deter
mnation to carry out her wishes Upon hl'
bended knees and hands hands extended h'
was about TO call Heaven to witness MS SIN
cerity when rude hand grabbed him by the
shoulder and give him sturdy shake. In an
instant he sprang upon the floor, but before
he had fairly time to wake up ms haiius
were pinioned behind his back; he looked
around; and by the dim light of domestic
candle, he could see the red uniform OF the
Bitish soldier. This made him appreciate
his situation; he saw that he was prisoner
in the hands of the enemy. Mortified at the
| disappointment to intercept convoy, the
young man yielded to the necessity of the
case He soon found out, by conversing with
his captors, that the house in which he log
ed had been surrounded and the inmates
surprised while sleeping, and the force OF the
captors were far superior to that of the Amer
leans. Many of the soldiers who had sought
shelter in the out houses made their escape,
but those who were so unfortunate as to take
| up their lodgings in the dwelling were all
made captves. Among these prisoners were
all the officers of tho command. Time was
too pressing for the British to remain in one
place long at time. After doing what pun
dering they thought proper they prepared 10
take their departure to join the man body oil
tbe army under Lord CORVALLIS. The priso-
ners were liberated and placed in the ranks
as common soldiers and probably to fight
against their country and freedom. Reluc-
tantly did the American officers proceed in the
ranks of the enemy they knew, full well,
that resistance would avail nothing.
Two hours marching brought them to the
main army, which they found on tho alert
proceeding to attack General Gates in his
camp. The reinforcements were ordered to
Join the main army, and the combined forces
pushed forward with alacrity. Gates in the
meantime, to carry out his plan of offensive
operations, had taken up his line of march
about ten O'Clock at night, and proceeded with
the intention of attacking the British before
he left his camp. By this arrangement, it
will be perceived, that both the Commander
of the British and American forces were OF
the same mind.
With this intention, with 1900 men, Gene
raj Gates marched as far as Sanders creek,
about half way between his encampment and
Camden. Here he was met by an advance
party of the enemy and skirmish ensued'
The fighting was strongly contested on both
sides, with varied success both parties suf-
fering nearly equally. In the morning both
armies made preparation for general battle.
The second Maryland brigade occupied the
right; the Virginia militia and the North
Carolina infantry were posted upon the left.
These divisions occupied swampy ground on
both sides, while General Caswcll, with the
North Carolina division and the Artillery ap-
peared in the centre. General Smallwood
a position about three hundred yards
in the rear kind of corps de reserge.
Very unexpectedly Joshua found a musket
placed in his hand, with the instruction to
use it, or to do worse. The young man clutch
ed the weapon.very reluctantly. He deter
mined never to use 1t against his country, or
to aid in any way, the enemies OF freedom,
at every hazard. Be that as it may, he was
forced into the ranks of the Irish Volunteers
under the command of Lord Rawdon. As
much as he detested the enemy he found
their were plenty of men in the regimentwho
thought as little of the cause OF the loyalists
as he did. The Irish, although they compose
a large portion of the British Army, never
possess much love for the power that political
ly oppresses them, and tramples upon their
natural rights. These genial spirits would
let out word of discomfort now and then, in
a whisper, and then sullenly obey the orders
of their superiors. Already the din OF battle
was heard in the distance, and theunwelcome
order was heard to forward to the conflict
Never, in his life, was the young quaker plac-
ed in such q fix. Forced, contrary to his will
or wishes, to fight against cause he consider
ed one of the most holy and sacred, he would
rather have done anything, he was capable OF
accomplishing, than to march and fight against
his friends.
Still the din of battle grew louder and lor
err. and still tho regiment in which Josha
was engaged marched forward to the conflict.
What would he have given to have made his
escape from such peril, and the painful neces-
sity of contending against his friends. But
there was no opportunity to escape; charge
after charge was made before the Irish volun-
teers came into the conflict, but at length the
fatal moment arrived that would try the soul
of our Young hero. His regiment was order
ed. and true to the valorous instinct OF that
patriotic people, they rushed forward to the
battle. The Americans yielded to the impet-
Mostly of the enemy, and, without dlschar-
pinr his gun, Joshua found that they had pos
session of that portion of the field, upon which
were their operations. The dead and the dy-
inc were marched over as ruthlessly and un-
oonoernedly as if they were so many logs of
wood. The teais started to the young mans
ave as he marched over the forms of his life
lass comrades. But the stern necessity oil the
case made il imperative for him to keep pro-
sound silence. Then the tide of battle chang
al the American forces rallied and came
charging across tho field in the direction OF
the Irish volunteers.
Once more the corps in which Joshua was
sold;ar xuaa ra1I;ad IN meet the impending