White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-19
CHAPTER III.

| L Nc sun was not ABOVE an hour Ql6n
when tall, slab-sided Yankee, mounted
on abony horse, rode up to the Ameri-
can lines, where he was hailed by the
sentries, and to whom no made known
that he had something of the most vital
importance to communicate to the gener-
al. His inyincible pertinacity finally
procured him the coveted audience with
the commander-in-chiefo of the American
forces, and tall Malachi had placed the
documents he had procured with so much
trouble, in his hands. Washington saw
at glance that, had the plans they di-
vulged, been carried out, the American
army would have been placed in great
peril, if not utterly annihilated. OF his
masters share in that transaction, Mala-
chi Doolittle said nothing, for he was too
much in love with Mary, to betray her
father; but all other questions he answer
ed with promptness that proved he had
a large share of good sense to make up
for his uncouth appearance.
''And you wish to serve in the army"
said Washington, kindly. -t
"Such is my intention, your excellency,
if you think my services worthy of re-
gard"
1--WE are always glad to receive such
good recruits in the cause of freedom, as
thou art. The service thou hast rendered,
is a great one to the American cause.
Captain Doolittle, allow me to congratu-
late you for such is the commission you
hold henceforth in the Continental ar
N.Y." .f
The heart of the new made officer was
too full to express his thanks but he re-
solved to prove by deeds, and not by
word, that he was worthy Of Washing
toms consideration. The commander-in-
chief saw that some immediate steps must
be taken not only to save Philadelphia
which, as he learned by the dispatches
brought by Doolittle, the enemy were de-
termined to possess-but to arouse the
spirit of the nation, that had now sunk
to the lowest depth of dependency. He
resolved to anticipate the British, and
cross the frozen Delaware, on the night of
the 26th of December, where he learned
that large body of Hessians were en-
camped. He followed up his plan with
eminent success for the attack being to-
tally unexpected, more than nine hundred
Of the enemy were taken prisoners of war.
He recrossed the river, and, though his
shadow of an army was weary and ex-
hausted. he determined to make an attack
on the British forces at Princeton. Here
he had the good fortune to kill sixty, and
take three hundred prisoners more. This
good fortune served to dispel the gloom
that had settled over the American cause.
1t is an undoubted fact, that Malachi
Doolittle held Colonel's commission
in the army, before the close of the
war, which took place when Great Brit
ain acknowledged the Independence of the
United States, Nov 30th, 1882.
On the banks of the Raritan, some ten
years after the incidents detailed in our
story, there stood fine house, built. in
the Elizabethan period-the residence of
Colonel Doolittle and family, who was
now one of the wealthiest farmers in the
whole County. He was one of the most
hospitable of men. and neither friend nor
stranger could pass his door without be-
ing asked to take mag of the Colonel's
good cider or if it happened to be about
tea time, cup Of tea, and slice of short
cake, made by the fair hands of his wife
Molly. There was an old man. too, who
sat in the cosiest place by the Preside,
who for long time after the close of the |
war, would advocate the cause of the
KIM, and talk about having somebody
arrested for stealing a sorrel horse-at
which his daughter would wink slyly to
her husband-but he finally came to the
conclusion. as peace and plenty crowned
the land Of freedom, that George Wash
ington was not so much of rebel, after
all. ...-..f.....,.-1
There was an old lady, too. who APP
peared to never grow tired praising her
son-in-law and a little boy, the very
image of his mother. who, at the close OF
many Summers day, would climb upOn
his fathers knee. and say, with tone Of
earnest entreaty
"Now, pa. do tell me all about Ensign |
Spencer, and General Washington, and |
the Hessians, and how you hooked grand |
pas horse, and listed for a soldier"
,, Willingly. my soa," the Colonel
would reply, "bnt have related the story
so often, I should think you knew it by
heart" Yet Col Doolittle. for the espe-
cial benefit of his son and heir, often re-
lated the story over and over again.
Such is one of the many incidents con-
nected with the dark hours Of the Revo-
luton. Though purchased with the blood
of thousands. it left the legacy of freedom
to mankind, and few in those I" times
which tried mems souls' acquired greater
fame in the American cause. thu Mala-
chi Doolittle, the blacksmith's appren-
tice. @ , ti