The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-01-18
The Mason's Last Request.
BY NED BuNTI.1NE.

-hastening across the sandy plains o
/ New Jersey to join the forces of Gen
eral Howe, at Sandy Hook Ant
Washington, with an army once more
regenerated into life, determined, if i
lay within the bounds of possibility, tx
prevent that junction; and to effect
his purpose sent on large detach.
ment of light troops, under Genera
Lee, to harass their movements an0
retard their progress until he could
come up with the main force and effect
their capture or destruction.
The British were overtaken by Lee
whom | have more than once, and
now repeat it, only needed Arnold's
temptations and Arnold's wrongs to
have been all or more a traitor than
was the latter. The will was in him,
but opportunity did not 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 boldly pushed on, and
were driving all before them, when to
their utter establishment aud to the deep
modification Of their gallant officers,
who were flushed with the hope of a
victory almost in their hands. Lee Or
dered retreat
Shame mantled many brow then
and there; and, in spite of discipline,
angry words broke from many lip;
for even then, as now, the word retreat
broke strangely and most harshly upon
an American ear. But the order had
been given by him who had command.
and he mnst be obeyed. But so angry
and unwilling were those who thus fell
back, that they did not preserve the
order they would have done had they
only been yielding to stern necessity.
And the British, overjoyed, at an
easy victory, were pushing their ad-
vantages, as they ever did mercilessly ;
and our brave men were falling fast be-
fore them. when suddenly dashing for
ward upon horse, which was white
with foam, rode that matchless man
upon whom a nations fate depended.
"What means this cowardly retreat
Who dared to order ?" he Numbered.
s" | did was Lees angry response.
Rally your men, coward, or go
hide your face in shame :" cried Wash
ington, that day giving full vent to
passion which hitherto, under all cir
he had managed to con-
troll.
"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 unmoved upon his horse, stem
med there the tide ofretreat, and check
ed the advance of the triumphant foe.
The carnage was terrible. Bayonet
clashed against bayonet, sabre met sa-
bre, while the sulphurous smoke almost
hid the combatants from view and
they sprang at each other like fends,
lighted by the flashes of cannon and
the blaze of musketery.
One gallant officer whose gray hairs
had become tinged with blood, fought
directly under the eyes of Washington,
whom he loved not only as General
but as a brother, bound by that mys-
teHous and holy tie which equalizes a
peasant with prince. BY his side
three sons of lesser rank, the youngest
scarce eighteen years of age fought all
bravely as himself.
1t was moment when, with Wash
ington at their head, the Americans
drove back the foe at the bayonet's
point, that he who / call Major Car
roll, who was leading his battalion on,
himself on foot, (for two horses had
already gone down under him that
day. and to whom just alluded, saw
British officer fall, who had, with a
heroic gallantsy, striven to stem the
changing tide.
Though wounded and down, the
brave officer still struggled, and draw
ing pistol, disabled man whose bay
onet was at his breast Major Car
rolls sword was raised above his head,
but quickly a sign, word and the
q widows son was safe, for the sword
which would have slain was now a
shield-the foe whose arm had just been
raised was now brother, whose ex-
tended hand was ready to lift him who
lay upon the earth in such distress.
But an! fatal pause that gener-
Gus bosom, SO full Of fraternal love,
which did not forget duty even there,
amid the wild carnage Of battle. was
pierced by bullet and the brave Car
roll sank dying, by the side Of him who
had called for help and had not been
refused.
Westinghouse eye was on him-ht
knew who and what be was, for he hac
sat with him in a place where hgh'
abounded but he could not wait--th'