St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1861-02-21

pursued them for several a.iics. from the
fir-t point Of conflict during the space of
an hour and a half, before Green's divis-
ion came up and were still actively en-
gagged wheL the rest Of the army was re-
firing"
Headiy shus describes the charge Of the
Marylanders at Germantown: "Washisx-
ton all this time was moving along the
main road with the rear Of the army -
Hearing the heavy fring in advance, be
know that. Salliyan Was warmly enpaersls
As it.continuad without any Cessation. he
became anxious. for he knew That the
troops had only abont fiftv rounds Of am
muni,ion, and turning to Col. Pickering
he exclaimed. i am afraid Gen Sullivan
is throwing away his ammunition; ride for
ward and tell him to preserve it, Pick
cring dashed off ON gallop. and delivered
his message. shoulder arn,s.' passed
along the American line-'Forward march"
followed, and the whole line, with shoul-
dered pieces. moved steadily up to the en-
envy. who, struck with astonishment, re-
coiled"
Having fought through FIVE severe cam
psigns. aud been engaged III nearly every
pitched battle in the North, the Old Ma
:yland Line va, ordered to the South -
For several years after their bl,ofly defeat
at Charlest"u by the South Carolinians un-
der Col. M,ultrie. the British made no So
rious hustil demonstrations ia that quarter;
but finally, having bad possession Of eve
ry large Northern city after Boston. NV
York, aud Philadelphia had been oecu-
pied hy the.r troops, a powerful army un-
der Lord CORVALLIS was sent to South
Carolina. The population of this state,
was. at tha. period, exceedingly sparse,
aud the enemy establishing their head quar-
at Charleston. it became necessary to send
assistance 10 the Carolnians, who had
heretofore been able to keep til ir soil free
from the fo,t Of al invading foe.
The first battle was Tough, at Camden.
Gates, the commander OF the Americas,
forces, fled from the fed. leaving the Ma
rylanl Line opposed to the wbylc British
army. which outnumbercd them more than
two to cne Thrir heroic cosiuc. is thus
described b, McSh"rry:
''But Gist's brigade stood i.nmovabls
For while the terrific slaughter seemed
Of doubtful issuc-'bold was the pressure
Of the foe exclaiins an eye-witness,
firm as rock the resistance Of Gist Now
the Marylandcrs were gaining ground
The gallan, Howard, at the head OF VIII
lialus' regiu,ent. i,np.tuuu>ly broke upon
the enemy, aud severing his front. drove
the opposing corps before him; AMI it
seemed as if the lost battle was about to
be retrieved even whilst the cnnlnander
in chief was flying far from the scene Of
action. But the eagle-eyed Webster. the
best and bravcst officer after Cornwallis in
the British army. upon the flight OF the
centre and left, brought his veteran guards
upon tn .ir flank. In moment they were
met BY the second Maryland bri gade,
which Sma!lwood rapidly brought up to
replace the flgitives. ami the battle was
again renewed with uudiminished spiri,
upon the left.
Finding bis flank once more protected,
and his Marylandcrs bearing up with
unAinching valor. the brave Dc Kalb.
although out-numbcred two to one, re-
solved to make one great and final effort
with the tayonet. Dreadful was the
charge. For time the two lines seemed
mingled with each other. cliuging to-
gether and staying with that terrible
weapon-the weaker going down before
the stronger. But at length the veteran
troops of CornwaAis began to reccde; at
one poiut they we're broken. thrown into
disorder, and MANY prisoners were taken.
A single corps Of cavalry would have re-
trieved the day; but Gas.s' folly had rem
dered victory impossible.
"Cornwallis alarmed at the unexpected
resistance Of the Maryland line, aud hav-
ing before experienced its desperate valor
with the bayonet. now concentrated his
whole force and brought It upon them
The inequality was too great to be resist
ed The wliole British army was pour
ed upon these two devoted b,igades. who
still maintained THEFT ground. although
only numbering eight hundred men,
opposed to more than two thousand
British regulars. and surrounded aud an-
supported. yet still fighting Oh with un-
iincbipg hearts. TIE cavalry were sud-
denly thrown in upon them in front and
rear, while they were still entangled with
the infantry. The moment was critical;
DE Kalb. at the head Of one regiment,
attempted to restore the line-but, over
powered. be fell covered with wounds,
and was made prisoner. Intermipgled
with the inf,ntry. aud trsmpled under
foos and sabrsd BY the dragqo"s. without
space to rally-the brave troeps we're
broken and driven from the Geld by sue
oessive ohsrges." -a
The brave De Kalb. through treated
with csery asfeutiou. survived but few
days. He spent aus last moments in dic-
tati,ig q tletser 70 General S:iallwm'd.
who how suceeedrd him ia the command
Of the Maryland line. fnli of sincere aud
ardent affection for the officers and soldisrs
Of bis divis..a. expressing bis admiration
OF tbsir late 'iSs,bls bat unsuccessful stand;
rsciting The esllogies which their bravery
BAD sAsSs :ca q. .som the @encu,y. together