Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-25
ioortru.
For the Waterman.
AN INCIDENT OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION.

For the Waterman.
AN INCIDENT OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION.
PROM An uNruuLsnHD roEM ny REV. L. IovEwELr
From Trenton, while its SHOWS were red,
A herald through the country sped
And while he hastens on his way,
To joyful crowds we hear him say.
"We've met the foe, and won the day.
Among the thousands who did hear
Those stirring words so full Of cheer
Was one, though little known to fame
That well might lasting reverence claim.
Though make BY Time, aged man."
Ere yet the fearful strife began,
To age. its claims he scornd 20 yield
And haeted 90 the " tented held,'
AZ Lexington and Bunker's height
He stood the foremost In the fight,
For Youth had pass amid the strife
Attendant upon border life
Al Bunkc1's like tow ring rock.
He calmly met tn invading shock
Among the " bravcst Of the brave"
His whitcned locks were TO wave;
And though he felt full many a wound,
Still at his post the found
Contendiug with an iron will,
"a ] friends conveyed him from the hill.
no home was his the mansion old,
To buy his gun. the vet'ran sold.
Attentive, thus 20 Freedoms call
He gave vhate er he had--his all
lis wounds, in part, were healed atlength,
In part restored his former strength,
And then be sought his sons abode
lu jersey, near the Trenton road.
The day when victory bless'd our arms
liau Dawn q amid profound aiarmSt
For false reports. by Tories spread
Had filled the ueighboring land with dread
THAT British troops had swept the gorge
Where camped our men at VALLEY Forge
That foes in triumph there did reign,
And Washington surely slain ~
The patriots onged the truth 70 hear.
IuoHph trembling with forebodiug fear;
Sure n d battle had been fought
Ihcruiu Of our cause wrought
Beside the road that wntry DAY.
To learn the truth, ouf yetran lay
And though the winds remurseless play'd
Among h.. locks, thinly laid,
And though bis daughter prays her sire
Io leave the roadside for the 6fe,
Yet every comfort he would ~rurn
TIL De uuI army s fate could learn.
As comes he Herald with his speed,
be saw the man and stopt his steed;
That anxious look So moved bis heart
The cheering tidiuRs 10 mpart,
lie mtde longer pause o. tfu
The news. than masses could compel.
With trembling voice, the ugcd rnan
The CONVEX. alton thus began
stranger why such wondrous speed
What thy message hope or fear Z"
" Patriot mine are words to heed,
Iidng- from he battle hear &"
"Stranler. then thy words refrain,
All my hopes In rum lie 60
o. Patfi0tl different Is my strain
fricud! let every tear be dry ="
" briton then thy speed renew,
Heaven forbid thy hated voice %
Patriot ] m thy brother. true,
Sent TO make the h. art rejoice I"
Herald from the battle say
What The udngs that ycu bring 2"
FatuOt We have won the day
Such the strains | proudly sing
" Herald say-our nations chief
Truth no longer seek to shun 90
Patriot. raise for him no grief.
God preserves our Washington %
" Herald let my dying ear
Words like thine, in full, receive
speak my spirit longs to hear
Haste expiring life relieve l'
Patriot, on great Irsnton's field
We have humbled Britous pride
There we've made the Hessiaus Yield
Few are hgrn'd on Freedoms side 9"
" Herald 'tis my last request
say again our CdfettaiH lives
ilessinIs ou him ever rest,
blessings such as Jesus gives ="
" patrint! Danish every fear
BE nn more with doubts alarm'd-
Act agaiuiny message hear,
Washington is all unharmd
The Herald paused in deep dismay,
lie saw liieless form Of clay
And that alone-an angels breath
Had been the agent here Of Death;
And waited, without pang or groan,
That aged one TO Mcrcy's throne
The fice--twas calm as evening sky
While tear drops filled each sightless eve;
Aud round those lips white as snow
smile " triumph seemed to glow.
Twas long before that Herald voice
Could bid again the world rejoice.