Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-09-19
THE SOUTH CAROLINA sEVEN.

THE SOUTH CAROLINA SEvEN.
During the struggle for independence,
American patriots were as much harassed by
Tories as by the hired mcrcenaries sent bv
despotism loyalty to conquer and force them
into submission to power which they hated.
Soon after the Southern forces were placed
under the command of Gen. Greene, the lat
ter sent out Gen. Morgan with one thousand
men to cut Off these Tories intesting the
western portion ofSouth Carolina.
Scarcely had Morgan with his brave band
taken up his march, ere Cornwullis, the Brit
ish commander, became aware Of the move
mcnt, and instantly dispatched the blood
thirsty Colonel Iarleton in pursuit The in
dciatablc Morgan soon learned of this,
and accordingly halted and prepared for bat
tie. The enemy presently appeared, in such
force, however, that Morgan retreated as far
as Cowpens, a little town in the northern
part of what was then Union County, where
he determined 20 meet the foe at all hazards
The sun of January 10Th was going down
as he entered the town, and SO close was The
pursuit that the dim shadows of evening had
not yet deepcncd into darker shades of night,
A'NA'NeS'' N"aiS w. vi Coul sc IL was
not too late 20 commence the battle, but eacl,
commander spent most of the night in issu-
ing orders to, and arranging his troops for
the contest OF The morrow. The greater por-
ton of MorSan's band CT sisted OF the mil
ltia, who, though brave, Were comparatively
undisciplined, and of course, not likely to
long withstand the shock of charge of thor
oughly trained troops.
To the disposition Of this part of his com
mand, therefore, General Morgan directed
his particular attention, and 4deavorcd by
appropriate addresses, to infusc within theii.
breasts the same indomita1e courage that
possessed his own heart.
Among the militia were seven persons, a
father and six sons--whom General Morgan
especially complimentcd These seven pat
riot soldiers were nlcknamed by their COM
lades, THE LITTLE REGIMENT for re son
which the reader will easily comprehend from
the following description.
John Hitler Sr., some fifty years Of age,
stood six feet five and half inches, was @"
fine proportions, and weighed over three
hundred pounds; willis the youngest, JOIN
Hitler DR., aged twenty-five, measured six
feet three inches, and weighed two hundred
and fifty pounds. The five other brothers
varied in size and weight between those two.
In addition to these gigantic pro, ortions, the
llillicrs were possessed of enormous physical
sire ehgth and the mast dauntless courage
Though often before engaged in skirmishcs,
this was the first time that they were to tr ',e
part in a battle, and, of course, the rest of
the army were anxious to know how they
would behave.
John" said General Morgan to the elder
Hitler, who, with his sons, was eating hasty
and frugal meal from off fallen tree, ~
suppose you and your brave boys would rath-
er fight together than to be scparatcd?'
Eyes, General" replied the patriot touch
ing his rough cap respect. lilly, and rising to
his feet, 81 think we would be of much
more service to you and to our noble cause,
when united than when parted. You know,
General Washington's all the time telling us
A,hericans to stick together else re'U get beat
lnd | tell you what, General, Washington
knous mhat's phati" a@# -. fl. J..
"Well John" rejoincd Gen. Morgan smil-
ing at the hcro's quaint expression of his
opinion of Washington's Judgment. "weil
have some warm work in the morning, and I
am going to give you and your lads here the
ulOSl hdiI5CIouS pVSltiOll Ill DdllC. 10
morrow you shall bear the first standard in
to the fight, and know that the glorious
banner of our country cannot be placed in
better han IS.
"Thank you General, thank you for the
compliment, and and my lads will promise
you this, that while we can stand and fight,
or kneel and fight, or lay down and fight,
you'll see them Stars and Stripes floating"
"Then, as the timeis pressing move up to
the front" answered. Gen. Morgan, gathering
up his rcins and ridin, slowly away. "And
remember" he continued as his steel pranc
ed along impatient Of the curb, "I shall keep
my eye upon the THE LITTLE REGIMENT r.
Good night"
'''Good night General" was the reply ac-
companied by military salute and thus they
parted. s,..es.--,
The still hours Of the night passed slowly,
solemnly on, and each patriot soldier, as he
watched the twinkling Of the far-away stars,
and listened to the frosty wind as it moaned
past, that those. self same shining worlds
would the next night send down just such
twnklngs on his own bloody corpse, or
roughly made grave. The stars however,
paled away, and then faint grey CLEANS in
the eastern sky told that day was coming to
light the war demon and death angel to their
work. Presently as the sun came fully above
the horizon, and streamed his glowing beams
over the icy hillocks, and along the field, the
trumpets shrill note sounded the enemy's adj
vance the patriot band prepared for the on,
set. Ik ~ .l
In front of, and little apart from the van
of Morgan's force were John Hitler and his
six giant sons, the father himself bearing
aloft the flag, whilo t'ie latter ranged them
selves three on each side of him as guard
g Well done, Little Regiment exclaimed
the General, as he rode down the line, en-
couraging his men to stand firm before tht
foe, who were now fast approaching them.
On came Tarleton and his merciless butch
ers, with that steady coolness and veteran dc