The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-03-20
DAY.M 20


British band will pass this spot in their
boats, and as we have an hour to work,
let us busy ourselves in rolling some Of
these large rocks to the edge of the prec-
ipice, and when the men and boats pass
below, let US. sink them to the bottom"
Each boy Immediately set to work, and
in an incredibly short space of time, nine
huge rocks, each half a ton in weight,
were balanced upon the edge Of the giant
precipice. The creek at this point was
not more than twenty feet wide and was
directly overhung by the mass OF rocks on
which our heroes stood If the British
descended the creek they would certainly
pass this spot; and if they passed it death
was their certain fate. In about an hour
the quick ear of James Wilson detected
the measured beat Of mufiied oars.
"They are coming" he whispered, "let
no enc drop his rock until give the word,
and then all at once"
1t was a beautiful night to wreck work
of death The heavens were spangied
with innumerable stars, and every object
which the moon beams played upon, spar
kled with silvery radiance. Closer and
clearer came the doomed royalists, and the
hearts Of the boy patriots beat wildly
within their bosoms.,
Peeping cautiously over the cliffs, Jas
Wilson saw the tory beat slowly but sure
ly approaching. An officer stood on the
bows guiding the oarsmen, by the orders
and the cpaulets on his shoulders told
that he was the identical friend, Major
Bfadstone.
Don't drop till | give the order"
again whispered Wilson.
When the boat was about twelve feet
from the rock, the boy leader fell secure
ly behind his stone defense and shouted :
"Who goes there :''
In moment the oarsmen ceased row.
ing, and gazed with astonishment above
them. The impetus which the boat had
acquired, caused it to drift slowly beneath
the rock, and just as it was fairly below,
came forth the loud doomed words:
'sCut loose in the name of Liberty ~
Each boy pushed his rock at that in
slant as if with one impulse the gigan-
tic stones fell. a loud shrek from the
dark waters told how we'll the plan had
succeeded. and as the exultant boys again
looked over the rocks nothing. was seen
but few pieces of wood. The boat had
been burst to pieces, and the occupants
found grave at the bottom of White
clay Il cry Of victory burst from the
it was echoed along in solemn grandeur.
"Now for our prisoners - cried Frank
Howard, bounding ahead but what was
the astonishment Of the boys to find that
in his efforts to get free, George Livings-
ton had been caught by the fatal cord and
choked to death There was no time for
repiniug; the traitor and his son had met
their deserved doom, and there was no one
to mourn their loss.
Such be the end OF Americas foes for
everw said James Wilson.
Old Livingston's house was searched,
and 20 the surprise of every one, not mere
ly guns, but three brass field pieces, sew
eral barrels Of powder, and an abundance
Of balls, were found concealed in the old
tory's cellar. The military stores FOUND
troops, and found JOYOUS welcome at
their headquarters. Had not the British
party been so signally defeated along the
banks of the Whiteclay, the town CT New
ark, and the whole. northern part of the
State Of Delaware would have been over
run by predatory bands of British sol
diers James Wilson and Frank Howard
both Joined the army Of Greene, and SER
we'd with distinction in the Southern cam
paign. Frank fell at the memorable bat
tie of Eutaw Springs, bewailed by all who
knew him. James lost leg at the siege
of York town, and retired to his native vii
lage, but modification ensued, and he ex-
pired with the ever to be remembered
words on his lips--"Cut loose in the name
of Liberty -
The village of Newark still stands, and
has become town of some celebrity
The scene of the defeat Of the British by
the boy patriots is still pointed out, and IS
sacred spot in the annals of Newark.
Such, readers, were the acts of the boys
of '76, and though they have no monu-
mental pile to preserve their memories,
they live in legends, songs and verses,
where they will exist when history has
been swept into obscurity. Let our liter
ary men redeem from darkness the deeds
of American youths, and while they re-
count the achievements of our Revolu-
tionary patriots, let tl,em not forget the
boy heroes.
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