The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-29
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,
Tho s,ill hOurs of ,he night passed slowly,

-
fully above the horizon, and strcamed his
glowing beams over the icy hillocks, and
along the field, the trumpet's shrill notesound-
cd the enemy's advance, and the patriot
band prepared for the onset.
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, while the latter ranged them
selves. three ON each side OF him, as guard.
"Well done, Little Regiment" exclaimed
tho General, rs he rode down the line, encour'
ayinr his men to stand firm before the foe,
who were at this time rapidly approaching
them.
On came Tarleton and his merciless butch.
ers with that steady GOODNESS and veteran
determination which always have such q
fatal effect upon militia. Anxiously Morgan
glanced upon his undisciplincd force, which
he noticed was already beginning to sway
from side to side and sway back and forth
But, even at this moment, he was unable to
reprcss the thrill Of JOY which passed through
him us he bcheld the Killers, at a word from
their father, coolly and deliberately draw
their long heavy swords.
"Would to God that had hundred such
Little Regiments, he said, between his clos
ed teeth; al would
Thissentence was unfinished, for at this in
slant, at u signal, Tarleton's troops. clapping
spurs to their steeds, charged with fearful
fury.
For moment or so the militia tottered
and surgcd and struggled, and then breaking,
fled in wild confusion, thus leaving the de-
voted Killers wholly unsupported. Morgan
expected to sec the latter swept to the earth
and ridden down like reeds before tho tenn.
pest: but even no did not know the Little
Regiment In voice that was clearly heard
above the din of battle, the elder Hitler, rs
he raised himself to his full height, shouted
"Close up, lads, close up! Our hag!-Our
flag foreyer!"
Instantly hc was cncirclcd by his sons, the
herculean exertiOns OF whom actually kept
the whole force at bay. Determined, how
ever, to take tho rebels stand, Tarleton's
men ragged wildly about their intended vic
tins. Man and horse sank to the earth. till
at last their bodies formed q rampant behind
which the little regiment, wounded and
bleeding, fought like lions. Seeing at last
that sabrcs were useless, British dragoon
now drew pistol, and lovclling it at young
John Hitler, he shot him through the heart.
"Closc up, lads, close up! Our flag! Our
flag forcver!" again thundered the father,
and the fearful circle was once more serried
and unbroken.
By this time Morgan had succeeded in
bringing up his regulars, and heading them
himself, he rushed to the rescue OF tho noble
Killers. But alas, too latc. A second Of
the Little Regiment fell-then third-and
q fourth-and fifth.
..-sBack to back, Ned. Our flag forcvcr!"
hoarscly commanded the elder Hitler, as he
saw his fifth son sink ut his feet.
For while Morgan's fierce assault attract
cd Tarleton's men. Like tigers did tho pat
riotic commander with his handful of men
strive to cut their way to the envroncd he
roes, and save them but fate had ordered 1t
otherwise, and the last son falling, the father
was left alone in the midst of his relentless
assailants.
Still, however, the flag hoated proudly
above the doomed hero, and still that glori
Gus sword swept below its folds, and still as
frenzy took the place of reason, Hillar shout
ed, in wild, hoarse tones.
"Closc up, lads, close up! Our flag our
flag forever"
For q moment the giant patriot raised
himself to his full height, whirlcd his sword
aloft, and delivered his last vcngcful stroke
among his enemies, one of whom he clovo
nearly TO the saddle. Such was the force Of
the blow that the blade snapped asunder,
leaving only the hilt in the heros hand,
who casting this from him, sprang up, seized
the starry banner that he had 80 long and
brayc!y defended, and convulsively wrapping
it around him, sunk beneath q shower of
blows. oxclaiuiing, with dying voice:
"Close up, lads, close up! Our flag, our
flag forever"
Unable to tear tho flag from about the
fallen man, the British now turned their at
tention to General Morgan, who after des-
perate resistance was obliged to fly. In the
course OF the pursuit, however, the enemy
fell into irretrievable disorder, and, ever on
the alert, Morgan taking advantage of this,
rallied his broken force, and charging tho
foe. routed them, thus rewinning the victory
which he had so signally lost.
His first thought after tho defeat OF the
enemy, turned upon the brave, but fatcd
Killers, about the eldest of whom was still
wrapped the colors which had been commit.
ted to his care in the morning. now riddled
and torn with bullets, and soaked with tho
blood of its champions.
As Morgan gazed upon the silent forms at
his feet, tears gathered in his eyes, and with
the words. "Bury them side by side, and,
above all, don't remove the flag from about
John; it is hero's shroud, and hero is in
it"-hc was about to turn away, when one
Of his aids exclaimed:
"Hc lives he liycs"
The group therefore continued around the
dying man, who revived so far as to raise
himself on his elbow, and exclaim:
"Closc up, lads, close up! our flag our
dag forcyer!"
This was his last effort, and spasmodically
drawing his spanglcd and bloodstancd shroud
closely around him, he. sank to the earth, u
corpse.
wA young lady of New Bedford was in
I;..,,ot,, ocouoi intcd in m lamilv in "a hich