Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-07-01


ping spurs to their steeds, charged with fear
full fury.
For moment or so the militia totrered and
surged and struggled, and then breaking, fed
in wild confusion, thus leaving the devoted
Hilliers unsupported. Morgan expected to
see the latter swept to the earth and ridden
down like reeds before the tempest; but even
he did not know the Little Regiment. In a
voice that was clearly heard above the din of
battle, the elder Hitler, he raised himself
TO his ful height shouted
ssClose up, lads, close up! Our flag Our
flag forever ~
Instantly he was encircled by his sons, the
herculan exertions of whom actually kept the
whole force of the enemy at bay. Determin-
ed, however, 10 take the rebel standard, Tar
leton's men ragged wildly about their intended
victims. Men and horse sank to earth, till at
last their bodies formed rampant behind
which the little regiment, wounded and bleed
ing, fought like lions. Seeing at last that
sabers were useless, British dragoon now
drew a pistol, and leveing it at young John
Hitler, shot him through the heart.
ssClose up, lads, close up! Our flag our
flag foreveri'' again Numbered the father, ,and
the fearful circle was once more serried and
| unbroken.
By this time VI Morgan had succeeded in bring
ing up his regulars, and heading them himself,
he rushed TO the rescue of the noble Hilliers.
But alas ! too late A second of the Little
Regiment fell, then third, and a fourth, and
a fifth.
s'Back to back, Ned Our flag foreverl'
hoarsely commanded the elder Hitler, as he
saw his fifth son sink at his feet.
For while Morgan's fiereest assault attract
ed Tareton's men. Like tigers did the pa
triotic commander and his handful of men
strive to cut their way to the two environed
heroes, and save them but fate had ordered
it otherwise, and the last son falling the faith
er was left alone in the midst of his relentless
assailants
Still, i,however. the flag foated proudly above
the doomed hero and still that glorious sword
swept before its folds, and still, as frenzy took
the place of reason, Hitler shouted in wild,
hoarse tones, s.Close up, lads, close up Our
flag our flag forever 20
For a moment the giant patriot raised him
self to his full height whirled lis sword aioft,
and delivered his last, vengeful stroke among
his enemies, one of whom he Glove nearly to
the saddle. Such was the force of the blow
that the blade snapped asunder, leaving only
the hit in the hero's hand, who casting this
from him, sprang up, seized the starry banner
that he had so long and bravely defended, and
convulsively wrapping it about him, sunk be-
meath a shower of blows, sxclaiming, with a
dying voice:
''Close up, lads, close up! Our flag our
flag forever 20
Unable to tear the flag from about the fall
len man, the British now turned their full at
tention to Gen. Morgan, who fter a desper-
ate resistance was forced to fly. In the course
of the pursuit, however, the enemy fell into
rretrevabe disorder, and ever the alert,
kogan taking advantage of this. rallied his
broken force, and charging the foe, routed
them. thus rewinning the victory which.he had
SO signally lost.
His first thoughts after he defeat of the en-
emy turned upon the brave, but fated Killers.
Surrounded by their victims, lay the seven
gigantic Hilliers, about the eldest of whom
was still closely wrapped the colors which had
been committed to his care in the morning,
now ridded and torn with bullets, and soak ed
with the blood OF its champions.
AS Morgan gazed upon the silent forms at
his feet, tears gathered in his eyes, and with
the words, 'sBury them side by side. and a.
bove all. don't remove the flag from about
John it is heroes shroud and hero is in
1.-THE was about TO turn away, when one
of his aids exclaimed
ssHe lives he lives -
The group therefore continued around the
dying man, who revived so far to raise him
self on his elbow, and exclaim
ssCIose up, lads, close up7 Our flag our
flag forever 20
This was his last effort, and spasm odically
drawinghis spangled ard blood stained shroud
closely around him, he sank to the earth q
corpse.
4 lady, upon being told friend wished to