Daily national Republican., 1863-09-14
A REMINIscENcE Of WHITE OAK
VILE ACCUSED OF rETTY LAR

During the memorable "chauge Of base +"
Peninsula, and the seven-days' battles, an in.
cident occurred which subjected the Prince de
Joinville (who was acting with Gen. McClel-
lan's staf) to much badinage. Just beyond
White Oak Swamp was q plateau OF elevated
ground, broken into smaller hills and undula-
tions. Upon the brow of the eminence was
situated one Of the cor ntry mansions not un-
common in Virginia, surrounded by fruit trses
and flanked by corn aud clover fields. II was
prosperous looking establishment, and had been
visited by our advance guard, who protected
the property from depredstsons by the soldiers
to the best of their ability. The proprietor
was man named Brltton, about sixty years of
age, who had young wife, very comely and
very watchful of her poultry and other property
likely to suffer from the soldiers. She had a
lively apprehension of the danger to which her
fowls were exposed, knowing full well thatra
bluc.coatcd warrior on the march, at the close
oil the day scrupleth not to slay small chicken
for his supper and to refer the owner thereof
to Uncle Sam for payment.
On the day before the battle of White Oak
Swamp, Gen. Mcclellan and his staff halted
few hours at the mansion OF the Bri,tons for
rest and refreshmcnt. The old gentleman was
rather reserved in his manners, protesting a
sort Of neutrality In this war, and being evil
IDENTIFY disgusted with the appearance of an
advancing column Of Union soldiers. Mrs. B.
was more complaisant, and manifested dis
position to entertain the officers to the hest of
her ability, keeping, meanwhile, an eye to the
privatcs, lest they should purloin her chickens
After the party had rested a while, Mrs.
Britton called for the key of her ice-housc in
order To give them cooling beverage. mis-
chievous young Topsey, supposed to belong TO
the estate, Informed her that one OF the officers
had got the key. (which officer was it9n
The contraband" " singled out the Prince Ee
JoiprRle. Mrs. b., Who had become highly
exasperatod at the thought that her keys were
tampered with, rushed 10 the Prince and de.
manded the missing article His astonshment
was very great. He shrugged his shoulders
and d!sclaimcd all knowledge Of the mater,
pllng up his explanations and adjuratlons in
true French style. The key was found soon
aiterward, it having been mislaid, hut the
''hNS wv NV h'hi idrt Vf " NuIc Ht IT,
mained with McCellan's staG.
The subsequent history OF the Britton man
SION was brief and traglcal. Gen. McClellan
moved forward to Malvern Hill, and General
Badly smith, with the rear guard,
took position on the heights beyond
"hlte 'aH swamp, ani made his head
quarters at this house. The next m orning,
after the occurrence We have related, the rebels
opened fire from the White Oak swamp road.
upon our rear guard, and shell exploded in
the house, shattering Mr.. Briton's leg (the
injury proving fatal in few hours) and setting
the premises on fire. So sudden was the con-
migration that Gen. Smith, who was dressing
himself ut tho time, only escaped with the loss
Of bis sword, watch. and other personal effects.
When our army hpd arrived at HaTisous
Landing, IN a drenching rain and kneo.decp
u ID, Hr', Britton came to Gen McClellan's
.fts'. ar"r', forlorn and ptiabie object, and
"1 s..y"i 10 proceed up the river to Rich
rs;cs- JLl' ~. Dns "f the many Interesting
'jlSIas' - .-t smpligu on the Peninsula.
il IL 'srfuFI = 'hs' the tourists and summer
vss,aI@t As,s ~ II Ss~ Hampshire, tho
t,'spuiS sassyt, st"s'es n n. million Of dol.
Iaa.