The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-03-03
|" The Little Regiment"

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Daring tbs struggls Tor Indsps ndeucs, Ge
i Green seat out Gen. Morgan with one thous
= and men, to cut off the retreat Of the torie
ihsr infesiing the western portion Of Sou,l
CsroIina. IA stI,.-, t;rs 81 b.rofis 4,
Scarcely had Morgan with bis band takel
, up their march, ere CORVALLIS dispatched th'
blood. thirsiy Colonel Tarleton in pursuit.
The indsfstigsble Morgan, soon heard Of this
and accordingly halted and prepared for bat
, tie. sroae 7ag esi,o, ,yG tabssa sa !
Among the militia were seven persons,
father and six sons, whom Gen. Morgan es
prcially complimsnted. These seven patriot
c soldiers were nicknsmed by their comrades
"Ths Little Regiment"
John Hitler, senior, some fifty five years o.
age. stood six feet five and-a half inches, was
Of fine proportions. and weighed over three
hundred pounds; while tho youngest, John
Hitler junior. agsd twenty two. measured six
feet three inches, and weighed over two hun
dred and fhy pouuds. The fve others varied
in sizs and weight between those two. In
addition these gigantic proportions, the Hill.
liers were possessed Of enormous physical
strength and the most daun,less courage
Though often before engaged in skirnishes,
this was the first time they were to take part
10 battle, and Of course the rest of the army
were anxious to know how they would be-
have. fth
"John," said General Morgan TO the elder
Hitler, who, with bis sons. was eating q has
ty aud frugal meal from off q fallen tree. 81
suppose you and your brave boys would ralh.
or fight together. than to be separated
"Yes, General" said the patriot, III think
we would be of much more service to you and
our noble cause whom united, than when
parted" -s'i '-snal ..i g sfi'7'. '.''i (. i7
Well John," rejoiucd Gen. Morgan. well
have some warm work in the morning, and
AN going TO give you and your lads here the
most dangerous position In the battle. To
morrow, you shall bear the first standard into
the fight, and know that the glorious BAN
ner of our country cannot be placed in better
hands" Ito g! c.a ato rsF g."
"Thank you, General; thank you for the
compliment, md | and my lads will promise
y,u ths--that while we can stand and fight,
or kneeI and fight, you'll see them stars and
stripes floating ISL lal s. leas s
I" Then. rs time is pressing, move up to the
'front.'" answered Morgan, gathering up bis
rslns, and slowly riding away, "aud re.
memb ber," be continued, as his steed pranc
ed along, impatient of the curb, ~ shall
keep my eyes on The Little Regiment
Good night"
q Good night, General" and thus they
parted. .....-.- .5...-.
The still hours Of tho night passed slowly
and solemnly on. Presently, as the sun came
/ r IL IL ,nA ofr n1 hta
glowing beams over the icy hillocks and along
the field, the 'rumpet's shrill note sounded the
ensmy's advance, and the patriotic band pre-
pared for the onset ~ e,749 'ai
In front Of, and little apart from the van
Of Morgan's force, John Hitler and hia six
giant sons, the father himself bearing aloft the
flag, while the latter ranged themselves three
! on each eide OF him, as a guard.
T" Wei done, Little Regiment" exclaim-
ed the General, ss be rode down the line, en-
couragipg his men to stand firm before the
for, who were at this time rapidly approach
ing them.
On came Tarle.on and bis mercess butch
er, with that coolness and veteran determi-
nation which always have such fatal effect
upon militia. Auxiously, Morgan glanced up
on bis undiscpliusd force, which he noticed
was already begioning TO sway from side to
aide, aud back and forth. But even at this
moment be was unable to repress the thrill
of Joy which passed through bin as he beheid
thg Hliers, at word from their father cool
ly aud deliberately draw their long heavy
swords. 1sEaE Fffrfgg efk
"Woud 10 God that had hundred such
Little Regiment" he said, between bis clos,
I
ed tee tn II would"
This sentence was Unfinished; for at this
instant, at a signal, Tarleton's troops, slap
ping spurs to their steeds, s,charged with fearful
fury. .s~ .st y,, saTa
For a moment or SO. the militia tottered,
and surgel, and Struggled and theu breaking,
fed 10 wild copfuson, thus lesyiog the d..
voted Hisrs unsupported. Moagsn expect
ed TO see the latter swept to the earth, and
rid en- down like reeds before the tempest;
bat even be did not know the "Lillle Re
gimcnt." In voice that was clearly heard
above the din Of battle, the elder Hitler, a.
he raised himself to his full heighth, shouted.
I" Close up, lads, close up! Our flag! Our
flag foreverV see4lr'oeat a-f far
Instantly he was cncircled by his sons. The
Herculean exertions Of whom actually kept the
WnOle IOTco Ol tue ouoiuJ ot oays D"tfTuiu-
od, how ever to take the rebel's stand, Tare
tons men ragged wildly about their intended
victims. Men aud horses sank to the eath,
till at last their bodies formed rsmpar, be-
hind which the Little R. giueut, wounded
and bleeding. fought like lions. Seeing at
las, that ssbres wers useless. British drs.
goou now drew pistol. and leveling it AT
young John Hitler, ard shot, him through
the b art.
"CIoso mp, lads, close up! Our flag our
flag foreverp thun,lered the father, and the
fearful circle was ono, more serried and IN
broken. -.i. T..
BY ibis time Morgan had succeeded in
bringing up his regulars, and heading them
hioself, he rushed TO the rescue of the noble
Hill,ers Bu, alssl too lsle A second Of
the Little Regiment fell, third, fourth, aud
fifth.
Back to back, Neck! Our flag forsverp,
hoarsely commanded the elder Hitler, as be
saw his 9th sink at his feet.
For a while Morgan's force assault attract
ed Tarletpn's men, Like tigers did the pa
triotic commander and his handful Of mon