The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-11-16
Death OF Baron DE EKalb.

Death OF Baron DE Kalb.
Immediately on receiving orders of de-
parture, we waited on the good old De
Kai5 to take our leave, and to express
our deep regret at parting with him.
"It is with great regret, my dear sir, that
| part with you," be said, "because |
feel presentiment that we part to meet
no more." We told him We hoped bet
ter things.
"Oh no." he replied, "it is impossible.
War is a kind Of game that has its fixed
rules, whereby when we are we'll acquaint-
ed with them, we can tell pretty well
how the trial will go. Tomorrow, it
seems, that the die is to De cast ; and in
my Judgment, without the least chance
on our side. The militia I suppose, will
as usual, play the bsck-game; that is, get
OUT Of the battle as fast as their legs will
carry them. But that, you know, won't
do for me. | am an old soldier and can
not run; and [ believe l have some brave
fellows who will stand by me till the last.
So when you hear Of our battle you will
probably hear that your old friend De
Kalb is at rest" ......
I never was more affected in my life
and I perceived tears in the eyes Of Gen.
Marion. De Kalb saw them, too and
taking US by the hand, he said. with a
firm tone and animated look, "No, no
gentlemen, no emotions for me, bu;
those of congratulation. I am hap.
.py. 70 die is the irrevorsiblo decree
Of Him who made US. Then what jos
to be able to meet death without dismay
Thank God, this is my case. The hap
piness of man is my wish that happiness
[ deem inconsistent with slavery. And
to avert SO great an evil from an iunoceu.
people. I will gladly meet the British to
morrow at any odds Whatever.
As he spoke this fire flashed from
his eyes, which seemed to me to demon
strate the divinity of virtue, and the I'm
mortality of the soul! We left him Will
feelings which / shall never forget, Will,
memory retains her seat in my brain.
1t was on the morning Of August 18th
1880, that we left the army in gool
position, near Rugeley's Mills, twelve
miles from camden, where the enemy
lay. At ten that night, orders were giver
to march and surprise the enemy, who a
the same time commenced march tt
surprise the Americans. To their mutua
astonishment the advance Of the two ar
mics met at two o'clock, and began firing
at each other. 1t was sOOn discontinued
by both parties, who appeared willing tt
leave the matter to be decided By day
light. A council of war was called, il
which Dc Kalb advised that the army
should fall back to Rugeley's Mills ana
wait to be attacked. Gen. Gates not only
rejected this excellent counsel, but threw
out an insinuation that it originated in
fear. Upon this the brave old man leaped
from his horse, and placed himself at she
head of bis command or foot, saying with
considerable warmth, "EVell, sir, perhaps
a few hours will show who are the brave. y
As day light increased the frightened
militia began to discover the woods red
dened all over with the scarlet uniforms
Of the British army, which soon, with
rattling drums and laundering cannon,
came rushing on to the charge; and they
scarcely waited to give them distant Ere
before they broke and fed in every direc,
ton. Ger Gates clapped spurs to his
horse, as he said, "to bring the rascals
back" However, he die not bring him
self back, nor did he stop till he reached
Charlotte, eighty miles from the field of
battle. Wvo-thirds of the army having
thus shamefu!ly taken themselves of, the
brave old De Kalb aad his handful Of
continentaIs were left to try the fortunes
Of the day. More determined valOr was
never displayed for though outuumbered
moye than two to one, they sustained the
attack of the whole British force for
more than an hour. Glorying in the
bravery of his continentals, De Kalb
lowered before them like pillar of fire
But, alas what can valor Go against
equal valor aided by such fearful odds !?
While bending forward to animate his
troops, the veteran received eleven wounds.
Painting from the loss of blood. he fell to
the ground, while Britons and Americans
were killed over him as they strove to
destroy or defend. In the midst Of
clashiDg bayonets, his only surviving aid,
Col. De Bnrysson, stretched his arms
over the fallen hero, and called OUT
"Save the Baron De Kalh." The Brit
ish officers then interposed, and prevented
his immediate destruction.
De Kalb died as he had lived, the un-
conquered friend of liberty. When the
English officer condoled with him In his
he replied, 81 thank you for
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