The mountain Democrat., 1864-07-02
Crossing the Delaware.

The following extract, giving a descrip-
ton Of the crossing Of the d. laware, by
Washington and his troops, is taken from
an address delivered in New York, on the
hnndredth anniversary Of Washington's S
birth day:
In no one instance, perhaps, was Wash
ington's influence with the army so stri.
kingly exemplitird as in his attack on the
enemy at Trenton. Over and over have
| listened with intense anxiety, in the
days Of my boyhood, while my now de-
parted sire, who fought and bled on that
proud field, recitrd with thri ling interest
all that related to the enterprise. 1t was
on December night, wonld he say, when
our little hrart.brokcn army halted on
the banks OF the Delaware. That night
was dark -cheerleSS- -tempeStuuuS-an
bore a strong resemblance TO our coun-
try'S fortunes! II seemed as If heaven
and earth conspired for our destruction.
The clouds lowcred-darkneSS and the
storm came apace The snow and the
hail descended, beating with unmitieated
vio,ence upon the SupperleSs, half clad,
shiveing soldier; and in the roaring Of
the flood and the waiingS Of the storm,
was heard, by fancy's ear, the knell Of
our hopes and the dlrge of librrty The
impetuouS river was filled with floating
ice; All attempt to cross It at that time,
and under such circumstances, seemed a
desperate enterpriSe-yet it was under.
taken, and thanks be to God and Wash
ington, was successfully accomplished.
From where we landed, OH the Jersey
shore, to Trenton, was about nine miles,
and on the whole line of march there was
scarcely word uttered, Save by the off.
GERS when giving some order. We were
we'll nigh exhausted, said he,-many Of
Us frost bitten and the majority Of Us so
badly shod the blood gushed from our
fruzrn and lacerated feet al every tread
vet we upbraidcd not, complained not
but marched steadily and firmly, though
mnurn(ully, onward, resolved to perse-
we're to the utternost-n0t for our coun.
try-our country, alas We had given up
frr lost. Not for ourselves life for US no
longer wore charm but because such
was the will of our beloved chief-'twas
for Washington alone we were willing to
make the sacrifice. Whenwwe arrived
within sight of the enemy encampments,
we were ordered to form n line, when
Washington reviewed us. Pale and ema.
ciatrd, diSririted and exhausted pre-.
Sented most unwarlikc and melancholy
aspect. The paternal eye of our chief
was quick to discover the extent OF our
Sufterings, and acknowledge them with his
tears but suddenly checking his emo
tionS, he reminded US that our country
and all that We held dear were staked on
the coming battle. As he spoke we began
to gather ourselves up and rally our ener
gics; every man graSped his arms more
firmly; and the cleGched hand, and the
compressed lip, and the Steadfast look,
and the knit brow, told the souls resolve.
Washington observed US well; then did he
exhort US, with all the fervor Of his soul,
on yonder field to conquer, or die the
death of the brave"
At that instant the glorious sun, as If
in prophetic token of our success, burst
forth in all its splendor, bathing in liquid
light the blue hills of Jersey. The faces
which but a few moments before were
olanched with despair, glowed with mar
tial fire and animation. Our chief with
exultation hailed the scene; then casting
his doubts TO the winds, and calling on
the God Of battle and his faithful soldiers,
led on the charge. The conflict was fierce
and bloody. For more than twenty min
utes not gun was fired; the sabre and
the bayonet did the work of destruction ;
it was hurricane Of fire, and steel, and
death. There did We stand, (would be
say,) there did We stand, "foot to foot,
and hilt TO hilt," with the scrricd foe and