The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-07-29

were seen, around which the bloc,
was fast congealing.
''Peor Dick, he las seen. his las
Gght!" said the surgeon. "Eithcl
Of these wounds, madam, is mortal
DO cannot live, at longest, more thar
half a hour Follow your company
men; the foe is close behind. Ny
good lady, farewcll-I can be of NJ
use here. Let me ask Of you the ia
vor to get this poor boy decently bu.
ried by the enemy, when they inter
their own dcad.' He bent hastily
ever the dying ensign, wiped away a
tear, and rushed after the soldiers.
The good Quaker lady took one
hand of the youth in her own, and
passed her other over his clammy
brow, where the cold drops Of up
preaching death were fast gathering.
He opened his eyes for the last time.
smiled upon the woman whose gaze
was now fixed upon him, murmurcd
family, Dear motbcr!' clasped bel
hand convulsively, and the next in.
stant ceased to exist.
The lady said not a word. She
rose from her half-rccumbent posture,
threw . snow white linen sheet ovc,
the body, and, with a stifed sob,
looked down the avenue. In differ.
ent portions of the orchard appeared
soldiers bearing tho dying forms Of
their comrades, which they laid care
fully down, and then rushed rapidly
toward their regiments, passing up
the main avenue. In tho space of a
moment, more than dozen wounded
soldiers were placed in this way d.
rectly around the mansion.
Summ"ning her servants. one and all
the good lady went into tho orchard
to aid the poor dying soldiers as far
as lay in her power Her attention
had not thus long been given. before
an officer. in the buff and blue uni
form of Washington's staff, came
riding out at full speed up the road,
and turning, without Stacking his
pace, toward the mansion. He rein
ed in his steed as he reached the lady,
observing her kind actions toward
the soldiers,
''Have tho honor of addressing
Mrs. Murray?"
eff thee means the Wits of Robert
hurry, lam what thou call'st me, ="
replied the lady looking up. a~ ---
''My dear madam, pardon my mode
of address. The kindness now see
displayed tells me l am not mistak-
en-. The commander in-chief has sent
me to ask the favor, if possible, of
your detaining the advance of the
British troops. by receiving Sir Will
liam Howe and his associates With
your usual civilities, as they will
probably stop and take a glass of
wine {; requested. My dear madam"
and he bowed his head a little
nearer to the lady, as if in private
eonference-"a portion of our troops
are yet in the city, aud they can only
escape by the Bloomingdale road
lo~ may prevent tho march Of the
enemy across the island"
"Tell your General, young man.
that shall offer General Howe all
ths civilities in my pouer :"
"Thanks, Mrs. Murray-thanks!"
and the aid rode rapidly away.
Not more than five minutes had
from the time the officer had
when the sound of martial
music, with notes of victory, filled
the air, and proclaimed the move
ments of advancing troops. Mrs.
Murray went down to the road, and,
with two Or three attendants, await
ed their coming.
Indeed, it was q brilliant specta-
Gle! An advance corps of cavalry in
scarlet uniforms, came gallantly up
tho bill. their trumpets and kettle
drums in front ''discoursing most elo-
quent music" next followed COM
pany of grenadiers, and then q large
number Of officers in rich uniform.
The foremost officer on horseback was
Sir William Howe. commander IN.
chief of the British forces. Iu franc
of body and stature, Sir William
equalled Washington, both being
above the ordinary height. Here
the comparison stops. The coun-
tenance Of the British general, so
say historians. was harsh. dark and
forbidding, now and then lighted up
by a smile which seemed more disa-
greeable than preposscssing. On
ward came the cavalcadc, until they
reached the gate at which Mrs. MUIR
ray was standing, upon whom all eyes
were turned.
'Will thee not stop and refresh
thysclvcs for a season at my mansion.
Thee must be fatigued!" sho said
addressing herself to Sir William
Howe and the officers Immediately
about him.
REALLY. Clinton. I think We may
as w.ll accept this good lady's offer
for few moments. The troops have
had hot work SO far, and a general
rest will not be amiss. Madam, we
accept your kind offer with pleasure,
more so as it shows you to be loyal
friend Of his majesty whom l now
humbly represent, as commander-in-
chief Of his forces in North Amerl-
ca.
II am alike tho friend of King
George and of Congress-, of William