Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1871-03-11
THE BLADENSBURG RACES.

for the humor it displays. f.. IL.
frederick city, March 4, 1871.
THE BLADENSBURG RACES.
TProbably it is not generally known, tina
the flight of Mahomet, the flight OF JOIN
Gilpin, and the fight Of Bladcnsburg, al
occurred on the Gath Of August
james Madison Soldier was,
OF courage and rcnown,
And GeneralissimO was he
Of famous Washington.
Quoth Madison unto his Dear,
Though frighted we have been
''These two last tedious weeks, yetWe
mo enemy have seen.
"To-morrow is the twenty fourth,
"And much indeed fear
That then, or on the following day,
"INat Cockburn will be here
"To-morrow, thcn," quoth she, we'llfly,
"As fast as we can pour
"Northward, unto Montgomery,
"All in our coach and four
"My sister Cults, and Cults, and ],
"And Cutts's children three,
"Will fill the coach;-so you must ride
"On horseback, after wc.'
He soon replied, II do admire
"Of human kind but one,
"And you are she, my Dolly dcar.A
"Thcrcforc it shall bc done.
II am Gencralissimo,
CAS- all the world doth know;
"And my good friend and namcsakc too
"Shall mount his horse, and go.
my trusty stccd, the Griffin bold,
"Will bear me safely through;
"And Cockburn is a lucky dog,
IF ere he catch Monroe.
wen start as though for Bladcnsburg;
but, when we've clcard the town,
"We'll for Montgomery, and o'ertakc
"The coach at early noon"
Quoth Mistress Dolly, "Thats we'll said,
For, should it oncetranspirc,
THAT to Montgomery you're fled,
Twill set the town on fire.
The General kissed his loving wift;
Ocrjoycd was he to tind
Though bent on running off, she'd still
His hQnor in her mind.
The morning camc-thc coach was brought
But yet not allow'd
To drive up to the door, for fear
The mob should grumble loud.
at Brother Cuts the coach was staid,
Where they did all get in
Six precious souls, and all agog
To dash through thick and thin.
Smack went the whip; round went the
wheels,
Were never folks so glad;
The dust did rise beneath the coach,
AS though the dust were mad.
The General at his horses side,
Seizd fast the flowing name,
And up he got in haste to start,
But soon stopt short again.
For saddle-tree scarce rcach'd Was hc,
And seated to his mind,
When. turning round bis face, he saw
His Cabinet behind.
Monroe was there, and Armstrong bold,
NO DOlucr man mote be,
And Rush, tn Attorney-Gen-e-ral;
All on their horses three.
Not so the Boatswain:-l0 he sat
In his bird house alone,
And penn'd two letters, to bc sent
As soon as they were done:
The first, to mw the Navy Yard,
Order'd it to be ,fr'd,:
The other, dated back, to cheat,
Tile nun, schose House hchQrd.
Monroe, you're late ~ quoth Madison
"'Tis late indeed, fear,
For lis to steer for Bladensburg:
"Thc British arc too near"
The Cabinet on horseback sat,
And there they rcdson'd high,
If for the camp they should set OUT,
Or northward straight shoul
Not long before the gallant ,four
Had plann'dit to their mind -
When Cutiec scream'd, "Dc ShappO-hat
And Sword be leave behind"
Good lackm quoth he, bring e'n,3nc,
"My leathcrn belt likewise,
I'm which bear my trusty Sword,
when do exercise"
Now, Miss Dolly, Careful soul y
Two wrappcr-bags had found,
TO hold the sword and chapeau-bras,
And keep them safe and sound.
Up Cuffre starts-and brings the bags,
And lays them open wide;
Then puts the chapeau on his head,
The sword upon his side.
Then over all, that he might bc
Equippd from top to toe,
His long blue coat, well brush'd and neat,
lie manfuly did throw.
Now see him starting once again
Upon his nimble steed,
Full slowly pacing through the street,
With caution and good head
But gaining soon the country road
Beneath his wcllshod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galrd in his scat.
AS luck would have it, all at once, "a.
At distance in the rear,
Six gallant troopers, mounted well,
Approaching did appear.
And one, upon his buglc horn,
So loud blast did blow,
Our Hero wish'd him ten miles of
lie scar'd the Griffin SO.
So-"Fairly and softly" James did cry;
But James he cried in vain;
The Griffin gallop'd off outright,
In spite Of curb or rein.
So STOPPING down, (ashe needs must,
Who cannot sit upright,)
He grasp'd the name with both his hands
And exc with all his might.