The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-20
THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS,


hon OF Philadelphia, a schooner, coming down tns
river, loaded with kegs. met with some mishap, bJ
whicn the kegs were preclpltated into the water
Floating down with the stream they were espied
,ary In the morning by sentinel, who, startled
u the strange appearance OF this crowd OF kegs,
rave the alarm thinking that the bells were about
making an attack on the city. Mr.. Hopkinson-
hen residing at Bordentown, with ready wit ina
nortaized the fright OF the British In the verses:-
BIZ FRANCIS HopKNsoN, IN 1903.
Tune-"Maggy Lander"
GaIanss attend and hear Q friend
lrill forth harmonious ditty,
Though things pn tell which late Defen
In Philadelphia city
TWAS early day, as poets say,
Just when the sun was rising,
soldier stood on o log OF wood
And saw sight surprising.
A. in amaze ne stood TO gaze,
The truth can't be denied, slrs,
he spieu q score or kegs OF more
Come boating down the tide, sirs.
A sailor too, in jerkin blue,
Tne strange appearance viewing,
First damned his eyes In great surprise,
Then said, .'Some miscniefs Drewlngw
These kegs now mold 'hc rebels bold
Pacg'd up like picked herring,
And they've come down to attack the town
In this new mode OF ferrylng.
vne soldier new, the sanor. too,
AND scared almost to death, sir:
wore out their shoes to spread the news,
And ran tilS out or preata, sir.
How up and down. throughout the town,
Most frantic scenes were acted,
And some ran here ana some ran there,
Like men almost distracted.
some nre cried, which some denied,
But said the earth mad quaked;
And glrls and boys with aldeous noise
Ran through the town half naked.
Sir william,s he, snug as q nea-
Lay all this time q snoring,
Eor dreamt OF harm as be lay warm,
AT home with Mrs. L-g.
Now in fright ne starts upright
Awaked by such clatter.
He rubs his eyes and boldly srleA
For God sake what's the matterf
~ his bedside he then espied
sir Erskinet At command, sir.
Upon one foot he had one boot
Ana 'tother In his hand, sir.
Artsei arise Sir Erakine crsA
The rebels-mores pity
Without boat are all anost,
And ranged before the CITY.
This motley crew, In vessels new.
With satan for their guide, sir,
Packed up In bags or wooden kegs
Come driving down the tide, Gis.
therefore prepare for bloody war,
These kegs must all be routed
or surely we despised shall be
And British courage doubted
The royal band now ready stand,
All ranged in dread array. cir,
wltb stomacns stout 70 see IL oat
And make q bloody day, sn
The cannon roar from shoFe 70 snors,
The small arms maKs q ratio.
Since wars began I'm sure 20 man
Fer saw so strange battle
me rebels's wales, the rebels dalss,
With rebel trees surrounded;
The distant woods. the hills and noc1A
With rebel ecRoes sounded.
The nsh below swan 70 and no,
Attacked from every quarter,
why sure thought they, tue deviIs to par
,Mongst folks above the water
The kegs. Ills said, though strongly made
or reoel slaves and hoops sir,
Could not oppose their powerful foes
The conquering British troops. sir.
From morn TIL night these men or might
Displayed amazing courage,
AND when the sun was fairly down
Retired to sup their porridge.
Ahundred men, with each pen,
or more upon my word, str,
It's most true would DC too lev.
Their valor TO record, sir.
such feats as tney performed that day
Upon these wicked kegs. sir,
That years to come. n they get home,
They'll MAKE their boast ana orag, sir.
sSir william Howe.
4Sir W. Ershine.
sIne British officers were 20 fond or the word .eocl
nat they often applied Il most aDsurdly.
THE OLD NORTH STATE.
@
1T HON. WILLIAM GAsT0v.
carolina Carolina Heavens blessings attend
her
While ne live we win cherish and love and defend