Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-29

DOOIleu dlOnS Tie d1T, eCIlO-
ing among the hooks and corners of
the ancient houses on the opposite side
of the street
Another moment, and q soldier with
face all crimsoned with blood and dark
ened by battle smoke, rushed through
the group clustering around the horse
of Washington, and in hurried voice
announced that the remnant of the
British regiment had thrown them
selves into the substantial stone man
sion on the left, and seemed determined
to make good desperate defense.
"What say you, gentlemen" cried
Washington; shall we press onward
ard attack the main body of the enc
my at once, or shall we first drive the
enemy from their stronghold, at this
mansion on our left?
The answer of Wayne was short and
to the point. Coward !"-na shouted,
and his sword rose in the air, all drip
ping with blood-"onward into the town
our soldiers are warmed with the
and with another blow
we have them p
And the gallant Hamilton, the brave
Pickering, the gifted Marshall, echoed
the cry" Onward while the hoarse
shout of Pulaski rang out in the air:
Observation-Disclosures p
ct is against every rule of military
SCIENCE" exclaimed Gen. Knox, whose
opinion in council was ever valuable
with Washington; it is against every
rule Of military science, to leave a fort
flied stronghold in the rear of an adj
vancing army. Let us first reduce the
mansion on our left, and then move
forward into the center of the town."
There was another moment of solemn
council: the older officers of the staff
united in opinion with Knox, and with
one quick anxious glance around the
scene of fog and mist, Washington gave
the orders to storm the house,
And at the word, while a steady vol
ume of flame was flashing from Chew's
house, every window pouring forth its
blaze, glaring over the wreath of mist,
the Continentals, horse and foot formed
across the road, to the north Of the
house, eager for the signal which would
bid them advance into the very jaws of
death.
All were ready for the storm. Here
were men with tirebrands, ready to rush
forward under the cover of the first vol
ley of musketry and fire the house;
here were long lines of soldiers grasp
ing their guns with quick nervous
movement, one foot advanced in the
act of springing forward yonder were
the cannoniers, their pieces loaded, the
linstock in the hand of one soldier,
while another stood ready with the next
charge Of ammunition; on every side
was intense suspense and expectation.
At this moment, when everything was
ready for the storm of death, an ex-
preston of the most intense thought
passed over the impenetrable counte-
nance of Washington. Every line of
his features was marked by thought, his
lips were sternly compressed and his
eyes gathered strange fire.
He turned to the east, and bent one
long anxious look over the white folds
Of mist, as though he would pierce the
fog with his glance, and gaze upon the
advancing columns of Greene and
Stephen He inclined his head to one
side of his steed, and listened for the
tramp Of their war horses, but in vain.
He turned towards Germantown; all
was silent in that direction, the main
body of the enemy were not yet in
motion.
And then, in calm voice, he asked
for an officer who would consent to bear
a flag of truce to the enemy. A young
and gallant officer of Lees rangers
sprang from his horse; his name Lieut.
Smith; he assumed the snow white flag,
held sacred by all nations, and with a
single glance at the Continental array,
he advanced to Chew's house.
In moment he was lost to sight
amid the folds of the fog, and his way
lay over the green lawn for some two
hundred yards. Ali was still and silent
around him. Tradition states that the
fire from the house ceased for mo-
ment, while Musgrave's band were ST.
lently maturing their plan Of desperate
defense. The young soldier advanced
along his lonely path, speeding through
the bosom Of the fog, all objects lost
to his sight, save the green verdure of
the sod, yet unstained by blood, and
here and there the trunk of giant
tree looming blackly through the mist.
The outline of a noble mansion be-
gan to dawn on his eye, first the sloping
roof, then the massive chimneys, then
the front of the edifce, and then it's
windows, all crowded with soldiers in
their crimson attire, whiskered face
appeared above face, with grisly mus
ket and glittering bayonet, thrust out
upon the air, while with fierce glances3
the hirelings looked forth into the
bosom Of that fearful mist, which still
like a death shroud for millions hung
over the lawn, and over the chimneys
of the house.
The young officer came steadily on,
and now he stood some thirty PAGES
from the house, waving his white flag
on high, and then with an even step he
advanced toward the hall door. He
but he never reached the
hall door. He was within the scope of
the British soldiers vision; they could
have almost reached him with an ex-
tended flag staff, when the loud word
of command rang through the house,
yolley of fire blazed from every win
dow, and the whole American army