Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-03-11

, ping with blood" onward into tn.
, town-our soldiers are warmed with thu
chase-onward, and with another blow
We have them I"
And tho gallant Hamilton, the brave
} Pickering, the gifted Marshall, echoed
the cry-"Onward while the hoarst
shout of Pulaski rang out in the air
Forwarts-brudern-
at is against every rule of military
science, exclaimed General Knox, whose
J opinion in council was ever valuable with
Washington |; "it is against every rule
! Of military science, to leave fortified
} str ,nghold in tho rear OF an advancing
army. Let us first reduce the mans on
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 staf{
united in opinion with Knox, and with
one quick anxious glance around the
scene of fog and mist. Washington gave
che orders to storm the house.
And at the word, while q steady
volume OF flame was flashing from
Chew's house, cry window pouring
forth its blaze, glaring over the wreath
of mist, the Oontinentals, 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 was ready for the storm. Tere
were men with firebrands, ready to rush
forward under the cover of the first vol.
ley of musketry and fire the house here
| ~
their guns with quick nervous move
ment, one foot advanced in the act of
springing forward; yonder were the
cannoniers, their pieces loaded, the lin
stock in the hand Of one soldier, while
another stood ready with the next
char. of ammunition; on every side
was intense suspense and expectation.
At this moment, when everything was
ready for The storm of death, an express
sion of the most intense Thought passed
over the impenetrable countenance of
Washington. Every line of his features
was marked by thought, his lips were
sternly compressed, and his eyes gather
ed 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 toward Germantown all was
silent in that direction, the main body
OF the enemy were not yet in motion.
And then, in a 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 q
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 hun
dred yards. All was still and silent
around him. Tradition states that the
fire from the house ceased for a mo-
ment, while Musgrave's band were 81
lently maturing their plan o. 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 noble mansion began {
to dawn on his eye, first the sloping
roof, then the massive chimneys, then {
,he front Of the edifice, and then it's 6
all crowded with soldiers in I
heir crimson attire, whiskered face ap-
oearing above face, with grisly musket I
md glittering bayonet, thrust out upon I
he air, while with fierce glances the t
lirelings looked forth into the bosom of
hat fearful mist, which still, like a t
leath shroud for millions, hung over the '
avn, and over the chimneys of the I
louse.
The young officer came steadily on, 9
nd now he stood some thirty paces '
rom the house, waving his white flag n
N high, and then with an even step he =
dvanced toward the hall door. He adj +
'anced, but he never reached the hall i
loor. He was within the scope of the t
British soldiers vision; they could have 8
lmost touched him with an extended b
lag staff, when the loud word of com.
nand rang through the house, volley r
# fire blazed from every window, and u
he whole American army saw the fog v
ifted from the surface of the lawn, like d
vast curtain from the scenes of mag q
iicent theater. I
Slowly and heavily that curtain up d
ose, and hail storm of bullets whistled tt
cross the plain, when the soldiers OF p
he Continental host looked for their II
of peace.
They beheld gallant form in front
the mansion. He seemed making an
fort to advance, and then be tottered {
, and fro, and his white flag disappear II
d for moment; and the next instant I
g fell down like heavy weight upon u
ne sod, and hand trembling with the a
ulse of death was raised above his =
cad, waving white flag in the air. u
hat flag was stained with blood; it was n
,e warm blood flowing from the young v
'jrginian's heart. II
Along the whole American line there =,
ing one wild yell of horror. Old men l.
Used their muskets on high, while the al
'ars gathered in their eyes; the young n
'ldiers all moved forward with one sud a.
en- step; a wild light blazed in the eve u
Washington; Wayne waved his drip &c
ing sword on high; Pulaski raised his " c
roud form in the stirrups, and gave n
ne meaning glance to his men; and W
ZEN, through every rank and file, ct
trough every column and solid square, o.
ing the terrible words of command, W
I'd high ajove all 9th sounds was m
card the voice of Washington: d'
"Charge, for your country and for sv
'ngeance- charged" W