Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-12-15
The Mason's Last Request.
BY EDWARD 2 c. jUDsoN.

II was very no, day in the summer Of
l77s. The British General Clinton, with .
formidable army, was Fastening across tho
sandy plains of New Jersey, to join the forces
of General Howe, 1T Sandy Hook. And,
Washington, with al army resenerated into
life. determined. if it lay within the bound Of
possibility, to prevent that junction; and to
effect his purpose, sent large detachment Of
light troops, under General Ice to harass their
movements and retarl their progress until he
could come up with the main force aod elect
their capture or destruction.
AS soon as the American sharpshooters IN
The van Of Lees army began to annoy tho
British, the latter drew up in order Of battle
aud prepared for 'leicuce. The Americans
boldly pushed on and were driving all before
them, when 70 their utter as,cnsbment, and
to the deep modification Of their gallant oili-
ce,s, who were flushed with the hope Of VIC
tory almost in their hands Gen Lee ordered a
retreat.
s. sme manilal many brow then and
there; and it spite of discipline angry words
broke from many lip; for even then, as
now, the word retreat sounded strangely, aye,
almos, harshly, upon an American ear. Boz
tie order had been given by him who bad
command. aud he must be obeyed. But so
angry and unwilling were those who fcll back
that they did no, preserve the order which
they would have done had they only tccn
yielding to stern necessity.
And Tie British, overjoycd at a victory 50
easy, were pushing their advantages as they
ever did, merciessly, and our brave men were
falling fast before them, when suddenly DASH
ing forward upon a horse which was white
with foam, rode that ma,chloss man upon.
whom a Nation fate depended.
"What means this cowar'ly retreat? Who
dared 70 order it2' he thuudcred
81 did" was the angry response Of Gen.
Lee.
"Rllly your men coward, or G. hide your
face in slamew cried Washington, that day
giving vent to passion which hitherto, under
all circumstances, be bad managed to control.
Halt and form " he cried again, in q voice
so loud that it fcl! alike upon the ears Of
friend and foe.
And though the bullets fell ike bail around
him, aud brave men dropped upon bis night
hand and upon lis left, he sat unmoved up,n
his horse, stc,nmed the tide Of retreat, and
checked the advance Of the trum phant foo
The carriage was terrible. Bayonet claslcl
against bayonet, sabre met sabre, while DE
! sulphurous smoke almost bid the combatants
from view and they sprsus at each other
like fends, lighted by the flashes Of cannon
0nd the blaze Of musketry.
One gallant officer whose gray hairs had
become tinged witt blood, fought directly un-
der tbc eyes Of Washington, whom he loved
not only as a general, but as a Brother, bound
by that mysterious and holy tic which equal
lies peasant with a prince. By bis sile thrco
sons Of lesser rank, the younger scarce ls
years Of age, fought IS bravcy as himself
1t was at that moment when, with Was,-
ington at their head, tho Americans drove
back the foe at the bayonets point, that be
whom will call Major Carroll. who was lead
log bis battalion on, himself on foot lfor two
horses hal already gone down under him on
tha, day and to whom I just alluded saw
a British officer fall, who had, With heroic sll-
lantry, striyen 10 stem the changing tide
Though wounded ani down, the brave o0i-
Ger still struggled and drawing a pistol dis
abled man whose bayoue, WAS al bis breast
Major Carrolrs sword was raised above bis
bead, but quickly a sign, word, aud tho
widows son" was safe, for the Zoe whose
arm bad just been raised was a Brother, whose
extended hand was ready 10 III. him who
lay upon the earth n such distress.
But oh fatal pause that generous bosom,
50 full Of Fnterna love, which did not forget
duty even there amid the wild carnage Of bat
tie, vas pierced BY a bullet and the brave
Carroll sank dying by the side Of him who
had called for help and had not been refused.
Washington's eyes were Oh him--hc knew who
aud what be was, for he had sat with him in
place where light abouaJcl but he could
not wait--;be enemy are flying and must be
pursued.
"On" cried the dying hero to bic mcn.-
Forward % he shouted to bis men.
I'VE are victorious, and am content"
The battle was over. The British bad been
swep, back over the cory field which they haI
taken, ard night bad drawn iis mantle ever
the horrors which the day exposed.
And by Major CarroIs side knelt the only
one Of his race that was left 70 lie-hs
youngest born. His two elles, sons bal fall
en- on tha, dear bought GelI-iiko himself
contented that they died for their eyun;ry.
and fell in the hour when victory was theirs.
"Fl.ber, what can DO for your said tie
boy hero, as he gasped bis dying sire by tie
hand, aud sustained bis heal upon BIS breast
" Be a man and do your duty to your coun-
try first, and 10 your mother next And
lad, save that Masonic rcgalia 10 our Ma
tons father, invested ne with it. Save Il.
aud act SO worthy that when you are Of full
age you may be entitled to wear It. It is ny
last request
IL scor tLo rcf'e e,;,:, - -. t-,-o