The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-08-23

bles down, and, forthwith the who
camp gets under arms"
My blood boiled for a severe rotor
but | simply said:
4 nave lefs the cawardly pack, an
do not wish to be considered a rebel"
An hour or two after, was conducte
into the presence of a number Of distii
guished officers, all of whom weI
| splendidly dressed. They were seate
around tab.e covered with maps, draw
ings and papers. One, from his sterr
naughty bearing. and his post of homo
at the head of the table, I believed I
be L 'rd CORVALLIS himself"
"Well, fellow" he said eyeing m
sternly, you are deserler from tia
cursed rebel nest?"
$50 please your lordship."
"Umph how know you it is M
lordship?"
Il fancy I perceive the stamp of no
bilily in your features"
"a shrewd knave!" he rejoined, bu
evidently not displeased. "Well, why
did you desert?"
Il thought I could do better thar
work in trenches so near the roya
| lines"
do you wish to enli,t in our ranks ?
"Not till this siege is over, so please
your lordship.'
"What is the number of the whole
rebel force now before the town.
Il have heard it estimated at sixteen
thousand, your lordship."
His lordship compressed his lips and
frowned.
81 suppose Mr.. Washington thinks
he has me at last !" he said with sullen
anger; "but | will show him that the
race is not always to the swift, nor the
battle to the strong. If Clinton would
only come with his reinforcements !" he
added, as if thinking aloud "What Gin
detain him But be will soon be here /;
and once out of this, | will cut the allied
army to pieces and lay waste the whole
country. Gods! if he were only here
now~ and he struck the table with his
fist. "How do our bat cries tell on the
rebels?' he suddenly demanded of me.
1t was with a degree of satisfaction I
could scarcely conceal that replied:
They have done but little damage so
far, your lordship-the intrenchments
save the men"
"But the rebels do not reply to US.
he said with frown.
"They will shortly, your lordship.
Their great guns and mortars have ar
rived, and are rapidly being mounted
and put in position"
"And do they really think they can
compel US to surrender ?"
They are just foolish enough to think
so, your lordship."
After few more questions, his lord
ship waved his hand, and I was led
away.
An hour later, a severe cannonade
opened against our whole line of trenches
and redoubts, and was continued all
night and the next day.
Being now at liberty to 60 where |
pleased l went through the streets OF |
he town, mingled with the soldiery, |
md ascertained that the prevailing |
seeling was heavy gloom, deep mortifca-
ion, and bitter haired Of the rebels.
The most sanguine felt that without
good fortune their doom was
,ea ed.
The night following my desertion the
American guns opened fire on the devo |
ed town and from that time, for
week, ball and bomb came crashing in
.mongst US, doing the most terrible ex
.cution.
The British fought bravely, and with I
and there was an incessant
hunder of commons and mortars night
md day.
The most sublime scene was in the
light, when a hundred constant flashes
.ould be seen below, and the heavens
.bove were bright with meteoric shells,
rossing each others path, and coming
lown in fiery shower at every point.
One night red hot ball set fire to
he Charon forty-four gun ship. station
d in the river, and this to three other
mailer vessels, and all were consumed
ogether, presenting a spectacle OF
,loomy magnifcence l shall never for
.et.
l have only mentioned what saw,
,ut no description could do justice to
he awful scene of destruction on every
land.
Toward the last the allies had a hum
red batteries in constant play; while
hose of the British, one by one were
teadilY becoming silenced.
At last it became known that Corn
'allis had resolved on the desperate
of crossing the river in the
light to Gloucester with the main body |
+ MS army, with The intention of cut
ing to pieces the French troops station
d there in opposition to Tarleton, and
hen mourning their horses, and such
theirs as they might be able to seize,
nd attempting to reach New York by
and, leaving his sick and wounded to
he mercy Of the allies.
This I thoughta matter of Importance
D our commander-in-chief;a and watch
lg my opportunity. made my escape
t considerable peril, to the American
mes. and conveyed the news TO Gen.
who again thanked me for
ly zeal in the service of my country,
nd prepared to act on the information.
Lord CORVALLIS actually did make
be attempt to escape in this manner;
ut sudden Storm defeated the plan
he boats, instead Of crossing, were
riven down the river, and nearly lost
and the next day he was forced to
be humiliation of sending ia, to the
espised rebels, to negotiate the terms
f that surrender which marks so
right an epoch in the history of our
ountry.
A few words from my captain restored
le in triumph to my comrades and
ad the proud satisfaction Of being
resent when the whole British army
larched out in silence. with colors
ased, and laid down their arms at the
eet of their conqnerors-a sullen, angry,
ut humbled body of prisoners of war.
How The Old Salaries Were Paid
Between 1777 and 1884 the Territory
f Tennessee (really part of North Car
lina) maintained State Government
= Al. - r q I'll liz. T. IL