Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-06-05
For the SPECTATOR
Col. Charles POrterfleid.
.IContiRued.l

continued.
Mr.. Editor: The young soldier goes on
to give the reasons for the failure of the
expedition before Quebec. He animad-
verts on some officers, which l withhold.
He concludes his narrative of this unfortu-
nate exhibition with these remarks:
''Since that unhappy morning, we have
had feeling sense Of living under an ar
bitrary power. A sample of that govern
ment we must expect if subdued by the
British troops. During the whole of the
engagement, l was in the hottest of the
fire, and never had so much as my clothes
touched, although many fell by me, and
others had their clothes shot through"
The patriotism, our friend goes on to
say, which fired the bosom of Col. Porter
field was real. With what veneration
should the memory of these heroes be held.
And yet, let me say, as l said when refer
ing to his brother, the General, their mem
DRY is forgotten, and the plowshare will
soon ruthlessly obliterate their last resting
place, if some step is not soon taken to
prevent it.
We pass over several days, in which
nothing is related in his Journal particu-
larry but the arrival of transports with
troops, and departure of some Of the off
GERS for sold England" Col. Arnold, we
understand, is entrenched at Lyshee, about
nine miles above Montreal.
Monday, June 3rd. We received intelli-
gence to-day that there are about $1,000
troops gone to New York under command
Of Ger. Howe; 5000, under command of
Gen. Clinton, to join Lord Dunmore for
Virginia; and $4,000 for Carolina, with
what are destined for this place and what
were in America before, will consist of at
least 20, 600 men. Likewise that there are
$4,000 Russians ready to embark on any
emergency that may happen. Mai. Garlic
ton was pleased to come at our request.
Our business was to desire that he would
speak to the General to know if he would
grant US the liberty of the town on our pa
role.
The General, on being approached, said
he had no instructions from his Majesty in
regard TO us, and consequently could do
nothing.
In accordance with the Generals desire.
Capt. Lamb prepared this paper to his
Majesty:
"May it please yoar ErcclLency:
Impressed with a sense of your Excel
lency's humanity and beuevolence, and
urged by the popularity of our present sit
u2tion, being destitute of both friends and
money, beg leave to request that your Ex-
cellency will condescend to take our case
into consideration, and grant us relief by
permitting us to return to our respective
homes on our parole" There was much
more Of it, and signed by Chew, Green,
Col, &c.
Friday, June 18th. Maj Carleton came
to let us know that he had presented our
Petition; that there was something in it
that the General could not be satisfied to
grant. He Informed us that we were looked
upon as rebels by his Majesty, Parliament,
&c.
He desired us to prepare another petit
ton, and leave out such part as he init
mated was disagreeable. But as we could
not sse any difference it would make, BY
leaving out the sentence limited at, we
addressed another letter to his Excellency,
and sent to the Major to present, &c.
About O'Clock this afternoon, Mai.
Carleton came, informing us that he had
presented our second letter, and had the
pleasure to inform US he was disposed to
let US return home on parole, sc. Mai
Carleton, in all his words and actions in
his intercourse with us, has shown himself.
in everything, the true soldier and gentle
man.
The young soldier returned to Virginia
on his parole, too long to COPY, where he
remained until an exchange of prisoners
Soon after that event, he joined the south
ern division of the army under Gen. Green
He was i'll the battle of Camden, the fore
most in the fight, when he was wounded in
the thigh by muSket ball and both bones
broken. He was again taken prisoner.
All his baggage and effects fell into the
hands OF the enemy, except what he had
about his person. Being in want of a sit
uation, DC, be addressed letter to Lord
Rawden--nO date:
'Ag Lord: 1t being the opinion of every
surgeon with whom l have had the oppor-
tuniby Of advising that a change of air is
absolutely necessary for the recovery of
my health, | beg leave to request YOUR
LOrdships appreciation of the following
indulgencies, which the extreme politeness
and friendship have experienced, togeth.
CT with the many favors | have received at
your Lordshhips hands, give me reason to
hope viii be granted, VIZ: that Dr. John
son, my brother Capt. Porterfeld, and NV
sell, and our servants horses, may have
your Lordship's permission to proceed from
Ihis place to Charleston with such dispatch
as my low State will admit.
AS the small supplies of specie | have
received since prisoner are almost ex-
hausted, and from the necessity l conceive
there will be of my having a considerable
sum for the purpose of bearing my expens-
es to Charleston, l am induced to take the
liberty Of asking your Lordship to lend
me thirty guineas, Gf conveniently which
sum / will take care shall be returned your
Lordship as early as possible.
Sensible of your Lordship's willingness
to serve those in distress, am, nv Lord,
your Lords most obedient and humble ser
want, G. PoRTERFIELD.'
Note from Lord Rawden, written on
parchment Here, we learn for the first
time that our hero bears the title of Colo
onel, and where, when, and under what
circumstances obtained, we are not in
formed:
Lord Rawden sends his compliments to
Lieut. Col. Porterfeld, and would have sup
piled him sooner with wine and sugar had
not his own stock been expended. Lord
Rawden has borrowed some, which he now
sends for Col. Porterfeld's occasions, but
will be able to supply him plentifully to-
morrow, as boat has arrived at the Land
ing Place with quantity for Lord r.
LETTER TO HIS BROTHER.
CAMDEN, October 10Th, 1880.
Dear Brother: No doubt you have heard
of my hard fortune on the 10Th August,
near this place. l had my leg shattered
by musket ball, both bones broken. 1t
WIS hardly practicable to have saved my
leg, had it been properly taken care of, but
remained ten days without any surgeon,
and then was brought ten miles in a cart
to this place, September 7th. had my
leg amputated above the knee; the stump
is mending fast. l am in hopes, in two
weeks at farthest, to be able to set out for
Virginia. have obtained parole there
to stay till called for. have obtained IN
common marks of civility from the Office of |
this place in general Lord RaMden sup |