The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-07-19


From the autobiography ci Thurlo'
Weed. the following interesting sccoun
of an accident preceding the battle Z
Chippewa in isia. is taken;
0ne evening after our rubbsr said !
the general. There is one question hsv
often wished TO ask you, but have bee
restrained by the fear that il might b
improper The general drew himself u
and said in his emphatic manner; .'Sir
you arc incapable Of asking an imprope
question / said: "You are very kind
but il my inquiry is indiscreet l am sur
you will allow ii TO pass unanswered" /"
II hear you, sir, he replied
"well, then. general. did anything rc
markable happen to you on the morning
OF the battle Of the Chippewas2"
After brief but impressive silence, HI
said: Yes, sir; something did happen Il
me- something very remarkable, and
will now, for the third time in my life, re
peat the story; The 4th day Of July. 1874
was one Of extreme heat On that day
my brigade skirmished with British
force commanded by General Rial. from
an early hour in the morning till late in
the afternoon. We had driven the enemy
down ak river some IL miles TO Streets
creek, near Chippewa, where We encamped
for the night, our army occupying the
west, while that Of the enemy was en-
camped on the east side Of the creek. Az
ter our tents had been pitched I observed
flag borne by man in peasants dress
approaching my marquee. He brought o
letter from lady who occupied large
mansion on the opposite side Of the creek
informing me that she was the wife Of o
member Of Parliament, who was then Of
Quebec; that her children, servants and O
young lady friend we're alone with her in
the house; that General Riall had placed
sentinel before her door, and that she
ventured, with great doubts Of the pro-
priety Of the request. to ask that ! would
place sentinel upon the bridge to pro-
tect her against stragglers from our camp.
/ assured the messenger that the lady's re-
quest should be complied with. Early
the next morning the same messenger,
bearing white flag, reappeared with q
note from the same lady, thanking me for
the protection she had enjoyed, adding
that, in acknowledgement Of my civilities,
she begged that I would, with such mem
bers OF my staff as l choose to bring with
me, accept the hospitalities Of her house
OF breakfast which had been prepared
with with considerable attention, and was
quite ready. Acting upon an impulse
which l never have been able to analyze
or comprehend, I called two Of my aids,
Lieutenans Worth and Watts, and went
to the mansion already indicated. We met
our hostess At the door. who ushered us
into the dining room, where breakfast
awaited us. and where the young lady
previously referred to was already seated
by the coffee urn. Our hostess asking to
se excused for q few minutes. the young
Iao Y Immediately served our coffee. Be-
Iore We had broken our fast, Lieutenant
Watts :, We from the table to get his ban
lama (tha.t being before the days of nap
kins,. which he had left in his cap on q
tide table by Il ''e window, giancing through
which he saw Indians approaching the
house on one side and red coats approach
Ine il on the other, with an evident pur-
pose Of surrounding it and us, and instant
u exclaimed. General, We are betrayed
5pringing from the table and clearing the
house saw our danger, aid remembering
hat Lord Chesterfield had s'aid,i Whatev-
,r it is proper TO do it is proper 70 do
xell,' and as we had TO run, and my legs
we're longer tAaA my companions, ! soon
,utstripped them Aswe made our escape
We we're fred at. bat got across the bridge
n safety.
..r selt 30 much shame and modification
having so nearly fallen into trap that
conld soar, ely fix my mind upon the du-
!. vh;ch nou demanded my undivided
,,er,;on r.mo 'hst had committed q
rest indiscretion in a, 'ceptins the singu.
II invitation, and that i. -
ilted from it 1 richly des, ri
9TH my commission and cha .s.-:
found myself wo. 49,.
neither the lady really intended to b.
J, or bad been accidentally observe,
he question would recur, even amidst
10 excitement Of battle. Fortunately,
,wever, my presence and services in the )
I'D were not required until Generals Por.
T and Ripley had been engaged at inter
! for several hours, 80 that when my
igade, with Towson's artillery, we're or.
red 10 cross Streets creek, my nerves
d confidence had become measurably .
ieted and restored.
Il need not describe the battle Of Chip !.
va. That belongs To, and is part Of
. history Of our country. II is sufficient 4
say that at the close Of the day We were 4
listers Of the position, and that our arms
re in no way discredited. The British H
ny had fallen back. leaving their wound 4
in our possession. The mansion which :,
lsd visited in the morning was the larg. !,
house near, and to that the wounded !
Icers in both armies we're carried for !.
rgical treatment. As soon as I could !
We the field / went over TO look after !,
: wounded. / found the English Off. !,
's lying oD the first floor and our own !,
the floor above. ! saw In the lower !,
I'M tha vounO ladv vhom had rnek In .