The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-28

routed in their stockades. From this point
herushed for the rear of the Hessian strong
hold. 1t seems to be fact that Arnold s
personality alone won the hill from the
Germans. This height completely domi-
mated Burgoyne's camp, and was placed in
good hands for defense, the German regu-
lars under Gen. Breyman.
Arnold's conspicuous figure on his foam
ing black horse had attracted the atten-
ton of the opposing soldiery at various
periods OF the conflict, and his sudden ap
pearance in the rear of their fortress-for he
gained the sally port-spread dismay in
their ranks, and firing one wild volley they
fled the other way, only to be received in
that direction by the troops Arnold had
ordered to act in concert on the front. In
the face of that parting volley Arnold went
down, shot through the same leg that had
been disabled at Quebec, and his horse fell
dead at the same instant. The contest
ragged on for few minutes, the German
leader attempting to hold out, and losing
his life in the effort. 1t was nightfall, the
point was gained, and although the space
intervening between the height and the
main line where Balcarras commanded
was recovered by the British after Arnold
cess, the Americans chung to the hill and
Burgoyne evacuated his intrenchments in
the darkness. He knew that the kew was
lost and his fortified ground was untenable.
After shifting from point to point without
oattle he surrendered at the end of a week.
Two months later France made a treaty
acknowledging the independence of the
United States. Spain and Holland soon
followed the example set by the Bourbons,
and foreign fleets and troops certainly gave
heart, If not actual strength, to the revolu-
tlonlsts. For the victory at Saratoga con-
gress passed a vote of thanks to Gems.
Gates, Lincoln and Arnold Lincoln was
second in command, but like his chief he
abstained from appearing on the battle
field that day. Congress also granted
right for which Arnold had long sued in
valn-a recognition of his proper rank
among the major generals OF the army.
Saratoga was Arnold's last battle for free
dom, and his last moments there were the
grandest of his life. When his noble war
horse Warren fell, carrying him down
with bullet through his thigh bone, he
turned TO the men who followed with the
final exhortation, Rush on, nv brave
boys, rush onr' Heretofore it had been
Come onP' But Arnold could no longer
lead.
The German soldier who shot Arnold
had been spotted" by some one in the
American ranks and wounded, and another
soldier, maddened at the picture of his
fallen chief, drew up to plunge his bayonet
through the unfortunate Hessian. Arnold
saw the movement, and partly rising from
MS position and leaning upon the body of
his horse, he motioned the angry patriot
to stop. Don't hurt him." said he. He
Is fine fellow"
Says the latest biographer of Arnold
Qsaac n. Arnold: He who could thus
save the life of a helpless enemy. while
writing from wound just inflicted by
that enemy, could not have been wanting
IN generosity. This was the hour for Ben. /
edict Arnold to have died
Yes, death coming at that hour. in the |
excitement of a glorious victory won nv |
his valor, and with that chivaIrous bene-
diction upon his lips, would have made the /
name of Arnold one of flames few but /
immortal ones" instead of what it now is |
"a synonym for political infamy.
GEORGE L. kILMER.