Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-08
wATERBUEy EVENING -DElocRAT THURSDAY. july Z 1904

/ with the intoxication Of the fight and
his soul filed with great resolve, but
his sword play was as cool and as
rapid as 1t had been in the Sale des
Armes at Paris, where few could be
found to master him. The little group
or British paused a moment in admira-
tlon of his courage
| "One at time, gentlemen he cried,
smiling and warding off a vicious
| bayonet thrust. rs there none here
| who will cross swords with me for the
honor Of his flag?"
I,he young lieutenant in command OF
that part Of the line promptly sprang
forward and engaged. The two blades
| rang fiercely together and grated along
each other moment later. The men
| stepped back. But the brave lieutenant
had met his match and, with set lips
| and iron arm, Talbot drove home his
blade in the others heart. Ere he
could recover himself or withdraw his
sword he was beaten to his knees by
a blow from a gun barrel. The blood
ran down over his face.
Surrender Surrender" they cried
to him, and we will spare your Hfev'
Tor answer his hand sought his re-
naming pistol. The first one of his
opponents fell dead with bullet
through his heart, and the next mo-
ment the deadly steel of bayonet was
buried i'll Talbot's throat.
'Kate-Kater' he cried in agony, the
blood bubbling from his lips and then
another bayonet found his gallant
! heart, and he sank down OH his face
ut the foot Of the dying officer, his
lips kissing the soil of that country in
defense of whose liberties he had
fallen.
AS was customary with his family,
he had died on the field, grimly facing
fearful odds to the last, The last of
his line, he had made good ending,
not unworthy his distinguished ances-
try; for none of the proud and gallant
race had ever died In the service Of a
better cause, be it that of king or par
lament, than this young soldier who
had just laid, down his life for love of
his country!
The slight check afforded by the in
terposition Of the Americans was over.
The British were sweeping everything
before them, when Colonel MANHOOD,
the cool headed officer who had been
sitting on a little brown pony, with a
small switch in his hand, directing the
combat, became aware Of large body
of men coming up on his right flank
through the wood. With the readiness
of a practiced soldier, he instantly
stopped the advance of his men, wheel
ed them about, brought up his guns
and prepared to open fire. The Amer
lean officers had time to mark with
admiration the skill with which the
maneuver was effected and the beau
tiful precision with which the men car
ried out their orders. Then the force,
q large body Of Pennsylvania militia
which Washington had dispatched at
the first sound of firing In the direction
Of Mercer, broke out Of the wood and
advanced rapidly. The muskets of the
redcoats were quickly brought to the
shoulder and at the word of command
the British line was suddenly tipped
with fire and then covered with smoke
Many Of the militia fell at this volley
delivered at close range; some OF the
fallen lay still and motionless, while
others groaned with pain. The raw
troops fired hastily into the smoke,
then hesitated and stopped uncertainty
as the vorley was repeated. 1t was
another critical moment, and the hour
brought the man.
washington himself had most OPP
portunely arrived on the field in adj
vance OF the troops, attended by Sey-
mour One glance showed him Mer-
GERS broken retreating column and the
hesitating Pennsylvania militia! Every
thing was at stake. 1t was not time
for strategic maneuvers now, but for
men-nay, there were men there as
good as ever fought-but for man
then. Providentially one was at hand.
Putting spurs to his gallant white
horse, he rode down the line in front Of
the Pennsylvania militia, waving his
hat and cheering them on.
can old fashioned Virginia fox hunt,
gentlemen he cried gayly, giving the
| view halloo! Galloping forward under
the fire OF the British battery, he called
| to MERGERS shattered men. They halt
ed and faced about The Seventh Vir,
Einia broke through the wood on the
flank of the British. Hitchcock's New
Englanders came up on the run with
Hxed bayonets. Moulders Philadelphia
| battery opened fire from the hill on the
| opposing guns.
The fire of a warrior had now sup
| planted the coolness of general.
! Dashing boldly forward, reckless Of
the storm of bullets, to within thirty
yards Of the British line, and smiling
i - |