Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-19

camp at burlington In pursuit OI Uril-
fms gallant six hundred. When he re-
turned unsuccessful, the news from
Trenton had so alarmed him that he
fed precipitately, abandoning his
heavy baggage and some OF his artil-
lery. 1t was a work of joy for the
pursued to pursue, a reversal of con-
ditions which put the heavy German
veterans ut strange disadvantage
compared with their alert and active
pursuers. They had marched through
that country with a high hand. plum
dering and abusing its inhabitants in
frigatful way. and they were now
being made to experience the hatred
they themselves had enkindled. The
country people rose against them ana
cut them off without mercy.
1t took two days to get the troops
across Oh account of the ice in the riV-
er. And now came another difiiculty
The time of the major part OF the
Americans had expired OH the last day
of the year, but Washington had them
paraded and had ridden up and ad-
dressed them in a brilliant, soldierlike
fashion, and they had to man volun-
teered TO remain with him for SIX
weeks longer, or as much more time as
WAS necessary to enable him to COM
plete his campaign before he went i'll
to winter quarters. He was at last
able 10 pay them their long deferred
salary out Of the $4,000 sent him by
Robert Morris, which Seymour and
Talbot that day had brought him. and
for their future reward he checrfully
pledged his own vast estate, an exam
pie Of self sacrifice which Greene,
Stark. Talbot Seymour and others OF
the officers who possessed property nj
once emulated. The men were put IN
good spirits by n promise of SO boun-
ty also. and they were ready ami en-
ger for fight.
Reed. attended by six young gentle
men Of the Philadelphia troop, had
been sent out 10 recOnnoiter. Up to-
ward Princeton they had surprised
British outpost composed OF sergeant
anil twelve dragons. The sergeant
escaped. but the twelve dragons. pan
ic stricken, We're captured after Il short
resistance. and Reed and his gallant
young cavaliers returned in triumph To
Headquarters. Valuable informatioIL
was gained from this party. Cornwall
Ifs had joined Grant at PRINCETON and.
with seven or eight thousand men. was
assembling wagons and transportation.
preparing for dash on Trenton. Con
1rmation Of this not unexpected news
came by student from the college
who had escaped to Cadwalader and
been sent up to General Washington.
The situation of Washington was now
critical. but he took prompt measures
to relieve it. Cadwalader from the
Crosswicks and Mitilin from Borden
town. with 5000 men: were ordered
forward at once. They promptly obeyed
orders and by another desperate night
march reached Trenton on the morn
Ing Of the first day of the year.
There was heavy skirmishing all day
on the ID CORVALLIS. advancing
In hot haste from Princeton with 5000
men. was checked. and lost precious
time by hot rifle fire from the wood
OIL the banks Of the Shabbakong creek,
near the road he followed in his ad-
vance. The skirmishers under Greene.
seconded by Hand. after doing gallant
tervice and covering themselves with
glory by delaying the advance for sew
eral hours. giving Washington ample
time to withdraw his army across the
Assrnpink and post it in strong de-
fensiye position. had retired in good
order beyond the American line. In
The skirmish Lieutenant Won Grothau
sen. he who had galloped away with
the dragons ut Trenton and had been
under suspicion OF cowardice ever
since. had somewhat redeemed his
reputation i'm that he had boldly rid
fen down upon the rihcmcn and had
been killed. 1t was late in the even
ing when the advance parties crossed
the bridge over the creek and sought
safety behind the lines. lndefatigable
General Knox had concentrated thirty
pieces Of cannon ut the bridge-"A
very pretty battery" he called it.
1t was dusk when the eager Ameri-
cans saw the head Of the British army
coming through the streets. They re-
muined silent while the enemy formed
and advarccd To attack the bridge ana
the fords in heavy columns ut the
same time. The men came on III
solid mass for the bridge head. cheer
ing gallantly. They were met by
Knox's artillery and steady fire from
the ritlemen. Three times they crashed
ON that bridge like a mighty wave.
and three times like wave broken
they fell back before an awful storm
of fire. General Washington himself,
sitting OH his white horse. gave the or
ders nj the bridge. and the brave enemy
welN repulsed. The position was 100
strong To he taken by direct assault
without great loss; besides, ii was not
vital after all-so reasoned CornwalIls.
The British soldiery were weary, tley
had marched all day ut hot pace ana
were exhausted. They had not lived III
a chronic state Of exhaustion FOR SO
long that they never gave 1t "a Thought
they were not used to it as were me
continentals. and when the British
were tired they had to rest. Iley
would be in better spirit on the NOR
row.
The creek was fOrdable In dozen
nIoces but Cornwallis resisted the m
portunities of some of his officers, VINO
wished to ford it and attack ut once.
He sent urgent messengers on 10
Princeton to bring up the 1000 men
left there with Won DonOp and to hur-
ry I'D Leslie with the rear guard, SIX
miles away. When they arrived they
could turn the right flank Of the Amer
leans. and il would be all up WIN
them then. He thought he had Wash
ington at such disadvantage that he
could not escape, though the small ad'
vantage Of position might enable him
to make desperate resistance even
with his inferior forces.
I'VE will wait" he said to Ersklne'
"until Won DOnOp comes up, ana Les
lie. and then well bag the old fox III
the morning."
So. after brisk firing on both sides
until night closed down. the campfires