Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-11-14
BATTLE OF EUTAw SPRINGS.


The following extract is taken from
memoirs Of the War in the Southern
Department of the United States, by
Henry Lee, Lieutenant Colonel Com
mandant of the Partizan Legion: vol. 2,
page 2S5. Published in Philadelphia
10 1912. This book belongs 10 the
library Of James Monroe and is now in
the possession of the Mary land Historical
Society;
Greene determining to strike a con-
elusive blow, brought up the Maryland
ers aud Virginians, when our line be
came dense, and pressing forward with
shout the battle ragged with redoubled
fury. The enemy, sensible that the
weight of our force was bearing upon
him, returned our shout, and sustained
himself noby from right to left. Major
blanks now for the first time was put IN
motion, which being perceived, Lieut..
Col. Washington, with the reserve, was
commanded to fall upon him, and at The
same moment the line was ordered to
hold up its fire and charge with bayo-
net. The air again resOunded with the
shouts of the advancing Americans; the
enemy answered by. pouring in close
and quickly repeated fire. As we drew
near Lieutenant Colonel Lee, at the
head of his infantry, discerning that he
outstretched The enemy's line, ordered
Captain Rudolph to fall back with his
company to gain the enemy's flank and
10 give him rakiug fire as soon as he
turned it. This movement was executed
with precision and had the happiest ef-
feet. The enemy's left could not sustain
the approaching shock, assalled ia frontas
it was 10 flank, and it instantly began to
give way, which quickly afterwards took
place along the whole line, in some parts
of which the hostile ranks conteDded
with the bayOnet; many individuals OF
the Maryanders and Of the Bufs having
been mutually translixed. The con-
quering troops pressed the advantage
they had gained, pursuing the foe and
possessed themselves of his camp, which
was Welded without a struggle. Wash
ingtou promptly advanced to execute the
orders he had received and made a cir
cult to gain the rear of Mgjorbanks,
preceded by Lieutenant Stuart with The
leading section. AS be drew near to the
enemy, he found the ground thickly set
with black jack, aud almost impervlous
to horse. DerangiDg as was this un-
looked for obstacle Washington with his
danntless cavalry forced his way, not
withstanding the murderous discharge of
the enemy, safe behind his covert.
Human courage could not surmount the
obstruction which interpOsed, orlhis gal
lant officer with his intrepid corps would
have triumphed. Captain Watts, sec
ond in command, fell, pierced with two
balls. Lieptenants King and Simmons
experienced similar fate, and Wash
ingtOn's horse being killed, he became
entangled in the fall, when struggling to
extricate himself be was bayoneted and
taken. Lieutenant Stuart was now dis
mounted, being severely wounded and
bis horse killed close tn the hostile ranks;
nor did single man of bis section es-
cape, some being killed and the rest
wounded. The gallant young Carlisle
Carlyle, from Alexandria, a cadet in
the regiment, was killed and half the
corps destroyed; after which The resi-
due was drawn off by Captain Parsons,
assisted BY Lieutenant Gordon. This
repulse took place at the time the British
line gave way. Majoribanks, although
victorious, fell back to cover his flying
comrades.