The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-09-21

Washington stationed himself, on the
left Of Forests battery, which was i'm
mediately unlimbered and opened up
hot fire. The generals position was
much exposed, and after his horse had
been wounded his officers repeatedly
requested him to fall back to safer
point, which he .peremptorily refused
to do. The Joy Of battle sparkled in
his eyes. He had instinctiveE chosen
that position on the field from whence
he could best see and. direct the CON
fict, and nothing but a successful
charge Of the enemy could have moved
him to retire.
A few Of the cooler headed men
among the Hessians had rallied some
Of the Lossburg regiment, and two
guns had been run out into the street
and pointed up toward the place where
Washington stood to form battery
which might, could it have been serv-
ed, have held the American army in
check until such time as the startled
Germans could recover their wits and
make stand. General Washington
pointed them out to the officer Of the
advance guard, which had already done
such good service, with wave of his
sword. The little handful of men, led
by Captain Washington and Lieutenant
Monroe, charged down upon the guns,
which the party had not had time to
load. A scattering volley received
them. Captain Washington and Mon
roe and one Of the men were wounded
Another fell dead. The men hesitated.
Talbot sprang to the head of the COL
umn in obedience to the generals nod,
and they rallied, advanced on the run,
and the guns were Immediately cap
tured.
Meanwhile the fire of Stark's rihemen
could be heard at the other end Of the
town. St. Glars brigade held the
bridge. The regiment Won Knyphausen
lost few precious moments endeavor-
ing to extricate its guns, which had
become miced in the morass near the
bridge, and then charged upon st. Clair.
But it was too late. Won Dechow was
seriously wounded, and when the regi-
ment saw itself taken in the flank by
Sargeant's brigade it retired in disor-
der, though some few men escaped BY
the fords.
At this juncture Rail- reformed his
scattered troops in the apple orchard.
He seems to have had an idea of re-
treating toward Princeton at first, with
the two regiments still under his CON-
mand. At any rate he also lost pre-
c1ous moments by hesitation. 1t was
even then too late to effect a success
full retreat for Washington, foreseeing
the possibility, had promptly sent
Hands Pennsylvania rfemen along
the Pennington road back Of the town
to check any move in that direction
AS fast as the other brigades Of
Greene's column came up they were
sent down through the streets of the
town, until Stirling, in the lead, Joined
Sullivan's men. Rahls brigade was
practically surrounded, though he did
not know it. The commander COM
pletely lost his head, though he was a
courageous man, brave to rashness, and
a veteran soldier who had hitherto dis
unguished himself in this and many
other wars. The town was full of
plumber gathered by the troops, the
Hessians having been looting the coun-
try for weeks, and he could not aban-
don it without a struggle The idea of
flying from a band of ragged rebels
whom he had secuted was intolera-
bic. He had been, he now felt more
than culpable in neglecting many warn
1ngs of attack and had lamentably fail
ed in his duty as soldier in refrain
ing from taking the commoncst pre-
cautions against surprise He Lad re-
fused to heed the urgent representa-
tons of Won Dechow and other of bis
high officers. Now his honor was at
stake; so he rashly made up his mind
to charge.
eve will retake the town All who
are my grenadiers, forward he cried
intrepidly.
mo RI rNNTIH-T-En