Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-13
CHAPTER X.

Freedom to the field is bringing
The remnant of her shattered host"
The terrible winter of 1777-7S a
length wore away. The season To-
active operations had arrived, yet botf
parties seemed willing to repose a lit
tie longer on their arms. The occupa
ton of Philadelphia had proved to the
British almost as fatal as that OF Ca
pua to Hannibal. Sir William Howe
had captured the city at the expense
of much toll and blood; but in so do
ing, he had gained no substantial mil
itary advantage. 1t had indeed sup
piled him with comfortable winter
quarters for his men, but this advan-
tage was more than counterbalanced by
the evils which accompanied 1t. The
dissipation which 1t Is impossible
to prevent among the conquerers
in a conquered city, had enervateo
a large portion of his men, and
others made acquaintances and
formed attachments which caused
them to desert by the hundred. DR.
Franklin never exhibited a deeper
knowledge of human nature than In
his reply to the French Minister al
Paris, who informed him that General
Howe had taken Philadelphia. "Say
rather" replied the DOCTOR that Phil
adelphia has taken him." The pre-
diction was verified. One winter In
the city suficed to demoralize the best
army that England had as yet landed
on our shores.
In the spring of 1878, General Howe
wisely deeming that British laurels
were of rare growth on American soil
solicited permission from his govern
ment to surrender the chief command
in America, and return to England
His request was compiled with, and
Sir Henry Clinton appointed in his
stead. The new commander soon be-
came aware of the evils resulting from
the hard-won conquest of his prede-
cessor, and, as he could perceive no
countervailing advantage from its oc-
cupation as a military post, he deter
euver that General Washington had no
idea Of permitting him to execute in
peace. His scouts were constantly on
the alert, and when, on the eighteenth
of June, the enemy crossed the river
and began his retreat, the American
army was almost instantly In motion
The march of the British was neces-
sarily retarded by the long train of
wagons and pack-horses which they
had collected for the transportation OF
their plumber. while the troops of
Washington were light, and unencum-
bered by anything except their arms
A knowledge of this enabled the Amer
lean commander to calculate with
great certainly the time and place
where the enemy must be overtaken
and his dispositions were made ac-
cordingly. Morgan's riCes were order
ed to gain their right flank: MaXwelrs
brigade their left: ard fifteen hundred
picked men, under General Scott, to
overtake and gall their rea".
Before reaching Monmouth Court
House, Sir Henry Clinton became
aware that he must soon be overtaken
and, like a consummate soldier, as he
was, Immediately changed the position
of his troops. placing his baggage train
in front and his most reliable veterans
in the rear That night, (June twen-
ty-seventh,) he encamped in strong
position, protected by impenetrable
marshes on either flank. Though fully
aware of the strength of the enemy's
position, at five o'clock on the morning
of the twenty-eighth General Wash
ington, who was In the rear of his own
army, sent orders to General Lee to
begin the attack; but that officer from
some unaccountable cause, certainly
not from a want of courage. instead OF
an attack, began a disorderly and haZ-
ardous retreat. A message from La
Fayette brought Washington himself
to the front. Those who saw him or
that occasion describe him as animated
by a passion that it was fearful to be-
hold Every muscle of his usually Sc
rene and placid cOuntenance was alive
and working. His eye burned with q
fire that was absolutely scorching. and
his voice rang louder than the trumpet
that sounded the charge. Fiercely he
demanded of General Lee the cause Oi
this ill-timed prudence" fiercely he
rode among the men and ordered then
to halt. face about, and meet the now
exultant and pursuing foe. His pres
ence acted like magic, and soon, along
the whole line, the roar of artillery, ant
the regular, sustained vOlleys of mus
kerry, told that the retreat was at ar
end.
Most of the details of that glorious
day have been embalmed i'm more en-.
during histories than this, and the
course of our narrative only requires
special notice of the operations of the
left flank. where Lord Stirling com
manded, and under whom fought
Aaron Burr
Anticipating a general engagement
Colonel Burr had emplnyal nearly the
whole of the preceding night recon
noitering the ground in his front. The
sickness or absence of his superior!
had developed upon him the command
of one of Strings brigades. which wa
early i'm the action, opposed to a su
periOr British force. Steadily anC
firmly the veterans of England Cam
on. With equal firmness the Cont
nentals under their youthful com
mander. awaited their approach. A
the distance of fifty yards the British
order to charge" was given-an orde
which was Immediately answered b,
that stern shout of the hardy Islander
which has spread terror through tn
ranks of their foes in every quarter
the globe: but now they were faced b,
men of kindred blood, and the respons
was a murderous volley. which checke'
their career and made wide gaps i
their bristling line. Another, and an
other, succeeded; and then, in turr
the clear voice of Aaron Burr wa
heard above the noises of the BATTLE
Forward, and sweep them from tn