Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-29

| lnSlT nlSSlIlB lIluSlC. ue HSHl udy dii'
the next, brought no relaxation from
his exertions. On the twenty-ninth
| General Washington resolved on re-
treating to the city. Major Burr wa!
engaged during the whole night in IA
cilitating the embarkation Of th'
troops and his untiring assiduity wa.
such as to attract the particular atten.
tion of General McDougal, who did mo-
fail afterwards to manifest his high ap.
probation of the soldiery qualitie:
then for the first time brought to hi:
notice.
This memorable retreat has beer
reckoned one of General Washington:
highest claims to the title of grea
commander. In the presence of a VIC
torious enemy, overwhelmingly supe.
rior in numbers and in guns, whose par
ties were advanced to within 60(
yards of his lines, he transported his
whole army, numbering altogether
itary stores, and nearly all his provi'
sions and artillery to New York in 6
single night, in such perfect order an6
silence, that the enemy obtained no no.
tice Of his movements until the last
boat was crossing. The high praise tc
which General Washington is undoubt-
edly entitled for this successful mil
uary maneuver must be shared by his
subordinates, since 1t was one Of those
movements in which the highest skill
Of the commander may be put al
naught by the cowardice or the stupid
ity of an inferior. The slightest mis-
understanding of an order, the least
delay or even the accidental discharge
Of single musket, would have caused
an alarm that must have been attend
ed by the most deplorable conse-
quences. The conspicuous GOODNESS
the quick intelligence, and the unwear-
led exertions Of Aaron Burr, contribut-
ed more than that of any other officer
of his grade to the happy result, and
won for him a crown of laurels that
will never fade until the early history
Of the republic is unread, and it's early
struggles forgotten.
After the retreat from Long Is
land, the widest terror pervaded the
city Of New York. The horrors Of g
bombardment were daily and nightly
before their eyes. Nor, it must be con.
fessed, were these terrors confined tc
the citizens. They extended to the
army and spread through every rank
Desertions became so frequent thai
General Washington, in one Of his let
ters to congress, described them as 60
ing off almost by whole regiments
by half ones and by companies at g
time" The insubordination and want
of discipline of those that remained
were also the subject of frequent anC
bitter complaint. Despairing of de-
Tending the city with such troops, ht
began his preparations for an evacua'
tion that he foresaw would soon b'
forced upon him. The stores and bag
gage least wanted were removed be-
yond Kingsbridge. Nine thousand mel
were stationed at Mount Washington
and Kingsbridge. Five thousand, un'
der the command Of General Putnam
occupied the city; and the residue wa!
posted in the intermediate space, II
good supporting distance of either di'
vision.
The British although completely
successful in the affair of the 9th o
August had suffered severely, anc
manifested no impatience to bring OIL
another engagement. 1t was not unit
the 18th Of September, that Gen. Clin
ton landed at Kips Bay. The scen'
full that occurred during the whole pc
riod of the Revolution. Our men wer'
shaking with dread before a gun wa
fired, and fled in irremediable confu
sion at the first appearance of the foe
In the rear of the flying troops, Majo
Burr found Captain Hamilton, vainl!
endeavoring to restore something lik
order, and as vainly appealing to then
in the names Of patriotism and man
illness, to turn and redeem themselve
from everlasting disgrace. Address
ing himself to Burr, he said, in a tom
of despair
THE day is lost, major, and ou
honor is lost with it,"
Not yet" was the reply. Some
thing may still be done"
Calamity and manfully these tw
struggled side by side. Freely ant
boldly they exposed their persons t
the hottest of the British fire and des
perately charged almost alone upo
the British bayonets. Their threats
their entreaties, their animating ex
ample were thrown away upon tn
panic stricken men. The shameless
race was continued, until the fugitive
were sheltered behind the works a
Harlem.
Happy would it have been for Aaro
Burr and Alexander Hamilton, If non
but the glorious rivalry of that da
had ever darkened their lives! o
that field, in the midst of the danger
and distractions of routed army, bot
gathered a rich harvest of renown
which, to the one was destined to b
barren of it's legitimate fruits, an
was stained by despicable meanness
the other.
After the retreat, or rather high
had become irretrievable. Hamilto
devoted his attention exclusively to hi
own company of artillery, and, by tn
exhibition of remarkable skill an
courage, succeeded in leading ther
from the field with the loss of but
single gun. In riding toward Harlem
Burr discovered a brigade, who, unde
the impression that their retreat wa
cut off had thrown themselves into
mud fort, and determined to defend
to the last. On learning of the deter
mination of General Knox. who com
manded the brigade, Major Burr pro
tested vehemently against 1t; assure
; him that he knew all the by-path
through the country, and that he coul
and would guide them safely to tn
main army. His offer was accepted
: and the young aid-de-c camp, himse
riding in advance led them to Har