Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-10

merely flashed in the pan, and, quick
as lightning, the saber of Colonel Burr
descended upon the right arm Of the
mutineer, cleaving entirely through the
bone, and severing the limb completely
from the body. The musket dropped to
the ground, and the baffled murderer
mechanically obeyed the stern order,
Back sir to your place in the line!
Not another word, was spoken. Colo
mel Burr continued his walk to the ex-
treme left; and then, taking his place
in front, went through with the dress
parade as if nothing had occurred.
From that hour the spirit Of disaffection
was at an end. Complaints from the
country people ceased entirely. That
lawless militia were converted into the
most orderly soldiers of the army, and
not a single false alarm was borne to
Valley Forge.
Some expressions dropped by Billings
OIL the day of the mutiny, induced Ham,
ilton to suspect that he had been en-
gagged in fomenting the discomfort Of
the soldiery, and after the failure Of
the attempt to assassinate Col. Burr,
he sought his house for the purpose Of
ascertaining how far his conjectures
were right He found that worthy sur
rounded by the comforts we have de-
scribed on a former occasion.
II did not expect" he said, rising to
greet his visitor, "the honor Of your
company tonight; but it is always
agreeable. Take a glass of wine, and
let me know whether you have merely
called on a friendly visit. or whether
there is anything you want done"
There is something" replied Hamil-
ton. that wish undone; and I have
strong misgivings that you had a
greater agency in it than was prudent
for you or serviceable to me-"
Now James Billings did not have the
least doubt on his mind that Hamilton
alluded to the unsuccessful attempt to
murder Aaron Burr; but he wanted
a moment for reflection, and, to obtain
that, he leisurely took cigar from the
box on the table deliberately bit off the
twisted end, and lighted it before he
replied.
Il shall be sorry if anything dis
agreeable to you has occurred; and
more so, if have had a hand in it
Pray, what is it? have heard nothing
important"
You have heard, 1 suppose, of the
mutiny at the Gulf, and of Jackson's
attempt to shoot Colonel Burr"
"Of course! could not help hearing
what has been the common camp talk
for a whole day. 1t has afforded
to our little city of huts so de-
lightful a theme of gossip, that l
verify believe one half of them for
got they were shoeless, and the 9TH
er half ceased to complain Of the
thread-bare blankets which covered
them"
This matter is serious, Billings, and
pray you to drop that sneering tone,
and let me know what agency you had
in it,"
You are entitled to my confidence,
Colonel Hamilton. and you shall have
it. My agency was very limited. 1t
began without any intervention on my
part found Jackson in the mood to
rid you of a troublesome rival, and l
barely intimated that so long as could
assist him he should be no sufferer by
his unsolicited kindness. The murder
of Colonel Burr was not mentioned by
either of us; though, to be entirely
frank with you, was sure he had that
spoke of his tyranny, and of the COM
fort that would result to the soldiers
at the Gulf if such a disturbance could
be created as would induce the general
to recall him. In everything else the
laundering fool acted on his own res
possibility, and richly deserves the
punishment he received, not so much
for the crime he meditated, as for the
folly of swapping an unloaded musket
at the bosom of a man who had a
drawn saber in his hand and no little
skill in the use of the weapon"
II wish the blow had fallen on his
head, instead of his arm," replied Ham,
ilton. You have given him a fearful
power over you; and who can tell what
moment he may use it? Men become
excellent subjects for remorSe when
wounds and pain have reduced them to
the weakness of children"
He has no power over me whatever
down, and submitted to a court-mar-
tial, ii would be impossible for them
to find me guilty of anything but an
imprudent expression of sympathy In
case which l, being a citizen unac-
quainted with military regulations
could not be expected to understand
fully"
AS he uttered these words, a scornfu
man, and a momentary fierceness flash
ed from his eyes, which belied his as
sumed ignorance of the law of arms
and told plainly enough that in his owr
youl he despised the plea he was urg'
| ing.
Hamilton noticed it, but made ne
comment. and went on as if it had beer
unObserved.
You might be mistaken in that
There are officers in this army who be-
lieve that you have seen more of sol.
dier's life, and know more that pertain!
to his duty, than you seem disposed tC
acknowledge. l heard General Lee offe
to lay a heavy wager that such wa:
the case"
General Lee is a vain, imperious
head strong fool, who fancies that HI
knows more than George Washington
and all his general officers combined
and who. acting under this belief, viii
be certain to get himself into serious
trouble before long. My advice to yOl
is to cut loose from his friendship a
early and as rudely as possible"
We'll, it is unnecessary to discus
General Lees character at present
From your statement l am satisfie,
that the danger Colonel Burr has es
capped was of your contrivance, and