Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-17
THE RIVALS.
Story of the Times of Aaron Burr and
Alexander Hamilton.
BY JERE CLEMENS.

Changing the direction Of his own COL
umn, Burr followed, as he imagined, In
pursuit; but he had not gone far be-
fore he ascertained certainly that Gen.
eral Putnam had been imposed upon
Without a moments hesitation the
faces of his men were again turned to-
ward the Sound. About nightfall, af-
ter a long and fatigung march, he
came up with the British rear. Infe-
rior in numbers, and wearied as his own
men were, he allowed no time for re-
pose, but at once led them on to the
attack The conflict was short. Gov
ernor Tryon was thoroughly alarmed
by the boldness and impetuosity Of the
onset, and thought more Of escaping
than of fighting. In haste and disar-
ray he retired from the field, abandon
ing all the plunder he had collected, and
leaving many prisoners in the hands
of the conqueror.
The military career of Colonel Burr
was now drawing to close. The dis
field of Monmouth had terminated in
a confirmed and settled malady, under
the debilitating effects Of which he
was rapidly sinking. Heretofore the
regularity and abstemiousness Of his
habits had been of essential service In
enabling him to undergo the hardships
he imposed upon himself, but constant
exposure, in spite Of all the precau-
tions of prudence, did it's work at last.
The opening of spring, to which he had
looked for his probable restoration to
health brought with 1t increased de-
btiity, and he became painfully con-
scious that he was no longer able to
discharge his duty in the manner to
which he had been accustomed, and In
which he would alone consent to dis
charge it. On the 10th of March, 1873,
with deep regret, and after long hesita-
ton, he transmitted his resignation to
the -in-chief.
No one ever left the service Of his
country under circumstances more
creditable to him, as an officer and as
man, than did Colonel Burr. He
found upon the lines Of Westchester a
discontented, disorderly and demoral-
lied rabble, who hid behind their in
trenchments at every appearance Of a
British force; who made no distinction,
in their marauding expeditions, be-
tween friend or foe; and plundered, in
the unoffending and the
guilty. In a short time he converted
them into a we'll behaved, disciplined,
almost invincible corps. Not once did
the enemy approach his lines without
being met and repulsed; not one soldier
deserted his standard; not one was
made prisoner during the whole period
of his command. 1t was his pride to
teach them that a soldier, with arms
in his hands, had no apology for sur
rendering. He found a distracted and
bleeding people, shivering at every
blast, and trembling at every unusual
noise, in fearful expectation that the
L
take away the little they had left-hat-
ing the Continentals as cordially as
the redcoats, since both oppressed them
alike, and numbering with equal salts
faction the one or the other, whenever
a. safe opportunity occurred. He left
them secure in their persons and pro-
perty--sleeping as peacefully within
hearing of the enemy's guns as if they
were a hundred miles removed-devot-
ed to the Republican cause, and zeal
ously exerting themselves to promote
it. He found the country overrun by
British emissaries and British spies,
who kept the British general in New
York continually advised of every
movement of the Americans above, and
enabled him to strike whenever and
wherever our troops were least pre-
pared to receive him. These emissaries
were detected and punished with such
unerring certainty, that, in a brief
while, no reward could induce one of
them to venture beyond the British
posts. The enemy's sources of infor-
nation were thus entirely cut off, and
they were kept in such total ignorance
that they dared not hazard a move
ment of the least Importance To show
the difficulties over which Colonel Burr
had triumphed, it is only necessary to
state that Major Hall, an excellent Of
fcer who succeeded him in the COM
mand, was compelled in less than one
month, to fall back many miles, to be
in supporting distance of the army in
the Highlands. Colonel Thompson, who
was sent to command the same lines
was surprised, taken prisoner, and his
forces dispersed or captured. Colonel
Greene was also surprised, himself and
Major Flagg killed. and the greater
part of his troops taken prisoners. Nc
one could maintain the position before
Colonel Burr took the command-nc
one did maintain it afterwards. The
laurels gathered on this, the last field
of his military labors, abided with him
through life, and, in the darkest period
of his fortunes, one of the bitterest
of his revilers twas forced to testify
that soldier could nowhere find &
leader who would be more certain tc
conduct him to honor and renown.
General Washington reluctantly ac'
cepted his resignation. No one valued
Colonel Burr as an officer more highly
than he did, and it is well known thai
he regarded his retirement as public
calamity. His letter, accepting the res
ignation, contains expressions which
the perfect sincerity of the man in
vests with a meaning not usual in sucf
correspondence. 1t is dated at Middle
brook, April 3rd 1879, and, after briefly
stating his acceptance of his resigna'
ton, conveys to Colonel Burr the ex'
preston of the generals deep sorrow
for the cause which rendered that res.
ignation necessary, and his equal!
deep regret that the country was tC
be deprived of the services of such al
officer at such a time.
CHAPTER XI.
Alas; the love of woman! it is knowI
To be a lovely and a fearful thint
For all of theirs upon that die l.