Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-22

| than as a matter necessary to the
great cause and deep interests in
which he was engaged. The elder off,
GERS said little when the orders were
conveyed to them. The veteran Baron
De Kalb, presuming on his age and
services, however, and the usual res
pect with which Gates had treated him
hitherto, sought an interview with
him, which was not denied. He sug-
gested to him the diminished force Of
the army, so infinitely inferior, as 1t
was found to be, to the estimate which
had been made Of II in the morning.
This he held a sufficient reason for
changing the present resolution Of ad-
vance for one less hazardous. There
was another and more forcible reason
yet.
1.-TWO thirds of our army, your ex-
cellency Is aware, are militia-men
who have never yet seen service, and
have scare been exercised in arms
together"
True, baron, but that is an argu-
ment against using them at any Pc
riod. They must begin some time or
other"
Yes, your excellency; but our first
experiments with them should be easy
ones. BY these orders, we are not only
TO march them; but to require them
to form column, and to manoeuvre, by
night, in the face of an enemy, and
probably under his fire. This Is the
work Of veterans only"
THE danger seems to increase in
magnitude, baron; does 1t not?"
The old soldier drew himself up with
dignity-his manly person, no longer
bowed or bent, his fine blue eye fash
ing, and his cheek saddening as he
spoke; he replied
II know not what your excellency's
remark may mean; but in regard to
the greatness or the littleness Of the
danger, I who have been forty years
a trusted soldier of the King of France,
should care but little to encounter II.
Were the question one affecting my
life only, it were easily answered.
came to fight the battles of your coun-
try, SIR and am prepared, at all hours,
to die in Them"
The rebuke had its effect upon the
commander, though he did not ac-
knowledge It. His self-esteem was too
great for that. Nor did he allow the
suggestions Of the baron to have any
weight upon his previous determine
tions. With a commonplace compli-
ment, the conference was closed, and
De Kalb went back to his command
doubtful, panied, and justly offended.
In camp, the dissatisfaction had rather
subsided, with the single exception,
among the officers, Of Colonel Armand.
He took exception to the positive or
ders concerning himself, as implying a
doubt Of his courage; at the same
time he objected to the placing Of his
cavalry in front Of a line Of battle
certainly a very injudicious order. par
ticularly as the legion Of Armand was
most heterogeneous in its formation,
nm n 90 al,.fr l,.,A
never been made before. He complain
ed that Gates had placed him there
from resentment, on account Of a pre-
vious dispute between them touching
the use Of horses.
II do not say" said he, in broken
English, that General Gates intends
to sacrifice u.s. but / do say, that IL
such were his intentions; these are
just the steps which he should take
for It,"
Still, however, as 1t was not known
that the enemy was positively In force
before them, all the parties grew more
satisfied, after a while, to proceed.
The army moved on accordingly at
the appointed hour.
The two armies met at midnight.
They first felt each other through the
mutual salutation Of small-arms, be-
tween their several advance guards.
The cavalry of Armands legion were
the first to reel In the unexpected con-
test. They recoiled. and In their re-
treat, flying confusedly. threw the
whole corps into disorder. This. with
a similar recoil, fell back upon the
front column of infantry, disordered
the first Maryland brigade. and occa-
stoned a momentary CONSERVATION
throughout the entire line Of advance.
But Colonel Porterfeld advanced from
the wing agreeably to first orders.
threw in a prompt fire upon the Brit
ish van, and his men gallantly cheer
ing as they advanced, restored the gen.
eral confidence.
The British, seemingly no less as
founded than the Americans, fell back
after the first shock. and both parties
Of all further hostilities for the night.
Prisoners were taken on both sides in
this rencontre, and the intelligence
gained by those brought into the
American camp, was productive Of
degree Of establishment, in General
Gates's mind, which found its way to
his countenance. He called a council
Of war instantly. When the adjutant
general communicated the call to De
Kalb, the old veterans opinion may be
gathered from the response which he
made to that officer
Has the general given you orders
to retreat the army, Colonel VIII
liams?"
HE has not" was the answer.
II will be with you in moment,
then, but will first burn my papers,"
duty which he performed, a short
time after, with scrupulous prompt-
tude.
Assembled in the rear Of the army,
General Gates communicated the INTEL
ligence obtained from the prisoners
just taken, and then, for the first time,
proposed question, implying some 1T
tie hesitation on the subject Of future
operations.
What now is to be done, gentle
men?"
For a few moments all were silent,
until General Stevens OF the Virgin
ians, after looking round for some
other TO speak, advanced in front OF
the commander, and put his own an
swer in the form Of new inquiry
as 1t not too late, now, gentlemen,
to do any thing but fight?"
Another pause ensued, which, as IL
seemed to give assent to the last words
of Stevens, General Gates himself In
terrupted-
Then we must fight, gentlemen,
be pleased to resume your posts
They all moved to their stations with
the promptness Of soldiers, but with
the thoughts and feelings Of men also.
who could not approve Of what had
been done, and who had nothing con-
soling in the prospect before them.
Gates moved hurriedly for several mo-
ments up and down the little tent
which had been raised for him within
the hour His manner was subdued,
but cool. Once or twice he looked
forth from its cover with an air or
anxiety, then turning to Williams, and
the aides in attendance, he remarked
"This is a quiet night, gentlemen,
but it promises to be a tedious one:
What is the time, Colonel WaltonEt
"a little after one, sir" was the re-
You may leave me an hour, gentle
men-only an hour; we must prepare
for daylight" ,
Walton and Major Pinckney, togeth-
er, strolled away, not requiring repose.
The thought of Colonel Walton was
with his child-the one-the one only
who could fill his heart-who could
inspire painful anxiety at such mo-
ment in his mind. How fervent were
his prayers in that hour for her SAFETY.
whatever fate in the coming events or
the daylight, might award to him!