Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-01-24
sHEPHERDsTOWN, W. VA. THURSDAY JANUARY ID 1907.

ndu OeBuuI yet tue OOuueCliOue OAf
gade was stewing in the heat hour
after hour, impatient. troubled, won
dsring why they had no part to play.
As the forenoon dragged along the
men became sullen and weary.
When at last an order came it was
not to advance, but to retreat. Fall
ing back, they found themselves near
their camping place. Valley Forge
had not quenched the faith of Jsbez
Rockwell in General Washington's
power to conquer any odds, but now
he felt such dismaY as brought hot
tears to his eyes. On both sides of
his regiment American troops were
streaming to the rear, their columns
broken and struggling. 1t seemed
as if the whole army was fleeing from
the veterans of Clinton and Corn
wallis.
Jsbez flung himself into a corn
field, and hid his face in his arms.
Round him his comrades were NUT
tering their anger and despair. He
fumblsd for his canteen, and his fin.
gers closed round his powder-horn.
General Washington did not give
you to me to run away with, he
whispered and then his parohed lips
moved in little prayer
Dear Lord, help US to beat the
British this day, and give me chance
to empty my powder-horn before
night. Thou hast been with General
Washington and me ever since last
year. Please don't desert us now"
Nor was he surprised when, as if
in direct answer to his petition, he
rose to see the chief riding through
the troops lines, but such chief as
he had never known before. The
kindly face was ahame with anger,
and streaked with dust and sweat.
The powerful horse he rode was lath-
cred, and its heaving TANKS were
Scared from hard-driven spurs.
AS the commander passed the regi-
ment, his staff in a whirlwind at MS
heels, Jabez heard him shout in a
great voice vibrant with rage and
grief:
81 cannot believe the army is re-
treating. Iordereda general advance.
Who dared to give such an order ?
Advance those lines"
at was General Lees order to re-
treat" Jabez heard an officer STAN
mer in reply.
Washington vanished in moment,
with a storm of cheers in bis wake.
Jabez was content to wait for orders
now. He believed the Battle of Mon
mouth as good as won.
His recollection of the next few
hours was jumbled and hazy. He
knew that the regiment went forward,
and then the white smoke of musket-
FIRE closed down before him. Now
and then the summer breeze made
riffs in this sitting cloud, and he saw
it stresked with spouting fire. He
aimed his old muSket at that other
foggy line beyond the rail fence, whose
top was lined with men in coats of
red and green and black.
Suddenly his officers began run
ming to and fro, and shout ran down
the thin line
Stand steady, Connecticut Save
your fire Aim low ! Here comes a
charge |"
A tidal wave of red and brass broke
through the gaps in rail fence, and
the sunlight rippled along a wavering
line of British bayonets. They crept
nearer, nearer, until Jabez could zee
the grim ferocity, the barred teeth, the
staring eyes of the dreaded Grens-
dierS.
At the command to FIRE he pulled
trigger, and the kick Of his musket
made him grunt with pain. Pulling
the stopper from bis pOwderhorn with
his teeth, Jabez poured in a charge,
and was ramming the bullet home
when he felt his right leg double IN.
der him and burn as if red-hot iron
had scared it.
Then the charging .ide of Grena-
diers swept over him. He felt their
hobnailed heels bite into his back !:
then his head felt queer, and he closed
his eyes. When he found himself
trying to rise, he saw, as through a
mist, his regiment falling back, driven
from their ground by the first shock
of the charge. He grOaned in agony
of spirit. What would General Wash
ingtOn cay
Jabsz was COW behind the heal
long British column. winch needed
him not. De was in little part Of
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