River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-11-21
CHAPTER XVI.
he Road 70 PhiIadeInhia.

It must have been 10 o'clock, and,
if I had slept at all, l was scarcely
conscious of it. All about me the men
lay outstretched upon the ground, still
in their shirt-sleeves, as they had
fought, their guns beside them. The
night was clear and hot, scarcely a
breath of air moving. Here and there
against the skyline passed the dark
silhouette of sentinel. There was no
sound Of firing only an occasional
football to break the silence Of the
night. The Nounded had been taken
to the field hospitals at the rear;
down in our front lay the bodies of
the dead, and among these shone the
dim lights of lanterns where tho last
searching parties were yet busy at
their grewsome task l was weary
enough to sleep. every muscle of my
body aching with fatigue, but the ex-
element of the day, the possibility OF
the morrow, left me restless. l had
received no wound, other than slight
thrust with a bayonet, yet felt as
though pummelled from head to foot.
The victory was ours-the army real
lied this truth clearly enough; we had
repulsed the red-coats, driven them
back with teri ible losses; we had seen
their lines shrivel up under our fire,
officers and men falling, and the rem
nant fleeing in disorder. 1t meant
nothing now that a force outnumber-
ing us yet remained intact. and in
strong position. Flushed with victory,
knowing now We could meet the best
of them, we longed for the morrow to
dawn SO we might complete the task.
reviewed the vivid incidents of the
day, looking up at the stars, and
wondered who among those ! knew
were yet living. who were dead. /
thought of others in those lines of the
enemy. whom I had known, speculat-
ing on their fate. Then along our
rear came horseman or two. riding
slowly. A sentry halted them, and |
arose on one elbow to listen.
Lawrence? Yes, sir, Major Law
renee is lying over there by the scrub
oak"
SOI u my ISSL, do INC III 81 AiuVA
approached.
This you, Lawrence?" asked a
voice l instantly recognized as Ham
iltons You fellows all look alike
tonight Where is your horse, major?"
Il have been on foot all day, sir"
l answered saluting.
"Ah, indeed; well. you will have
need for a horse tonight Vain
wright" turning to the man with him,
''is your mount fresh?"
appears to be, sir; belonged to a
British Dragon this morning"
LET Major lawrence have him.
Major, ride with me-"
We passed back slowly enough to-
ward the rear of the troops, through
the field hospitals, and along the edge
of wood, where battery of artillery
was encamped. We rode boot to boot,
and Hamilton spoke earnestly.
"The battle is practically won. Law
renee, in spite Of Charles Lee" he
said soberly. "Of course there will be
fighting tomorrow, but we shall have
the red-coats we'll penned in before
daybreak, and have already captured
ammunition enough to make us easy
on that score. Poor. and the Carolina
men, are over yonder. while Woodford
IS moving his command to the left
At dawn we'll crush Clinton into frag-
ments. Washington wants to send
despatch through to Arnold in Phila-
delphia, and I recommended you, as
YOU know the road. He remembered
your service before, and was kind
enough to say you were the very man.
You'll go gladly?"
Il should prefer to lead my own
men tomorrow, sir"
"Pshaw! l doubt if we have more
than a skirmish. Sir Henry will see
his predicament fast enough. Then
there will be nothing left to do, but
guard prisoners.
Very we'll, colonel; l am ready to
serve wherever needed"
"Of course you are, man. There
should not be much danger connected
with this trip, although there will ho
stragglers in plenty. I'm told that
Clinton lost more than three hundred
deserters crossing Camden"
Headquarters were in a single
roomed cabin at the edge of ravine.
A SQUAD of .cavalrymen were in front,
their horses tied to a rail fence, but
within Washington was alone, except
for a single aide, writing at rude
table in the light of a half-dozen
candles. He glanced up, greeting US
with slight inclination of the head.
"a moment, gentlemen"
He wrote slowly. as though framing
his sentences with care. occasionally
questioning the aide. Once he paused.
and glanced across at Hamilton.
Colonel, do you know dragon
named Mortimer"
. Il have no recollection of ever hav-
ing met the man, sir. l have written
him orders. however; he is a scout at
tached TO General Lees headquar-
tiers =
"Yes; 1 recall the name. He is the
one who brought us our first definite
information this morning of Clinton's
position l remember now. you were
young, slender lad, with the face OF
a girl. / could but notice his eyes;
they were as soft and blue as violets!
Well, an hour ago he came here Tor
a favor; it seems the boy is son or
Colonel Mortimer, of the queens
,.ap o-o--e