American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-10-10
CHAPTER XVI,
The Road to Philadelphla.

1t must have been 10 O'Clock. and
II | had slept at all, | was scarcely
conscious CT It. All about me the mel
lay outstretched upon the ground, still
In their shirt-sleeyes. as they hat
fought. their guns beside them. 'rne
nlgnt was clear and hot, scarcely a
breath Of air moving. Here and there
against the skyline passed the dark
silhouette Of a sentinel. There was NO
sound OF firing only an occasional
football 10 break the silence Of the
night. The wounded had been taken
10 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 the last
searching parties were yet busy at
their greTsome task. | was weary
enough 10 sleep, every muscle OF my
body aching with fatigue, but the ex.
cltement OF the day, the possibility OF
the morrow, left me restless. I had
received no wound, other than a 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 r~ed-coats. driven them
back with terrible losses; we had seen
their lines shrlYel up under our fire,
officers and men falling. and the rem
nant fleeing In disorder. It meant
nothing now that q 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 I knew
were yet living. who were dead.
thought Of others in those lines OF the
enemy. whom | had known. speculat-
ing on their fate. Then along our
rear came a horseman or two. riding
slowl~. 4 sentry halted them, and |
arose on I elbow to listen.
"~Lawrence? Yes, sir, Major Law
rence is lying ove there by the scrub
oak"
I got 10 my feet, as the first rider
approached.
This you, L~awrence?" asked a
voice l instantly recognized as Ham
i,ton's. You fellows all look alike
tonight. Where is your horse. MAJOR
Il have been on foot all day, sir
! answered saluting.
GAh irI-1I. r--ff 49, III -
need for a horse tonight. Vain
wright" turning to the man with him,
sis your mount fresh?"
Appears to be. sir; belonged 10 a
British dragon this morning"
let Major Lawrence have him.
Major, ride with me"
We passed back slowly enough to-
ward tie rear Of the troovs, through
the field hospitals. and along the edge
OF a wood. whare 2 battery of artillery
was eDcamred. We rode boot 10 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,i nerned In before
daybreaE. AMI have already captured
ammunition enough 20 make Us easy
on that score. Poor. and the Carolina
men. are over yorder. while WoodforE
Is moving his command TO the left..
Al dawn Weu crush Clinton into frae-
ments. Washington wants to serd &
despatch through 10 Arnold in Ph,ia-
delphia. and recommended you. "a
you know the road. He remembered
your service before. and was kind
enough 10 say you We're the very man.
go gl4dly?"
q should prefer to lead my own
men tomorrow, sir"
"Pshaw, | doubt if we have more
than a skirr1ish. Sir Henry will see
lis p-redicament fast enough. Then
there will be nothing left 10 do, but
guard prisoners"
VERY well, colonel: I am ready TO
serve wherever needed"
"Of course you are, man. There
should not be much danger connected
with this trip. although there will be
'tragglers in plenty. I'm told that
clinton lost more than three hundred
leserters crossing Camden"
Headquarters were in a single
cabin at the edge OF A rayine.
squad OF cavalrymen were in front,
heir horses tied to a rail fence. but
within Washington was alone. except
or a single aide. writing at a rude
able in the light OF a haif-dozen