The Springfield herald., 1913-01-10
CHAPTER XVI.
The Road to PHILADELPHIA.

The Road to Philadelphia.
1t must have been 10 O'Clock. and,
IL ihad slept at all. was scarcely
conscious of 1t. 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
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 wounded 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 the last
searching parties were yet busy at
their grewsome task. I 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 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 red-coats. driven them
back with terrible 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.
hest
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 l 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"
got to my feet. as the first rider
approached.
This you, Lawrence" asked a
voice instantly recognized as Ham
ilton's. You fellows all look alike
tonight. Where is your horse. major?"
81 have been on foot all day. sir"
l answered saluting.
"Ah. indeed: well. you will have
need for horse tonight. Vain
wright" turning to the man with him.
sis 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 a wood, where battery of artillery
was encamped. We rode boot to boot.
and Hamilton spoke earnestly.
1.-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
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 l recommended you. us
you know the road. He remembered
your service before, and was kind
enough to say you were the very man.
You'll go gladly?"
81 should prefer to lead my own
men tomorrow, sir"
"Pshaw! I doubt If we have more
than skirmish. Sir Henry will see
his predicament fast enough. Then
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 be
stragglers in plenty. I'm told that
Clinton lost more than three hundred
deserters crossing Camden"
Headquarters were in single
roomed cabin at the edge of ravine.
A SQUAD of cavalrymen were in front,
their nOTSeS lieu " q iaii ieheS' ous
within Washington was alone. except
for a single aide. writing at rude
table in the light Of 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 a dragon
named Mortimer"
II have no recollection Of ever hav-
ing met the man. sir. have written
him orders. however: he is a scout at
tached to General Lees headquar-
ters."
Yes; recall the name. He is the
one who brought US our first definite
information this morning Of Clinton's
position. I remember now. you were
not with me when he rode up
young. slender lad. with the face Of
girl. l could but notice his eyes;
they were as soft and blue as violets!
Well. an hour ago he came here for
favor; 1t seems the boy is son of
1P ho m