The Yankee Tea-party Part 12

"The Americans lost in killed nearly 200, and about as many wounded and prisoners; they carried off between 40 and 50 of their wounded. They encamped the first night upon the ground where old Fort Schuyler was built.

"Among the wounded was Gen. Herkimer. Early in the action his leg was fractured by a musket-ball. The leg was amputated a few days after, but in consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather, and want of skill in his surgeons, mortification ensued, and occasioned his death.

On receiving his wound, his horse having been killed, he directed his saddle to be placed upon a little hillock of earth and rested himself upon it. Being advised to choose a place where he would be less exposed, he replied, 'I will face the enemy.' Surrounded by a few men he continued to issue his orders with firmness. In this situation, and in the heat of the battle, he very deliberately took from his pocket his tinder-box and lit his pipe, which he smoked with great composure. He was certainly to blame for not using greater caution on his march, but the coolness and intrepidity which he exhibited when he found himself ambuscaded, aided materially in restoring order and in inspiring his men with courage. His loss was deeply lamented by his friends and by the inhabitants of Tryon County. The Continental Congress, in October following, directed that a monument should be erected to his memory, of the value of five hundred dollars. But no monument was ever erected."

"I will face the enemy," said Kinnison, repeating the words of the brave Herkimer.

"Heroic words. But the General should have possessed more prudence. He had lived long enough in the neighbourhood of the Indians to know their mode of warfare, and he should have sent out rangers to reconnoitre his route," remarked Colson.

"However," observed Kinnison, "the enemy didn't get off whole-skinned. I have heard that they had more than 200 killed. It was a hard-fought battle, and considering all circ.u.mstances, no men could have behaved better than our militia did. You see, young men, after they recovered from the confusion of the first attack, they found they had no ammunition save what they had in their cartouch-boxes. Their baggage-wagons were in possession of the enemy, and they could get no water, which was in great demand in such warm weather. To fight five or six hours under such circ.u.mstances was certainly n.o.ble conduct."

"Another point is to be taken into consideration. The enemy were much superior in numbers," said Colson.

"Of course; that's very important," replied Ranson.

"I suppose there was little mercy shown by either party. There was too much hateful fury," said Hand.

"You're right," remarked Colson. "Few tories received quarters from the militia, and fewer of the militia asked it of the tories."

"Herkimer should have been more cautious. Though a brave soldier, we cannot consider him a good commander," said Pitts.

"Nay, I think he was a good commander, friend Pitts," replied Hanson.

"He was cool-headed and skilful in the hottest battle; and because he neglected sending out scouts on one occasion, you should not conclude that imprudence was part of his character."

"But a commander, acquainted with Indian warfare, as Herkimer was, must be considered imprudent if he neglects such a common precaution as sending out scouts," observed Kinnison.

CONCLUSION.

"Well, we won't argue the matter now. It's getting late, and we had better break our company," said Warner.

"But first we'll have a toast and a song," replied Hand. "Fill your gla.s.ses, friends. Heaven knows if we may ever meet again; and your company has been too amusing and instructive for us to part suddenly."

"The ale has made me feel very drowsy," said Kinnison.

"But you may sip our toast. Gentlemen, this is the Fourth of July; and surely it becomes us, as Americans, to toast the memory of the men who, on this day, pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors for the support of our independence. I therefore propose, 'The memory of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. May the brightness of their fame endure as long as patriotism and the love of freedom burn in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of mankind!'" exclaimed Hand. This was drunk standing, and a short silence ensued.

Hand now proposed that they should have a song, and remarked that he knew one appropriate to the occasion, which he would sing, if the old soldiers were not too weary to listen. Of course, they expressed it to be their pleasure that he should sing it, and he proceeded. "The song,"

said he, "is called 'The Last Revolutionary.'" The words were as follows:--

O! where are they--those iron men, Who braved the battle's storm of fire, When war's wild halo fill'd the glen, And lit each humble village spire; When hill sent back the sound to hill, When might was right, and law was will!

O! where are they, whose manly b.r.e.a.s.t.s Beat back the pride of England's might; Whose stalwart arm laid low the crests Of many an old and valiant knight; When evening came with murderous flame, And liberty was but a name?

I see them, in the distance, form Like spectres on a misty sh.o.r.e; Before them rolls the dreadful storm, And hills send forth their rills of gore; Around them death with lightning breath Is twining an immortal wreath.

They conquer! G.o.d of glory, thanks!

They conquer! Freedom's banner waves Above Oppression's broken ranks, And withers o'er her children's graves; And loud and long the pealing song Of Jubilee is borne along.

'Tis evening, and December's sun Goes swiftly down behind the wave, And there I see a gray-haired one, A special courier to the grave; He looks around on vale and mound, Then falls upon his battle-ground.

Beneath him rests the hallow'd earth, Now changed like him, and still and cold; The blood that gave young freedom birth No longer warms the warrior old; He waves his hand with stern command, Then dies, the last of Glory's band.

"A very good song, but a very mournful subject," observed Kinnison. "And now, friends, we'll part."

"The carriages are at the door," said one of the young men, as the party arose and prepared to descend. The kindest and best wishes were exchanged between the old and young men; and over and over again were promises made to meet the next year, if possible. At length, the veterans were a.s.sisted to descend the stairs. When they reached the door, they found a crowd collected round it. The sound of the fife and drum had drawn these people there, and hearing that the survivors of the Tea-party were in the house, they had become very anxious to see them.

As soon as the old men appeared, they jostled around them, and it was with much difficulty that they were safely placed in the carriages by their young friends. Hand and his comrades at last bade the veterans an affectionate farewell, and the carriages drove away amid cheers given by the crowd for "The Boston Tea-party."