She Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of ChippewaNoah, M. M. (Mordecai Manuel)
General
She Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of Chippewa
Noah, M. M. (Mordecai Manuel)
American drama; Chippewa, Battle of, Ont., 1814 -- Drama
LENOX. The British commander, pressed by our artillery under Towson,
issued in all his force from his entrenchments. It was a gallant sight,
to see his solid columns and burnished arms advance on the margin of the
river, and his cavalry, with lightning's force, dart on our flanks to
turn and throw them into confusion: but they were met by the volunteers
under the brave Porter, and gallantly repulsed.
GENERAL. Go on.
LENOX. The enemy then condensed his forces and crossed the bridge, and
was encountered on the plains of Chippewa by Scott, with his brigade,
when the action became severe and general. No ambuscade or masked
batteries were held in reserve--the enemy was not a moment concealed
from our view--no tangled thicket or umbrageous groves gave effect or
facility to our rifles: the battle was fought on a plain--where man
grappled man, force was opposed to force, skill to skill, and eye to
eye, in regular, disciplined, and admirable order.
GENERAL. How near were you to the British general?
LENOX. In sight and hearing. Charge the Yankees! said a hoarse voice
which I knew to be his. Charge away! said our ardent troops, as they
advanced with fixed bayonets; the fire became dreadful, and our stars
and stripes were seen waving in the blaze. Scott rode through the lines
cheering the men, and gallantly leading them on; Jessup and his third
battalion turned the right flank of the enemy after a dreadful conflict;
Ketchum had kept up a cross and ruinous fire; and Towson, from his dread
artillery, scattered grape like hail amongst them. On, on! cried
Leavenworth, the day's our own, my boys! Just then a shot struck down my
comrade, Harrison, and shattered his leg.
GENERAL. Well?
LENOX. He grasped his sword and fought on his stump, clinging to the
spot like fire-eyed Mars; the enemy, pressed on all sides, gave way; our
troops pursued, and the flight became general. At length we drove them
to their entrenchments, and remained masters of the field. Our trumpets
sounded their retreat; victory perched on our eagles, and our bands
struck up the soul-inspiring air of "Hail, Columbia, happy land!"
GENERAL. Well done, my brave fellows! This action will teach the enemy
to respect that valour which they cannot subdue. See that the wounded
prisoners are taken care of: give them all succor: victory loses half
its value, when it is not tempered with mercy.
[_Exit GENERAL._
LENOX. Now to my dear Christine, to receive from her the reward which I
hope I have fairly earned, and seek with her the joys of tranquillity
and love.
_Enter a SOLDIER._
SOLDIER. Towards the conclusion of the battle we made two Indian
warriors prisoners, who were fighting desperately; we have them with us.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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