The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
The Baroness Riedesel, wife of General Riedesel, who accompanied her
husband through this whole campaign, wrote an admirable narrative of the
various events connected there with. In relation to the battle of the
19th of September, she says, "An affair happened, which, though it
turned out to our advantage, yet obliged us to halt at a place called
Freeman's farm. I was an eye-witness to the whole affair, and, as my
husband was engaged in it, I was full of anxiety, and trembled at every
shot I heard. I saw a great number of the wounded, and, what added to
the distress of the scene, three of them were brought into the house in
which I took shelter. One was a Major Harnage, of the sixty-second
regiment, the husband of a lady of my acquaintance; another was a
lieutenant, married to a lady with whom I had the honor to be on terms
of intimacy; and the third was an officer by the name of Young."
More than one half of an American detachment under Major Hull, *
consisting of two hundred men, was killed or wounded. Some of the
Americans ascended high trees, and from their concealed perches picked
off the British officers in detail. Several were killed by the bullets
of these sure marksmen. Burgoyne himself came very near being made a
victim to this mode of warfare. A bullet, intended for him, shattered
the arm of Captain Green, aid-de-camp to General Phillips, who at that
moment was handing a letter to Burgoyne. The captain fell from his
horse. In the confusion of the smoke and noise, it was supposed to be
Burgoyne, and such was the belief, for some hours, in the American camp.
Among the Americans who were killed in the battle were Colonels Adams
and Colburn, valuable officers. But it is unpleasant and unprofitable to
ponder upon the painful details of a battle, and we will pass on to the
consideration of subsequent events.
Let us pause a moment, however, and render justice to as brave a soldier
as ever drew blade for freedom. Although in after years he was recreant
to the high and sacred responsibilities that rested upon him, and
committed an act deserving the execrations of all good men, strict
justice demands a fair acknowledgment of his brave deeds. I mean
Benedict Arnold
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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