CHAPTER XXIV
THE RANGERS SENT AGAINST BURGOYNE
England proposed to snuff out the rebellion that summer of 1777: so she sent all the troops she could spare and hire, also bribes to secure the services of the Indians. England must win, though the savages kill and torture every man, woman and child on the frontier.
General Burgoyne must leave the writing of plays for a time and lead an army from Canada down to New York, and then Philadelphia was to be captured and the Continental Congress sent a-packing.
Howe is said to have thought the Burgoyne plan unwise, for he knew something about war, though frequently too indolent to put his knowledge into practice. This beautiful month of June he had his army down in New Jersey, watching for a chance to outwit Washington and seize Philadelphia.
After the first failure, he abandoned New Brunswick and marched his troops back to New York. Here was an opportunity for Morgan"s Rangers.
They followed Howe"s army like a swarm of angry hornets. When too annoying, the British would turn and drive them back, but, as soon as the march was resumed, they would return and again sting the rear of the column into desperation.
When the Rangers first came in contact with the retreating British the latter were crossing a bridge. Here was a fine opportunity for Morgan"s men, and they used it to the fullest extent. Their bullets laid many a poor Hessian in the dust, for the aim of the riflemen was quick and accurate, whereas that of the British was mechanical.
"Ah! Another bee has stung that arm. The redcoats intend to get it, I believe," suddenly cried Rodney.
"Does yer arm feel numb?" asked Zeb.
"No, I guess it"s just a scratch. Anyhow I"m going to use it while I may."
No, our two comrades lost no time examining trifling wounds, while British bullets whistled about their ears. On the contrary, they were loading and firing as rapidly as possible, and the perspiration was streaming down their powder-blackened faces, for the day was hot.
"They are going to support the column; look out for a volley. Git down here, lie low," and, suiting action to word, Zeb threw himself on the gra.s.s.
A body of Hessians had wheeled about and posted themselves behind some temporary breastworks, which had been thrown up that morning. "Up and at "em," was the word, and the Rangers ran forward and threw themselves on the ground so that most of the volley from the enemy pa.s.sed over their heads.
"Up and at "em" again, each time nearer, while flanking parties were working around toward the rear of the redoubts. The enemy behind the breastworks had the advantage both in number and position, and held back the Rangers, who had no bayonets and could not charge successfully.
"Here comes General Wayne"s brigade, now we"ll dislodge "em," shouted Zeb in his excitement, and Bunster stood up and cheered.
"We"ll teach "em that they have to earn their money when they hire out to lick Americans," cried Rodney.
"What"s the matter with Bunster!" exclaimed Zeb, for their companion staggered and pitched forward in a heap, his hands convulsively clutching the gra.s.s.
"They run, they run, at "em, boys!" and, with this cry in their ears, Rodney and Zeb charged down on the flying enemy.
Bunster lay face down in the field. How he would have yelled and run after the retreating Hessians! He had made his last charge, poor Bunster! Such a genial fellow; such a kindly, helpful soul, with no fear in your heart! You have done as much as the best and bravest of them, and your country can never do as much for you.
At the first opportunity his companions sought him out from among the slain, and laid him in a hastily constructed grave. Zeb"s eyes were wet and tears made furrows among the powder stains on Rodney"s face.
Their hearts would be hardened in the days of war to come, for that is one of war"s penalties. What sympathy they might have would be rather with those writhing and waiting for death.
"Thar"s a heap o" walkin" ahead of the Rangers," was Zeb"s greeting as he returned from a talk with their colonel several days later.
"What is it now?"
"Schuyler an" Gates are howlin" fer more men an" expect Washington to furnish "em whether he has "em or not. Burgoyne"s comin" down Lake Champlain with a horde of red devils at his heels, an" the country people up that way don"t feel easy about their hair, with the lovely flag of England wavin" over "em."
"I just heard a report that the farmers were taking the field. If they do as well as they did at Bunker Hill, Burgoyne may not have an altogether pleasant summer."
"Thar"s too many people in this country who want to be independent of everything, even to fightin" whenever and how they please. It"s time they did something."
"Certainly they don"t respond very promptly to Washington"s call for troops."
"This war has got to be won, if it"s won at all, by armies an" not by a few men shootin" from behind a stone wall whenever the Britishers march their way."
"It can"t be said that Morgan"s Rangers don"t respond when called upon."
"That"s right. The country will remember us after we"re killed. We"ve got a reputation for fighting already. Two thirds of us "d rather be at a fight than a feast."
"You among the number."
"Not right. I hate war except when I get in a skirmish, an" then I don"t think about it. I wish the men who bring on war had to do the fightin"."
Howe, twice foiled in his attempts to outwit Washington, had returned to New York, leaving his antagonist in doubt whether he proposed taking his army up the Hudson to meet Burgoyne or around to Philadelphia by sea. During this period of uncertainty, Morgan"s Rangers marched to Hackensack and back again. They travelled light, each man lugging his provisions, rations of corn meal and a wallet containing dried venison. August 16th they received final orders to march to Peekskill, and there to take boats for Albany to join Gates"
army.
Here at last was something definite, and how the men cheered!
Washington was sending his best men to aid Gates because he thought the country needed them at that place. George Washington was a big enough man to forget self and think only of his country. Gates was not, and was to repay his chief for this a.s.sistance with treachery.
Rodney never forgot that day when they first came in sight of the beautiful Hudson. He made some remark about the scenery, when the man next him in line exclaimed: "Whew! but I"d like plenty of shade trees in my scenery," wiping away the perspiration with his sleeve.
"Ab, you are in as big a hurry to git thar as any of us," said another.
"I don"t feel right certain about matters after we do. Thar must be some rattle-headed men in charge up in this country; what with fillin"
ol" Ty full o" powder an" ball an" then allowin" the Britishers to climb a hill an" drive "em out the fort. Thar sure be some folks as think they"re ginerals by grace o" good looks an" lots o" friends.
Then some feller, as knows how, comes along an" trees "em," was Ab"s reply.
A warm welcome awaited the Rangers when they joined the northern army.
In fact all along their route they had received admiration and cordial greeting to their hearts" content. Gates flattered Morgan by arranging that the colonel should receive orders only from the general in command. Quarters were a.s.signed them at Loudon"s Ferry, and here they were joined by Major Dearborn with two hundred and fifty men selected from other regiments. This was pleasing to Morgan, as he and Dearborn had fought the enemy at Quebec, where both had been taken prisoners.
The Rangers welcomed the recruits heartily, and proceeded to get acquainted. In the midst of this Rodney saw a fine looking fellow, of about his own age, clad in the uniform of the Ma.s.sachusetts militia, run toward Zeb, exclaiming, "I might have known if I could find Colonel Morgan I could find you, in flesh or spirit. How are you, anyway?"
"Shades of the Great North, Don, yer face looks good ter me."
Then, after they had shaken hands and patted each other on the shoulder, literally and metaphorically, Zeb, turning to Rodney, said, "Here"s Donald Lovell, the lad who found me in a Quebec snowdrift an"
saved my life when I was about as fer gone as poor Bunster."
"Easy, Zeb. I don"t want to tell all you did for me, there isn"t time, but I"m glad to know any one that"s your friend."
"You two boys make a likely pair. Ye both really do credit to my judgment in pickin" ye out. How long ye been here, Don?"
"Only a few days. You"ve heard about Stark and the battle at Bennington, of course?"
"We certain have. He gave those Hessians a sound drubbing if reports are correct. He was at Trenton, you know. Was disgruntled, because he didn"t get the promotion he wanted, an" went home."