DUNWOODIE'S TRAP AND THE RECAPTURE OF CAPTAIN
WHARTON.
During this conversation, which was held at a small distance in
advance of the British column, and in full view of the Americans,
Dunwoodie had been collecting his scattered troops, securing his few
prisoners, and retiring to the ground where he had been posted at the
first appearance of his enemy.
Captain Lawton suddenly exclaimed: "How's this! a blue coat among
those scarlet gentry? As I hope to live to see old Virginia, it is my
masquerading friend of the 60th, the handsome Captain Wharton,
escaping from two of my best men!"
He had not done speaking when the survivor of these heroes joined his
troop, bringing with him his own horse and those of the Cow-Boys; he
reported the death of his comrade, and the escape of his prisoner.
This intelligence made an entire change in the views of Major
Dunwoodie. He saw at once that his own reputation was involved in the
escape of the prisoner, and he now joined with Lawton, watching for an
opening to assail his foe to advantage.
"There," cried the delighted captain, as he pointed out the movement
of Wellmere crossing the brook into the open plain; "there comes John
Bull into the mousetrap, and with his eyes wide open."
"Surely," said Dunwoodie, eagerly, "he will not display his column on
that flat. Wharton must tell him of the ambush. But if he does----"
"We will not leave him a dozen sound skins in his battalion,"
interrupted the other, springing into his saddle.
The truth was soon apparent; for the English column, after advancing
for a short distance on the level land, displayed with an accuracy
that would have done them honor on a field-day in their own Hyde
Park.[56]
[Footnote 56: a noted park in London.]
"Prepare to mount--mount!" cried Dunwoodie.
As the British line advanced slowly and in exact order, the guides
opened a galling fire. It began to annoy that part of the royal troops
which was nearest to them. Wellmere listened to the advice of the
veteran who was next to him in rank, and ordered two companies to
dislodge the American foot from their hiding-place. The movement
created a slight confusion, and Dunwoodie seized the opportunity to
charge. No ground could be more favorable for the manoeuvres[57] of
horse, and the attack of the Virginian was irresistible. It was aimed
chiefly at the bank opposite the wood, in order to clear the Americans
from the fire of their friends who were concealed; and it was
completely successful. Wellmere, who was on the left of the line, was
overthrown by the impetuous[58] fury of his assailants. Dunwoodie was
in time to save him from the impending blow of one of his men, and
raised him from the ground, had him placed on a horse, and delivered
to the custody of his orderly.
[Footnote 57: changes in position.]
[Footnote 58: violent; fierce.]
The left of the British line was outflanked by the Americans, who
doubled in their rear, and thus made the rout in that quarter total.
Henry Wharton, who had volunteered to assist in dispersing the guides,
was struck on his bridle-arm by a ball, which compelled him to change
hands. His charger became ungovernable, and his rider, being unable
with his wounded arm to manage the impatient animal, Henry Wharton
found himself, in less than a minute, unwillingly riding by the side
of Captain Lawton. The dragoon comprehended at a glance the ludicrous
situation of his new comrade, but he had only time to cry aloud before
they plunged into the English line:
"The horse knows the righteous cause better than his rider. Captain
Wharton, you are welcome to the ranks of freedom."
No time was lost, however, by Lawton, after the charge was completed,
in securing his prisoner again; and perceiving him to be hurt, he
directed him to be conveyed to the rear.
Captain Lawton called to a youth, who commanded the other troop, and
proposed charging the unbroken line of the British. The proposition
was as promptly accepted as it had been made, and the troops were
arrayed for the purpose. The eagerness of their leader prevented the
preparations necessary to insure success, and the horse, receiving a
destructive fire as they advanced, were thrown into additional
confusion. Both Lawton and his more juvenile comrade fell at this
discharge. Fortunately for the credit of the Virginians, Major
Dunwoodie reentered the field at this critical instant. The eye of the
youthful warrior flashed fire. At his feet lay Captain Singleton and
Captain Lawton. Riding between his squadron and the enemy, in a voice
that reached the hearts of his dragoons, he recalled them to their
duty. His presence and words acted like magic. The line was formed
promptly and with exactitude; the charge sounded; and, led on by their
commander, the Virginians swept across the plain with an impetuosity
that nothing could withstand, and the field was instantly cleared of
the enemy; those who were not destroyed sought a shelter in the woods.
Dunwoodie slowly withdrew from the fire of the English, who were
covered by the trees, and commenced the painful duty of collecting the
dead and wounded.
The guides took charge of Wharton, and, with a heavy heart, the young
man retraced his steps to his father's cottage.
The English had lost in the several charges about one-third of their
foot, but the remainder were rallied in the wood; and Dunwoodie,
perceiving them to be too strongly posted to assail, had left a strong
party with Captain Lawton, with orders to watch their motions, and to
seize every opportunity to harass them before they reembarked.
Intelligence had reached the major of another party being out by way
of the Hudson, and his duty required that he should hold himself in
readiness to defeat the intentions of these also. Captain Lawton
received his orders with strong injunctions to make no assault on the
foe, unless a favorable chance should offer.
The injury received by this officer was in the head, being stunned by
a glancing bullet; and parting with a laughing declaration from the
major, that if he again forgot himself, they should all think him more
materially hurt, each took his own course.
It became incumbent on Dunwoodie to arrange the disposal of his
prisoners. Sitgreaves he determined to leave in the cottage of Mr.
Wharton, in attendance on Captain Singleton. Henry came to him with a
request that Colonel Wellmere might also be left behind, under his
parole. To this the major cheerfully assented.
Captain Wharton voluntarily gave a pledge to his keepers not to
attempt to escape, and then proceeded to execute those duties, on
behalf of his father, which were thought necessary in a host.
His duty to the wounded performed, Dunwoodie proceeded to the field
where his troops had halted. The remnant of the English were already
seen, over the tops of the trees, marching along the heights towards
their boats, in compact order and with great watchfulness.
The party under Lawton had watched the retiring foe to his boats with
the most unremitting vigilance, without finding any fit opening for a
charge. The dragoons lingered on the shore till the last moment, and
then they reluctantly commenced their own retreat back to the main
body of the corps, which had retired to a small hamlet a short
distance above the Locusts, where several roads intersected each
other. This was a favorite halting place of the horse, and frequently
held by light parties of the American army, during their excursions
below.