and tears mingled in the same sighs for victory. Their counsels and caresses were lavished on those who battled bravely for their country's rights; while they frowned with the withering scorn of cold contempt, on all who cowardly deserted their country's cause; or, even for a moment, hesitated in striking for liberty.

Wives watched the slumbers of their fatigued husbands; and rousing them to action on hearing the first gun of the morning, urged them on to battle. Sisters, young in years, and in the bloom of youth, kissed off the parting tears from the cheeks of their stripling brothers; as they shouldered their muskets for the battle-field. Lovers vented their last sighs in the moonlight, as they took a final farewell; while the roar of the distant cannon hurried them on to victory, or death. These immortal women of the revolution, whose souls were full of Heaven's inspiration, labored incessantly day and night for American Liberty.

During the trying scenes of the New Jersey battles, I was posted with my scarred braves, by the special order of General Washington, on the frontier of the State; to protect the settlers from the ravages of the hostile Indians. While thus engaged in traveling from station to station, where I had posted my warriors, I have witnessed deeds of female heroism, that might safely challenge the world for a parallel. I have seen young mothers of the most refined education and manners; high in rank and fortune; while their brave lords were engaged in battle, hush their young infants to sleep, mid the deafening noise of the booming cannon; and leaving their helpless, sleeping babes with servants, hasten to the field of carnage. Mounting their farm horses, without saddle

or bridle, loaded down with lint, linen, bandages, provisions, medicine, cordials, delicious dishes for the living, and winding sheets for the dead, these fearless heroines would dash away on the gallop, twelve or thirteen miles cross-lots; in by roads, over mountains, and vales,-swimming rivers, scaling fences, and leaping ravines; until they reached the American army. After spending several hours during a sanguinary battle, in staunching the blood of the wounded, dressing the wounds of the dying, closing the eyes of the dead, and cheering the hearts of the living, these Heaven-born spirits would remount their wild young steeds, and return home,-perhaps the same night before sunrise, with the corse of a husband, a son or a lover, strapped over the back of the spirited animal; which an Amazon might well fear to mount.

In these soul-trying times, it was no uncommon thing to see a wife or a betrothed young damsel, bring home from the field of battle on horseback, the mangled corse of her husband or lover; and after manufacturing, with her own delicate hands, a coffin of rough boards, buried the precious remains of their dear ones by moonlight; without a soul to help or a mourner to weep.

No battles were more sanguinary, no heroes ever fought braver, no women were more beautiful, lovely, and courageous, than those of New Jersey. It would seem that the whole State was originally designed by High Heaven for the battle-ground of liberty. Here it was, that the American revolution was principally planned; and the battles were principally fought. On this sacred soil, where I first made the acquaintance of the Vernon Family, more sufferings were endured, more blood was shed, and more eventful scenes

and the valuable productions of the soil. The face of the country is peculiarly diversified. The southern regions are flat and sandy; the middle districts are uneven and hilly; and the northern territory is beautiful with picturesque mountains and valleys. The central plantations of the State are extremely fertile, highly cultivated, and covered with handsome towns and flourishing villages. New Jersey abounds in valuable garden vegetables; in apples, pears, peaches, and other fruits of the most delicious quality; which always find a ready and lucrative market in New York and Philadelphia; and this was the general character of the State in the revolution; though, on a more limited scale. These facilities rendered it one of the most favorable positions for the American army; especially in winter quarters.

Stationing my army of braves at convenient distances on the western borders of the State, I selected for my headquarters a central post, on the sunny side of a mountain; which generally sloped down to the tide waters of the Atlantic. In my rear, the mountains, covered with a dense and dark coppice, overshadowed with a luxuriant growth of large and tall forest trees, gradually ascended for miles towards the setting sun; until the mountain lifts its lofty summit in the regions of the clouds.

On my

left, extending to the north, were posted companies of my braves, and battalions of Washington's forces, for the protection of the frontier settlements; which had suffered severely from the marauding invasions of the savages and tories. On my right, extending southerly to Philadelphia, were stationed other detachments, for the purpose of supplies, and the protection of the settlers. On our front lay the fertile plantations, and beauti

ful towns of New Jersey; occupied, by a prosperous and brave people; who poured out their life blood, and gave their rich treasures, as free as water, in winning American Independ

ence.

--

Directly in front of my tent, and ' only a few bow shots distant on the east, a beautiful plantation was spread out before us; covering, perhaps, a hundred acres of as rich farm lands, as the sun ever shone upon. In the centre of these beautiful and fertile grounds, which bordered on the forest near my ample tent, rose a large and commodious brick mansion, about fifty feet square, and two stories high: apparently of several years' standing. On the east, and front of this dwelling, was a spacious lawn, extending over several acres, adorned with various trees, high and low, great and small; numbering the elm, the oak, the pine, the maple, and other kindred forest trees; which now, in the month of May, were covered with a rich and redolent foliage. On the north, was a broad alley, shaded with elms, leading to the rich pasture and fertile fields of the farm; passing by the barn and farm-houses of the plantation. On the south of the mansion, was the spacious and fragrant flower garden; where you might gather a basketful of every American flower, of every hue and fragrance. On the west was a large fruit orchard, filled with oranges, grapes, apples, peaches, quinces, pears, plums, and cherries; and the most delicious fruits of Europe and America. On the west of the orchard, and at the edge of the forest, ran a small creek; descending from the mountain, and turning round on the south and north sides of the plantation, like a horseshoe; flowed on to the Atlantic. The waters of this beautiful stream were cool and fresh from the mountain; whose gentle flow was per

petual, and rippled day and night through the year over its pebbled bottom, in strains that lulled my weary braves to repose; while no other music could produce that balmy

sleep, which refreshes a soldier, and soothes a savage.

The warm sun, descending to the horizon, had bathed the cool tops of the western mountains in its golden light; and the mild summer evening of New Jersey was rapidly approaching. The waving hills, overshadowed with the more sublime mountains, looked green and beautiful in the dim distance, All nature was at rest, save the sweet song of the nightingale, and the occasional hoot of the ominous owl. The sun has now gone down; and the shadows of night, creeping slowly down the somber mountains, soon throw their veil over the beautiful landscape before us. Now the full round moon rides over the tree tops of the eastern horizon; pouring down its flood of silvery light on the picturesque scenery, which nature had so lavishly spread out before us.

It is now the first evening of our new encampment, at the hour of nine. I am now sitting in my tent with my faithful servant Oscar, a few feet in front; while my dogs are slumbering one on my right and the other on my left. My supper is finished, my guards posted the watch fires are blazing round at different points of the mountain side; and my braves are now smoking their pipes, preparatory to a good sleep, after a hard day's march to our new encampment. It is a lovely evening in May; while the soft zephyrs from the Atlantic are mingling with the cool mountain breeze; forming the most salubrious atmosphere ever breathed, except the air of Paradise. The moon, now rising in the clear blue sky of the east, shines

in her queenly beauty, with Venus by her side, surrounded by the starry host, which seem to pay their homage as a humble auditory.

While musing on the prospect of my country, and the duties and dangers of my new station, suddenly my attention was attracted towards the brick mansion, a few hundred yards in front, which I had not yet visited. Several carriages drove up througli tlie avenue to the north door of the house; and several ladies and gentlemen, with servants mounted on horseback, and a few dragoons, were seen, resembling the body-guard of a hero. I, at once, concluded that Washington and his suite, or one of his generals had arrived for night quarters. Soon the noise of carriages and servants died away, and the windows of the old mansion were lighted up, ready for the guests to take possession of the several apartments.

Soon my dogs Tiger and Lion, who lay apparently sleeping on the grass, with their heads on the ground, ready to catch the first noise of distant footsteps, sprang up before me with a sudden bound, and looking steadily in front, licked my cheeks, which I understood to be the signal, that some one was approaching us in front. Oscar, instantly springs to my rear, and whispers in my ear,--"Chief do you see that messenger coming yonder, winding his way through the bushes?" "Is it a friend or foe Oscar?" "A friend Chief; for you see he comes straight to our tent unarmed and unheeding." I looked forward about three hundred yards, and at once, recognized Peter, one of Washington's servants, coming at the top of his speed through the orchard, I laid my hands on the dogs gently, as a signal of peace, and told them it was a friend; and they quickly falling in the rear, lay down. The good old negro, com

ing within ten rods, halted, and uncovered his woolly head. I rose up, and drawing my bow with a fitted arrow, hailed him, and demanded the countersign. He immediately answered, "Vernon," which was the watchword of the night. "What do you want Peter?" "The General has come, and orders you to report yourselfforthwith at the Vernon mansion."

Hastening to my tent, I made my European toilet as soon as possible; and followed Peter on a rapid walk to the General's quarters. Here I found General Washington, and Lady Washington his wife; General Alexander Hamilton, and General Putnam; Doctor Franklin the philosopher, Doctor Rush the surgeon; and Doctor Witherspoon the chaplain, with whom I was well acquainted. General Washington then introduced me for the first time to Judge Vernon, our distinguished host. After a few moments' conversation, a servant announced that Lady Washington was waiting for us in the drawing room. Washington says, "Gentlemen follow me." Washington and Judge Vernon led the way; and Hamilton, Putnam, Franklin, Rush, the chaplain, and myself followed; I bringing up the rear. Winding our way through the lighted halls, we entered a large square room in the south-east corner of the mansion, on the first floor; where Lady Washington introduced us to Madam Vernon, the wife of our generous host.

Soon after being seated, Lady Washington entered the room, leading a little girl by the hand, tripping along by her side like a fairy; dressed in snow-white, with her bosom, hands, and hair full of the most fragrant bouquets; which she had gathered and wreathed for the guests. Advancing to the centre of the floor, Lady Washington stopped, saying,-"Ladies and

Gentlemen, permit me to introduce the 'SERAPH GIRL,'-Miss Alice Vernon, the only daughter of our generous host; now in her third birth-day. Believe me, she is this day only two years old!" The beautiful little creature, standing as calm as a hero; this being her first appearance in company, very gracefully bowed her thanks to us all, and after an elegant courtesy, glanced her eyes very coolly upon the company with a gentle smile. General Washington leading, we all arose and bowed our greeting to the little Seraph. My good Lady Washington, then leading her to her husband; the General placing his hands under her arms, raised her up to his face, and kissing her very heartily, replaced her on the floor. "General Washington," says Alice, "allow me to return your warm kiss; your good Lady says the fair sex have equal rights with the gentlemen." "Oh! surely with all my heart, dear Alice;" and kneeling on the carpet, bowed his venerable head low before the little creature, who swift as a flash, kissed both of his cheeks; and placed in his hand a beautiful bouquet. The General rose, and laying his large long hand on her head, which nearly covered it, pronounced a hero's blessing; "Heaven bless you dear child!"

Passing to General Hamilton, who stood next to Washington, every eye was now turned to this distinguished orator, expecting to hear something sweet from his eloquent lips. Hamilton kneeling before her, and being of small stature, kissed her sweetly on the lips; which Alice instantly returned. Hamilton then raising his hands in the attitude of supplication, repeated the words of Handel's sweet song: "Angels ever bright and fair, Take, oh! take her to your care!" Alice placing a lovely bouquet in the Orator's bosom, with her sweet blue