Elsie's Vacation and After Events by Martha Finley
page 86 of 257 (33%)
page 86 of 257 (33%)
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outgeneraled us. Let us fly to the rescue at Princeton.'"
"How long did the battle last?" queried Walter. "The fight right here lasted about fifteen minutes, but was very severe," replied his brother. "Then Washington pushed on to Princeton, and in a ravine near the college had another sharp fight with the Fifty-fifth British regiment." "And whipped them too?" "Yes; they were soon flying toward Brunswick, the Fortieth regiment going along with them. "A part of a regiment was still in the college buildings, and Washington had some cannon placed in proper position, then began firing on them. One of the balls--it is said to have been the first--passed into the chapel and through the head of a portrait of George the Second that hung in a large frame on the wall. A few more shots were fired, and then the Princeton militia, and some other daring fellows, burst open a door of Nassau Hall and called upon the troops there to surrender, which they did promptly." "And Cornwallis had not reached there yet?" Walter said interrogatively. "No," returned Harold, "and when he did arrive he found that the battle was over, and Washington, with his victorious troops and prisoners, had already left the town and was in hot pursuit of the fleeing Fortieth and Fifty-fifth regiments." |
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