WAYNE'S CHARGE AT GREEN SPRING.

THE name of Wayne is associated with all that is daring and chivalric in our revolutionary struggle. Impetuous as a cataract in battle, and yet cool and calculating, few who leaned upon him for support, in the hour of danger, ever complained of disappointment; and his conduct at Germantown, Monmouth, and Stony Point, proves his efficiency both in following a leader, and in commanding an assault.

During La Fayette's stirring campaign in Virginia, Wayne was despatched by Washington, to assist that nobleman in his efforts against Cornwallis. On the 6th of July, 1781, La Fayette came up with the British general near the Chickahominy Creek, and on learning that the main body of his army had already crossed the river to the northern bank, leaving behind it on the southern only a rear guard, he detelmined to attack it. The main body of his army had not yet arrived; yet placing the seven hundred men with him, who were the very flower of his army, under General Wayne, he ordered him to attack the supposed rear.

Wayne vigorously attacked the pickets, driving them rapidly before him, and pushing for the entire guard. Suddenly a sight terrible. as unexpected burst upon him. The information on which he was acting had been false; the whole British army was drawn up in battle array, and he, with seven hundred men, not fifty yards from them. Retreat was utterly impossible, and to remain inactive would have secured destruction. The least show of fear, the least indecision, would have been fatal; Wayne knew. it, and his course was taken. Parties were already on his flanks; and the enemy pressing forward, certain of undisputed victory. Rallying his little band around him, he ordered a charge with the bayonet, and dashed down into the heart of opposing thousands. Instantly a movement was observed among them, and in a few moments the flanking parties were recalled, and the first line heaved back before the general's furious shock. Even Cornwallis was deceived by so brilliant a manœuvre, and, imagining that the whole American army was approaching, he hastily concentrated his forces, and prepared for the attack. Seeing all obstructions removed, Wayne suddenly withdrew his troops, and, though in the face of a galling fire, conducted them away in excellent order. Bewildered by so inexplicable a movement, the British commander imagined it to be but a stratagem to draw him into an ambuscade, and accordingly forbid all pursuit. The Americans lost one hundred and eight men, a proof of the dreadful fire under which they made their charge. The British loss is unknown. Wayne received the highest commendations of the marquis, as well as those of Washington and Greene.