Washington took him by the
hand, and said, his countenance beaming with joy: "Major Wilkinson, this
is a glorious day for our country!"
In a moment, however, the unfortunate Rahl, who stood near, pale,
covered with blood, and still bleeding, appeared to be asking for the
assistance which his wounds required.
He was at once conveyed to the house of a good Quaker family near by,
where he was visited by General Washington in the course of the day, who
did all in his power to soothe the feelings of the dying soldier.
This action, reckoning from the first gun, lasted but thirty-five
minutes. On the American side two officers were wounded, two privates
were killed, four were wounded, and one was frozen to death. Four stands
of colors were captured, besides twelve drums, six brass field-pieces,
and twelve hundred muskets. The prisoners were nine hundred and forty-
six in number, of whom seventy-eight were wounded. Seventeen of the
Hessians were killed, of whom six were officers.
We can scarcely imagine the joy which this victory gave to the people
everywhere, as the news slowly made its way. They were in the depths of
discouragement. There had been moments when Washington himself almost
gave up Philadelphia for lost, and it was from Philadelphia that he drew
his most essential supplies.
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