With the Chester road so well covered as to prevent any calamity, Washington, after a consultation with his generals, wrote a dispatch giving a full account of the day’s fortunes and misfortunes, knowing well that a horde of panic-stricken runaways would soon burst into Philadelphia and spread the news of utter rout.
“Ride with all speed and deliver this to Mr. Hancock,” said the general, upon handing the dispatch to Ben Cooper. “And do what you can to stem the tide of false reports that will be going about.” Then as Ben saluted and gathered up his reins, the commander-in-chief added anxiously, to General Greene, “I trust no disorder arises in the city; there are, as you know, many who would willingly take advantage of so rich an opportunity.”
As Ben sped along the Chester road, his horse pushed its way, in places, through dense masses of retreating soldiers; the broken fragments of the army, also field pieces and baggage wagons were flowing along in one disorganized stream, all making for Philadelphia. At Chester, some dozen miles north of the scene of battle, was a good sized stream which the fugitives would have to cross to reach the city. Here young Lafayette placed a strong guard at the bridge and refused to permit any one to cross unless properly armed with an order from some one in authority.
With his leg swathed in bandages showing where the bullet had struck him, the youthful Frenchman sat his horse with much difficulty. However, sit him he did, and gave his orders like one born to the work, never betraying a sign of pain. He recognized Ben at once as he came up and replied to his salute, and inquired anxiously as to the complexion of things at Dilworth.
“General Greene held them until the danger was past,” replied Ben, cheerfully. “And it looks now as though the situation were well in hand.”
“Ah, yes,” Lafayette said. “With us there was fortune at any rate. We lost the battle, but,” and he gestured eloquently, “we are saved from utter ruin; and another day we can fight again.”
Ben pushed on at top speed; all along the road he found wagons loaded with household goods and such like, with excited men, white-faced women and crying children trudging at their sides. The news of the defeat had reached them, also the report that Washington’s army had been cut to pieces and was flying in complete rout before the British. The lad did his best to steady the men by crying out to them that Washington was holding Howe in check.
As he passed into the city he found much the same state of things; all day the citizens had gathered in the streets and public squares, listening to the roar of the cannon which came plainly to their ears; and now the fleeing families grew more numerous; terror seemed to be in every face. The throngs recognized Ben in a moment as being one from the battle-field; they closed around him demanding tidings.
“What news?” called one.
“How goes the fight?” demanded another.