By DANIEL VAN WINKLE
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
In short, the accomplishment of so much good was in itself
too attractive to be renounced by a generous mind, and when connected with the recollection of the high honor which the selection
shed upon him as a soldier, he ought not, he must not, pause. This
discourse was followed by a detail of the plan with a wish that lie
would enter upon its execution instantly. Champe listened with
deep attention and with a highly excited countenance, the pertubations of his breast not being hid even by his dark visage. He
briefly and modestly replied that no soldier exceeded him in respect
and affection for the Commander-in-Chief, to serve whom he would
willingly lay down his life; and that he was sensible of the honor
conferred by the choice of him for the execution of a project all
over-arduous; nor could he be at a loss to know to whom was to be
ascribed the preference bestowed, which he took pleasure in
acknowledging, although increasing obligations before great and
many.
That he was charmed with the plan; even its partial success
would lead to great good, as it would give peace to the General's
mind and do justice to the innocent, while full success would add
powerful and delicious personal excitements, as well as the gratification of the General and the army. He was not deterred by the
danger and difficulty which was evidently to be encountered, but
he was deterred by the ignominy of desertion to be followed by the
hypocrisy of enlisting with the enemy, neither of which comported
with his feelings, and either placed an insuperable bar in his way
to promotion. He concluded by observing that if any mode could
be contrived free from disgrace, he would cordially embark in the
enterprise. As it was he prayed to be excused and hoped that
services always the best in his power to perform, faithfully performed, entitled his prayer to success. The objections at first apprehended, now to be combated, were extended to a consequence which
had not suggested itself.
Lee candidly admitted that he had expected the first objection
made, and that only, which had been imparted to the General, who
gave it full consideration, and concluded by declaring that the crime
of desertion was not incurred ; as no act done by the soldier at the
request of the Commander-in-Chief could be considered a desertion; and that an action so manifestly praiseworthy as that to be
performed when known, would dissipate by its own force the
reflections excited by appearances, leaving the actor in full enjoyment of the rich rewards of his virtue. That the reflecting mind
ought not to balance between the achievement of so much good
and the doing wrong in semblance only; to which Major Lee subjoined that he had considered himself and corps highly honored by
the General's call upon him for a soldier capable and willing to
execute a project so tempting to the brave, and that he should feel
himself reduced to a mortifying condition if the resistance to the
undertaking compelled him to inform the General that he must
recur to some other corps to provide an agent to execute this bold
and important enterprise.
He entreated the Sergeant to ask himself what must be the
reflections of his comrades, if a soldier from some other corps
should execute the attempt, when they should be told that the glory
transferred to the regiment of which he was one, might have been
enjoyed by the Legion, had not Sergeant Champe shrunk from
the overture made to him by his General, rather than reject scruples
too narrow and confined to be permitted to interfere with grand
and virtuous deeds. The esprit de corps could not be resisted;
united to his inclination it subdued his prejudices, and he declared
his willingness to conform to the wishes of the General, replying,
as he confidently did. that his reputation would be protected by
those who had induced him to undertake the enterprise, should he
be unfortunate.
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