The Banner of the Moravian Nuns
“Take thy Banner; and beneath
The war-cloud’s encircling wreath
Guard it—till our homes are free—
Guard it—God will prosper thee!
..........
“Take thy Banner; and if e’er
Thou shouldst press the soldier’s bier
And the muffled drum should beat
To the tread of mournful feet,
Then this Crimson Flag shall be
Martial cloak and shroud for thee!”
And the Warrior took that Banner proud,
And it was his martial cloak and shroud.
From The Hymn of the Moravian Nuns,
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It was the young and gallant Marquis de Lafayette, who during the terrible rout on the field of Brandywine, leaped from his horse, and sword in hand tried to rally the fleeing American soldiers. But a musket ball passing through his leg, he fell wounded to the ground.
His brave aide-de-camp placed Lafayette on his own horse, thus saving his life. Lafayette then tried to rejoin Washington, but his wound bled so badly that he had to stop and have his leg bandaged.
Meanwhile, it was growing dark. All was fear and confusion around him. The American soldiers were fleeing from every direction toward the village of Chester. They were rushing on in headlong flight, with cannon and baggage-wagons. The thunder of the enemy’s guns, the clouds of dust, the shouts and cries, the general panic, were terrific.
Lafayette was forced to retreat with the Army, but in spite of his wound, he retained presence of mind enough to station a guard at the bridge before Chester, with commands to keep all retreating soldiers from crossing it. So, when Washington and General Greene rode up, they were able to rally the soldiers and restore something like order.
As for Lafayette, he was soon after carried to the town of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, and left with the Moravian Nuns.
These good women nursed him, and bestowed every kindly care upon him, until his wound was healed and he was able to rejoin the Army. He had been serving without a command, but after his gallant action at Brandywine, he was made head of a division.
It was while Lafayette was still at Bethlehem, that a brilliant officer from the American Army came to see him. He was the Lithuanian-Polish Patriot, Count Casimir Pulaski.
All the Nuns, and in fact every one in Bethlehem, knew Count Pulaski’s romantic history, how while in Poland he had fought for the Independence of his Country, and had been sent into exile. He was now fighting for America’s Liberty.
And when the Nuns learned that Count Pulaski was raising a corps in Baltimore, they were eager to honour him. With their own hands they made a banner of crimson silk, embroidering it beautifully. This they sent to him with their blessing.
He carried the crimson banner through battle and danger, until at last he fell so badly wounded that he died.
The crimson banner was rescued, and carried back to Baltimore.