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11

i^n:i^

k
'''Ji'

THE r^EW YOaiC PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOK. LEMOX

AKO

DARING DEEDS
OF

AMERICAN HEEOES
WITH

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

EDITED 27

JAMES

0.

BRAYMAN, ESQ.

"How

sleep the brave,


;il^

who

sink to rest,
i-biest."

.With

thciif

coautrj's liccojc

CrM.'S
25

AXTON,
1859.

Park Row.

5(r

-^Hk;

SEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

5311605
*9lV*, lENOX and

1^-12

^-

Eiitered according to

Act of

Congrress, in the year l&5i,

bj

GEO.

H.

DERBY AND
'le.^

CO.

la the Clerk's Office of the District

of

Court for the Northern Difltrkt Yoik.

PREFACE
The
objfict

of the following

pages

is

to place

upon

per-

manent record a continuous account of the "daring deeds"


of the heroes of our country.
to originality of

The work makes no


have gathered from
interesting

claims
all

matter.

We

au-

thentic sources within


incidents

our i-each

and important

which have transpired from the commencement of

the Revolutionary struggle, to the conclusion of the Mexican


war, whether

upon

sea

or

land, in

which

our countrymen

have borne a part


attractive

Our

design has been to form a book of

and popular reading


people, the

to

embalm
the

in the

memory

of

the

American

sacrifices,

patriotism, the

heroism, the

sufferings

and dangers of those


preservation of
iii43^rl

to

whom we

owe the achievement and the

our freedom.
peril.

The Revolutioaajy,
Its

struggle
written

W9s

time of
;

history
in

has been
facte

by able hands

but history
great
thrill-

deals

general

-^ in

gr^^.at

achievements, and
interesting

results.

Those

lesser d^tnils

deeply
personal
are

and

ing in themselves

those

adventures that go
passed
by,

to

make up
exist

the

Romance of War,
scattered

and only
works.

as

fragments,

through

ephemeral

IV

TKEFACE.
It
is

without continuity or relation.


these form

our purpose

to

give

and shape,

in connection with the

more important

events which

have transpired in the wars of our country.


is

What

is

true of the Revolution,

equally true of the second

contest with Great Britain, the

Mexican and Indian wars.


that
in

Whatever may be

said

by the man of Peace,


is

which any people most glory


their

the martial achievements of

renowned Heroes.
will

It has

been so from the beginning,

and

continue

to

be, for

ought we know, to the end.

Search history through, back to the remotest antiquity, and

prominent upon

its

pages, stands

the record

of

great

and

startling military achievements.

The American people partake To


stimulate
it,

in this
alive,

universal

sentiment.

and keep
to

it

they have the additional one of

gratitude

their

Heroes for the liberty which they have given them


the free institutions which
are

for

the

result of

their

^^darmp

deeds"

If the following pages contribute to perpetuate this

sentmient of gratitude, to keep burning pure and bright the


tire

upon the

altar of

patriotism, our

end

v^iil

ha\e

beoii

accomphshed,

/*!*!'*

CONTENTS

linTRODUCTION,
Battle of Lexington
Fio-lit at

9
llT

Concord Bnd^e
Hill

23
31

Battle of Bunker

Taking of Ticonderoga by Colonel Allen


Patriotic

42
46
4*7

Father

Arnold's March through the Wilderness

Death of General Montgomery


Washington, Commander in Chief of the American
Eldridge Gerry

49

Army

52 53

Richard Henry Lee

54
57
61

Attack on Sullivan's Island


Declaration of Independence

Death of Captain Hall


Battle of Trenton

62 Q5
67

Captain George Little General

Andrew Pickens

70
73

An

Extraorduaary Retreat

Don't ^ive up the Vessel


Military Courtesy

74
75

The

Scotch Prize

or,

the Little

Yankee

78 79
83 85

Battle of Fort Moultrie

Sergeant Jasper at Fort Moultrie

John Adams
Battle of Pj-inceton
Battle of

87
.

Brandy wine

.,

91

Vi
Battle of

CONTENTS!.
Germantown
95

General Wayne's \Yar Horse


Colonel M'Lane
Rev.

102
103

Thomas Allen

108 110
116

Battle of Bennington

Battle of Saratoga

Revolutionary Reminiscence

119

March of Burgoyne
Battle of Oriskany

122
126

Death of General Herkimer


Marion the Repubhcan General.

139

144
149
151

Putnam's Feat

Death of Captain Biddle


Battle of

Monmouth

155
157 159

General Lee

Paul Jones' Naval Battle

Encampment

at Valley

Forge

161

Colonel George

K Clarke

164
168

Affairs at Schoharie

Sergeant Jasper

172 179 184

Storadng of Stony Point


Colonel Isaac

Hayne
White

Intrepidity of Colonel

188 190
191

Prudence and Bravery of Major Lee


Sullivan's

Expedition

Adventure of David Elerson


Battle of

192
198

Newto^

Expedition of Colonel Broadhead

205 212

Capture of Major Andre

Death of Baron De Kalb


Battle of King's
Battle of the

Mountain

214 219
223 229

Cowpens

Sergeant Mitchell

CONTENTS.
Naval Engagements
Defeat of Major Gainey

Vll

230
231

Marion

at Nelson's

Ferry
.

233

Adventures of Major James and Captain Witherspoon


Black Mingo
Defeat of Colonel Tynes
Battle of

236 238
241

Eutaw Springs

244
247 267

Battle of Guilford

Capture of Fort Watson


Capture of Fort Motte

269 274

La Fayette

in Virginia
at the

Wayne's Victory

Miami Rapids

281

Capture of L'Insurgente

284
287

The

Constitution and Vengeance

Burning of the Philadelphia

290
295 302

Bombai-dment of Tripoli
Loss of the Intrepid

Expedition of General Eaton

307 310
312 316
319

Capture of the G^lerriere

The Wasp and

Frolic

Defense of Fort Harrison

Capture of the Macedonian


Capture of the

Adams and

Caledonia

321

Battle of Queenston

323 328
'

General Scott and the Indian Chief

Capture of the Java

331

Capture of the Peacock

334 336
339
842

Death of General Pike


Captain, Holmes' Erpedition

Capture of the Penguin


Battle of

Tohopeca

343
348

Cruise of the Essex

Defense of Foit Stephenson

352

VIU

CONTENTS.
356 857
362

Capture of the Epervier.


Defense of Sackett's Harbor

Capture of the Reindeer


Enterprise and Boxer

364

Commodore
Battle of the

Perry's Victory on

Lake Erie

367 373

Thames
Lane

Battle of

Chippewa

378

Battle of Lundy's
Sortie of Fort

384 395

Ene

Assault on Fort Erie


Battle of Plattsburg

398

404
408 410

Battle of

Lake Champlain

Defense of Baltimore
Battle of

New

Orleans

413
425
427 433 443

Colonel Clinch and the Indians


Battle of Okee-cho-bee
Battle of Palo Alto

Captain May's Charge Captain Morris and Major Allen


Battle of Resaca de la

446 448

Palma

Taking of Sonoma
Capture of Montgomery
Battle of

454
458

San Pasqual

470
472

Battle of Bracito

Battle of

Buena Vista

475
477 478

Capture of Alvarado

Taking of Puebla
Affair at the National Bridge

480 482
489
495
497

General Riley at Contreras


Gallant Affair of Colonel de Russey

Capture of the Tuspan

Capture of Santa Cruz de Rosales

IlSrTEODUCTIOlN".
The American
of the world.

Revolution forms an epoch in the history

It stands

prominent as one of the most im

portant, not only in the

immediate consequences which resulted


it

from

it,

but in the continued influence


destinies of

is

destined to exert
all

upon the
It

the world through

coming time.
like

opened a new era in the science of government, and,


religion,
it

the advent of the Christian


dispensation.

estabhshed

a new

Our country was baptized with the


by the prayers of the Pilgrims.
of the persecuted of
all

blood,

and consecrated

It has

been the asylum


Pilgrims,

nations.

First

came the

who, in the language


tive land,

of their covenant, " fled


relatives, for the

from their naglory of


Govl

and

homes, and

and the preservation of the Christian


the pious
cution,

religion."

Then came
from a perse-

Hugenots of France, escaping


literally

also

which had

made
blood.

the mountains desert and

the va^es to run

down with

These ar3 the founders

of our country

the ancestry to which

we

look back with

a feeHng^'oT exultant pride.

Soon came the time of


the ceaseless watch

fiery trial

and severe

tiibulation

the house of

God

beofu-t

with sentinels

X
and

INTRODU CTI O N.
filled

with armed worshipers

the night attack by

thfl

ruthless

savage upon

the frontier settlement


its

the

burning

dwelling

the murdered infant, slain in

mother's arms

the bleeding father scalped and trodden under foot, ere the

warm

spirit

had departed

the feeble

woman

led captive and

driven away, and,


fering
ful

when

nature could no longer endure, suf-

torture,

and death
final

the

stout resistance

the fear-

vengeance, and
trials

triumph.

These, and

a thousand the early

other

were

the

portion of

those

who

laid

foundations of the institutions

whose
foe

blessings are

now

ours.

No
from

sooner was

the

savage

subdued

driven

back

river

and mountain

no
fruits

sooner did those self-sacrificing

men
toil

begin to enjoy the

and reap the rewards of

their

and

suffering,

than

they became an object

of jealousy

and

envy
policy,

to the

mother country.

England, led by a narsituation to de-

row

no sooner saw the Colonies in a

fend and pro\ade for themselves, than she resolved to impose


taxes

and assessments

for the benefit of

the

Home

Govern-

ment, at the same time denying them a share in the enact-

ment of

those laws

by which they were

to

be taxed.
at the

These unjust imposts and tyrannical measures met,


outset,

with
it

strong

and determined opposition,


to

restrained

though
the

was by a habitual reverence

the

majesty of
But, as the

King and Parliament of Great

Britain.

oppressions increased, and the


oneroup, the elastic
spiiits of

hand of tyranny became more


the
Colonists,

though

bowed

INTRODUCTION.
down
for tue

Xl

moment,

recoiled with terrific force

upon the
of

'

oppressors.

The measures adopted by the Ministry


rising spirit

Eng-

land

to

subdue the
to
its

of discontent, was but so


to shake

much

fuel

the volcano which was soon


center,

New
catas-

England

to

and whose premonitions of the

trophe were
the Battle

felt

throughout the Colonies.


it

But

it

was

at

of Lexington that

burst forth in
hill

ail its fury,

with a glare that illuminated rock,


prairie,

and

dale, forest

and

and with a shock that was

felt

throughout Chris-

tendom.

The
drama

Battle of Lexington

is

the

first

act

in

the opening

the

first

of the

^Daring
It

Deeds''"'

achieved

by our
with
final

Revolutionary Fathers.

gave earnest of the


struggle,

spirit

which they entered the


triumph which
toil,

fearful

and of the

crowned

their heroic

efforts,

after years

of

danger and *blood.

Familiar as household words though

the events of the Revolution are, the time will never come,

we

trust,

when they

will cease to

be of deep and absorbing

interest to every

American freeman

when

their recital will

cease to

make

the

bosom of every

patriot

glow with renewed

emotion.

Then
War.

followed the

trials

and

sufferings of the

Seven Year's

Men

accustomed to the implements of agriculture and

the mechanic arts siezed the sword and the musket and went
forth to battle for the right.

The habiliments

of the citizen

were exchanged

for the covering of

the soldier

man

left


XU
his

INTRODUCTION.
home and
of war.
his

happy

fireside,

for the

tented

field,

the

camp

The instruments

of peace were wrought into

instruments of death, and the patriot marched forth to meet


the oppressor with
farewell prayer
altar of

firm

resoh^e to conquer or die.


last oflfering

The
the

was

said,

and the

made upon

domestic affection.
for the
spirit

Thus commenced the struggle


country's independence.
fire

achievement of out
of our fathers.

Such the
at

The

which had been enkindled


its

Lexington and Bunker Hill

continued

course,
it

burning

fiercer

and

brighter,
It sped

and gain hke a wild


It ascen-

ing strength as
contagion, as
it

passed over the land.

were,

upon the wings of the wind.


England, and
shed
spirit
its

ded the

hills

of

New

hght

afar off
ani-

upon the waters of the south.

One

one

mind

mated the

people.

They saw

their country threatened with

subjection to the will of a tyrant Ministry,

on the one hand


on the

stripped of

its

rights

and

privileges

while,

other,

war

desolating

war

stared

them

in the face, with all its horis

roi-s.

But a
crisis is

spirit

of resistance, deep and strong,

abroad

the
test.

passed

all

is

staked upon the issue of the con-

This was an age of heroes.


to the storm, to avert the

They

fearlessly

bared their

bosoms

destiny which threatened

the country they loved.

The

struggle

was long and bloody.


they endured.
Bu!;

All the

evils

which humanity can


nc^,^

suffer,

they shrank
still

nor
,he

faltered.

The

polar star of their hopo


light

rose above

troubled

horizon, to

them

on, ai

INTRODUCTION.
tlie

Xlll

cloud

by day and
Israel

the pillar of

fire

by nigbt did
times
it
is

the

children of

in

the wilderness.
of
defeat

At

indeed

obscured

by the clouds

but
is

they, vanquished,

despair not of the result.


ven,

Their cause

approved of Hea-

and cheered by

its

smiles, they persevere.

The Eagle

of Freedom

flutters aloft

over the prostrate Lion of the boasted the efforts of


is

power of
and
toils

Britain.

Peace crowns
first

patriotism,

Liberty, the

born of Heaven,
Its

the reward of the


floating over us,

of

the oppressed.

banner

is

yet

and palsied

be the hand that would dishonor

it

Our

fathers of the Revolution laid the foundation

and com-

menced
the task

the

superstructure

leaving to

future

generations

of completing the glorious edifice, they so auspi-

ciously began.

Their

diflaculties

and dangers ended not with


themselves,
it

the

close of

the war.

They found

is

true,

independent of British rule

free

from the oppressions that

had impelled them was before them.

to take

up arms.

But

this

was

all.

Chaos

An

exhausted country was around them.

Devastation had marked the footsteps of the invaders


arts of

thi

peace had

been neglected,

and the country was with-

out resources.
reollection

The

Colonies were held together only by the


sufieiings,

of

common

and common

clangers.

The instrument which connected them was but


of sand.

as a rope
institutions

government was to be formed, and

molded.

Conflicting interests

and prejudices were

to

be hai

monized, and a

new

order of things established.

XIV

INTRODUCTION.
safely
still.

But the same overruling Providence that guided them


through the long and
fearful struggle,

was with them

As He had

given them valor in war, so

He

gave them wis-

dom
to

in council.

They saw and

fully appreciated the dangers

which

their liberated country

was exposed.

The wise men

of the nation
their fortunes,

many
and

of those

who had

periled their " Hves,

their sacred honors," for the

achievement

of

its

liberties,

were called by the people to demise ways and


crisis.

means

to

meet the

They proved themselves equal

to

the emergency, and the American constitution was the result


of their
laboi"s.

That instrument

the perfection of

human
re-

wisdom, as applied to the formation of government, yet

mains in
our

its

original strength

and purity

the palladium of

hberty

the

admiration of the world.


effected.

Under

it,

the

union of the States was


has been onward

Since then, their progress

and upward.

From

thirteen,

they have
in-

become

thirty-one,

and the three milhon of inhabitants have


That
this

creased to twenty-three million.

Union, so fraught

with national and individual blessings


protection
liberty,

so necessary for the

and preservation of
preserved
in

civil,

political,
is

and

rehgious

may be

its

integrity

the prayer of

every patriot heart.

After the

fonnation of the

government order soon came


void,
to

3ut of confusion, and

what before was without form and


fair

assumed shape and


abide
within

proportions.

Peace

continued

our borders for over a quarter of a century,

INTRODUCTION.
'_terrupted only

XV

by

slight diflBculties

with France, the Barbary

Powers, and an occasional conflict with the savages.

But England had


pendence.

never, in
to

fact,

conceded our

full

indeit is

She had ceased

demand

of us allegiance,

jue; but she interposed other demands equally humiliating.

o our

national

pride,

and contrary to

every principle of

nternational
iO

law.

Increasing in impudence as

we

forebore

chastise

her arrogance, she continued

her encroachments
spirit

and rose in her demands and pretensions until the


the country was
too,

of

aroused.

second

war ensued.

In

this,

our countrymen desplayed deeds of daring equal to those

of the Revolutionary period.


for

Having accomplished the

objects

which the war was commenced, and again humbled the

pride of England, an honorable peace was concluded.

Our country enjoyed


panied

a long period of tranquility, accomin the

by

physical

and moral progress unparalleled

histoiy of

the world.

few Indian wars alone break tbe

monotony of our
ourselves

history until 1846,


in

when we suddenly found


neighboring
Republic.
is

involved

a war with a
"

This contest, too, was fruitful of


recent that
it

Daring Deeds," but


it

so

is

unnecessary to more than allude to

here.

Incidents
study.

in

the history of our country are valuable for

The

record of what our ancestors have achieved and

suffered to purchase our Hberties, will impress

upon the minds


Let the children

of the young an idea of their priceless value.


of America je early

imbued with a

love for their country.

XVI

INTKODUCTION.
the principles of
;

Teach them
and by the

true patriotism,
in.

by the way
Rehearee to

fireside

going out and coming

them while
Tell

in their infant years, the story of the Pilgrims

them the

story of

the Revolution, and

their love of

country shall " grow \vith their gi'owth, and strengthen witt
their strength."

DAEING DEEDS
OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
CHAPTER. I. 1775.

BATTLE OF LEXIE'GT0:N.
A
ton,

considerable quantity of military stores having


at

been deposited

Concord, eighteen miles from Bosthe


British

General Gage, who commanded

troops in that city, determined to destroy them.

In

pm'suance of his design, he, on the evening of the


18th of April, 1775, dispatched grenadiers a party of

800

and

light

infantry under

Lieutenant-

Colonel Smith,
foot

who

crossed Charles river from the


to

of

Boston

common

Phips' farm in Camat

bridge, about

eleven o'clock

night,
for

and comConcord.

menced
Though

a quick

but

silent
to

marcn

they attempted

preserve secrecy, yet

.18

DARINGDEEDS
friends 'of liberty

tlie

were too vigilant not

to notice

their departure,

and many messengers were imme-

diately sent to alarm the country.

Of these,

Colonel

Revere, Mr. Dawes, and three or four others of


the most active,
British officers,
fell

into the

hands of a party of
as
.

who kept them

prisoners for a

time,

but,

becoming alarmed
drill

at

the firing of a

party of militia at

near Lexirgton meeting-

house, they t:ok the horses from their captives and

rode

off.

The following account of the

battle is

given by one of the most celebrated orators of N'ew

England.
" The Committee of Safety had set the preceding

day

at

West Cambridge and


;

three of

its

respected
retired
to

members, Gerry, Lee, and


sleep, in the public house,

Ome, had
was

where the session of the


difficult
it,

committee was held.


standing
all

So

notwith-

that

had passed,

to realize that a state

of things could exist, between England and


ica, in

Amer-

which American

citizens should

be liable to

be torn from their beds by an armed force at midnight, that the

members of

the Committee of Safety,

though forewarned of the approach of the British


troops,

did

not even think

it

necessary to

retii-e

from their lodgings.

On

the contrary, they rose

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
fi'oin

19

their beds

and went
sight, the

to their

windows

to gaze

on the nnwonted
through
the

midnight march of armies

peaceful hamlets of iJ^ew England.

Half the column had already passed, when a flank


guard was promptly detached
house, no
to search the public

doubt
of the
It

in

the

design

of

arresting the

members
be there.
that

Committee of Safety, who might


at this last critical

was only

momert

Mr. Gerry and


of
flight,

his

friends

bethought themto

selves

and without time even


into

clothe

tliemselves,

escaped naked

the fields.

"By

this

time Colonel

Smith,

who commanded

the expedition, appears to have been alarmed at


the indications of a general rising throughout the

country.

The

light

infantry companies were

now

detached and placed under the

command

of Major

Pitcairne, for the purpose of hastening forward, to

secure the bridges at Concord

and thus cut

off the

communication between
north and west of
i-each
it.

this

place

and the towns

Before these companies could

Lexington, the officers already mentioned, who


their advancing

had arrested Colonel Revere, joined


countrymen, and reported that
were drawn up in Lexington,
troops.

five

hundred men
the king's
tiic

to resist

On

receiving this exaggerated account,

20

DARING DEEDS
was
ujd,

British light infantry

halted, to give time foi

the grenadiers to

come

that the whole together

might move forward

to the

work of death.
green,

"The company assembled on Lexington


which
the
British
officers,

in

their

report,

had

swelled to five hundred, consisted of sixty or seventy


of the militia of the place.

Information had been

received about nightfall, both by private means and

by communications from the Committee of


that a strong party of officers

Safety,

had been seen on the


In

road, directing their course toward Lexington.

consequence of

this

intelligence, a

body of about

thirty of the militia, well

armed, assembled early

in the evening

a guard of eight

men under

Colonel

William Munroe, then a sergeant in the company,


was stationed
at the house of the

Eev. Mr. Clark


alarm at

and three men were sent


Concord.

off to give the

These three messengers were however

stopped on their way, as has been mentioned, by the


British
officers,

who had

already passed onward.

One

of their number, Elijah Sanderson, has lately

died at Salem at an advanced age.


midnight, Messrs. Kevere and

little afte''

Dawes

arrived ^vith

the certain information that a verv large

body of the

OF

AMEKICAN HEROES.

21

royal troops was in motion.

The alarm was now

'

generally given to the inhabitants of Lexington, messengers were sent

down

the road to ascertain the

movements of the

troops,

and the

militia

company

mider Captain John Parker appeared on the green


to the

number

of one hundred and

thii'ty.

The

roll

was duly

called at this perilous midnight muster,


to their

and

some answered
earth.

names

for the last

time on

The company was now ordered


ball,

to load with

powder and

and awaited

in anxious expectation

the retmTi of those


the enemy.

who had been

sent to reconnoiter

One

of them, in consequence of

some

misinformation, returned and reported that there was

no appearance of troops on the road from Boston.

Under

this harassing uncertainty

and contradiction,

the militia were dismissed, to await the return of the


other expresses, and with orders to be in readiness
at the beat of the

drum.

One

of these messengers

was made prisoner by the


so
cautious, that they

British,

whose march was


tiL

remained undiscovered

within a mile and a half of Lexington meetinghouse, and time was scarce left for the last messenger
to retm-n
'

with the tidings of their approach.


;

The new alarm was now given

the bell rings,

*;->

NOBLE DEP:DS
fired, tlie

Qlarm-gims are
of
tlie

drum

beats to arms.

Some
;

militia liad

gone home, when dismissed

but

the greater part were in the

neighboring houses,
Sixty or seventy

and instantly obeyed the summons.

appeared on the green and were drawn up in double


ranks.

At

this

moment

the British column of eight


their

hundred gleaming bayonets appears, headed by

mounted commanders,

their

banners

flying

and

drums beating a charge.

To engage them with a


was madness,

liandful of militia of com'se


at the sight of

to fly

them they
;

disdained.
their

The

British

troops

rush furiously on

commanders, with

mingled threats and execrations, bid the Americans


lay

down

their
fire.

arms and disperse, and their own

troops to

moment's delay,

as of

compunc-

tion, follows.

The order with vehement imprecaand they


fire,

tions is repeated,

l^o one

falls,

and

the band of self-devoted heroes, most of

whom had
them

never seen such a body of troops before, stand


firm in the front of an army, outnumbering ten to one.

Another volley succeeds


it

the killed and

wounded

drop, and

was not

till

they had returned


militia

the fire of the

overwhelming force that the


field.

were driven from the

scattered fire

now

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

23

succeeded on both sides, while the Americans

re-

mained

in sight;

and the British troops were then


to fire a volley

drawn up on the green

and give a

shout in honor of the victory."

FIGHT AT COISTCOED BEIDGE.


Elated with
its
its

success at Lexington, the British

army took up

march toward Concord.

The

in-

telligence of the projected expedition

had been com-

municated

to

this

town by Dr. Samuel Prescott;


in every

and from Concord had traveled onward


direction.

The

interval

was employed in removing

a portion of the public stores to the neighboring


to^vns,

while the aged and infirm, the

women and

children, sought refuge in the surrounding woods.

About seven

o'clock in the morning, the glittering

arms of the British column were seen advancing on


the Lincoln road.

A body of militia, from one

hun-

dred and

fifty to

two hundred men, who had taken

post for observation on the heights above the entrance to the town, retire at the approach of the

24

DAKINO DEEDS
first to

armj of the enemy,


north,

the hill a

little

farther

and then beyond the bridge.

The

British

troops press forward into the town, and are

drawn

up in

front

of

the conrt-hoiise.

Parties are then

ordered out to the various spots where the public


stores

and arms were supposed

to

be deposited
safety,

Much had been removed


artifices of individuals.

to places of

and

something was saved by the prompt and innocent

The destruction of property

and of arms was hasty and incomplete, and con


sidered as the object of an enterprise of such fatal

consequences,

it

stands in

shocMng
it

contrast witi
effected.

the waste of blood


It

by which

was

was the

first

care of the British


of-

commandei

to cut off

the approach

the Americans from the

neighboring towns, by destroying or occupying tht


bridges.

party was immediately


it

sent

to

tht

south bridge and tore


panics,

up.

force of six

com

under Captains Parsons and Lowrie, was


Three companies undei
to

sent to the north bridge.

Captain Lowrie were

left

guard

it,

and three

under Captain Parsons proceeded


rett's

to Colonel

Bar

house, in search of provincial stores.

While

they were engaged on that

errand, the militia of

Concord, joined by their brave brethren from the

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
hill

25
opposite

neighboring towns, gathered on the


the north bridge, under the

command
The

of Colonel

Robinson and Major Buttrick.


nies at the bridge

British

compa-

were now apparently bewildered

with the perils of their situation, and began to tear

up the planks of the bridge


this

not remembering that


party, then at Colonel
destruction.

would expose
to

their

own

Barrett's,

certain and

entire

The

Americans, on the other hand, resolved to keep

up the communication with the town, and perceiving the attempt which was

made

to

destroy the
or-

bridge, were immediately put in motion, with

ders not to give the the bridge, the


the
gallant

first fire.

They drew near


in
fi'ont,

to

Acton company

led on

by

Davis.

Three alarm-guns were

fired

into the water,

by the

British, without arresting the

march of the
discharge
is

citizens.

The

signal

for a

general

then

made

a British soldier steps from

the ranks, and fires at Major Buttrick.

The

ball

passed between his arm and his side, and slightly

wounded Mr. Luther Blanchard, who


him.

stood near

volley

instantly

followed,

and

Captain

Davis was shot through the heart, gallantly marching at the head of the Acton militia against the
choice troops of the British line.

private of his

25b

DARINGDEEDS
also
fell

company, Mr. Hosmer, of Acton,


side.

at

his

A
of

general action

now

ensued, whicli termi-

nated in the retreat of the British party, after the


loss

several

killed

and wounded, toward the

center of the town, followed

by the brave band who


post.

had driven them from

their

The advance
left

party of British at Colonel Barrett's was thus


to its fate
;

and nothing would have been more easy


its

than to effect
It

entire destruction.
first

was now twelve hours since the

alarm had

been given, the evening before, of the meditated


expedition.

The

swift watches of that eventful night

had scattered the

tidings far

and wide

and widely

as they spread, the people rose

in their strength.

The genius of America, on

this the

morning of her

emancipation, had sounded her horn over the plains

and upon the mountains

and the indignant yeo-

manry

of the land,

armed with the weapons which


in their fathers'

had done service


to the spot

hands, poured

where

this

new and

strange tragedy was

acting.

"With the British

it

was a question no longer of

protracted contest, nor even of halting long enough


to rest their

exhausted troops, after a weary night's


all

march, and

the labor, confusion,

and

distress

OF

AMERICAN HEE0R8.
Tlieir

27

of the day's efforts.

dead were hastily buried

in the piibKc square; their

wounded placed
;

in the

vehicles

which the town afforded


to

and a

fight

com-

menced,

which the annals of warfare

will hardly

afford a parallel.

On

all

the neighboring hills were

multitudes from the surrounding country, of the un-

armed and
had
fled

infirm, of

women and

of children,
perils
;

who

from the terrors and the

of the
or were

plunder and conflagration of their homes


collected,

with fearful cm-iosity, to mark the pro-

gress of this storm of war.

The panic

fears of a

calamitous

flight,

on the part of the

British, trans-

formed

this inoffensive,

timid throng into a threat;

ening array of armed


reason
for

men and

there was too

much

the

misconception.

Every height of

ground, within reach of the line of march, was cov-

ered with the indignant avengers of their slaughtered


brethren.

The

British light

companies were sent


;

out to great distances as flanking parties

but

who

was

to

flank the flankers

Every patch of

trees,

every rock, every stream of water, every building, every stone wall was lined^ with an unintermitted
fire.

Every cross-road opened a new avenue

to the

assailants.

Through one of these the gallant Brool^

led

up the minute-men of Beading.

At

another

28
defile

DARING DEEDS
they were
encountered

by the

Lexington
at

militia

under Captain Parker, who, undismayed

the loss of
killed
to the

more than a tenth of

their

number

in

and wounded
conflict.

in the morning,
first

had returned

At

the contest was kept

up
vet-

by the

British with all the skill

and valor of
it

eran troops.
equal contest.

To a military Qye

was not an unnot, or

The commander was

ought

not to have been taken

by

surprise.

Eight hundred

picked men, grenadiers and light infantry, from the


English army, were no doubt considered by General

Gage a very ample detachment


or twenty miles through

to

march eighteen
:

an open country

and a

very

fair

match

for all

the resistance which could

be made by unprepared husbandmen, without concert, discipline, or leaders.

"

We
to

attempted," says

a British

oflJcer

already quoted, "to stop the

men
;

and form them two deep, but

no purpose

the

confusion rather increased than lessened."


glish historian says, the British soldiers

An
by a

En-

were driven
last

before

the

Americans
efibrt,

like

sheep;

till,

desperate
their

the ofiicers

succeeded in forcing
their

way

to the front, "

when they presented

swords and bayonets against the breasts of their

own men, and

told

them,

if

they advanced they

OF
should die."

AMERICAN HEROES.
Upon
this

29

thej began to form, undei


officer

what the same British


heaAT^'' fire,"

pronounces " a very


to the destructhis critical

which must soon have led


whole corps.

tion or capture of the

At

moment a reinfor<3ement arrived.

Colonel Smith had

sent back a messenger from Lexington to apprise

General Gage of the cheek he had there received,

and of the alarm which was running through the


country.

Three regiments of infantry and two

di-.

visions of marines with

two

field-pieces,

under the

command

of Brigadier-General Lord Percy, were

accordingly detached.
ton,

They marched out of

J5os-

through Koxbury and Cambridge, and came up

with the flying party, in the hour of their extreme


peril.

"While their field-pieces kept the Americans


the reinforcement

at bay,

drew up

in

a hollow

square, into which, says the British historian, they

received the exhausted fugitives, "

who

lay

down on

the ground, with their tongues hanging from their

mouths, like dogs after a chase."

half hour was given to rest; the


;

march was
field-pieces,

then resumed

and under cover of the

every house in Lexington, and on the road downwards, was plundered and set on
flan><3s

fire.

Though the

in

most cases were speedily extinguished,

30
several

DARING DEEDS
houses

were destroyed.

ITotwithstanding

the attention of a great part of the

Americans was
force

thus drawn

off,

and although the British


doubled, their retreat
still

was

now more than

wore the

aspect of a flight.
that

The Americans, filled


at

the heights

overhung the road, and

every defile the

struggle
bridge,

was sharp and bloody.


the
gallant
to

At West Cam-

Warren, never distant when


field,

danger was

be braved, appeared in the

and

a musket-ball soon cut off a lock of hair from his


temple.

General Heath was with him, nor does


till

there appear
effective

this

moment,
the

to

have been any


forces.

command among
Roxbury, and
field-pieces

American
militia

Below West Cambridge, the


chester,

from Dor-

Brookline came up.


to

The

British

began

lose their terror.

sharp skinnish followed, and


sides.

many

fell

on both

Indignation and outraged humanity struggled

on the one hand, veteran discipline and desperation


on the other; and the
nstance,
contest, in

more than one


to bayonet.

was man

to

man, and bayonet

The

British officers were compelled to descend from

their horses to escape the certain destruction

which
to
thf-

attended their exposed situation.


the

The wounded

number

of

two hundred, now presented

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

31

most distressing and constantly increasing obstruction to the progress of the

march.

Near one hundred


a
a
it

brave

men had

fallen

in this disastrous flight;

considerable

number had been made

prisoners
;

round or two of ammunition only remained

and

was not

till

late in the evening, nearly twenty-four

hours from the time

when

the

first

detachment

was put in motion, that

the exhausted* remnant

reached the heights of Charlestown.


the vessels of
transport the
in Boston

The boats of
to

war were immediately employed


;

wounded

the remaining British troops

came over

to

Charlestown to protect their


;

weary countrymen during the night


close of the next

and before the

day the royal army was formally

besieged in Boston.

BATTLE OF BU^sTKER HILL.


The following
battle of
full

and correct account of the


from a pamphlet

Bunker

Hill, is taken

published in Boston, June IT, 1825.


After the aiFair of Lexington and Concord, on the 3

32
19tli of April,

DARING DEEDS
1YY5, the people, animated

by one

common
musket

impulse, flew to arms in every direction.


his

The husbandman changed


;

plough-share for a

and about 15,000 men, 10,000 from Massand the remainder from

achusetts,

Kew

Hampshire,

Rhode
Greneral

Island,

and Connecticut, assembled under


in

Ward

the

environs

of Boston, then

occupied

by 10,000 highly

disciplined

and well

equipped British troops, under the command of Generals

Gage, Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne, Pigot, and

others.

Fearing an intention, on the part of the British,


to

occupy the important heights

at

Charlestown and

Dorchester, which would enable them to


the surrounding
tached,
at

command

country. Colonel Prescott was dedesire,

by

his

own

from the American camp

Cambridge, on the evening of the 16th of June,

1775, with about 1000 militia, mostly of Massachusetts,

including 120

men

of Putnam's regiment from

Connecticut, and one artillery company, to Bunker


Hill,

with a view to occupy and

fortify that

post.

At

this hill the

detachment made a short


still

halt,

but

concluded to advance

nearer the British, and

accordingly took, possession of Breed's Hill, a position

which commanded the whole inner harbor of

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
Boston.

33

Here, about midnight, they commenced

throwing up a redout, which they completed, notwithstanding every possible effort from the British
ships

and

batteries to prevent them, about

noon the

next day.

So

silently

had the operations been conducted

through the night, that the British had not the most
distant notice of the design of the

Americans, until

day-break presented to their view the half-formed


battery and daring stand

made

against them.

dreadful cannonade, accompanied with shells, was

immediately commenced from the British battery at


Coppo' Hill, and the ships of war and floating batteries stationed in Charles Biver.

The break of day, on the ITth of June, 1775,


presented a scene, which for daring and firmness
could
militiu,

never
in

be

surpassed

1000

unexperienced

the

attire

of their various avocations,

without discipline, almost without artillery and bayonets, scantily supplied with

ammunition, and wholly

destitute

of provisions, defying the power of the


fleet

formidable British

and army, determined


soil,

to

maintain the liberty of their


Boil

or moisten that

with their blood.

34

DARING DEKDa

The

fire

from the Glasgow

frigate

and two

float

ing batteries in Charles River, were wholly directed

with a view to prevent any communication across


the isthmus that connects Charlestown with the
land,

main

which kept up a continued shower of

missiles,

and rendered the communication


those

truly dangerous to

who should attempt

it.

When

the intent>ion

of the British to attack the heights of Charlestown

became apparent, the remainder

of Putnam's regi-

ment, Col. Gardiner's regiment, (both of which, as


to

numbers, were very imperfect,) and some I^ew


militia,

Hampshire
heavy
fire,

marched, notwithstanding the

across the neck, for Charlestown heights,


just after the

where they arrived, much fatigued,


British

had moved
British

to the first attack.

The

commenced

crossing the troops from

Boston about 12 o'clock, and landed at Morton's


Point, S. E. from Breed's Hill.

At

2 o'clock, from

the best accounts that can be obtained, they landed

between 3000 and 4000 men, under the immediate

command
The

of Gen.

Howe, and formed,

in apparently

invincible order, at the base of the

hill.

position of the Americans, at this time,

was

a redout on the summit of the heights, of about


eig/it

rods square, and a breast-work extending

oi?

OF AMERICAN HEKOES.
tKo Itti
/f
it,

35
the eastern

about seventy feet


hill.

down

declivitj of the

This redout and breast-work

was commanded bj Prescott in person, who had


superintended
its

construction,

and who occupied

it

with the Massachusetts militia of his detachment,

and a part of

Little's

regiment, which had arrived


deficient
in
in-

about one o'clock.

Thej were very

equipments and ammunition, had been toiling


cessantly for

many

hours,

and

it

is

said

by some

accounts, even then were destitute of provisions.


little to

the eastward of the redout, and northerly


it,

to the rear of

was a

rail-fence,

extending almost

to

Mystick Kiver;

to this fence

another had been

added dmdng the night and forenoon, and some


newly

mown

grass thrown against them, to afibrd


to the troops.

something like a cover

At

this fence

the 120 Connecticut militia were posted.

The movements

of the British

made

it

evident

their intention w^as to

march a strong column along

the margin of the Mystick, and turn the redout on


the north, while another

column attacked

it

in front

accordingly, to prevent this design, a large force

became necessary
The whole
amounting
of
in

at the breast-work

and

rail-fence.

the re-enforcements
to

that

arrived,

all

800 or 1000 men, were ordered

36
to this

DAEING DEEDS
point

by General Putnam, wlio had been

extremely active throughout the night and morning,

and had accompanied the expedition.


Before 3 o'clock the British formed, in two
col-

umns,

for

the attack; one column,

as

had been

anticipated,

moved along

the Mystick River, with

the intention of taking the redoubt in the rear, while

the other advanced

up the ascent

directly in front

of the re-doubt, where Prescott was ready to receive

them.

General "Warren, President of the Provincial

Congress and of the Committee of Safety,

who had

been appointed but a few days before a major-general


of the Massachusetts troops, had volunteered on the
occasion as a private soldier, and was in the redoubt

with a musket, animating the

men by

his influence

and example

to the

most daring determination.

Orders were given to the Americans to reserve


their fire
to
till

the

enemy advanced
certain.

sufiiciently

near

make

their

aim

Several volleys were


little

fired

by the

British with but

success

and

so

long a time had elapsed, and the British allowed


to
fire

advance so near the Americans without

their

being returned, that a doubt arose whether or


the latter intended
to
:

not
fatal

give battle;

but the

moment

soon arrived

when

the British had

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
advanced
fire

37

to within

about eight rods, a sheet of

was poured upon them and continued a short

time with such deadly effect that hundreds of the


assailants

lay weltering in their

blood,

and

the

remainder retreated in dismay


they had
first

to the point

where

landed.

From

daylight to the time of the British advanfire

cing on the works, an incessant

had been kept

up on the Americans from the ships and batteries


this fire

was now renewed with increased


officers

vigor.

After a short time, the British

had sue

ceeded in rallying their men, and again advanced,


in the

same order

as before, to the attack.

Thinking

to divert the attention of the

Americans, the town

of Charlestown, consisting of 500

wooden
;

buildings,

was now
flames,

set

on

fire

by the

British

the roar of the

the crashing of falling timber, the awful


dreadful

appearance of desolation presented, the


shrieks of the dying and

wounded

in the last attack,

added

to the

knowledge of the formidable force


to

advancing against them, combined


apparently too

form a scene
in

much

for

men bred
to

the

quiet

retirement of domestic
etillness

life

sustain.

But the
American

of

death

reigned

within

the

works, and nought could be seen but the deadly

38

DARINGDEEDS
fresli

presented weapon, ready to hurl

destruction

on the

assailants.
till

The

fire

of the Americans

was

again reserved
before,

the British

came

still

nearer than

when

the

same unerring aim was taken, and


its

the British shrunk, terrified, from before


effects, flying,

fatal

completely routed, a second time to

the banks of the river, and leaving, as before, the


field

strewed with their wounded and their dead.


ships

Again the

and

batteries

renewed
balls

their fire,

and kept a continual shower of

on the works.

^Notwithstanding every exertion, the British officers

found
attack
finally
;

it

impossible to rally the

men

for a

third
;

one third of their comrades had fallen

and

it

was not

till

a re-enforcement of

more than
artillery,

1000 fresh troops, with a strong park of

had joined them from Boston,


induced to form anew.
In the meantime every

that they could

be

effort

was made on the


;

part of the Americans, to resist a third attack

Gen.

Putnam
ships

rode, notwithstanding the

heavy

fire

of the

and

batteries, several times across the neck,

to induce

the

r?

ilitia to

advance

but

it

was only

a few of the
the storm.

resokx and brave who would encounter


The
British receiving re-enforcements

from their formidable main body

the

town of

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

39

Charlestown presenting one wide scene of destruc-

the probability the Americans must shortly retreat the shower of pouring over the neck presented obstacles too raw
tion
balls

aj)palling for

troops to sustain, and embodied too


to allow
all this,

much danger

them

to encounter.

Yet, notwithstanding

the Americans on the heights were elated

with their success, and waited with coolness and


determination the

now

formidable advance of the

enemy.

Once more the

British, aided

by

their re-enforceskill

ments, advanced to the attack, but with great

and caution;

their

artillery
hill,

was planted on the


between the
it

eastern declivity of the

rail-fence

and the breast-work, where

was directed along


at

the line of the Americans, stationed


place,

the latter

and against the gateway on the north-eastern


;

comer of the redoubt

at the

same time they attacked

the redoubt on the south-eastern and south-western


sides,

and entered

it

with

fixed

bayonets.

The

slaughter on their advancing was great; but the

Americans, not having bayonets to meet them on


equal terms, and
their

powder being exhausted,

now

slowly retreated, opposing and extricating them-

selves
pieces.

from the British with

the

butts

of

their

40

DARINGDEEDS
The column
that

advanced against the

rail-fence

was received in the most dauntless manner.

The

Americans fought with

spirit

and heroism that could

not be surpassed, and had their ammunition held


out,

would have secured

to themselves a third
it

time

the

palm of victory

as

was, they effectually pre-

vented the enemy from accomplishing his purpose,


which was to turn their flank, and cut the whole

of the Americans off; but having become perfectly

exhausted, this body of the Americans also slowly


retired, retreating in

much

better order than could

possibly have
troops,

been expected

from

undisciplined

and those in the redoubt having extricated

themselves from the host of bayonets by which they

had been surrounded.

The

British

followed the Americans to Bunker


fresh militia at this

Hill, but

some

moment coming

up

to

the aid of the latter, covered their retreat.

The Americans crossed Charlestown I^eck about 7


o'clock,

having in the

last

twenty hours performed

deeds which seemed almost impossible.

Some

of

them proceeded

to

Cambridge, and others posted

themselves quietly on Winter and Prospect Hills.

From
found,
it

the most accurate statements that can be

appears the British must have had nearly

OF AMERICAN" HEROES.
5000 soldiers in the battle having
first
;

41

between 3000 and 4000

landed, and the re-enforcement amount-

ing to over 1000.

The Americans, throughout

the

whole day, did not have 2000

men on

the field.

The slaughter on the

side of the British

was im-

mense, having had nearly 1500 killed and wounded,

1200

of

whom

were

either

killed

or

mortally

wounded; the Americans about 400.

The name of the


for

first

martyr that gave his

life

the good of his country on that day, in the

importance of the

moment was
with

lost;

else

a mon-

ument,

in

connection

the gallant Warren,

should be raised to his memory.


his death
first

The manner of
" The

was thus related by


fell

Col. Prescott.

man who

in the battle of
ball

Bunker

Hill,

was

killed

by a cannon

which struck
clothes

his head.

He
in

was so near

me

that

my

were besmeared
off,

with his blood and brains, which I wiped

some degree, with a handful of


eight

fresh

earth.

The

was

so

shocking to

many
I then

of the

men, that
I ordered

they left their posts and ran to view him.

them back, but

in vain.

ordered him to

be buried instantly.

A
;

subaltern officer expressed

surprise that I should allow

him

to

be buried withis

out having prayers said

I replied, this

the

first

42

DARING DEEDS
that has

man
the

been

killed,

and the only one that

will be buried to-day.

I put

him

out of sight that

men may be
To your

kept in their places.

God

only

knows who, or how many of


is

us, will fall before it

over.

post,

my good
who

fellow,

and

let

each

man
to

do his duty."
patriot

The name of the

thus

fell is

supposed

have been Pollaed, a young

man

belonging to
ball,

Billerica.

He

was struck by a cannon

thrown

^I'om the line-of-battle ship Somerset.

TAKING OF TICONDEROGA BY COL. ALLEK


The
deroga,
seizure

of the important fortress of Ticon-

by

Col.

Ethan Allen, on the 10th of May,

1775,

is

thus related
first

by himself:

to take

"The

systematical and bloody attempt at

Lexington, to enslave America, thoroughly electrified

my

mind, and fully determined

me

a part

with

my

country.
to

And

while I was wishing for

an opportunity
directions

signalize

myself in
to

its

behalf,

were privately sent

me

fi-om the then

OF
colony,

AMERICAN HEROES.

43

now

state of Connecticut, to raise the


'

Green
to sur-

Mountain Boys, and,


prise

possible, with

them

and take the

fortress of Ticonderoga.

This
first

enterprise I cheeriully undertook;

and

after

guarding

all

the several passes that led thither, to

cut off all intelligence between the garrison and the

country,

made
at

a forced march from Bennington,


the lake opposite Ticonderoga, on

and arrived
the evening

of the 9th day of


thirty

May, 1Y75, with


Green Mountain
difficulty that I

two hundred and

valiant

Boys

and

it

was with the utmost

procured boats to cross the lake.


eighty-three

However, I landed

men

near the garrison, and sent the

boats back for the rear guard,

commanded by

Col.

Seth "Warner; but the day began to dawn, and I

found myself necessitated to attack the


the rear could
cross the lake
;

fort before
it

and and

as

was ha-

zardous, I harangued the officers

soldiers in the

manner

following

'

Friends and fellow soldiers,


past,

You
and

have, for a

number of years

been a scourge
valor has been

terror to arbitrary powers.

Your

famed abroad, and acknowledged,


advice and orders to

as appears

by the

me

from the General Assembly

of Connecticut, to surprise and take the garrison

now

before us.

now propose

to

advance before

4A:

DARING DEEDS

you, and in person conduct you through the wicktit


gate
;

for

we must

this

morning
possess
;

either

quit

our

pretensions to
fortress in a

valor, or

om-selves
as

of this
it is

few minutes

and inasmuch

desperate attempt, which none but the bravest of

men

dare
to

undertake, I
his

do not
that

urge
will

it

on any

contrary

wnl.

You

undertake

voluntarily, poise
at this time

youi- firelocks.'

The men being

drawn up
I ordered

in three ranks, each poised

his firelock.

them

to face to the right


file,

and

at

the head of the center

marched them
I

immediately to the wicket gate aforesaid, where


found a sentry posted,
fiisee at

who

instantly snapped his

me.

I ran immediately toward

him, and
into

he retreated

through

the

covered

way

the

parade within the garrison, gave a halloo, and ran

under bomb proof.

My

party,

who

followed

me

mto

the

fort, I

formed on the parade in such a


barracks which faced each
asleep, except the sen-

manner
other.
tries,

as to face the

The garrison being

we gave
One

three huzzas, which greatly surprised

them.

of the sentries

made

a pass at one of

my
with

officers

with a charged bayonet, and slightly

wounded him.

My

first

thought was to

kill

him

my

sword, but in an instant I altered the

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

45

design and fury of the blow, to a slight cut on the


side of the

head

upon which he dropped

his

gun

and asked

quarter,

which I readily granted him

and demanded the place where the commanding


officer slept.
front,
to

He

showed
to a

me

a pair of stairs in the

which led up
I

second story in the barracks,

which

immediately repaired, and ordered the


to

commander, Oapt. Delaplace,


or I

come

forth instantly,
at

would

sacrifice

the whole garrison;

which
door

time the captain came immediately to the

with his breeches in his hand, when I ordered him


to deliver to

me

the fort instantly; he asked


it.

me

by what authority I demanded


'

I answered him,

In

the

name of
known

the Great

Jehovah and the Con-

tinental Congress?

The authority of congress being


at

very

little

that time, he

began

to

Speak

again, but I interrupted him,

and with

my

drawn

sword near

my

head, again
;

demanded an immediate
with wnich he then comto

surrender of the garrison


plied,

and ordered

his

men

be forthwith paraded

without arms, as he had given up the garrison.

PATEIOTIC FATHER.
When
the

news of a skirmish

at

Lexington

reached Barnstable, a company of militia immediately assembled

and marched

off to

Cambridge.

In
ot

the front

rank, there was a young man, the son

a respectable farmer, and his only child.

In march

mg
halt.

from the village as they passed his house, he


to

came out

meet them.
fife

There was a momentary


paused
for

The drum and

an

instant.

The

father, suppressing a strong

and evident emotion,


friends
!

said, "
if

God be

with you

all,

my

and, John,

you,

my

son, are called into battle, take care that


else let

you behave manfully, or


face

me

never see your

again."

tear started into every eye,

and

the

march was resumed.

AENOLD'S MAECH THEOUGH THE WILDEENESS.


About
tlae

same time that Canada was invaded


considerable

by tbe usual route from New York, a


detachment
thither

of the

American

army was brought


passage.

by a new and unexpected


this

Arnold,
acquired

who

conducted

bold
the

undertaking,

thereby the

name of

American Hannibal.

He

was

sent,

by General Washington, with a thousand

men, from Cambridge, with orders to penetrate into


that province,
after

by ascending the Kennebec, and

then,

crossing the

mountains which divide Canada


to

from Maine, by descending the Chaudiere


St.

the

Lawrence.
the

Great

were
they

the

difiSculties,

and
in

severe

privations,
miles,

had

to

encounter,

marching 800

by an unexplored way, through


In ascending the Kenne-

an uninhabited country.
bec, they

were constantly obliged to struggle against


;

an impetuous current

and were often compelled,


and haul
falls

by

cataracts, to

land,

their

batteaux up

rapid streams,

and over

of rivers.

They had

4:8

DARINGDEEDS
contend
with

to

Bwamps,

woods,

and

craggy

Bountains.

At some

places, they

had

to cut their

way

for miles together,

through

forests, so

embar

rassed, that their progress


a day.

was only four or

five miles

One

third of their

number were, from

sick-

ness and want of food, obliged to return.

Prcvisiona

grew

at

length so scarce, that some of the

men

ate

their dogs, cartouch boxes, leather small clothes,

and

shoes.

Still

they proceeded with unabated fortitude.

They gloried in the hope of completing a march


which would
rival the greatest exploits of antiquity after thirty -one

and on the 3d of ^November,

days

spent in traversing a hideous desert, they reached


the

inhabited

part of

Canada, where the people

were struck with amazement and admiration when


they saw
wilderness.
this

armed

force

emerging from

the

DEATH OF GEN^EEAL MO:^TGOMERY.


Richard

Montgomery, a Major-General
was born

in

the

army

of the United States,

in the north of

Ireland, in the year 1T3T.


lent genius,

He

possessed an excelline education.

which was matured by a

Entering the army of Great Britain, he successfully


fuught her battles w^ith Wolfe, at Quebec, in 1759,

on the very spot where he was doomed

to

fall,

v/hen

fighting against her, under the banners of freedom.

After his return to England, he quitted his regiment,


in 17Y2,

though in a

fair

way
to

of preferment.

He
it

had imbibed an attachment


as the rising seat of arts
arrival

America, viewing

and freedom.

After his

in this country, he

purchased an estate in
city,

^"ew York, about a hundred miles from the


and married a daughter of Judae
Livino^ston.

He

now

considered himself as an American.

Wlien the
as

struggle with Great Britain

commenced,

he was

known

to

have an ardent attachment


to

to liberty,

and

had expressed hh readiness

draw

his

sword on

50

DARINGDEEDS
command
of the conti-

the side of the colonies, the

nental

forces,

in

the

northern

department, was
in the
fall

intrusted

to

him and Gen. Schuyler,

of 1775.

By
mand
fort

the indisposition of Schuyler, the chief com-

devolved upon him in October.

He

reduced

Chamblee, and
St.

on

the

third

of

!N"ovemher

captured

Johns.

On

the 12th, he took Montreal.

In December he joined Col. Arnold, and marched


to

Quebec.

The

city
it

was besieged, and on the


was determined
to

last

day of the year


assault.

make an

The

several divisions were accordingly put

in motion, in the

midst of a heavy

fall

of

snow,

which concealed them from the enemy.

Mont-

gomery advanced

at

the head of the l^ew

York

troops along the St. Lawrence,

and having

assisted

with his

own hands

in pulling

up the

pickets,

which

obstructed his approach to one of the barriers he

was determined

to force,

he was pushing forward,

when one

of

the guns from the battery was dis-

charged, and he was killed with his two aids.

This

was the only gun

fired, for

the

enemy had been


but one or two

struck with consternation, and

all

had

fied.

But

this event

probably prevented the

capture of

Quebec.

When

he

fell,

Montgomery

OF
was
in a

AMERICAN HEROES.
his

51

narrow passage, and

body

rolled

upon

the ice, which formed by the side of the river.

After

it

was found the next morning among the

slain, it

was buried by a few


distinction.

soldiers, without

any

marks of
age.

He

was

thirty-eight years of
talents,

He

was a man of great military

whose measures were taken with judgment, and


executed with vigor.
jealous of
his

"With undisciplined troops,

who were
inspired

him

in the extreme,

he yet
shared
pre-

them with
all

own

enthusiasm.

He

with them in

their hardships,

and thus

vented their complaints.

His industry could not


imposed
upon, nor his

be wearied, his vigilance


courage intimidated.

To express

the high sense entertained

by

his

country of his services. Congress directed that a

monument

of white marble, to his


St.

memory, should

be placed in front of

Paul's Church, 'New York.


after resting

The remains of Gen. Montgomery,


forty-two

years

at

Quebec, by a resolve of

the

State

of l^ew York, were brought to the

city of

New York,
aforesaid

on the 8th of July, 1817, and deposited,

with ample form and grateful ceremonies, near the

monument

in St. Paul's Church.

WASHINGTON, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, OF THE AMERICAN ARMY,


In
nient.

May, 1775, Congress met pursuant


Hostilities

to adjourn-

having commenced,

it

was a

]X>int

of

v^ital

importance to tLe American cause, to select

a proper person for

Commander

in

Chief of the

American

forces.

Ueorge Washington, a delegate

fj-om

Virginia,

was bj the unanimous voice of Congress, appointed,


to
till

this

important station, on the 15th of June, 1775,


affaii-s

" To Washington's experience in military

are

united sound judgment, extensive knowledge of men,


perfect probity, pure morals, a grave

deportment,

indefatigable industry, easy manners, strict politeness, a

commanding

person, cool braver)^, unshaken


bajffled

fortitude,

and a prudence that

and con

founded his enemies."

Soon

after his

appointment. General Washington

repaired to the army,

who were

besieging Boston

he was received with profound respect and joyful


acclamations by the American army.

^^^

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
The Americans having
the British
so closely invested
it

5?

Boston
to evac-

Commander judged

prudent

uate the town, which

they did

on the ITth of

March, 1Y76, taking with them 1500 of the inhabitants,

who dared

not stay on account of their

attachment to the British cause.

General

Washington immediately entered the

town, to the great joy of the inhabitants.

ELBKIDGE GEEEY.
It

was during the march of the English

force to

Concord, through Cambridge,


of Supplies

when

the Committee

had been in

session, that

Mr. Gerry,

and Colonels Lee and Orne, had remained over


night.

They were very near being captured by

detachment that surrounded


they were lodged.

the house in which


difficulty,

With much

however,

they made their escape to a secure retreat, with

yerj

little

covering beside their night-dresses.

There

they concealed themselves until the danger to which


they had been exposed had passed by.

They then

54

DARINGDEEDS
alarm among the inha-

returned, and spread the


bitants.

On
Hill,

the night

preceding

the battle of Bunker's

Mr. Gerry, with


fell

his intimate friend

General

Warren, who

in that engagement, retired to the

same bed.

In the morning they separated with an

affectionate farewell, to

meet no more

in this world.

Mr. Gerry went,

as his duty called him, to attend

a meeting of the Congress in Watertown on that

day;

and Warren,

to

meet death

on

Bunker's

memorable battle-ground.

EICHAKD
The meeting of the

HE:N'KY LEE.
first

Congress presented a

scene, unprecedented in the annals of this or

any

other country.

It

was new,

interesting,

and solemn,

beyond expression.
result

The consequences which might


to a

from

it

were momentous,

degree which

the

human mind
and

cannot easily comprehend.


to

The

responsibility

was weighty enough


most
resolute.

bear down the


eyes
of
three

firmest

The

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
were intently fixed on
tliem.

65

millions of people

The

consequences of their determinations would vitally


affect posterity to the

end of time

and an micer-

tainty as to each others views,

pervaded the whole

assembly.

The

seals

were successively broken, and the


the
several

in-

structions

of

delegations

disclosed.

When

the last seal was broken by Mr. Henry, a

universal silence pervaded the house, anxiety


visible in

was

every countenance, and a half suppressed


lip.

quiver agitated every

At

this

moment Eichard
silence.

Henry Lee

arose,

and broke the portentous

He

saw, as by intuition, that the feeling, and the

crisis^

were such

as

might be turned

to good, or to

evil, rKJCording

as

they might be improved at the

instant.

He

addressed the assembly with a voice so

melodious, a language so pensive, and sentiments


so enlarged

and

just, as soothed,

though they did

not suppress the emotions of the meeting; and

when

with the most pleasing and convincing eloquence,

he declared that there was but one hope

for

the

country, and that was in the vigor of her resistance,

every heart beat in unison with the sentiment, and

was prepared
renc
ir

to enter

on the system which should


Tlieii^was

resistance effectual.

achieved

56
/^riumph,

DARING

T)i:kds

which began immediately

to

be

felt

through

the American colonies.


In. this Congress, Mr. Lee was placed on
all

the

most important committees, and associated with the most distinguished delegates from the other
It It

colonies.
detail.

cannot be necessary to mention them in

was here that the extent and variety of

his in-

formation, were manifested in his extensive influence

and

useftdness.

His

counsel

and

advice,

were

Bought for by members of committees with which

he was not connected, respecting their reports, more


than those of any
other

member

of the

house.

"When the

first

Congress adjourned on the 26th day

of October, 17Y4, the part which Mr. Lee had acted


in that body, during
it its

session

the intelligence

had displayed; the


;

spirit

he had manifested;

his activity in business

the straight forward course


strict

he pm'sued;

his

devoted patriotism,
fidelity
;

honor,

and unyielding
and

his elegance of
;

manners

his persuasive eloquence

left

an impression on

the public

mind respecting

his character,

most honor

able to his talents, and truly gratefal to his feelings.


[t

was an impression which any man might desire


make, but which few were able
to secure.

to

CHAPTER. 111776.
ATTACK OK SULLIVAN'S ISLAND.
In the months of June and July, 1776, the British

commanders, General CKnton and Sir Peter Parker,


attempted to destroy the
near
Charleston, S. C.
fifty

fort

on Sullivan's

island,

Their force

consisted of

two

gun

ships,

and four
several

frigates of twenty-eight

guns each, besides

smaller
fort

vessels,

with

3000 troops on board.

The

was commanded

by Colonel Moultrie, with a garrison of but 375


regulars,

and a few

militia.

This
strong.

fort,

though not

entirely finished,

was very

" However, the British generals resolved, without


hesitation to attack it; but though

an attack was
obtain a

easy from the sea,

it

was very

difficult to

co-operation of the land forces.

This was attempted

by landing them on Long


livan's Island

Island, adjacent to Sulit is

on the

east,

from which

separated

by a very narrow
feet

creek, said to be not above two

deep

at

low water.

r>S

DARING DEEDS
".Opposite to this
fort,

the Americans had posted

a strong

body of

troops, with

cannon and intrench-

ments, while General Lee was posted on the main


land, with a bridge of boats betwixt that
livan's Island,

and

Sul-

so

that he

could at pleasm-e send

re-enforcements to the troops in the fort on Sullivan's Island.

"

On

the part of the British, so


it

many
June

delays
before

occurred, that

was

the

24th

of

matters were in readiness for an attack; and


this time, the

by

Americans had abundantly provided

for their reception.

On

the morning of that day,


into Fort
fifty

the bomb-ketch began to throw shells


Sullivan,
Ghips,

and

about

mid-day, the
frigates,

two

gun

and

thirty

gun

came up, and began

A severe fire.

" Three other frigates were ordered to take theii


station
to

between Charleston and the


batteries,

fort, in

ordei

enfilade the

and cut
;

off

the

commuthe

nication

with the main land


pilots,

but, through

ignorance of the

they

all

stuck

fast

and

though two of them were disentangled, they were


found
to

be totally unfit

for

service.
fall

The

third

was burnt, that she might not


of the Americans.

into the

hands

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
was therefore confined
to

59
the five

"The
armed

attack
ships

and bomb-ketch, between


fire

whom and

the fort a dreadful

ensued.

The

Bristol sufiered

excessively

the springs on her cable being shot

away, she was for some time entirely exposed to


the enemy's
fire.

As

the Americans
balls,

poured

in

great quantities
in flames.
five

of

red hot

she was twice


after receiving

Her

captain,

Mr. Morris,
to

wounds, was obliged


his

go below deck, in order


After undergoing this

to

have

arm amputated.

operation, he retm-ned to his place,

where he

re-

ceived another wound, but


station.

still

refused to quit his


ball in his
life.

At

last

he received a red hot

body, which instantly put an end to his


"

Of

all

the officers and seamen

who

stood on the

quarter deck of the Bristol, not one escaped without a wound, excepting Sir Peter Parker alone
:

whose intrepidity and presence of mind on


occasion,
lasted
till

this

were very remarkable.


darkness put an end to

The engagement
it.

" During the height of the attack, the American


batteries

remained

for

some time

silent, so that
;

it

was concluded that they had been abandoned


this

but

was found
;

to

proceed only from want of powthis

der

for,

as

soon as a supply of

necessary

60

DARTNG DKKD
oljtained, tlie firing

article

was

was resumed
this

as brisk

as before.

During the whole of


it

desperate en-

gagement,

was found

impossible for the land

forces to give the least assistance to the fleet; the

American works were found

to

be

much

stronger

than they had been imagined, and the depth of


the water effectually prevented

them from making

any attempt.
" In
this

unsuccessful

attack,

the

killed

and
to

wounded on
about 200.

the part of the British

amounted

The

Bristol
it

and Experiment were so

much damaged

that

was thought they could not


this

have been got over the bar; however,


last accomplished,
skill, to

was

at

by a very great exertion

of naval

the surprise of the Americans,


to

who had

expected

make them both


loss

prizes.

On

the

American

side, the

was judged

to

have been

considerable.

declaratio:n' of i:n'depe:ndence.
Tlie

American people, exasperated by the

pro-

ceedings of the British government, which placed

them out

of their protection, and engaging foreign


assist

mercenaries to

in subduing them,

began

to

broach the subject of independence from the British


crown. Accordingly, the subject was brought before Congress
,

but some of the members of that body being


its

absent, they adjourned

consideration to the 1st of

July.

They accordingly met, and appointed Thomas


Jefferson,

John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger


Philij) Livingston, to

Sherman, and

frame the Dethat each

claration of Independence.

They agreed

of their
it

number should

draft a declaration,
rest.

and read

next day, in rotation, to the

They accord-

ingly met, and Mr. Jefferson was fixed upon to

" read

first ;" his

gave such

satisfaction that

none

other was

read.

Their report was accej)ted, and 5

62

DARINGDEKDS

Congress declared "the thirteen United States Free

and

Independent^^'' July 4th, 1776.

This declaration was received by the people with


transports of joy.

Public rejoicings took place in

various parts
Btatue of

of the Union.
III.

In JSTew York, the

George
it

was taken down, and the lead


converted
into

of

which

was composed, was

musket

balls."

DEATH OF CAPTAI]^ HALE.


After General Washington, by his retreat, had
left

the

British in

complete

possession of

Long
their

Island,

and not knowing what would

be

future operations, he applied to General EJiowlton,

commander
vise

of a regiment of light infantry, to defor gaining necessary information

some means

of the design of the British in their future move-

ments.

Captain Hale nobly offered himself for this

hazardous

and important
and

service.

His amiable, and the

pious, intelligent,

patriotic character,

eacrifice of his life in the

manner

in

which he made

OF
the
sacrifice,

AMERICAN HEROES.
liim
to a

G3

entitle

distinguished rank

among

the

first patriots

of the revolution.

The

par-

ticulars of this tragical event, sanctioned

by General
by

Hull,

who knew them

at the time, are related

Miss H. Adams, in her History of 'New England.

"The
British

retreat
in

of General Washington, left the


possession
of

complete

Long

Island.

What would
uncertain.
their strength,

be

their future

operations

remained

To obtain information of

theii* situation,

and future movements, was of high


this purpose.

importance.

For

General Washington

applied to Colonel Knowlton,

who commanded

regiment of light infantry, which formed the van


of the

American army, and desired him

to

Mopt

some mode of gaining the necessary information.


Colonel Knowlton communicated
this

request

to

Nathan Hale,

of Connecticut,

who was then


officer,

a Cap-

tain in his regiment.

This young

animated

by

a sense of duty,

and considering that an oppor-

tunity presented itself


to his country, at

by which he might be useful

once offered himself a volunteer

for
to

this

hazardous service.
Island,

He

passed in disguise

Long

examined every part of the British


i30ssible

army, and obtained the best

information

respecting their situation and future operations.

04

DARINGDEEDS
"In
his attempt to retiu-n, lie

was apprehended,
the

carried before Sir William

Howe, and
that he

proof

of his

object

was

so

clear,

frankly ackhis views.

nowledged who he was, and what were


"Sir William

Howe

at

once gave an order to

the provost marshal to execute


ning. "

him the next mor-

The order was accordingly executed

in the

most

unfeeling manner, and

by

as great a savage as ever

disgraced

humanity.

clergyman, whose attenfor

dance he desired, was refused him; a Bible,

moment's devotion, was not procured, though he


requested
it.

Letters, which, on the

morning of

his

execution, he wrote to his mother and other friends,

were destroyed

and

this

very extraordinary reason


'

was given by the provost marshal, that the rebels


should not

know

that they

had a man

in their

army, who could die with so

much

firmness.'

"Unknown
as amiable

to all

around him, without a single


the least consolation, thus
fell

friend to offer

him
as

and

worthy a young

man

as

Amer-

ica could boast, with this as his dying observation,


'

that he only lamented he

had but one

life to

lose

for his country.' "

BATTLE OF
The summer and
fall

TKE]S"TOIsr.
of

1776 was

the

most

gloomy period of the American Hevolution.


ral

Gene
from

Washington had been obliged


to

to retreat

Long Island

I^ew York, thence over the Hudson and through

to !N'ew Jersey,

New
The

Jersey to Penn-

sylvania, vigorously pursued

by an enemy flushed
retreat

with

series

of

success.

through

!N^ew Jersey

was attended with circumstances of a


^Washington's

painful

and trying nature.

army,

which had consisted of 30,000 men, was now diminished to scarcely 3000, and these were without supplies,

without pay, and

many

of

them without shoes


footsteps

or

comfortable

clothing.

Their

were

stained with blood as they fled before the enemy.

The

affairs of the

Americans seemed

in such a des-

perate condition, that those Avho had been most


confident of success, began despairingly to give up
all

for lost.

Many Americans

joined the British,

and took protections from them.

In

this season of

(y6

DARIN G

1)

]<:

ED

general despondency, the American Congress

re-

commended

to eacli of tlie

states to observe " a day

of solemn fasting and humiliation before God."

General Washington saw the necessity of making


a desperate effort for the salvation of his country.

On

the night of the 25th of December, 17T6, the

American army recrossed the Delaware, which was


filled

with pieces of floating

ice,

and marched

to

attack a division of Hessians,


to

who had advanced


risen, as

Trenton.

Tlie sun

had

just

the tents

of the

enemy appeared

in sight.

No

time was to

be
his

lost

Washington,
my
!

rising
hostile

on his

stirrups,

waved

sword toward the

army, and exclaimed;

" There,

hrave friends, are the enemies of

your country
is,

and now

all

have

to

ask of you

to

remember what you are about


/"

to fight

for

March
The
on

troops,

animated by their commander, pressed


;

to the

charge

the Hessians were taken by sur;

prise,

and the contest was soon decided


killed,

about 1000

were taken prisoners, and 40

among whom
Colon
;1

was

their

commander,

(a

German

officer,)

Rahl.

PUBLIC LIBR^HV

CA.PTAIN GEOUGE LITTLE.


Among
lution,

the

vessels

which were

built

by the

State of Massachusetts during the war of the Eevo-

was the sloop Winthrop.

She was

built in

the then District of Maine, and for the express

purpose of protecting
suffered

oui'

coasting trade, which had

much by

the captures, &c., of the enemy.

She mounted thirteen guns, and was commanded

by Captain George
been the
tor,
first

Little

of Mansfield,

who had

Lieutenant, of the staff ship ProtecEsq.,

John Foster Williams,

commander, and

who, in om* quasi war with France, in 1798, com-

manded

the frigate Boston.

His

first

Lieutenant,

in the "Winthrop,

was Edward Preble, of Portland,


ofiicer

who
tor,

also

had been an
w^as

on board the Protect

and who

afterward

Commodore

Preble.

The Winthrop was a very

fortunate vessel, and

more
built

than answered the expectations of those


her.

who

She protected the coasting


and covered herself with

trade,
glory.

made many
Soon
after

prizes,

sailing on her first cruise, she fell in with

two ships

68

DAKINGDEEDS

which made a formidable appearance, but boldly


running down upon them, she captured them both.

They proved

to

be two

stout

British Letters

of

Marque, and she immediately returned wdth them


to Boston.

She made a number of


recaptured

prizes

after

wards,
In

and
of

some American
she

vessels.

one

her

cruises,

recaptured

a sloop

belonging to the late William Gray, Esq., which

had been taken by the British brig Meriam, of


equal or superior force to the "Winthrop, and with
a prize master and crew on board, w^as ordered
for Penobscot, to

which place the Meriam herself


Little

had

gone.

Captain

immediately
out.

resolved

upon the daring plan of cutting her


his vessel, so as
to

Disguising
as

give her as

much

possible

the appearance of the prize sloop, he entered the

harbor of Penobscot in the evening; as he passed


the
fort,

he was hailed, and asked what sloop that


answered,

was

he
brig,

"The Meriam's

Prize."

It

is

eaid that the fort

had some suspicions of him, but

they suffered him to pass.


the

He

then ran up toward

and

as

he approached her, was again

hailed
(said

and gave the same answer

" Take
.'im

care
foul

they on board the Meriam) you'll

of us."

He

informed them that he had been ashore

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
on a reef and lost his cables and anchors, and

69
re-

quested them to throw him a warp, which was

immediately done.
to the

The sloop was then hauled np


as

brig,

and Lieutenant Preble,

had been
of men,

appointed,

jumped on board with a number


them
sail,

who had

their various duties assigned


cables, others

while
Pre-

some slipped the

made

&c.

ble himself, with a

few followers, entered the cabin,

where the
for the

officers

were

just

changing their dress

purpose of going on shore.

They made some

attempts to get their arms for defence, but were

soon subdued.

When

they were coming out of the

harbor, the fort fired upon them, but Captain Little

judged
ily

it

best not to return the fire

he kept steadshot,

on his course and when out of reach of their


let off thirteen

triumphantly

sky rockets.
vessels,

In the

same

cruise he took

two other

one of which

was a schooner of eight guns, which he had driven


ashore.

He manned

out his boats, went on shore,

made

the crew prisoners, and got off the schooner

with his four prizes he returned to Boston.

The
fine

^NQ vessels entered the harbor together in


style with

a leading

breeze

and a gallant show

they made.

UENEKAL ANDEEW
In September, 1776, General

PICKEITS.
Andrew
Pickens,

being then a Major, belonged to an aiTaj of 2000

men, composed

of

Eegulars

and

Militia,

comsent

manded by Colonel Williamson, which was


been instigated by British emissaries,

on an expedition against the Cherokees, who had


to

wage a

war of extermination
of the country,

against the frontier inhabitants

now composing
Districts.

Abbeville, Laurens,
this

and Spartanburgh

When

army had

proceeded into the Indian countiy, as far as the

upper part of what

is

now Pickens

District,

it

was

halted for a day or two, either for rest or to gain


intelligence.

During

this time.

Major Pickens

ob-

tained permission to take


to scout

twenty-five choice

men,

and reconnoiter the adjacent country.


miles,

He
now

had not proceeded more than two

when,

early in the morning, after crossing a stream,

called Little Eiver, in passing through an old Indian


field,

along the margin of the stream, which was

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

Tl

jovered with a thick grass, four or five feet high,

more than two hundred Indians, painted


in

for

war

the most hideous manner, were

seen rushing

down

the point of a ridge,

directly

upon them,

with their guns swinging


their

in their left hands, and

tomahawks raised

in their right; their leader


to fire a gun,

animating

and exhorting them not

but to tomahawk the white men, for they were but


a handful.
twenty-five,

Brennan, a half-breed, was one of the

and he, understanding them, Major Pickens and


as well
all

told

what

they

said.

his

party were

on

foot,

and he,

as

every other, had his

trusty

rifle.

He

ordered his

men

not to
fire

fire until

he did, to take deliberate aim, and


time in succession, and to
load.
fall

two

at

in the grass

and

Brennan was by

his side in front,

and when

the Indian chief approached within about twentyfive yards,


fell;

he and Brennan

fired,

and two Indians


in succession,

the fire of his other

men was

as directed,

and equally

effective.

This invincible

firmness, in so small a band, astonished and struck


terror into the savage ranks,

and they immediately

recoiled

upon each

other,

dropped their tomahawks,

and resorting
were
picked

to their guns, gradually fell back,

and

out

at

leisure

by the steady aud

72

DARING DEEDS

unerring aim of this small band of firm Militia


After the
first

or second

fire,

Brennan was sho*

down.
whites
;

But few were


if

killed

or

wounded

of

the

they had not been brave men, and true,

not one would have escaped.

Major Pickens,

in

loading in a hurry, soon choaked his gun,

when he
it

picked up Brennan's and continued to use


the Indians were in reach.

while

How many
off

of them

were
in

killed, could not

be known, as the Indians,


carried
their

those

times,

always

dead,

whenever they could, to prevent their enemies from


acquiring their savage trophy, the scalp
;

but,

it

was believed a great number were


portion to the

killed, in pro-

number

of combatants opposed to

them.

During the

action,

one of the

men
when

observed that

there was a constant firing from behind a tree-root,

and watching had

his

opportunity

its

occupant

to expose himself to take aim, shot

him

in the

head, and

when one

of his comrades

had taken up
with
as
if
it,

the dead body, and was

making

off

shot

him

also,

with

as

much

coolness,
fell

he was

shooting at a target, and they


other.

one upon the

The

firing

was heard

at "Williamson's

camp,
a

when Major Pickens'

brother, Joseph,

who was

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
summoned
his followers,

73

captain, immediately

and

hastened to his brother's assistance.

But, before

he could reach him, the Indians were beaten back,

and dispersing, and fleeing


mountains.

to

the

neighboring

AK

EXTRAOEDIJSrAEY EETEEAT.

In June, 1776, when general Sullivan arrived in

Canada, the American army was torn in pieces by


sickness,

and various unaccountable occurrences, so

that a whole regiment

was not

to

be found together.

The

general, with his usual activity

and address,

soon collected together a debilitated and dispirited

army;

tried the strength of the


;

enemy, who were


retreat,

at least four to one

performed an excellent
difficulties,

through almost insuperable


at

the

enemy

their

heels,

3000 sick with the small-pox, the

most healthy

like so

many walking
and

apparitions, all

their baggage, stores


officers as well

artillery to

be removed,
in dragging

as

men

all

employed
all

cannon, &c., their batteaux,

loaded, were

moved

74

DARING DEEDS
six miles,

up the rapids

one of whicli was towed


to

by the poor and wearied men, while np

their

arm-pits in water, and all performed in a day and

half.

The

sick

and baggage were

safely landed
to Crowi?

at St.

John's,

and from thence carried

Point, with only the loss of three cannon.

DONT GIYE UP THE


In May,
1776, Captain

VESSEL.
commanding

Mugford,

the continental

armed schooner Franklin, captured

a British ship of about 300 tons, and moimting six


guns.

In the

then state

of the country she was

invaluable, as

her cargo was

made up

entirely of

the ammunitions of war.

Captain Mugford, after

seeing his prize safe into Boston harbor, was going


out
again, but
to

the

tide
off

making against him, he


;

came

an anchor

Pudding-gut Point

the next
thir-

morning, by the dawn of day, the sentry saw


teen boats, from the British
for

men

of war,

making

them

they were prepared to receive them

before they could

board the schooner.

She sunJ

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

76

five of the boats, the

remainder attempting to board,

they cut off the hands of several of the crews as

they laid them over the gunwale.


tain

The brave Cappeople in the


in

Mugford, making a blow


with a
cutlass,

at the

boats
breast,
'

received

wound

the
said,

on which he called
a dead

his lieutenant

and

am

man donH
:

give
off
;

up

the vessel /

you

will be able to beat

them

if not, cut

the cable

and run her on


utes.

shore.'

He

expired in a few minshore,

The lieutenant then ran her on


boats

and

the

made

off.

Those who were taken up


lost

from the boats which were sunk, say they


seventy

men

the Franklin

had but one man

killed

besides the captain.

MILITAEY COUKTESY.
In September, 17Y6, a picquet of 450

men

from

General Heath's division, constantly mounted guard,

by

relief, at

Morrisania, near ISTew York, from which

a chain of sentinels, within half gun-shot of each


other were
planted.

The water passage between

76

DARING DEEDS

Morrisania and Montresor's Island, being in some


places very narrow, the sentinels on the
Bide,

American

were ordered not

to fire

on those of the British,

unless they

began

bnt the latter were so fond of

beginning, that there was a frequent firing between

them.
ofiicer

This being the case one day, and a British

walking

along

the

Montresor's

side,

an

American
with

sentinel

who had been exchanging


British, seeing

shots

one

of

the

the

officer,

and

concluding him to be better game, gave him a shot

and wounded him.


on the island.

He

was carried

to the

house

An

officer

with a flag came

im

mediately down to

the creek, and calling


of the
picquet,
fired

for the

American
that if the

officer

informed him,

American
officer

sentinel

any more, the

commanding

on the island would cannonade

Colonel Morris' house, in which the officers of the


picquet were quartered.

The American

officer

im-

mediately sent to

General Heath, to know what

answer should be returned.


inform the flag
officer, that

He
the

was directed

to

American
on

sentinels

had been instructed not


they were
first fired

to fire

sentinels^ unless
fire

upon, then, to return the


their conduct

and that such should be

as to the

eauiionading of Colonel Morris' house, tliey miglit

; :

OF AMEEICAN HEROES.
act

77

their

pleasure.

The

firing

ceased for some

time, until

one day a raw Scotch sentinel

havmg

been placed, he soon

after discharged his piece at

an American
turned
;

sentinel,

which was immediately


British officer
officer,

re-

upon which, a

came down

and

calling to the

American

observed, that

he thought there was to be no firing between the


sentinels.

He

was answered, that


replied,
'

their

own began
pay
for it
:'

upon which he

He

shall then

the sentinel was directly after relieved, and there

was no more

firing

between them,

at

that place

but they were so

civil to

each other on their posts,

that one day, at a part of the creek


practicable, the British

where

it

was

sentinel asked

the Ameriif

can,

who was

nearly opposite to him,


of tobacco
]

he could

give

him a chew

the latter, having in

his pocket a piece of a thick twisted roll, tossed it

across the creek to the other,

who

after biting off

a quid sent the remainder back.

THE SCOTCH PEIZE OK, THE LITTLE YANKEE.


;

It

happened, in 1776, that the garden of a widow,


lay

which

between

the

American and

British

camps, in the neighborhood of ]N^ew York, was


frequently robbed at night.

Her

son, a

mere boy,

and small

for his age,

having obtained his mother's


thief, in

permission to find ont and secm*e the

case

he should

return, concealed

himself with a gun


highlander, belong-

among

the weeds.
British

A strapping
grenadiers,
it

ing to the
filled

came and having

a large bag, threw


left his

over his shoulder; the


softly

boy then

covert,

went

behind him,
^

cocked his gun, and called out


are

to the fellow,

You

my

prisoner

if

you attempt

to

put your bag


in that

down, I
road.'

will shoot

you dead; go forward


close

The boy kept

behind him, threatened,


to execute his threats.

and was constantly prepared

Thus the boy drove him

into the

American camp,
grenadier was

where he was secured.


at

When
his

the

liberty to

throw down

bag, and

saw who

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

79

had made him prisoner, he was extremely mortified,

and exclaimed,

'

A
!

British
'

grenadier

made
officers

prisoner

by such a brat

The American

were highly entertained with the adventm-e, made


a collection
for

the

boy, and

gave

liim

several

pounds.
his

He

returned

fully satisfied for the losses

mother sustained.

The

soldier

had side-arms,

but they were of no use, as he could not get rid


of his bag.

BATTLE OF FOET MOULTKIE.


On
the 20th
of June, 1776, a day ever

memo-

rable in the annals of Carolina, the British ships of

war, nine

in

number,* commanded by Sir Peter


abreast of the
fort, let

Parker, drew up

go their

anchors, with springs

upon

their cables,

and comfamous

menced
battle

terrible

bombardment.

The

which followed makes one of the brightest


Its events,

pages in our history.


*

however, are too


one of twenty-six

Two

ships of fifty guns

five of

twenty-eight

and a bomb- vessel.

80
generally

DARING DEEDS
known
to

make
them

it

necessary

tliat

we
The

should

dwell

nj^on

here.

few, however,

belong properly and


subject of
in its
this

especially to our

pages.

memoir was a conspicuous sharer


its

dangers and in

honors.

The

fire

of

the

enemy was promptly answered, and with such


efficicD'iy of

aim

as to

be long remembered, by the


of powder, with

survivors.

Having but 5000 pounds

which

to

maintain a conflict that raged for eleven


it

hours, with unabated violence,

became necessary,

not only that the discharge from the fort should be

timed, but that every shot should


execution.

be
the

made

to

do

In

order

to

do

this

guns were

trained

by

the field-ofiicers in

person; hence, perfire.

haps, the terrible fatality of their


fifty

The

Bristol,
lost

gun

ship.

Commodore
killed
lost

Sir Peter
thirty

Parker,

forty-four

men

and
an

wounded.

Sir

Peter
another
thirty

himself
fifty

arm.

The

Experiment,
killed

gim

ship,

had

fifty-seven

and

wounded.

To these two

vessels in particular,

the attention of the fort was directed.

The words,

passed along the line by

officers

and men, were


to the fifty

"Look
ships.'^
little.

to the

Commodore

look

gun

The smaller vessels suff'ered comparatively


Tlieir
loss of

men was

small.

The

injury

OF
to tlie vessels

AMERICAN HEROES.

81

themselves was greater, and one of

them,

the

Acteon,

ran

aground, and
lost

was

sub-

sequently burnt.

The Carolinians

twelve killed

and twenty-four wounded.


the

One

of the former was

brave

fellow

Macdaniel.

When

borne

from

the embrasure where he received his mortal wound,

he cried out to those around him

"Do
and
felt.

not give
country.'^

up

you

are

fighting

for

liberty

The want of powder was severely


this,
fort,

But

for

judging from the


the British

effects of

the

fire

from the
struck, or
at

Commodore must have

his fleet

must have been destroyed.

So slow,

one time, were the discharges


val of time between them,

so

great the interBritish were

that the

of opinion

that

the

place was abandoned.

But a

new supply

of

powder was obtained by Marion,


fort,

who, with a small party, leaving the


to the

proceeded

armed schooner Defence, lying

in Stop

Gap

Creek, and seized upon her powder, by which the


fire

was kept up

until

a supply of five hundred


city.

weight was received from the


renewal of the conflict in
fought with
a
coolness

This caused a

all its fury.

The garrison

which would have done

Vonor
the

to veterans.

The day was very warm, and


stripped
to
it.

men

partially

Moultrie

says,

82
"

DARING DEEDS
the action

When

began,
off

(it

being a
coats

warm

day,)

some of the men took

their

and threw

them upon the top

of the merlons.
it

saw a shot
tree

take one of them and throw

into a small

behind

the platform.

It

was noticed by our men,


at

and they cried


incident that

out, " look

the coat
for

!"

little

speaks

volumes

their

coolness.

Moultrie himself and several of his


their pipes during the action, only

officers

smoked

removing them
In the

when

it

became necessary

to issue orders.

hottest fire of the battle the flag of the fort

was shot
instantly

away, and

fell
it

without.

The brave Jasper,

sprang after

upon the beach, between the ramparts


it

and the enemy, and binding


stored
it

to a

sponge

staff, re-

to its place,

and succeeded

in regaining his

own

in safety.
fellow.

"We

shall hear

more

hereafter, of this

gallant

The

coolness

nay

the

cavalier

indifference

displayed by the Carolinians throughis

out the combat,

not

its

least

remarkable feature.

There

is

something chivalric in such deportment,


for

which speaks
ordinary

larger courage

than belongs to
resolution

valor.
is

Mere
lifted,

bull-dog

and

endurance
soul, into

here

by a generous ardor of
virtue.

something other than a passive

The

elasticity of spirit

which

it

shows might be

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

83

trained to any performance within the compass of

human endowment.
Tradition ascribes to the
tiiQ

hand and eye of Marion,


which was
at the
fired

terrible effect of the last shot


this

on

bloody day.

It

was aimed

Commo-

dore's ship,

which had already received something


attention of the

more than her due share of the


fort.

This shot, penetrating the cabin of the vessel,

cut

down two young

officers

who were

drinking,

we may
conflict

suppose, to their fortunate escape from a

which seemed already over


three
sailors

then ranging
bosom
derived

forward, swept
into eternity,

from the maindeck

and
This

finally buried itself in the

of the

sea.

curious

particular

was

from

'Q.YQ

sailors,

who

deserted from the fleet that

very night.

SEKGEAISTT JASPEE

AT FOKT MOULTRIE.

General, then Captain Horry, relates the following


Incident:
the left

"I commanded an eighteen pounder


fort.

in

wing of the

Above

my

gun on the

"

S4
rampart, was
a

DARING DEEDS
large

American

flag
;

hung on a
the

very

Ligli

mast, formerly of a ship


their fire thereat,
as to
fall,
it

men

of

war

directing

was, from their

shot, so

woimded,

with the colors, over

the

fort.

Sergeant Jasper of the grenadiers leapt

over

the ramparts,

and deliberately walked


fort,

the

whole length of the


colors
off the

until

he came to the
left,

on the^ extremity of the

when he
to

cut
for

same

fi-om the mast,

and called

me

a sponge
colors

staff,

and with a thick cord


staff

tied

on the

and stuck the

on the rampart in the no hurt,


to

sand.

The sergeant
for

fortunately received

though exposed

a considerable time,

the

enemy's

fire.

Governor Hutledge,
his small

after the battle,


side,
it

as a reward, took

sword from his


presented
it

and

in presence of

many

officers,

to

Sergeant Jasper, telling him to wear

in

remem-

brance of the 28th June, and in remembrance of


him.

He

also offered

Jasper a lieutenant's com-

mission, but as he could neither read nor write, he

modestly refused
fit

to

accept

it,

saying,

'

he was not

to

keep

officers'

company, being only bred a

eerseant.'

JOHN ADAMS.
To give some idea of
following
his

immense

labors, the

summary may

suffice.

He

was a member

of ninety different committees, during 1TT6, and


17TT.

He

was chairman of

twenty-five.

Some

of

these incurred
incessant

great responsibility,

and required
thus im-

labors.

The important
to

duties

posed
fidelity

on

him, he continued
till

discharge

with

and assiduity

December, 1777
to

when
This
of

he was appointed a commissioner

France.

appointment he accepted; and embarked on his


mission,
in the
frigate
It

Boston, in the
this

month

February, 1778.

was on

voyage that he

evinced his courage as well as his patriotism, in a


personal engagement with the

enemy

of his country.

Captain Tucker, of the Boston, having discovered

an English
gave chase
her.

ship, with
to

the consent of

Mr. Adams

her

and, coming

up with, engaged

He

had

stipulated, as a condition of attacking

Rfi

DAEINGDEED3
Adams
should keep below, out
his musket,

the ship, that Mr.


of danger.

But he soon saw him with

among

the mariners on deck personally engaged

in the conflict.

CHAPTEK. n. 1776.

BATTLE OF PKII^CETON.
General Washington, having secm-ed the Hessian
prisoners

on the Pennsylvania side of the Dela-

ware, recrossed the river two days after the action,

and took possession of Trenton.


and
Cadwallader,

Generals Mifflin

who

lay

at

Bordentown and

Crosswix with 3600 militia, were ordered to march

ap in the night of the 1st of January, to join the


Commander-in-Chief, whose whole effective force,
including this accession, did not exceed 5000 men.

The detachments of the British army, which had


been distributed over ISTew Jersey, now assembled
at Princeton,

and were joined by the army from


Cornwallis.

Bmnswick under Lord


sition

From

this po-

the

enemy advanced

toward

Trenton

in

great force, on the morning of the 2d of January;


and,
after

some

slight

skirmishing

with

troops,

detached to harass and delay their march, the van

88

DARING DEEDS
their

of

army reached Trenton about

four in the

afternoon.

On

their approach, General "Washington

retired across the

Assumpinck, a rivulet that runs

through the town, and, by some field-pieces posted

on

its

opposite banks,
to

compelled them, after

at-

tempting

cross

in several places, to fall

back

out of the reach of his guns.

The two armies,

kindling their

fires,

retained their position on op-

posite sides of the ri^nilet,

and kept up a cannon-

ade until night.

The
this

situation

of

the

American general was


critical.

at

moment extremely

^Nothing

but

a
his

Btream, in

many

places

fordable,

separated
its

army from an enemy,


If

in every respect

superior.

he remained in his present position, he was

certain of being attacked the next morning, at the

hazard of the entire destruction of his


If

little

army.
ice in

he should retreat over the Delaware, the

that river not being firm

enough
danger

to

admit a pasgreat
loss,

sage

upon

it,

there was
;

of

perhaps of a
full

total defeat

the Jerseys would be in


;

possession of the
;

enemy

the

public

mind

would be depressed
aged
;

recruiting

would be discour-

and Philadelphia would be within the reach

of General

Howe.

In this extremity, he

boldly

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
determined
circuitous
fall

89

to

aoandon the Delaware, and by a


left

march aiong the


their rear
at

flank of the enemy,

into

Princeton.

As

soon as

it

was dark, the


Burlington
is
;

baggage was

silently

removed

to

and about one o'clock the army, leaving ana the


sentinels

fires lighted,

on the margin
Its

of the creek,

decamped with

perfect secrecy.

movement

was

providentially

favored

by

the

weather, which had previously been so


moist, that the ground

warm and

was

soft,

and the roads wero

scarcely passable

but, the

wind suddenly changing

to the northwest, the

ground was in a short time

frozen as hard as a pavement.

About

sunrise,

two

British regiments, that were on their

march under

Lieutenant-Colonel
the British

Mawhood

to

join the rear of


fell

army

at

Maidenhead,

in with

the

van of

the

Americans,

conducted

by General
The
ad-

Mercer, and a very sharp action ensued.

vanced party of Americans, composed chiefly of


militia,

soon gave way, and the few regulars at

tached to them could not maintain their ground

General Mercer, while gallantly exerting himself


to rally his

broken troops, received a mortal wound

The

British rushed forward with fixed bayonets,

and

drove back

the Americans.

General Washington,

00

DAEINGDEEDS
followed
close

who

in

the rear,

now

led on the

main body
with great

.of the
spirit.

army, and attacked the enemy

While he exposed himself

to

their hottest fire,

he was so well supported by the


be-

same troops which had aided him a few days


fore

in the

victory at Trenton,
to

that the British

were

compelled

give
in

way.
front,

The seventeenth
forced
its

regiment,

which was

way

through a part of the American troops, and reached

Maidenhead.

The

fifty-fifth

regiment, which was

in the rear, retreated


to

by the way of Hillsborough


"Washington pressed
for-

Brunswick.

General

ward

to Princeton.

party of the British that


college, after receiving a

had taken refuge in the


few
discharges

from

the

American

field-pieces,

came out and surrendered themselves

prisoners of

war; but the principal part of the regiment that

was
to

left

there saved itself

by a

precipitate retreat

Brunswick.

In

this

action,

upward of 100 of
spot,

the

enemy were

killed

on the

and nearly

300 were taken prisoners.


cans
in
killed

The

loss of the less


;

Ameribeside

was somewhat

but,

General Mercer, Colonels Haslet and Potter, two


brave and
excellent
officers

from

Pennsylvania,

Captain Neal of the

artillery,

Captain Fleming, and

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
five other
siain.

91

valuable

officers,

were found among the

Lord Cornwallis,
the

discovering

at
oiF,

daylight

that

American army had moved

broke up his
to

camp, and commenced a rapid march

Brunswick,

and was
they
left

close in the rear of the

Americans before

Princeton.

General Washington retired

with his army to Morristown.


ments,

During these movesoldiers

many

of the

American

were without

shoes

and their naked


so

feet, in

marching over the

frozen ground, were step with blood.

gashed, as to

mark each

There was scarcely a tent in the

whole army.

BATTLE OF BEANDYWHSTE.
tSir

William Howe, having in vain attempted


or provoke General

to

entice

Washington

to

an en-

gagement, had, in

June, retired with

his

army

from the Jerseys

to Staten Island.

After keeping

me

American general

in

long

and

perplexing^

suspense concerning his intended operations, he at


length sailed from Sandy

Hook

with about 16.000

92

DARING DEEDS
;

men
of

entered Chesapeake
at the

Bay

and on the

24tJ

August arrived

head of Elk River.

Gene

rals

Grant and Knjphausen having joined him oi


the troops under theii
in

the 8th of September with

command, the whole army moved onward


columns

two

toward

Philadelphia, the

possession of

which was now


British

discovered to be the object of the

commander.

General

Washington,

who

regulated his

movements by those of the enemy


with the whole American army,

had by

this time,

excepting the light infantry, which remained on


the lines, taken a position behind

Red Clay

Creek,

on the road leading directly from

the enemy's

camp
until

to Philadelphia.

The

British boldly advanced

they were within two miles of th^ Ameri-

cans.

General Washington, on reconnoitering their

situation,

apprehending their object

to

be

to turn

his right, and,

suddenly crossing the Brandywine,

to seize the heights

on the north side of that river

and cut
changed

off

his

communication with Philadelphia,

his position early in the night of the 8th

of September,

crossed the Brandywine.

and

the

next morning took post behind that river, on the


heifijht

near Chadd's Ford

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
the
in

93
11th, the

At daybreak on
royal

morning of the

army advanced

two columns, the one com-

manded by Lieutenant-General Knyphausen, and


the other

by Lord

Cornwallis.
to

"While

the

first

colmnn took the direct road

Chadd's Ford, and


the

made

a show of passing

it

in front of

main

body of the Americans, the other moved up on


the west side of the

Brandywine

to its fork, crossed

both

its

branches about two in the afternoon, and


its

marched down on
of turning
the

eastern side with the view

right

wing of

their

adversaries.

General Washington, on receiving intelligence of


their

approach,

made
The

the

proper

disposition

to

receive them.

divisions

commanded by
little

Sulli-

van, Stirling, and Stephen, advanced a

farther

up the Brandywine, and fronted the column of the


approaching enemy
;

Wayne's
remained
;

division, with
at

Max-

well's light infantry,

Chadd's Ford, to

keep Knyphausen in check

Green's division, ac-

companied
reserve,

by General

Washington,

formed

and took a central position between the

right and left wings.

The

divisions detached against

Cornwallis took

possession of the

heights above

Birmingham church,
Brandywine
;

their left reaching toward the

the artillery was iudiciously placed,

94

DABING DEEDS
their

and

flanks

were covered by woods.


Cornwallis formed
attack.

About
line of
sus-

four o'clock, Lord


battle,

the

and began the


it

The Americans
intrepidity
;

tained

for

some time with


giving

but their
divi-

right at length
sions,

way, the remaining


fire

exposed

to a galling

on the flank, conline

tinued to break

on the

right,

and the whole

was soon completely routed.


had commenced
his

As
;

soon as Cornwallis

attack

Knyphausen crossed
troops

the ford, and attacked

the

posted for

its

defence

which, after a serve

conflict,

were com-

pelled to give way.

The

retreat of the Americans,

which soon became

general,

was continued that

night to Chester, and the next day to Philadelphia.

The
is

loss,

sustained

by the Americans

in this action,

estimated at 300 killed, and 600 wounded.

Be

tween 300 and 400, principally the wounded, were

made
to

prisoners.
less

The

loss of the British

was

stated

be rather

than 100 killed, and 400 wounded

As

the British were advancing toward

Goshen

to

gain

the

Lancaster road, dispositions were again

made

for battle,

on the 16th, by both armies

but

a heavy rain separated the advance parties, which

nad begun

to skirmish,

and

its

increasing violence

Boon oWiged

the Americans to retreat.

General

; ;

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
tlie

95

Washington on

19tli

crossed

tlie

Scliuylldii,

and encamped on the eastern banks of that river


while detachments of his

army were posted

at the

several fords, over which the

enemy wonld

pro-

bablv attempt to force a passage.

BATTLE OF GEEMANTOWK.
General Washington, having been reinforced by

1500

men from

Peekskill, and 1000 from Virginia,


inter-

and having received intelligence through two


cepted
letters, that

General

Howe had

detached a

part of his force for the purpose of reducing Billing's-point

works and the

forts

on the Delaware,

entertained the thought of attacking the


as
it

main body

lay at

Germantown.

The

line of

encampment

crossed the town at right angles about the center


the left

wing extended

to the

Schuylkill.

It

was

covered in front by the mounted and dismounted


chasseurs
:

a battalion of light infantry, and the

Queen's American rangers


the
right;

were in the front of

and

the 40th regiment, with another

96

DARING DEEDS
were posted
at the

battalion of light infantry,

head

of the town, upon Chestnut-Hill road, there quarters


of a mile in advance.

Lord Cornwallis lay

at Phila-

delphia with four battalions of grenadiers.

When

General Washington had communicated


cil

to his coun-

of

war the account he had obtained, the general


unanimously agreed upon an attack, and to

officers
its

being

made

in

several places, to produce the

greater confusion and distraction, and to hinder the


several parts of

the enemy's forces affording supIt

port to each other.

waa

to

be sudden and vigor-

ous, in expectation of carrying the point speedily,

from an apprehension that the Americans would


not persevere in a prolonged attack, for want of
better discipline

and more acquaintance with


it

mili-

tary service.

Was

found

thai,

they could

make

no impression upon the enemy, they were


while to

after a
divi-

make an

expeditious retreat.

The

sions of Sullivan

and Wayne, flanked by Conway's

brigade, were to enter the town

by way of Chestnut

Hill
tia,

while Armstrong, with the Pennsylvama mili-

got

upon the enemy's

left

and

rear.

C-^lonel

Thomas Conway, Knight


elected so early as

of

St.

Louis,

had been

May, a
letters

brigadier-geners^l, ivpon

the

recommendatory

he brought from

F'-ar^^e.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
Tlie divisions of

97

Greene and Stephen, flanked by


enter

M'Dougall's

brigade, were to

by taking

circuit at tlie market-bouse,

and

to attack tbe right

wing

and the

militia of

Maryland and Jersey,


to

under Generals Smallwood and Freeman were

march by the old York


rear of the right.

road, and
Stirling,
to

fall

upon the

Lord

with E"ash's and

Maxwell's brigades, were

form a corps de reserve.


o'clock in

They began

their

march about seven

the evening of the 3d of October.

General Wash-

ington

is

with the divisions of Sullivan and Wayne.


if

He

expects that

the

enemy has gained timely


for

intelligence of

his

march, they will wait


as

him

on Chestnut

Hill,

and receive him

he comes out
hill,

of the woods.

When

arrived on the
is

without

any appearance of

opposition, he

congratulated
will

upon the persuasion that the British


pletely surprised.

be com-

About

sunrise on the fourth the


bat-

attack

is

begun on the 40th regiment, and the


accompanied
In
it.

talion of light infantry that

These
exi-

corps are overpowered and pursued.

this

gence
self,

Lieutenant-Colonel

Musgrave throws him-

with six companies of the 40th regiment, into


full

Mr. Chew's stone house, lying


the

in the front of

Americans.

These

halt.

discom-se

ensues

98

DARING DEEDS

between Generals Knox and Eeecl, in the presence


of the Commander-in-Chief, whether or not to ad-

vance without
that
it is

first

reducing the house.


all

Knox

urges

contrary to

military rule to leave a foit


in their
rear.

possessed

by an enemy
!

Reed ex
lose

claims

" What
!

call

this
is

fort,

and

the

happy moment
his
to

"

Conway

inquired after to give


It is

judgment, but cannot be found.


send a flag to the house, and
officer

agreed
the

summon
young

British

to

surrender.
it.

person
is

undertakes

to

carry

He

approaches,

fired

upon, and killed.

Meanwhile, General Greene gets

up with

his column,

and attacks the

-right

wing of

the enemy.

The morning being exceedingly foggy,

prevents the Americans from fully improving the

advantages they gain.

Colonel Mathews, of Greene's

column, attacks with

uncommon

spirit,

routs

the

parties opposed to him, kills a great

number, and
the fog, loses

makes 110
eight

prisoners

but, through

of the
it,

brigade he
is

belongs

to, is

separated

from

and

taken prisoner with his whole regiall

ment, accompanied with the release of

whom
troops

he had captured.
are

number
halt

of Greene's

stopped

by the

of

the division

before

Chew's house, where near or quite one half of

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
General Washington's army remains some time
active.

99
in-

During

this inactivity,

General Grey, bringleft

ing the front of a great part of the

wing by

timely movement to Germantown, leads on three


battalions

of the third

brigade and

attacks with
at

vigor, being supported

by General Agnew

the

head of the fourth brigade.


ensues.

warm engagement
while

At

the same time, two British regiments


of the town
;

attack

on the opposite side

General Grant moves up the 49th regiment, to the


aid of the 4th, which
is

employed

in supjDorting the

troops engaged with Greene's column.


so
great,

The fog

is

that at

times

you

cannot

see twenty

yards before you, and frequently not more than


titty.

It

occasions the
for

American

parties mistaking

each other
serving

the enemy, and prevents their obsituation of

the

true

the

latter.

Owing

hereto, in a

great

measure, the Americans quit


;

every part of the town

and when General Grey,

having passed

it,

advances with the British right


field

wing upon
and

their left, they leave the

hastily

entirely, in spite of
to rally

every

effort

that

can be

made

them.

Lord Cornwallis

arrives with

a squadron of light horse just in season to join in


the pursuit.

Greene
5*

w^ith

his

own and Stephen's

100

DARING DEEDS
happens
to

division,

form the

last

column of
to

tlip

retreating Americans.

Upon coming
be
safest,

two roads,
prevent

and thinking

it

will

and

may

the enemy's advancing

by

either so as to get ahead

of

him

and that the

divisions

may

aid each othei

upon
road,

occasion, he

marches one division on the one


other.

and the second on the


his
retreat,

While

contin-

uing
rear,

Pulaski's

cavalry

who

is

in his

being fired upon by the enemy, rides over the

second division, and throws them into the utmost


disorder, as they

know

not at

first

but that they


scatter,

are the British dragoons.

The men run and

and the general


his artillery.
to

is

apprehensive that he shall lose cannot collect a party sufficient


till

He

form a rear guard,

he

hits

upon the device


each other's

of ordering the hands.

men

to

lay hold of
collects a

This answers.

He

number, and

by the help of the

artillery,

brings the

enemy

to
it

give over the pursuit, after

having

continued

near five miles.


in their

The Americans then proceeded


to

march back

Shippach Creek without

further disturbance.

The

British officers acknowledged, soon after this


it
it

a^^ir, that
^vitli
;,

was the severest blow they had met


was planned with
judgment, and

that


OF

AMEKICAN HEROES.

101

executed with spirit; and that they were at a loss


for
its

not being followed up, unless

it

was

for

want of ammunition.
twentj-five

The Americans

lost in killed

continental officers, commissioned

and

non-commissioned, wounded 102, and an equal number missing.

The

militia were, three

killed, four
file,

wounded, and eleven missing.


continentals, 109
militia,

Of rank and

were

killed,

and 378 wounded

seven were killed


artillery officers,

and nineteen wounded.


two killed and eleven
six

They had
wounded;
wounded.
of their

and matrosses

killed

and

seven
;

The

total of their killed

was 152

and

wounded

521.

Upward

of 400 were
fifty-four

made

prisoners,

among whom were

officers.
is

The number of missing among the Americans


n^^

rule

by which

to

judge of the number captured


of the missing,

by the enemy,

as

many

who do
l!^ash,

not return to their colors, go home.


of

General
slain,

^orth Carolina, was among the

and

will

be honored

by Congress with a monument, the

Bame

as other generals

who have

fallen in action,

bravely contending for


LTnited
States.

the independence of the

The

loss of the royal

army, including the wounded

102

DAEING DEEDS
their

and a few prisoners, amounted by


ledgment, to 535
seventy.
;

own acknow-

but the slain scarcely exceeded


these,

Among
officers,

however, were some

distin-

guished

particularly General

Agnew and
probably

Lieutenant-Colonel

Bird.

They
The

suffered
battle,

more than they allowed.

by General

Knox's watch, held two hours and forty minutes.

GENEKAL
At

WAYJSTE'S

WAEHORSE.

the battle of

Germantown, General Wayne


;

rode his gallant roan


his horse received a

and in charging the enemy,


in his head,

wound

and

fell,

as

was supposed, dead.


to

Two

days

after,

the roan

returned

the

American camp, not materially


fit

injured; and was again

for service.

COLONEL

M'LAJSTE.

This veneraMe and distinguislied soldier of the


Revolution, after having reached the patriarchal age
of eighty-three, closed his earthly pilgrimage at Wil-

mington, Delaware, in 1829.


Colonel M'Lane was distinguished for daring per
sonal courage, and for his unremitted activity as a
partisan
officer.

He

was long attached

to

Lee's

famous legion of horse, which, throughont the war,

was the

terror of the British.

"While the British occupied Philadelphia, Colonel

M'Lane was
try,

constantly scouring the adjacent counthe upper part of

particularly

Philadelphia,

Bucks, and Montgomery counties

seizing
of

every

opportunity to cut off the scouring parties of the

enemy,
and
to

to

intercept their

supplies

provisions,

take advantage of

every opening
In
this

whicli

offered for striking a


city,

sudden blow.

capato
;

he rendered

many

important services

the

army, and caused great alarm to the British

aud

104

DARING DEEDS

though they frequently attempted to surprise and


take that

him, yet such was his constant watchfulness,

none of their

attempts succeeded.

Having

concerted with Captain Craig, the plan of an attack

upon a small

detachment

of

the

enemy,

they

agreed to rendezvous at a house near Shoemaketown, eight miles from Philadelphia, on the Willow

Grove turnpike.
his
little

Colonel M'Lane, having ordered


to

band of troopers
of

follow at
to

some

dis-

tance,

commanded two
also to

them

precede the
;

main body, but

keep in

his rear

and

if

they discovered an enemy to ride up to his side

and inform

him

of

it

without

speaking

aloud.

While

leisurely approaching the


this order, in the early

place of rendez-

vous, in

gray of the moa-

ning, the
their

two

men

directly in his rear, forgetting


out,

orders,
!"

suddenly called

" Colonel,

the

British
horses,

faced about, and putting spurs to their


sight.

were soon out of

The

colonel, looking

around, discovered that he was in the center of a

powerful ambuscade, into which


silently allowed

the

enemy had

him

to pass, without his observing

them.

They

lined both sides of the road, and

had

been stationed

there

to

pick up

any straggling

party of the Americans that might chance to pass.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

105

Immediately on finding they were discovered, a


file

of soldiers rose from the side of the highway,


fired
at the colonel,

and
as

but without efiect

and

lie

put spurs to his horse, and mounted the

road-side into the woods, the other part of the de-

tachment
escaped
flank,
:

also

fired.

The

colonel

miraculously

but a shot striking his horse upon the

he dashed through the woods, and in a few

minutes reached a parallel road upon the opposite


side of the forest.

Being familiar with the country,

he feared

to turn to the left, as that course led to

the city, and he might be intercepted

by another
his

ambuscade.

Turning, therefore, to the right

frightened horse carried

him

swiftly

beyond the
All at once,

reach of those

who

fired

upon him.

however, on emerging from a piece of woods, he


observed several British troopers stationed near the
road-side,

and directly in sight ahead, a farm house,

around which he observed a whole troop of the

enemy's cavalry drawn up.


troopers

He

dashed

by the

near him, without being molested, they

believing he was on his

way

to the

main body

to

surrender himself.

The farm house was

situated

at the intersection of

two roads, presenting but few


he
could
escape.

avenues

by which

Nothing

106

DARING DEEDS
liim,

daunted by the formidable array before


galloped

he

up

to

the

cross

roads

on

reaching

which he spurred
to the right,

his active horse, turned suddenly


fairly out of the

and was soon

reach

of

their

pistols,

though as he turned, he heard


surrender or die.

them

call loudly,

dozen were

instantly in pm'suit; but, in a short time, they all

gave up the chase, except two.


horse, scared

Colonel

M 'Lane's
re-

by

the

first

wound he had ever

ceived,

and being a chosen animal, kept ahead

for

several miles, while his two pursuers followed with

unwearied eagerness.

The pursuit

at length

waxed

so hot that, as the

colonel's horse stepped out of a small

brook which
at

crossed the road, his pursuers entered


posite

the ophill

margin.
of the

In

ascending

little

the
so

horses

three were

greatly exhausted,

much
walk.

that neither could be urged faster than a

Occasionally, as one of the troopers j)ursued


little

on

in

advance

of

his

companion,

the

colonel slackened his pace, anxious to be attacked

by one of the two


ness

but no sooner
other

was
fell

his willingto

discovered, than the

back

his

station.

They

at

length approached so near that

OF 'MERICAN HEROES.
a
conversation
calling

107
the

took

place

between tliem

troopers

out "Surrender,

you

damned

rebel, or we'll cut

you

to pieces."

Suddenly, one
the colonel,

of

tbem rode up on the

right side of

and without drawing


collar.

his sword, laid

hold of his
" had

The

latter,

to

use

his

own words

pistols

which he knew he could depend upon."


holster,

Drawing one from the

he placed

it

to the

heart of his antagonist, fired, and

tumbled him

dead on the ground.


on his
left,

Instantly the other

came up

with sword drawn, and also seized him


of
his
coat.
;

by the
struggle

collar

A
the

fierce

and deadly
of

here

ensued

in

course

which
in

Colonel

M'Lane was
his
left

desperately

wounded

the

back of

hand, cutting asunder the veins


Seizing a favorable
pistol,

and tendons of that member.


opportunity, he

drew

his other

and with a
his

steadiness of purpose,
recital of the

which appeared even in


it

incident, placed

directly

between

the eyes of his adversary, pulled the trigger, and


scattered
his

brains on every side of the road.

Fearing that others were in pursuit, he abandoned


his horse in the
his

highway; and apprehensive, from


loss

extreme weakness, that he might die from

l08

DARING DEEDS

of blood, he crawled into an adjacent mill pond,


eiitirelj

naked, and at length succeeded in stopping

the profuse flow of blood, occasioned

by

his

wound.

KEY.

THOMAS ALLEN.
first

Rev. Thomas Allen was the


Pittsfield.

minister of

When
like

the
the

American Eevolution comgreat

menced, he

body of the

clergy,

ardently espoused the cause of the oppressed colonies,

and bore

his testimony against the oppression

of the mother country.

"When, in anticipation of

the conflict which flnally took place at Bennington,

the

neighboring country was roused to

arms, he

used his influence to increase the band of Patriots,

by

exciting his

townsmen

to

proceed to the battle

ground.

company was

raised in his parish

and
to

proceeded.

Some

causes, however,

were found

retard their progress on the way.

Hearing of the by

delay, he proceeded immediately to join them,


his influence

quickened their march, and soon pre-

sented them to Gen. Stark.

Learning from him

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
tliat

109

he meditated an attack on the enemy, he said


"fight,

he would

but could not willingly bear arms

against them, until he

had invited them


fear,

to submit.

He

was

insensible

to

and accordingly pro

ceeded so near as to make himself distinctly heard


in their

camp, where,
eminence,

after taking, a

stand
his

on a
pious

convenient

he

commenced
to lay

exhortations, urging

them

down

their arms.

He

was answered by a volley of musketry, which

lodged their contents in the log on which he stood.

Turning calmly

to a friend,

who had

followed

him

under cover of the breast -work which formed his


footstool,

he said
to

"l^ow give
first

me

gun;" and

this

is

said

be the

American gun which

spoke on that

memorable
till

occasion.

He

continued

to bear his part

the battle was decided in favor

of the

American arms, and contributed honorably

to that result.

BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.
General Burgoyne's progress toward Albany was
delayed tlirough the want of speedy and sufficient

supply of provisions.
the difficulty

He

considered in what

way
to

was

to

be surmounted.

According

information, the
corn, flour,

Americans had a great deposit of


store cattle at
militia.

and

Bennington, which

was guarded only by

Every day's account

confirmed the persuasion of the loyalty of one description of

the

inhabitants

in

that part

of the
there-

country, and of the panic of the other.

He

fore entertained the design of surprising the stores

at Bennington,

and of sending a very large detach-

ment upon the expedition; but was diverted from


the
latter,

as

supposed,

by Major Skeen, who

assured him, "


as

The

friends to the British cause are

^VG

to one,

and they want only the appearance


Re-

of a protecting power to show themselves."

lying upon their attachment, the general sent the

German

Lieutenant-Colonel

Baum, with only about

OF

AMEEICAN HEROES.
who
To
carried with

Ill

500 men, and 100 Indians,

them

two light pieces of


ration the

artillery.

facilitate the ope-

army moved along

the eastern shore of


to

Hudson
Saratoga

River, and
;

encamped nearly opposite


rafts

and a bridge of

being thrown over,


Lieutenof

the advance corps passed to that place.

ant-Colonel

Breyman's

corps,

consisting

the

Brunswick grenadiers,
were posted
support

light infantry,

and chasseurs,

at Batten-kill, in order if necessary to

Baum.

Stark,

hearing

that

party of

Indians was at Cambridge, sent Lieutenant-Colonel

Gregg with 200 men

to stop their progress.

Toward

night he was informed by express, that there was


a large body of regulars in the rear of the Indians.

On

that

he drew together
at

his

brigade,

and the

militia

who were
;

hand, in order to stop their

march

sent to Manchester for Colonel Warner's

regiment, and forwarded expresses to the neighboring militia to join

him with

all

speed.

He

then

marched, in the morning of the 14th, with Colonels

Warner, Williams, and Brush, and the

men

present,

and in about seven miles met G-regg and the enemy within a mile of him.

retreating,

The troops

drew up
coming

in order of battle
in sight, halted

and the enemy, upon

upon a very advantageous

112
piece of ground.

BAKING DEEDS
Baum
to

perceiving that the

Amer-

icans were too strong to be attacked


force, sent

by

his present

an express
;

Burgoyne with an account


immediately

of his

situation
to

and Breyman was


him.

despatched
parties

reinforce

Meanwhile small
with
the

of

the

Americans

skirmished
thirty of

enemy, killed and wounded


two Indian
chiefs,

them, with

without any loss to themselves,


effect

which had a good


ground
Stark

upon

their courage.

The

occupied not being suitable for a

general action, he retreated about a mile and en-

camped.

In a council of war,

it

was agreed

to

send
the

two detachments into the enemy's


rest of the troops attacked in front.

rear, while

On

the 15th of August

it

rained
;

all

day, which

retarded the intended assault

however there was

frequent skirmishings in small parties.


rain,

The heavy
the
to

together
also

with

the

badness

of

roada^

prevented

Breyman's advancing
despatch.

Baum's

assistance with

The next day, August

16th, Stark being

joined in the morning by Col-

onel Seymonds, from Berkshire, pursued his plan.

Baum,

in

the
his

meanwhile,

had

entrenched

and
its

rendered
nature

post as defensible as time and


permit.

would

General

Stark

detached

OF
Nichols with

AMERICAN HEROES.
his

113
his
left

force

to

the rear of

Colonel Henrick, with 300 men, -^s sent to the


rear of his right
attack.
:

they were to join, and then

Warner, Hubard and Sticknej, with 200,


still

were posted

further on his right.

hundred
to

men were
afternoon

also

advanced toward his front


way.

draw

his attention that


all

About three
for

o'clock in the

were ready

the attack.

Before

Nichols and Henrick could join, the Indians pushed


off

between the two corps, but receiving a

fire as

they passed, had three killed and two woimded.


Nichols then began the assault upon Baum, and

was followed by the


forward.

rest

those in front pushing

In

few minutes

the

action

oecame

general, and lasted about two hours, with one con-

tinued noise like the ruffling of a drum.

Baum

made

a brave defence

and the German dragoons

kept together after having expended their ammunition,

and led by

their colonel

charged with their

swords, but were soon

overpowered.

The whole

detachment, though well enclosed by two breastworks, were forced to give

way

to

the

superior

number and courage


their
pline,

of the Americans,

who with

brown

firelocks, scarce a bayonet, little disci-

and not a single piece of cannon, ventured

114
to attack

DARING DEEDS
500 well trained regulars, furnished with

the best and completest

arms and accoutrements,


being advantageously

having two pieces of


posted,

artillery,

and accompanied by 100 Indians.

"When

the militia had gained the victory, they dispersed


to collect

plunder, which they were very desirous

of

securing.

This

nearly proved

fatal

to

them.
tl.at

"While thus busied. Stark received information,


the reinforcement under

Breyman was

within two

miles of him.

Happily, at that instant, Warner's

continental regiment, which had been sent for from

Manchester, came up fresh, marched on, and began


to

engage

meanwhile the

militia collected as fast


to its assistance.

as possible,

and pushed on
;

The

action

became general
on both sides

and the
sunset
;

battle

contmued
the

^bstinate

till

when

Ger

mans gave way,

partly through a failure of

ammu
behind

nition, leaving their

two pieces of

artillery

them, and a number of prisoners.


in

They

retreated

the

best

manner they

could,

improving the

advantage of the evening and of the night.

The Americans
twelve
brass

took

four

brass

field-pieces,

drums,

250

dragoon

swords,

foui

ammunition wagons, and YOO prisoners,


was Lieutenant-Colonel Baum.

among whom

Three hundred dead

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
are said to have

115

been found upon the spot

but

if

60, surely the slain on each side must have been

included.

The Americans

lost

but about 100 killed


of
the

and wounded.
sharpened

The

courage

men was
for
all

by the prospect of advantage,

in

General Stark's orders they were promised

the

plunder that should be taken in the enemy's camp.

The

royal officers were astonished to see

how
of

unthe
to

dauntedly
cannon.

they

rushed

on

the

mouths
are

Both

men and
their

officers

entitled

much honor
Warner and

for

gallant behavior.

Colonels

Ilenrick's

superior skill in military

matters was of service to


less

the general,
;

who was

conversant with them than they


the array of the United
States

but his rank

in

was afterward
of October,

given him

by Congress, on the

4:th

when they

" Resolved, That the thanks of Congress

be presented to General Stark, of the IN'ew


shire militia,

Hamphis

and the
their

officers

and troops under

command,

for

brave and successful

attack

upon, and signal victory over the enemy in their


lines at

Bennington; and that Brigadier Stark be

appointed a brigadier-general in the army of the

United
servedly

States."

Never were
This was

thanks
the

more

de-

bestowed.
6

first

turn of

116

DARING DEEDS
in

aftaii's

favor of the

Americans

in the northern

department
It raised

after the death of

General Montgomery.

the spirits of the country, and


to

made

the

militia

willing

turn

out

beyond

what would

have otherwise been done.

BATTLE OF SARATOGA.
After collecting thirty day's provision Burgoyne
passed the
Gates, with

Hudson, and encamped

at

Saratoga,

numbei^ already

equal,

and continually

augmenting, began to advance

toward

him with

a resolution to oppose his progress at the risk of a


battle.

He encamped

at Stillwater,

and Burgoyne
his sword.

hastened forward to open the

way with

On

the

ITth of September the two armies were

within four miles of each other.

Two

days

after,

skirmishes between advanced parties terminated in

an engagement almost general, in which the utmost


efforts of the British

merely enabled them


preceding day.

to

main-

tain the footing of the

Burgoyne, unassisted by the British forces undei

OF
Clinton
at

AMERICAN HEROES.
York,
found himself unaljle

117

'Ne^Y

to

pnrsue his march clown the river, and in the hope


of
this

assistance,

was content

to

remain

in

his

camp, and stand on the defensive.

His armj was

likewise diminished bj the desertion of the Indians

and the Canadian


its

militia, to less

than one half of


his

orio'inal

number.

Gates

findinir

forces

largely increasing, being plentifully


pro\'isions,

supplied with

and knowing that Burgoyne had only a


which

limited

store,

was

rapidly lessening,

and

could not be recruited, was not without hopes that


victory would come, in time, even without a battle.
Ilis

troops

w^ere

so

numerous, and
he was able

his
to

fortified

position so strong, that

take mea-

sures for preventing the retreat of

the enemy,
rear.

by

occupying the strong posts in his


ingly nineteen
operations, a

Accord-

days

passed without

any further
j)arty, as
it

delay as ruinous to one


to the other.

was advantageous

At

the end of this

period, the British general found his prospects of


assistance as remote as ever,

and the consumption

of

his stores

so

alarming, that retreat or victory


alternatives.

became unavoidable

On
in

the 8th of October a

warm

action ensued,

which the British were everywhere repulsed,

118

DAKl^'G DEEDS
their lines occupied
loss

and a part of
mies.
killed,

by

their

enein

Burgojne's

was very considerable

wounded, and prisoners, while the favorable


of

situation
battle

Gates'

army made

its

losses

in in

the the

of

no moment.

Burgoyne

retired

night to a stronger camp, but the measures immediately taken

by Gates,

to cut oif his retreat,


to

com-

pelled

him without delay

regain his former


little

camp

at Saratoga.

There he arrived with

molesta-

tion

from

his adversary.
to the

His provisions being nov/

reduced
of

supply of a few days, the transport

artillery

and

baggage toward Canada

being

rendered impracticable by the judicious measures


of his adversary, the British general resolved
iiijon

a rapid

retreat,

merely with

what the

soldiers

could carry on their backs.

On
that

a careful

scrutiny,

however,

it

was found

they were deprived even of

this resource, as

the passes through

which

their route

lay were so

strongly guarded that nothing but artillery could


clear

them.

In

this

desperate situation a parley

took place, and on the 16th of October the whole

army surrendered
consisted of
artillery,

to

Gates.

The

2^1'ize

obtained

more than 5000

prisoners,
for

some

fine

7000

muskets, clothing

7000

men,

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

119

with a great quantity of tents, and other military


stores.

All the frontier fortresses were immediately


to the victors.

abandoned
It is

not easy to overrate the importance of this


It

success.

may

be considered as deciding the war

of the Revolution, as from that period the British

cause began rapidly to decline.

The capture of

Cornwallis was not of more importance than that


of Burgoyne, nor was
it

in itself an event of greater

splendor, or productive of

more

exultation.

REYOLUTIO]S"AEY EEMmiSCEI^CE.
Major
for his

W.

II.,

an

officer

who was
spirit,

distinguished
his

bravery and gallant


'

had under

charge about 300

Green Mountain boys'

a most
of

significant appellation in those days

all

whom
and

were sharpshooters, accustomed


strangers
to
fear.

to

the

field,

This corps was

placed on an

advantageous piece of ground, partly concealed by


bur^hes.

The enemy were duly apprised of


and
it

their

position,

was deemed important

to dislodge

120

DARINGDEEDS

them.

Accordingly, a formidable detachment,


at

esti-

mated

about 500 strong, was ordered

to

march

against them.
ino^

They advanced
the

u^Don a charge, think-

to decide
little

contest without

much

loss

and

with

difficulty.

The Americans undismayed,


them.
troops
;

were prepared

to receive

Major H. gave
to

peremptory orders
fire until

to

his

reserve their

the

word

of

command

the

enemy

there-

fore rushed

on without interruption until they had


within
a

approached

few

rods of this

Spartan
fire

band, when, pursuant to order, so deadly a

was

pom-ed into their ranks, that

those

who escaped
The surviving
rallied

retreated in dismay and confusion.


officers,

and they were few and

in

number, soon

their forces

brought them a second

time to

the charge, advancing to the line of their comrades

who had

fallen,

when they

received a second
first;

fire

not less destructive than the

the

enemy were
in wild dis-

completely panic struck, and


order.

fell

back

The few remaining


with
for

officers,

however,

who

behaved
thirsting

dauntless

bravery,

and

probably
once

vengeance, rallied their


but

trooj^s

more, although

few were
to

left,

and brought

them
this

a third time

the

charge.

The

issue of
;

attempt was not

less fatal

then the others

fin

OF
after receiving

AMERICAN HEROES.
the third
fire,

121

the survivors fled in

terror

and despair, and soon surrendered themselves


of

prisoners

war.

Their

astonishment
that out of

was

past

utterance
force with

when thej found

the whole

w^hom they had been associated, no more


!

than thirty-six remained

The others lay stretched

upon the
ble

field

in

mute
the

silence, presenting a terrispirit

memento

of

power and unyielding

of freemen,
of invaded

when summoned
ris^hts.

to battle in the defence

Immediately

after the

issue of

the engagement,

my

informant repaired to that

part of

the field
conse-

which had
quences
to

been attended with such


the enemy.

fatal

He was
to

horror struck on

witnessing
view.

the
his
'

scene that presented itself to his


declaration
the writer of
this

And

article was,

never beheld so awful a spectacle

as here

greeted

my
the
'

eyes.

It

was a winrow of

dead men from one end of The


contrast
less

the line to the other?


boys,'

of

Green Mountain
but

was

ecai'cely

striking, as

few of them were

injured.

MAKCH OF BUKGOYl^E.
As
the invader advanced, the inhabitants fled

the wildest consternation.

The horrors

of war, howciviliza-

ever mitigated by the laws and usages of


tion, are at all

times sufficiently terrific

but

when

to

these the fierce cruelties of

a cloud of

savages
familiar

are superadded, those only

who have been

wdth an

American border warfare can form an adeits atrocities.

quate opinion of

Among

the fugitives

driven from their peaceful


occasion was Mrs.
has been

abodes on the present

Ann

Eliza Bleecker, a lady

who

somewhat celebrated

as one of the early

poets of our country.

She was the daughter of Mr.


city of

Brandt Schuyler, of the


wife of

New

York, and the

John

J. Bleecker, Esq., of

New

Rochelle,

whose enterprise, together with

his lady's love for

the wild scenery of the forest, had induced

him

to

exchange a residence among the busy haunts of

men

for

a solitary plantation in the vale of

the.

Tonihanic, a

mountain

stream

flowing

into

the

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
Iloosic

123

River, about

twenty miles from Albany.


in tbe

Mr. Bleecker's residence lay directly


of Bm'goyne, on whose approach

march
to

he hastened

Albany

to

provide accommodations for his family.


after his departure,

Bnt a few hours

Mrs. Bleecker,

as she sat at the table, received intelligence that

the enemy, with

tomahawk and brand, was within


Instant flight was the

two miles of her residence.


only alternative.

Taking one of her children in

her arms, and seizing the other by the hand, she


started
off

on

foot,

attended

only

by a young
all
its

mulatto
contents

girl,

and leaving

her

house and

a prey to the Indians.

The roads were

encumbered by
children, each
so

carriages, loaded with

women and
own
safety

intent U23on his or her

that no assistance

could be obtained, and her

only recourse was to mingle in the fugitive throng,

and participate
distress.

in the

common

panic and
five miles

common
on
foot,

Having traveled about

however, she succeeded in obtaining a seat for the


children in a wagon, which served to facilitate her

march.

On

the

following morning she


to

was met
Albany,

by her husband, who conducted her


and thence down the Hudson
one of
lier

as far as

Red Hook,

children dvins; bv the wav-

124

DARING DEEDS
this

Amid
daunted.

scene of desolation and

affriglit, tliere

was yet one


It

woman whose proud

spirit

was unSchuyler.
in

was the lady of General


was upon

The

general's country-seat

his estate

Saratoga, standing upon the margin of

the river.

On
up

the ap2)roach of Burgoyne, Mrs. Schuyler


to Saratoga, in

went

order to remove their furniture.


single

Her

carriage

was attended by only a

armed
of her

man on

horseback.

"When within two miles


a crowd of

house, she encountered


people,

panic-stricken

who

recited to her the tragic fate of Miss


to

M'Crea, and, rej)resenting

her the danger of

proceeding farther in the face of the enemy, urged


her to return.

She had

yet to

pass through

dense

forest, w^ithin

which even then some of the

savage troops might be lurking for prey.


these
''

But

to

prudential

counsels

she would

not

listen.

The

general's wife,"
!"

she exclaimed,

" must not

be afraid

and, pushing forward, she accomplished

her purpose.

Before the mansion was evacuated, however, the


general himself had a narrow escape from assassination

by the hand of a savage, who had insinuated


It

himself into the house for that purpose.


the
lioTir

was

at

of bedtime in the evenino^, and while the

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
getioral

125

was preparing

to retire for the night, that


hall,

a female servant, in coming in from the

saw

a gleam of light reflected from the blade of a knife,


in the

hand of some person whose dark


behind
the
door.

outline she

dis'cerned

The servant was a


presence of mind
Pass-

black slave,

who had

sufficient

not to appear to have

made

the discovery.

ing directly through the door into the apartment

where the general was yet standing near the


place, with

fire-

an

air of

unconcern she pretended

to

arrange such articles as were disposed upon the


mantelpiece, while in an under-tone she informed

her master of her discovery, and said, aloud, " I


will call the guard."

The general

instantly seized

his arms, w^hile the faithful servant hurried out

by

another door into a

long

hall,

upon the

floor of

which lay a loose board which creaked beneath


the
tread.

By

the

noise

she

made

in

tramping

rapidly upon the board, the Indian

for such

he

proved

was

led

to

suppose that the Philistines


his con-

were upon him in numbers, sprang from


cealment and
the guard
the
fled.

He

was pursued, however, by


to

and a few friendly Indians attached


of General

person

Schuyler, overtaken,
at

and

made

prisoner.

Exasperated

his treachery, the

126

DARING DEEDS
were resolved
to put

friendly Indians

him

to death,

and

it

was with much

difficulty that

they were

diverted from their ])urpose by the general.

The
ing,

effect of the incidents

we have been

detailall,

and other

recitals of

savage cruelties, not

as General
tion,

Burgoyne represented, without founda-

was extensive and powerful.


a

The cry of venwas aroused


to

geance was universal, and

spirit

which proved of speedy and great advantage


the

American arms.

BATTLE
It

OF

OEISKANY.
the morning of that day,

appears

that on

which was the 9th of August, General Herkimer

had misgivings

as

to

the

propriety of

advancing

any farther without

first

receiving re-enforcements.
to press forward.

His

officers,

however, were eager

consultation

was

held,

in

which some of the

officers

manifested

much

impatience at any delay,


to

while the general

still

m^ged them

remain where

they were until re-enforcements could come up, or

OF
at least until

AMERICAN HEROES.
the signal of
fort.

127

a sortie should be re-

ceived from the

High words ensued, during


others,

which Colonels Cox and Paris, and manj

denounced their commander


and a coward.

to his face as

a Tory
replied
as a

The brave old man calmly

that he considered himself placed over


father,
to

them

and that
difficulty

it

was not

his

wish

to lead

them

any

from which he could not extricate

them.

Burning, as they
told

now seemed,

to

meet the

enemy, he
at

them roundly

that they
his

would run

his

first

appearance.

But

remonstrances
increased,

were
their

unavailing.

Their

clamor

and

reproaches were

repeated, until, stung

by

imputations of cowardice and a want of fidelity to


the cause,

and somewhat

irritated, withal, the general

immediately gave

the order,

"

March on

!"

The

words were no sooner heard than the troops gave


a shout,

and moved,

or,

rather,
files

rushed

forward.

They marched forward


ceded by an advanced

in

of

two deep, prekeeping flanks

guard and

upon each

side.

Having, by ten
to

o'clock,

proceeded rapidly forward


tlie

the

distance

of

only two or three miles,

guards, both
clown, the

fi'ont

and

flanks,

were suddenly shot

forest

rang with the war-whoops of a

j2S

daring deeds
foe,

savage

and

in

an instant the greater part of


a formi-

the division found itself in the midst of

dable ambuscade.

Colonel

St.

Leger,

it

appeared,

havinir heard of the advance of General


in

Herkimer,

order to prevent an attack in his intrenchments,


Sir

had detached a division of

John Johnson's

regi-

ment

of

Greens, under Sir John's brother-in-law,


his rangers,

Major Watts, Colonel Butler with

and

Joseph Brant with a strong body of Indians,


cept his approach.

to inter-

With

true Indian sagacity, Thaposition admirably fitted

yendanega had selected a

for his purpose, which was to draw the Americans,

whom
good

he well
military

knew

to

be approaching in no very
into

array,
his

an

ambuscade.

The
deep

locality favored

design.

There

was

ravine crossing the path which Herkimer, with his


undisciplined
array,

was

traversing,

"sweeping

toward the east in a semicircular form, and bearing a nortliern and southern direction.
of this ravine
it

The bottom

was marshy, and the road crossed

by means of a causeway.

The ground,

thus

partly
level.

enclosed by the ravine, was elevated

and

The

ambuscade was

laid

upon the high

ground west of the ravine."

The enemy had disposed himself

adroitly, in a

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
circle,

129

leaving only a narrow segment open for tbt


tlie

admission of
approach.

ill-starred

Provincials on theii
successful.

The stratagem was

Uncon-

scious of the presence of the foe,


his

Herkimer, with

whole army, excepting the rear-guard, composed


en-

of Colonel Yisscher's regiment, found himself

compassed

at

the

first

fire,

the

enemy

closing

up

the gap at the instant of

making himself known.

By

thus early completing the circle, the baggage

and ammunition wagons, which had just descended


Into the ravine,

were cut

off

and separated from the

main body,

as also

was the regiment of Colonel


the

Visscher, yet on the eastern side of

ravine

which, as their general had predicted, instantly and


ingloriously fled, leaving their
fate.

companions

to their

They were pursued, however, by a portion of


and suffered more severely, probably,

the Indians,

than they would have done had they stood


fellows in the
to fall.

by

their

hour of need, either

to

conquer or

Being thrown

into

irretrievable disorder,

by the

suddenness of the surprise and the destructiveness


of the
fire,

which was

close
for a

and brisk from every


time threatened with
the

side, the

division

was

annihilation.

At every

opportunity,

savages,

130

DAKING DEEDS

concealed beliiud the trunks of trees, darted forward


with knife and tomahawk to ensure the destruction
of those

who

fell

and many and


to

fierce

were the

conflicts that

ensued hand

hand.

The veteran
the

Herkimer
action, a

fell,

wounded,
ball

in the early part of

musket
horse,

having passed through and


his

killed

his

and shattered

own

leg just
his

below the knee.

The general was placed upon

saddle, however, against the trunk of a tree for his

support,

and thus continued

to

order the

battle.

Colonel Cox, and Captains Davis and

Van

Sluyck,
of

were severally killed near the commencement


the

engagement

and the slaughter of

their broken

ranks, from the rifles of the Tories and the spears

and tomahawks of the Indians, was dreadful.


even
in
this

Eut

deplorable

situation,

the

wounded

general, his

men dropping

like leaves

around him,

and the

forest

resounding with the horrid yells of

the savages, ringing high and wild over the din of


battle,

behaved with the most perfect firmness and

composure.

The action had

lasted about forty-five

minutes, in great disorder, before the Provincials

formed themselves into

circles

in

order to repel
concentrating,
sides.

the attacks of the enemy,

who were
all

and closing

in

upon them from

From

OF
this

AMERICAN HEROES.

131

moment

the resistance of the Provincials was

more

effective,

and the enemy attempted

to

charge

with the bayonet.


excepting
the

The

firing

ceased for a time,


of

scattering
;

discharges
as

musketry

from the Indians

and

the bayonets crossed,

the contest became a death struggle, hand to hand,

and

foot to foot.

^N'ever,

however, did brave

men

stand a charge with more damitless courage, and


the

enemy

for the

moment seemed
the

to recoil

just

at the instant

when

work of death was


rain,

arrested

by a heavy shower of

which suddenly broke


fury.

apon the combatants with great


raged
the
for

Tlie storm

upward of an hour, during which time


shelter as

enemy sought such

might be found
;

among

the trees at a respectful distance

for

they

had already

suffered severely, notwithstanding the

advantages in their favor.

During
had time
sitions as

this

suspension of the battle, both parties

to look about,

and make such new dispo-

they pleased for attack and defence, on


conflict.

renewing the murderous

The

Provincials,
fortu-

under the direction of their general, were so

nate as to take possession of an advantageous piece


of ground,

upon which

his

men formed

themselves

into a circle, and, as the

shower broke away, awaited

182

DARING DEEDS
movements of the enemy.
In the early part of

the

the battle, the Indians whenever they saw a


fired

gun

by a militiaman from behind a

tree

rushed
re-load.

upon and tomahawked him before he could


In order to counteract this

mode

of

warfare, two

men were
the

stationed behind a single tree, one only

to fire at a time, the other reserving his fire until

Indians

ran

uj)

as

before.

The

fight

was

presently renewed, and by the

new arrangement,
by the
fire

and the cool execution done


militia forming

of

the

the

main

circle, the

Indians were

made
to

to sufi:er severely; so

much

so, that they

began

give way, w^hen Major Watts

came

uj)

with a

re-enforcement, consisting of another detachment of

Johnson's Greens.
ists,

These

men were

mostly Loyal-

who had

fled

from Tryon county, now returned

in

arms against their former neighbors.


are so bitter

As no
no

quarrels

as those of families, so

wars are so cruel and


civil.

passionate as those

called

Many
to

of

the Provincials and Greens were

known

each other;
afford

and

as they

advanced so

near as to
nition, the

opportunities of

mutual recog-

contest became, if possible,

more of a

death struggle than before.


feelings of hate

Mutual resentments and


in their bosoms.

and revenge, raged

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
upon tliem

133

Tlie Provincials fired

as they advanced,

and then springing like chafed tigers from their


covers, attacked
butts of
their

them with

their bayonets

and the

muskets, or both parties, in closer

contact, throttled each other

and drew

their knives

stabbing,

and

sometimes

literally

dying

in

one

another's embrace.

At

length a firing was heard in the distance from

the fort, a sound as


it

welcome

to the Provincials as

was astounding

to the

enemy.

Availing them

selves

of the hint, however, a ruse-de-guerre

was

attempted by Colonel Butler, which had well nigh

proved
the

fatal.

It

was the sending, suddenly, from


the
fort,

direction

of

detachment

of

the

Greens disguised as American troops, in the expectation that they might be received as a timely

re-enforcement from the garrison.

Lieutenant Jacob

Sammons was
the
direction

the
of

first to

descry their approach, in

body of men commanded by


officer

Captain Jacob Gardenier, an


that

who, during
valor.

memorable day, performed prodigies of

Perceiving that their hats were American,

Sammons

informed Captain Gardenier that succors fi-om the


fort

were coming up.

The quick eye of the captain

cletected the ruse^

and he replied, " Kot so: they

134

DAEING DEEDS
enemies
:

are

don't
to

you see

their

green coats I'

They continned
nier
;

advance until hailed by Gardehis

at

which moment one of

own

soldiers,

observing an acquaintance, and supposing


friend, ran to
It

him a

meet him, and presented

his hand.

was grasped, but with no friendly gripe, as the


fellow

credulous
ane, and

was dragged

into

the opposing

informed that he was a prisoner.


yield

He

did not

without a struggle
the
action

during which
the
result,

Gardenier,

watching

and

sprang
levelled

forward, and with a blow from his spear


the

captor to the dust and liberated his

man.
of

Others of the foe instantly set upon him,

whom

he slew the second and wounded a

third.

Three of the disguised Greens now sprang upon


him, and one of his spurs becoming entangled in
their clothes,

he was thrown
however,
v/ith

to the

gromid.

Still

contending,

almost

superhuman

strength, both of his thighs were transfixed to the

earth by the bayonets of two of his assailants, while


the third presented a bayonet to his breast as if
to thrust

him through.

Seizing this bayonet with


its

his left hand,

by a sudden wrench he brought

owner down upon himself, where he held him


shield against the

as a

arms of the

others, until one of

OF AMEKICAN HEROES.
nis

135

own men, Adam

Miller, observing the struggle

flew to his rescue.


their

As

the assailants tm*ned upon

new

adversary, Gardenier rose upon his seat


his

and although

hand was severely lacerated by

grasping the bayonet which had been drawn through


it,

seized his

spear lying
it

by

his

side, and,

quick

as lightning, planted

to the

barb in the side of

the

assailant
fell

with

whom

he had been clinched.


to

The man

and expired, proving

be Lieutenant

M'Donald, one of the Loyalist


county.

officers

from Tryon
is

All this occurred in far less time than

necessarily

occupied by the relation.

While

en-

gaged in the struggle, some of his own


out to Gardenier, are killing your

men

called

"For God's
!

sake. Captain,

you

own men

"

He

replied, "
fire

They

are not our men they are the enemy

away !"

deadly

fire

from the Provincials ensued, during


fell

which about thirty of the Greens

slain,

and

many

Indian

warriors.

The

parties

once

more

rushed upon each other with bayonet and spear,


grappling and fighting with terrible fury
shattering of shafts and
;

while the

the clashing of steel

min-

gled with every dread sound of war and death,

and the savage

yells,

more hideous than

all,

pre-

sented a scene which can bo more easily imagined

136

DARING DEEDS
described.

tlian

The unparalleled

fortitude

and

bravery of CaiDtain Gardenier infused fresb


into
bis

spirits

men, some of
It

whom

enacted wonders of
in

valor likewise.

happened during the melee^

which the contending parties were mingled in great


confusion, that three of

Johnson's Greens rushed

within the circle of the Provincials, and attempted


to

make

a prisoner of

Captain Dillenback.

This
alive,

officer

had declared he never would be taken


not.

and he was
his gun, but
felled

One

of his three assailants seized


it

he suddenly wrenched
the butt.

from him, and

him with

He

shot the second dead,


his

and thrust the third through with


But, in the

bayonets

moment

of his triumph, at an exploit of

which even the mighty Hector, or either of the sons


of Zeruiah might have been proud, a ball laid this

brave

man low

in the dust.
as
this

Such a

conflict

could not be continued

long; and the Indians, perceiving with what ardor


the Provincials maintained the fight,
their

and finding
raised the

own number

sadly diminished,

now

retreating cry of "


tion,

Oonah /" and

fled in

every direc-

under the shouts and hurrahs of the surviving

Provincials,

and

shower

of bullets.
fort,

Finding,
that their

moreover, from the firing at the

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
ni'Gsence

13'7

was necessary elsewhere, the Greens ind

Kangers now retreated precipitately, leaving the


vdctorions
field.

militia of

Trjon county masters of tne

Thus ended one of the

severest, and, for the

num-

bers engaged, one of the most bloody battles of


the Revolutionary war.
ot

Though

victorious, the loss

the

Provincia'is

was very heavy; and Tryon


Colonel

county long had reason to mourn that day.

Paris was taken prisoner by the enemy, and after-

ward

mm-dered

oy the
aiso

Indians.

Several
savages,

other
after

prisoners were

killed

by the

they had been brought into Colonel Butler's quarters,

and, as
if

it

was

said,

by the

colonel's

own
But

tacit

consent,

not

permission

in

terms.

the

general character of that officer forbids the imputation.

Major John Frey, of Colonel Elock's


;

regi-

ment, was likewise wounded and taken

and, to
in the

show the more tnan savage fmy burning


bosoms of the men brought
sion, the

into conflict

on

this occa-

disgraceful fact

may
after

be added, that his


British
service, atin

own

brother,

who was
his

in the

tempted
Butler's

to take

life,

he had arrived
his

camp.

The major saw

brother

an-

proaching in a menacing manner, and called out,

138
"
Brothci'.j
tlie

DA EING DEEDS
do not
kill

me

do you not know

me ?"
tlie

But

infimated brother rushed forward, and

major was only saved by the interposition of

others.

The whole number

of the Provincial militia killed


lost as

was 200, exclusive of the wounded and the


prisoners.

Retaining possession of the

field,

the sm^vivors

immediately
rude
litters,

set

themselves to work in constructing


to

upon which
and
fifty

bear off the wounded.

Between
the

forty

of these,

among whom was


this

commanding

general,

were removed in

manner.

Tlie brave old

man, notwithstanding the

imprudence of the meaning

imprudence

in allow-

ing a premature movement at the dictation of his


subordinates
for courage

had

nobly vindicated his character

during the day.

Though wounded,

as

we

have* seen, in the onset, he had borne himself


conflict,

during the six hours of

under the most


fortitude

try-

ing circumstances, with a degree of

and
his

composure worthy of

all

admiration,

l^ov

was

example without
the perils

effect in sustaining his troops

amid

by which they were environed.

At one

time during the battle, while sitting upon his saddle raised

upon a

little

hillock,

being advised to
''

select a less

exposed

situation,

he replied,

I will

OF
tace

AMERICAN HEROES.

139

the

enemy."

Thus, "surrounded by a few


to issue his orders

men, he continued

with firmness.

In thia situation, and in the heat of the onslaught,

he deliberately took his tinder-box from his pocket,


lit

his

pipe,

and smoked with great composure.


the soldiers were placing

''

At
the

the

moment

him on

litter,

while adjusting the blankets to the poles,

three Indians approached, and were instantly shot

down by

the unerring

rifles

of three of the militia.

These were the

last shots fired in that battle.

The
equal
cans,

loss of
to, if

the

enemy

in

this

engagement was

not more severe than, that of the Ameri-

DEATH OF GENEKAL HEEKIMEE.


General Herkimer did not long survive the battle
of Oriskany.

He
where

was conveyed

to his

own house

near the

Mohawk

River, a few miles below the


his
leg,

Little Falls,

which had been

shat-

tered five or six inches below the knee, was


tated about ten days
^

ampu>

after the battle,

by a young

10

140

DARING DEEDS
in

French surgeon
and contrary

the

army

of

General Arnold,

to the

advice of the general's

own

medical adviser, the late Doctor Petrie.


operation was unskillfully performed,

But the
it

and

was

found impossible by his attendants to stanch the


blood.

Colonel "Willett called to see the general

soon after the operation.

He

was

sitting

up

in his

bed, with a pipe in his mouth, smoking, and talking


in excellent
spirits.

He

died the night following


Colonel

that

visit.

His

friend,

John

Eoff,

was

present at the amputation, and affirmed that he

bore the

operatic,

n with uncommon
at

fortitude.

He

was likewise with him

the time of
flow

his

death.

The blood continuing


physician
in

to

immediate

there being no attendance and being


the

himself satisfied that the time of his departure was


nigh, the veteran

directed

Holy Bible
it

to

be
in

brought to him.

He

then opened

and read,

the presence of those


all

who surroimded
it

his bed, with


for

the

composure which

was possible

any

man
it

to exhibit, the

thirty-eighth

Psalm, applying
;

to his
it

own

situation.

He

soon afterward expired

and
of

may

well be questioned whether the annals

man famish

a more striking example of Christian

OF
heroism
of

AMEKICAN HEROES.

141

calm, deliberate, and firm death than presented in


is

in the hour

this

remarkable

instance.

Of the
is

early history of General


It

Herkimer

but

little

known.

has been already stated


first

that his family

was one of the


in

of the

Germans
Yalley

who planted themselves

the

Mohawk

and the massive stone mansion, yet standing at

German

Flatts,

bespeaks

its

early opulence.
if possible, less

He
skill
is

was an uneducated man, with,


in
letters

even than

General Putnam, which

saying much.

But he was, nevertheless, a man of

strong and vigorous understanding, destitute of some


of the essential requisites of generalship, but of the

most
all

cool

and dauntless courage.

These

traits

were
ex-

strikingly disclosed in the brief

and bloody

pedition to Oriskany.

But he must have been well


all

acquainted with that most important of

books

THE Bible.

ISior

could the most learned biblical

scholar, lay or clerical, have selected a portion of

the sacred Scriptures more exactly appropriate to


the situation of the dying soldier than that to which

he himself spontaneously turned.


like a philosopher,

If Socrates died

and Rousseau

like

an unbelieving
died
like

sentimentalist.

General

Herkimer

142
Christian Heko.

DAEING DEEDS
Congress passed a resolution re

questing the Governor and Council of


to erect a

New York

monument,
the

at the

expense of the United

States, to

memory
This

of this brave man, of the


resolution

value
to

of

$500.

was

transmitted

the Governor of

ISTew

York, George Clinton,


is

in

a letter, from which the following passage


:

quoted

"

Every mark of

distinction

shown
up

to the

memory

of

such illustrious

men

as offer

their

lives for the liberty


reflects real

and happiness of

their country,

honor on those who pay the tribute;

and, by holding up to others the prospect of fame

and immortality,

will

animate them to tread in the


to
:

same path."

Governor Clinton thus wrote

the

committee of Try on county on the occasion


closed you have a letter and resolves of
for erecting

" En-

Congress
of your

monument

to

the

memory

late gallant general.

"While with you I lament the

cause, I

am

impressed with a due sense of the great


has, in this

and justly merited honor the continent


instance, paid to the

memory

of that brave man."

Such were the

feelings of

respect for the services

and memory of the deceased entertained by the


great

men

of

that day.

Sixty years have since

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
rolled away,

143
is

and the journal of Congress


itself

the

only monument, and the resolution


inscription,

the onlyof

which

as

yet testify the gratitude

the Republic to

General Nicholas Herkimer.

CHAPTEE IV. 171

S.

MAEION, THE EEPUBLICAN GENERAL.

We
the

received, says his biographer,


in
to

a flag from
object of

enemy

Georgetown,

S.

C,

the

which was

make some arrangements about


The
flag, after

the

exchange of prisoners.

the usual
into

ceremony of

blindfolding,

was

conducted
into

Marion's encampment.

When

led

Marion's

presence, and the bandage taken from his eyes, he

beheld in our hero a swarthy, smoke dried

little

man, with scarcely enough of threadbare homespun


to

cover his nakedness

and, instead of
a handful of

tall

ranks

of

gaily-dressed soldiers,

sun-burnt

yellow legged militia-men, some roasting potatoes,

and some asleep, with their black


powder-horns lying by them on the
recovered a
his letter to
little

firelockfi

and

logs.

Having

from his surprise, he preftnted

General Marion;

who perused

it

and

3oun settled every thing to his satisfaction.

"

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
The
t^ixid

145

officer

took up his hat to


is

retire.

" Oh no

Marion, "it
sir,

now

about our time of dining;


give us the pleasure of

and I hope,

you

will

your company

to dinner."

At
officer

the mention of the

word dinner, the

British

looked around him, but, to his great morticould see no sign of a pot, pan, Dutch

fication,

oven, or any other cooking utensil, that could raise


the spirits of a hungry man.

" "Well,

Tom,"

said

the

general to one of his

men, " come, give us our dinner."

The dinner
snugly

to

which he alluded was no other than a heap of


sweet
potatoes,

that

were

very

roasting

under the embere, and which Tom, with his pine


^tick poker, soon liberated

from their ashy confine-

ment, pinching them every

now and

then with his

fingers, especially the big ones, to see

whether they

were well done or


jf

not.

Then having cleansed them


by blowing them with
his

the

ashes,

partly

breath,

and

partly

by brushing them with the

eleeve of his old cotton shirt, he piled


best on a large piece of bark,

some of the
be-

and placed them

tween the British

officer

and Marion, on the trunk

of the fallen pine on which they sat.

" I fear,

sir," said the general, "

our dinner will

"
:

146

DARING DEEDS.

not prove so palatable to you as I could wish

but

it is

the best

we

hare."

The

officer

who was

a well bred man, took up one of the potatoes, and


affected to feed, as if

he had found a great dainty,


ate

but

it

was very plain that he


appetite.

more from good

manners than good


Presently he

broke out into a hearty laugh

Marion looked surprised

"I beg pardon, general,"


com
dro]]

said he, " but one cannot, you know, always

mand

one's

conceits.

was thinking how


would
look,
bill

some of

my

brother

officers

if

our

government were
as this."

to give

them such a

of fare

" I suppose," said Marion,


their style of dining?"
officer
;

"

it

is

not equal to

"]N"o,

indeed," quoth the


is

"

and

this, I

imagine,

one of your
/

acci-

dental Lent dinners


ral,

sort of

Ian yan
deal

in gene-

no

doubt,

you

live

great

better

" Rather worse," answered the general, " for often

we do

not get enough of this."

"

Heavens "
!

re-

joined the officer, " but, probably what you


in

lose
in

meal you m^ke up

in malt

though stinted
"
!N"ot

provisions,
Bir,"

you draw noble pay."


"not a cent."

a cent,

said Marion,
!

"Heavens and
;

earth

then you must be in a bad box

I don't

OF
see, general,

AMERICAN HEROES.
stand
it.''

14:7

Low you can

"Why,

sir,"

replied

Marion with a smile of

self

approbation,

" these things depend on feeling."


said,

The Englishman
be an easy
life

"he did

not

believe

it

would

matter to reconcile his feelings to a soldier's

on General Marion's

terms

all

fighting,

no pay,

and no provisions but potatoes."

"Why
is

sir,"

answered the general, " the heart


that
is

all

and when

much

interested, a

man
it

can do anything.

Many

a youth would think

hard to indent himself a slave for fourteen years


but let

him be over head and

ears

in

love,

and

with such a beauteous sweetheart as Kachel, and

he will think no more of fourteen years' servitude


than young Jacob did.

Well,

now

this is exactly

my

case
:

am

in love,

and

my

sweetheart

is

Liberty

be that heavenly
shall

nymph my champion,

and these woods

have charms beyond London

and Paris in slavery.


driving over
of

To have no proud monarch

me with

his gilt coaches

nor

his host

excisemen and tax-gatherers insulting and rob


:

my own prince and sovereign gloriously preserving my national dignity, and pursuing my true happiness planting
bing
but to be
master,

my own

mv vinevaids. andeatino'

their luscious fruit; sowlnsr

148

v:aKING DEEDS
fields,

my

and lo^pmg t^e golden grain

and seeing

millions of brokers all around

me

equally free and


I long for."

happy
The
Briton,

as iryeelf.
officer

This

sir,

is

what

replied, that

both as a

man and
to
this

a
a

he must certainly subscribe


state of things.

as

happy
"

Happy," quoth Marion, " yes, happy, indeed


fight for such blessings for

and I would rather

my

country, and feed on roots, than keep aloof, though

wallowing in
sir,

all

the luxuries of Solomon


that

for

now,

walk the

soil

gave

me

birth,

and exult
it.

in

the

thought that I
these

am

not unworthy of

look upon
feel that I

venerable trees around me, and

do not dishonor them

I think of

my

own

sacred rights,

and

rejoice

that

have not

basely deserted
to the long,

them.

And, when

I look forward

long ages of posterity, I glory in the

thought that I

am

fighting their battles.

Tlie chil

dren of distant generations

may

never hear

my
all

name, but
I
its

still it

gladdens

my

heart to think that

am now

contending for their freedom, with

countless blessings."
1

looked at Marion as he uttered these sentiments


I felt as

and fancied
of

when
the

I heard the last

words
hia

the brave

De Kalb;

Englishman liung

OF
I

AMEKICAN HEROES.
if
lie

149

>nest

head, and looked, I thouglit, as

had

Been the upbraiding ghosts of his illustrious country-

men, Sidney and Hampden.

On

his return to

Georgetown he was asked by


so serious
?

Colonel Watson,

why he looked

" I have "

cause, sir," said he, " to look so serious."

What
sir.

has General Marion refused to treat


"

"

" ITo,
Sir

"

Well

then, has old

Washington defeated
?

Henry
not

Clinton,
that

and broke up our army "


but

" ]^o,

sir,

either:
?

worse."
sir,

"Ah!

what can be

worse

"

"

Why,
on
!

have seen an American

general and his officers without pay, almost without


clothes, living
all

roots,

and drinking water, and


chance

for

Liberty
'

What

have we against

Buch men,

PUTNAM'S FEAT.
About the middle of
winter, while General Fut-

flam was on a visit to his out-post at Horse-jS'eck

he found Governor Tryon advancing upon


with a corps of 1500 men.

tliat

town

To oppose these General

150

DAEING DEEDS

utnam had only a picquet of 150 men, and two

iron field-pieces, without horses or drag-ropes.

He,

however, planted

his

cannon on the high ground,


their

by the meeting-house, and retarded


by firing several times,
(supported
imtil,

approach

perceiving the horse

by the

infantry)

about to

cliai-ge,

ho

ordered the picquet to provide for


retiring
to a

tlieir safety,

by
se-

swamp

inaccessible to horse,
tlie

and

cured his own by plunging down


at the

steep precipice
is

church upon a

full trot.

This precipice

so

steep,

where he descended,

as to

have

artificial stairs,

composed of nearly one hundred stone


accommodation of
foot passengers.

steps, for the

There the dra-

goons, w^ho were but a sword's length from him,

stopped short

for the declivity


;

was so abrupt that

they ventured not to follow

and, before they could


hill

gain the valley, by going round the brow of the


in the ordinary road,

he was

far

enough beyond their

reach.
ford
;

He

continued his route, unmolested, to Stan-

from whence, having strengthened his picquet


militia,

by the junction of some

he came back again,

and, in turn, pursued Governor Try on in his retreat

As he rode down

the precipice, one ball, of the

many

fired at

him, went through his beaver: but

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
Governor Trjon, bj way of compensation
ing his
liat,

151
for spoil-

sent him, soon afterward, as a present,


suit of clothes.

a complete

DEATH OF CAPTArN" BIDDLE.


On
the night of the Tth March, 1778, the fatal
life

accident occurred, which terminated the


excellent
officer.

of this

For some days


attack.

previously

he

had expected an
officer,

Captain Blake, a brave

who commanded

a detachment of the second

South Carolina Eegiment, serving as marines on


board the General Moultrie, and to
indebted
for

whom we

are

several

of the

ensuing

particulars,

dined on board the Randolph two days before the

engagement.

At

dinner,

Captain
for

Biddle

said,

"We
give

have been cruising here

some time, and


will

have spoken a number of

vessels,

who

no doubt
be
sur-

information of us, and I should not


if

prised
to

my

old ship should be out after us.


carries

As
I

any thing that

her guns upon

deck,

think invself a match for her."

About three

\52

DARING DEEDS
Ytli

of tLe

of

March, a signal was made from the


to

Randolph

for a sail

windward, in consequence

of which the squadron hauled

upon a wind,

in or-

der to speak her.

It

was four o'clock before she

could be distinctly seen,


to

when she was discovered

be a ship, though as she neared and came before

the wind, she

had the appearance of a large sloop


set.

w^th
the

only a square-sail

About seven

o'clock,
to
;

Randolph being

to

windward, hove

the

Moultrie, being about 150 yards astern, and rather


to leeward, also

hove

to.

About eight

o'clock the

British ship fired a shot just

ahead of the Moultrie,


Polly," of

and hailed her

the answer was, " the

New York
for the

"

upon which she immediately hauled


She was then,

her wind, and hailed the Randolph.


first

time, discovered

to

be a two-decker.
an-

After several

questions

had been asked and

swered, as she was ranging up alongside the Randolph,

and

had

got

on

her

weather

quarter^

Lieutenant Barnes, of that ship called out, " This


is

the Randolph," and she immediately hoisted her

colors,

and gave the enemy a broadside.


the
action

Shortly
re-

after

commenced. Captain Biddle


in the thigh,
it

ceived a

wound

and was

fell.

This occa-

sioned some

confusion, as

at

first

thought

OF
'.

AMERICAN HEROES.

153

-lat

hki

was

killed.

lie soon, however, ordeied a

CD air to be broiight, said that he was only slightly

wounded, and being carried forward encouraged


the

crew.

The

stern

of the enemy's ship

being

clear of the

Randolph, the Captain of the Moultrie


to
fire,

gave

orders

but the

enemy having

shot

ahead, so as to bring the Randolph between them,


the
last

broadside of the Moultrie went into the


it

Randolph, and
saved,

was thought by one of the men

who was

stationed on the quarter-deck near

Captain Biddle, that he was wounded by a shot

from the

Moultrie.

The

fire

from the Randolph

was constant and well directed.


three

She

fired nearly

broadsides to the enemy's one, and she ap-

peared, while the battle lasted, to be in a continual


blaze.

In

about

twenty minutes

after

the action

began, and while the surgeon was examining Captain Riddle's

wound on

the quarter-deck, the Ran-

dolph blew up.

The

enemy's
'

vessel
sixty-four

was

the

British

ship

Yarmouth,

of

guns,

commanded

by

Captain Yincent.
that Captain
all his

So closely were they engaged,

Morgan, of the Fair American, and


it

crew, thought that

was the enemy's ship


for the

that

had blown up.

He

stood

Yarmouth,

154

DARING DEEDS
in his hand, to hail

and had a trumpet

and inquire

how Captain Biddle


mistake.

was,

when he

discovered his

Owing

to the disabled

condition of the

Yarmouth, the other vessels escaped.

The cause of the explosion was never


but
it is

ascertained,
sailed, after

remarkable that just before she

the clerk

had copied the signals and orders

for the

armed

vessels that
'

accompanied him, he wrote

at

the foot of them,

In case of coming to action in

the night be very careful of jour magazines.'

The

number

of persons on board the

Randolph was 315,

who

all

perished except four men,

who were

tossed

about for four days on a piece of the wreck before

they were discovered and taken


Information of two of these men,

up.

From

the

who were

after-

ward

in Philadelphia,

and of some individuals

Id

the other

vessels of the squadron,

we have bee

enabled to state some particulars of this unfortunate


event, in addition to the accounts

given of
the

it

bv

Dr.

Eamsay

in

his

History

of

American

Revolution, and in his History of the Revolution


of South Carolina.
rian
*

In the former work, the histo


his

thus

concludes

account

of the action

Captain Biddle,

who

perished on board the

Ran
tht

dolph, was universally lamented.

He

was

in

OF
prime of
life,

AMERICAN HEEOES.

165

and had excited high expectations

of future usefulness to his country, as a bold and


skillful

naval

officer.'
fell,

Thus prematurely
as gallant
of.

at the

age of twenty-seven,

an

officer

as

any country ever boasted

In the short career which Providence allowed

to

him, he displayed
a great

all

those qualities which con-

stitute

soldier brave

he was

to excess,

and consummately

skilled in his profession.

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH.
At
the opening of the campaign in 1TT8, General
to

Howe went
Sir
left

England, and

left

the

command

to

Henry

Clinton.

In June, the British army

Philadelphia,

and marched

toward

Staten

Island.

In their march they were annoyed by the


;

Americans

and on the 28th of June, a division of

the army, under General Lee,


sible, to

was ordered,

if pos-

bring them to an engagement.

Soon

after

the British had left the heights of Freehold, General

Lee was on the same ground, and followed them


11

^56
into the j)^ain.

DAEINQ DEEDS
While he was advancing
in
jDerson, Sir
to recon-

noitre

the

enemy

Hemy

Clinton

niarched back his whole rear division to attack the

Americans.
in order to
officers,

While Lee made a


draw the

feint of retreating,

British after him, one of his

General

Scott,

who had under him

the

greater part of General Lee's force, misunderstood


his

orders,
to

and actually

retreated.

This

obliged

Lee

follow, until

he could
his rear.

overtake

him, the

army hanging upon

In this situation he

was met by General Washington, who, riding up


to

General Lee, addressed him in terms that imcensure.

plied

Lee answered with warmth and


General

disrespectful

language.

Washington

led

the troops in person, and a smart action took place,


in

which both parties claimed the

victory, but the

advantage was clearly on the side of the Americans.

The

loss in killed

and wounded amounted


;

to

800

or 400, on each side

but the British

left

the field

of battle in the night, and pursued their retreat.

This battle lasted through the whole of one of the

warmest days of summer, the mercury being above


ninety

degrees

by Fahrenheit's

scale.

Many

of
oi

the soldiers

died on the spot, by heat, fatigue,

vSiili

li

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

157

drinking cold water.


coiu*t

General Lee was tried by a


bis

martial for disobedience, and


for

command

suspended

one year.

GENEKAL LEE
General
dress and

Lee was remarkably slovenly in

his

manners

and has

often,

by the mean-

ness of his appearance, been subject to ridicule and


insult.

He

was once attended by General "WashRiding

ington to a place distant from the camp.


on, he
dine,

arrived at the house where they were to


rest

sometime before the

of the

company.

He

went directly

to the kitchen,

demanding some-

thing to eat,
servant, told
in a
pot.

when

the

cook,

taking

him

for

him she would

give

him some
off

victuals

moment

but he
The
girl

must help her

with the
to

This he complied with, and sat

down
before

some

cold

meat, which
dresser.

she had

placed

him on

the

was remarkably

inquisitive

about the guests


Lee,

who were coming,

particularly of

who

she said she had heard was one of the

158

DARING DEEDS
and ugliest

oclc\\it

men

in

the world.

In a

few

mcments, she desired the general again


her
in

to assist

placing

on the pot, and scarcely had he

finished,

when

she requested

him

to take a

bucket

and go

to the well.

Lee made no objections and


In the meantime. General
des-

began drawing water.

Washington arrived, and an aid-de-camp was


patched in search of Lee
;

whom,

to his surprise,

he foimd engaged as above.


confusion of
the poor
gii-1

But what was the

on hearing the aid-detitle

camp

address the
fell

man

with the

of

general.

The mug

from her hands, and dropping on her


for

knees, she

began crying

pardon

when Lee,

who was own

ever ready to see the impropriety of his


it,

conduct, but never willing to change

gave
ob-

her a crown, and


served,
fine
it
it,

turning to

his aid-de-camp

"You

see,

young man, the advantage of a


is

for

coat the man of consequence respect neither virtue nor


like a

indebted to
without

abilities

win make you look

gentleman."

"

PAI^L JONES'

NAYAL BATTLE
unexampled

On
coast

the 22d of September, 1778, occurred on the


of Scotland,
to the

" that

sea-fight,

which gave
eclat.

name

of Paul Jones such terrific

This

man was

native of

Scotland, but
States.

engaged
flotilla

in the service of the

United

His

was composed of the Bonhomme Kichard,


guns,
the

of

forty

Alliance
Pallas, a

of

thirty-six,

(both

American

ships,) the

French

frigate of

thirty-two, in the

pay of Congress, and two other

smaller vessels.
fleet,

He

fell

in with a British

merchant

on

its

return from the Baltic, convoyed

by

Captain Pearson, with the frigate Serapis, of forty


four

guns, and the

Countess

of

Scarborough, of

twenty.

Pearson had no sooner perceived Jones, than he


bore

down

to

engage him, while the merchant men

endeavored

to gain the coast.

The American

flotilla

formed
battle

to receive

him.
in

The two enemies jomed


the evening.

about seven

The

British

160

DAEING DEEDS
cannon of a longer reach,

leaving the advantage of

Paul

Jones

resolved to fight
his
ships, until

them
the

closer.

He

brought

up

muzzles of hia
his

guns came in contact with those of

enemy.

Here
till

the phrenzied combatants fought from seven

ten.

Paul Jones now found that


shattered
that only

his

vessel

was

so

three

effective

guns

remained.
his

Trusting no longer to these, he assailed


falling

enemy with grenades; which

into the

Serapis, set her on fire in several places.

At
it.

length

her magazine blew up, and killed


eon,

all

near

Pearto

enraged at his

officers,

who wished him

surrender,
at the

commanded them

to board.

Paul Jones,
at the point

head of
,

his crew, received

them

of the pike

and they retreated.

But the flames

of the Serapis had communicated to her enemy,

and the vessel of Jones was on

fire.

Amidst

this

tremendous night-scene, the American

frigate Alli-

ance came up, mistaking her partner for her enemy,


fired a broadside into the vessel of Jones.

By

the

broad glare of

the burning ships, she discovered

her mistake, and turned her guns against her exhausted


his
foe.

Pearson's crew were killed or wounded,

artillery

dismounted, and
resist.

his

vessel

on

fire,

and he could no longer

The flames of th

OF AMEKICAN HEROES.

161

Serapis were, however, arrested; but the leuks of


the

Goodman Richard

could not be stopped, and


after the

the hulk

went down soon

mangled remains

of the crew

had been removed.

Of

the 3T5

who

were on board that renowned


eight left
it

vessel,

only sixty-

alive.

The Pallas had captured the


;

Countess of

Scarborough

and

Jones,
his
;

after

this

horrible victory,

wandered with

shattered, un-

man ugeable
way

vessels, for

some time

and

at length, to find

on ^he 6th of October, had the good fortune


his
to the

waters of the Texel.

ENCAMPMENT AT YALLEY EOEGE.


The

American encampment

at

Yalley

Forge

during the severe winter of 1777-8, presented a


spectacle for which the

pen of History never drew


there concentrated,

a parallel.

large

army was

whose naked

foot-printa in the snovv',

converging to

that bleak hill-side,

were often marked with blood.


;

Absolute Destitution there held high court

and

never was the chivalric heroism of patient suffering

162

DARING DEEDS
>y
1

more tangibly manifested than was exhibited


that

patriot

band within those

frail

log huts

lal

barely covered
sheltered

them from

the falling

snow, or

them from the keen wintry

blasts.

Many

were utterly without snoes or stockings, and nearly


naked, obliged
to sit

night

after

night

shivering

round their fires in quest of the comforts of heat,


instead of taking that needful repose which nature
craves.
for the

Hunger

also

became a resident tormentor,


;

prevalence of toryism in the vicinage

the

avarice of

commissaries, the tardy movements of

Congress in

supplying provisions, and the close

proximity of a powerful enemy, combined to

make

the procurement of provisions absolutely impracti-

cable without a resort to

force.

But few horses

were in the camp

and such was the deficiency in

this respect for the ordinary, as well as extraordi-

nary occasions of the army, that the


instances cheerfully
their

men

in

many

yoked themselves

to vehicles of

own

construction, for carrying


;

wood and

pro-

visions

when procured

while

othei's

performed the

duty of pack-horses, and carried heavy burdens of


fuel

upon

their backs.

Yet amid

all

this

suffer-

ing day after day, surrounded by frost and snow,


patriotism

was

still

w^arm and hopeful in the hearts

OF

AMERICAN HEKOES.
the love of self was

163

of the soldiers, and


into

merged

the

one

great

sentiment,

love

of country.

Although a few feeble notes of discontent were


heard, and
the cause
suffering

symptoms of an

intention

to

abandon
that

were

visible, yet the great

body of
wait
for

phalanx were content

to

the

budding spring, and be ready

to enter

anew upon
Un-

the fields of strife for the cause of freedom.

provided with materials

to raise

their

beds from

the cold ground, the dampness occasioned sickness

and death
degree.
suffering,

to

rage

among them
nothing

to

an astonishing
surpass
their

" Indeed,

could

except the patience and fortitude with

which
army."

it

was endured by the

faithful part of

the

Amid

all this distress,

in the neighborhood
its

of a powerful British army, fearless of

numbers

and strength, and licentiousness, a striking proof


of their intrepidity in suffering was exhibited by
the Americans.

COLONEL GEORGE
Connected with
the

R.

CLARKE.
operations
of the the
it&

Lidian one

summer

of

1778, was
its

distinguished

bj

boldness of
execution.
tribes

conception and the brilliancy of


hostility of

The increasing

the remote
its

upon the waters of the Mississippi and

tributaries

had induced a

belief that a powerful intheir

fluence

must have been exerted upon

minds

by the
kias,

settlements planted long before at Kaskas-

and in the country of the Upper Mississippi,


French, in
connection with

by

the

Canada.

Eor
the
the

the purpose of striking at once at the root of


evil,

an expedition was

organized
to

early

in

season, the object of

which was

invade and take

possession

of

those

settlements.

The

command
and

was intrusted

to Colonel

George Rogers Clarke, of


;

Yirginia, a bold and experienced border officer


his

whole

force, destined

to penetrate twelve hunfact,

dred miles through a wilderness, which was, in


the enemy's country, did not exceed 200 men.

The

OF

AMERICAN HEKOES.
little

165
the

rendezvous of this

army was

at

Great

Kanhawa, where they were attacked by a superior


Indian force before their embarcation.
they were not able to
the
fort,

But, finding

make any impression upon


drew
off,

the assailants

having killed but

one

man and wounded


falls

one or two more.


Ohio, a
small

Descenfort

ding to the

of

the

was

erected at that place, in which a garrison was left


of ten or twelve
sixty miles of
families.

Arriving within about


of

the

mouth

the Ohio, the troops

were landed, and, with only four days' provisions,

marched

for

the

Illinois.

They reached the

pre-

cincts of Kaskaskias at

midnight on the sixth day,

having marched two days without food, and deter-

mined

forthwith,

and unanimously,

to take the

town
for-

or die in the attempt.


tified,

The town was strongly

and contained about 250 well


the

built houses

but the approach of


the people

invaders was

unknown

and tho garrison were


and both town and

alike slumbering
fort

in security;

were taken,
the

the latter being carried

by

surprise, although
to
resist

defences were

sufficiently strong
officer,

1000

men.

The commanding
;

Philip Rocheblave,
his papers, falling

was made prisoner


into
tlie

and among
Colonel

liands

of

Clarke,

were

the

166

DARING DEEDS
lie

instrnctions whicli

liad

from time

to

time received

from the British governors of Quebec, Detroit, and

MichilimacMnack, urging him


dians to war
scalps,

to stimulate the In-

by the

proffer of

large bounties

for

llocheblave was sent a prisoner to "Wil-

liamsburg, in Yirginia, and with

him were

sent the

papers taken from his portfolio.

On

the day after the


at

fall

of Kaskaskias, Captain

Joseph Bowman,

the

head of thirty mounted


towns upon the

men, was sent

to attack three other


first

Mississippi, the

of which, called Parraderuski,

distant fifteen miles

from Kaskaskias, was

surj^rised,

and taken without opposition, the inhabitants


once assenting
next
to the
St.

at

terms of the conqueror.


Philip's,

The
miles
so

town was

distant

nine

farther up.

The

force of Captain

Bowman was
make

small, that he wisely determined to

a descent

upon

St. Philip's in

the night, that his strength, or,

rather,

his

weakness, might
;

be

concealed.

The

precaution ensured success

and the inhabitants

with
in

whom
St.

the whole negotiation was conducted

the night,

acceded

to

the

terms

prescribed.

From

Philip's, Captain

Bowman

directed

his

course upon

the

yet

more considerable town of


fifty miles.

Cauhow,

distant

between forty and

This

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
families,

167
also

town contained about 100


approaclied
secretly,

and was
in

and

entered

the

night.

Captain

Bowman, with

his troop, rode directly to

the quarters of the commander, and

demanded

the

surrender of himself and the whole town, which

was
sion

immediately complied with.


of

Taking possesfortified,

large
''

stone house, well

the

" bold dragoon


ters

immediately established his quar-

therein,

and awaited the morning's

dawn,

which would disclose


force to

to the people the diminutive

which they had surrendered.

Enraged

at

the discovery, one of the

enemy threatened
little

to bring

a body of 150 Indians against the

American

squadron, and cut them

off.

But he was secured,

and

in the course of ten days

upward of 300 of

the inhabitants

became

so reconciled to their change

of masters as to take th^ oath of allegiance to


the

United

States.

Leaving

small

guard

at

Cauhow, Captain Bowman returned

to Kaskaskias.

AFFAIKS AT SCHOHAEIE.
The enemy on the 'Now York
no means inactive.
Tories,
frontiers

were by

large

band of Indians and

under the conduct of Brant and Barent

Frej, broke into the district at the close of

May

and

inflicted

no small degree of damage, by the


both
life

destruction of

and property.

They were
to

met by Captain Patrick, belonging


Alden's regiment, and
a

Colonel

handful

of

troops,

who
fell

were entirely cut

to

pieces.

Captain Patl-ick

early in the engagement.


ral,

His lieutenant, a corpoalso killed.

and nineteen men, were

The com-

mand
by a
four

then devolved upon a sergeant,


all

who

fought

bravely, as
force

had done.

They were surrounded


numbers, and but
all

greatly superior in

men, exclusive of the sergeant, escaped,

wounded.

The bodies

of Patrick and his lieutenant

were shockingly mutilated.

portion of

the

setk:,

tlement was burned, and the settlement of Turlot


in the

same

vicinity,

was

also ravaged.

OF
Tlie

AMERICAN HEROES.

169

people of Schoharie had suffered severely

from the scouts and scalping parties of the enemy


during the summer, but their bravery in individual
contests

had amply avenged

their wrongs.

On

one

occasion a party of seven

Indians

made

prisoner

of a Mr. Sawyer,

whom

they bound and marched


eight or
for
ef-

off into the wilderness.

Having proceeded

ten miles, they laid themselves the night.

down

to sleep
less

But

their

prisoner

had been

fectually secured than they supposed.

In the couise

of the night he succeeded in disengaging his hands,

and cautiously taking a hatchet from the girdle of


one of the Indians, he despatched six of them in
rapid
succession,
his escape.

and wounded the seventh, who

made

Having thus

relieved himself of
in safety,

his keepers.

Sawyer returned home

and

at his leisure.

Soon

after the battle of

Monmouth, Lieutenantwith

Colonel William

Butler,

one of the

Penn-

sylvania regiments and a detachment of Morgan's


riflemen,

was ordered

to the ]S'orth,

and stationed

at Schoharie.
officer,

Butler was a brave and experienced


qualified
for

especially

the

service

upon

whicli he was appointed.

His

arrival in Schoharie

had a sahitarv

effect,

bv discoura2;;ng the

disaffected

170

DARING DEEDS

and, by the presence of a stronger force than had

yet been

among them,

establishing the confidence

and reviving the

spirits of the people.

Several of

his scouting parties also returned

with good success.

Attached

to

the

rifle

corps,

under Captain Long,


signalized themselves

were several bold


so

spirits,

who

greatly in the partisan warfare in which


that

they
are

were engaged,
fi-eshly

many
Of

of

their

exploits

remembered among
to this

the inhabitants of Scho-

harie

day.

this

number were David


The
to
first

Elerson, and a Yirginian

named Murphy.

expedition of
valley of
tributaries

Captain
Charlotte
the

Long was

directed
the

the

the
of

River, one of

upper

Susquehanna, flowing from the

mountains south of Schoharie.


arrest

The

object

was

to

and bring

to the

fort

a conspicuous Tory

living

upon that stream, named Service.

His house
for

being a point of rendezvous

and supply

the
it

Tory and Indian


should
place

scouts,

it

was desirable that


his

be
of

broken up.
destination,
it

While on

way

to

the

was the good fortune of

Captain Long to intercept a company of Tories,


enlisted for the king's service, in the neighborhood

of Catskill,
their

by
to

a Captain Smith,
join Sir

who were then on


at

wav

John Johnson

Xiagcua.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
Smith was
killed

171

bj the sinmltaneous shots of Eler

son and his captain, they being a few rods in ad-

vance
at the

at the

moment when
his

the Tory leader

emerged
followto

head of

men from

a thicket.

His

ers fled in every direction.

They had intended

lodge that night with Service, but that unfortunate

man had

guests of quite another character.

While

unapprised of danger, his house was surrounded

by the troops of Long, when in an instant Murphy

and Elerson rushed

in,

and made him a prisoner.


that

Having been informed


them
to Schoharie,

he must accompany

on leaving his house he seized

an axe standing by the door, which he poised, and


directed for a blow at the head of
latter

Murphy.
it
;

The

was too quick-sighted

to receive

but as he

sprang aside to avoid the descending weapon, Service


fell

dead from the

rifle

of Elerson.

After his term of enlistment had expired.

Murphy
his

remained in Schoharie, and made war on


account.

own

He

was

as

remarkable

for

his

fleetnesa

as for his courage

and great precision


rifle
;

in firing.

He

used a double-barrelled

and the

fact of his

fi'equently firing twice in succession without stopping

to load,

and always bringing down


a terror to the Indians.

his

man, ren-

dered

him

Kot knowing

172
the
peculiar

DARING DEEDS
construction
of
his
it

rilie,

they were

impressed with the belief that

was a charmed
firing as

weapon, and supposed he could continue

lung and as often as he pleased without loading at


all.

He

fought the savages after their


their

own

fashion

was more than


his heels
;

equal in

stratagem or with

and, the greater the apparent danger he


the

was

encountering,

greater

was

his

delight.

"When he had opportunity, he took pattern of the


Indians in scalj)ing those

who

fell

by

his unerring

aim

and

it

was said

that he killed forty of

their

warriors with his

own hands.

SEEGEAISTT JASPEK.
The reader
the
is

already somewhat acquainted with

name
is

of

William Jasper

perhaps
a scout.

Sergeant

Jasper
sessed

the better known.

This brave
for

man

pos-

remarkable talents
all

He

could

wear
terity.

disguises with
styles

admirable ease and dex


perfect

Garden

him " a

Proteus.

*'

He

was equally I'emarkable

for his

cunning as

i^yr

OB
his bravery

AMERICAN HEROES.
his nobleness

173

and

and generosity were,

quite as
his

much

as these, the distinguishing traits of

character.

Such was
that

the

confidence

in

his

fidelity

and

skill

roving

commission was

granted

him, with liberty to pick his associates

from the Brigade.


than
'

Of
often

these he seldom chose

more

six.

"He
I

went out," says


I

Moultrie,

and returned with prisoners, before


have known of
his

knew

that

he was gone.

catching

party that was looking for him.


that he could

He
men
let

has told

me

have killed single


;

several times,

but he would not

he would rather

them get

off.

He went

into the British lines at

Savannah, as a
time,
of

deserter, complaining, at
ill-usage

the

same

our

of

him
of

he was gladly received (they


his character)

baving heard
them.

and caressed by

He

stayed eight days, and after informing

himself well of their strength, situation and intentions,

he returned
not

to us again

but that
"With

game he
his
little

could

play

second

time.

party he was always hovering

about

the enemy's

camp, and was frequently bringing


It

in prisoners."

was while

in the exercise of his roving privileges

that Jasper prepared to visit the post of the


at Ebenezer.

enemy

At

this post

he had a brother, who

174

DARING DEEDS
tlie

Held

same rank

in the British service, that

he

held in the American.

This instance was quite too

conimon
to

in the history of the period

and country, any suspicion


have already

occasion

much

surprise, or cause

of the integrity of either party.

We

considered the causes for this melancholy difference


of individual

sentiment in the country, and

need

not dwell
his

upon them here.


and wished
the

"William Jasper loved

brother

to see

him

it

is

very

certain, at

same time,

that
all

he did not deny around him.

himself the privilege of seeing

The

Tory was alarmed

at William's

appearance in the
his fears,

British camp, but the other

quieted

by

representing
soldier.

himself as no

longer an American
this declaration
that,

He

checked the joy which

excited in his brother's mind,

by assuring him

though he found
for

little

encouragement in fighting
the heart to fight

his

country,

" he had not

against her."

Our

scout lingered for two or three

days in the British camp, and then, by a detour^


regained that of the Americans; reporting to his

commander
aged

all

that he

had

seen.

He

was encourbut this

to repeat his visit

a few weeks

after,

time he took with him a comrade, one Sergeant


T^ewton, a fellow quite
as

brave

in

spirit,

and

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

173

strong in body as himself.


well received

Here he was again

by

his brother,

who

entertained the

guests kindly for several days.

Meanwhile, a small

party of Americans were brought into Ebenezer as


captives,
shrift

over

whom hung

the danger of

" short

and sudden cord."


for trial.

They were on

their

way

to

Savannah

They had taken arms with

the British, as hundreds more had done,


countr}^

when
on

the
the

was
of

deemed reconquered
the

but,

approach

American army, had rejoined


and were now once more
at

their countrymen,

the

mercy of the power wdth which they had broken


faith.

" It will go hard with them," said the Tory

Jasper to his

Whig

brother
it

but the secret com-

ment of the other was, "


first."

shall

go hard with

me

There was a woman, the wife of one of the who, with her
child,

prisoners,

kept them company.

William Jasper and his friend were touched by the


spectacle
together,

of
as

their

distress

and

they

conferred

soon as they were alone, as to the

possibility of rescuing

them.

Their plan was soon


as

adopted.

It

was a simple one, such

naturally
char-

suggests itself to a hardy and


acter.

magnanimous
left

The prisoners had scarcely

the post for

Savannah, under a guard of eight men, a sergeant

ITG

DARING DEEDS
his friend dep^. dd

and corporal, when Jasper and


also,
thoiio'li

in

different
their

direction

from

the

guard.

Changing

course

when

secure from

observation, they stretched

across the country

and

followed the footsteps of the


it

unhappy

captives.

But

was only in the pursuit that they became truly


the
difficulty,

conscious of
bility,

nay, seeming impossi-

of

effecting

their

object.
;

The guard was


but

armed,

and ten in

number

they

two and

weaponless.
on.

Hopeless, they nevertheless followed


is

Two

miles from Savannah there

a famous

spring,

the

waters of which are well

known

to

travelers.

The conjectm-e
w^ith

that

the
for
;

guard

might

stop

there,

the

prisoners,

refreshment,
here, opportu-

suggested
nities

itself

to

our companions
for

might occur
before

the rescue, which

had noan

where

presented

themselves.

Taking

obscure path with which they were familiar, which


led

them

to the spot before the

enemy could

arrive,

they placed themselves in ambush in the immediate neighborhood

of

the spring.

They had not


correct.

long to wait.

The conjecture proved

The

guard was halted on the road

opj)osite the spring.

The corporal with four men conducted the captives


to the

water, while the sergeant, with the remainder

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
made them ground
their

177

of his force, having

arms

near the road, brought up the rear.

The prisoners
and

threw themselves upon the earth


her child, near
its

the woman
The

father.

Little did

any of them
child

dream
fell

that

deliverance was at hand.

asleep in the mother's lap.

Two

of the

armed
little

men

kept guard, but

we may suppose with

caution.

What had
town

thej to apprehend, within sight


?

of a walled

in the possession of their friends

Two

others approached the spring, in order to bring


to

water

the

prisoners.

Resting
fill

their

muskets

against a tree they proceeded to

their canteens.

At

this

moment Jasper gave

the

signal

to

his

comrade.
hands.
soldiers

In an instant the muskets were in their

In another, they had shot down the two

upon duty

then clubbing their weapons,

they rushed out upon the astonished enemy, and


felling

their

first

opponents each

at a blow,

they

succeeded in obtaining possession of the loaded


muskets.
in

This decided the conflict, which was over

a few minutes.

The surviving guard yielded

themselves to mercy before the presented weapons.

Such an achievement could only be


its

successful from

audacity and the operation of circumstances. Tlie

very proximity of Savannah increased the chances

178
of success.

DAEING DEEDS
But
for this the

guard would have used

better precautions.

'None were taken.

The prompt

valor, the bold decision, the cool calculation of the

instant,

were the essential elements which secured

success.

The work of our young heroes was not

done

imperfectly.

The

prisoners

were

quickly
into

released, the
their

arms of the captured British put

hands, and, hurrying

away from the

spot

which they have crowned with a

local celebrity not

soon to be forgotten, they crossed the Savannah in


safety with their friends

and

foes.

THENEWYOKKl
PUBLIC .LIBRARY
i

0ENER4L WAYNE AT STONY POINT

CHAPTER v. 1779.

STOLMmG OF
Among
the

STOI^Y
of

POmT.
gallantry

many

exploits

and

prowess which shed a luster on the fame of our Revolutionary army, the storming of the fort at Stony

Point has always been considered one of the most


brilliant.

To General Wayne, who commanded the

light

infantry of the army, the execution of the plan


intrusted.

was

Secrecy
to

was

deemed

so

much more
it

essential

success

than

numbers, that

was

thought unadvisable to add to the force already on


the lines.
its

One

brigade was ordered to


to

commence

march, so as

reach the scene of action in

time to cover the troops engaged in the attack, in


case of any unlooked for disaster
;

and Major Lee,

of

the light dragoons,


in

who had been eminently

useful

obtaining the intelligence which led to

the enterprise, was associated with General "Wayne,

18U

DARING DEEDS
far

as

as

cavalrj could be employed in

such

service.

The night of
for

the 15th of July, 1TT9, was fixed on


;

the assault

and

it

being suspected that the

garrison would probably be

more on

their

guard

toward day, twelve was chosen for the hour.


Stony Point
into the
is

commanding

hill,

projecting far
its

Hudson, which washes three-fourths of


fourth
is,

base.

The remaining

in a great measure,

covered by a deep marsh, commencing near the


river

on the upper

side,

and continuing
is

into

it

below.
place.

Over
But

this

mersh, there

only one crossingis

at its junction at

with the river

a sandy
of this

beach passable
hill

low

tide.

On

the

summit

was erected the

fort,

which was

fui'nished with

a sufficient

number

of

heavy pieces of ordnance.

Several breast-works and strong batteries were ad-

vanced in front of the principal work, and


half

fibout

way down
batteries

the

hill,

were two rows of abbatis.


to

The

were

calculated

command

the

beach and the crossing-place of the marsh, and to


rake and enfilade any column which might be ad-

vancing
fort.

from either of those

points

towArd the

In addition to these defences, several vessels


river,

of

war were stationed in the

so

as,

in

OF

AMERICAN HEEOES.
command

181

considerable degree, to
foot of the hill.

the ground at the

The
the

fort

was garrisoned by about 600 men, under


of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson.

command

At noon

of the

day preceding the night of the

attack, the light

infantry

commenced

their

march
from

from

Sandy Beach,

distant

fourteen miles

Stony Point, and passing through an excessively

rugged

and moimtainous country, arrived

about

eight in the afternoon at Spring Steel's, one and a

half miles from the

fort,

where the

dispositions for

the assault were made.


It

was intended
left flanks at

to attack the

works on the right

and

the

same

instant.

The regiments

of Febiger, and of Meiggs, with Major Hull's de-

tachment, formed the right column, and Butler's


regiment, with two companies under Major Murfree,

formed

the

left.

One hundred and

fifty

volun-

teers, led

by Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury and Major


;

Posey, constituted the right

and 100 volunteers


left.

under Major Stewart, composed the


past eleven, the two columns

At
to

half

moved on

the

charge, the van of

each with unloaded muskets

and fixed bayonets.

They were each preceded by

a forlorn hope of twenty men, the one

commanded

TS2

DARING

de?:ds

by Lieutenant Gibbon, and the other by Lieutenant

Knox, whose duty

it

was

to

remove the abbatis


to

and other obstructions, in order


for the

open a passage
rear.

cohimns which followed close in the


to

Proper measures having been taken


every individual
intelligence

secure
give

on
their

the

route,

who
the

could

of

approach,

Americans

reached the marsh undiscovered.


difficulties

But unexpected

having been experienced in surmounting


in the

this

and other obstructions


not

way, the assault


minutes
after

did

commence

until

twenty

twelve.

Both columns then rushed forward, under


fire

a tremendous

of musketry and

grape shot.

Surmounting every
at

obstacle, they entered the

works

the

point of

the bayonet, and without having

discharged a single piece, obtained complete possession of the post.

The Jiumanity displayed by the conquerors was


not less conspicuous, nor less honorable, than their
courage.
resistance

Not a
had

single individual suffered after

ceased.

All the troops engaged in this perilous service

manifested

degree

of
to

ardor

and

impetuosity

which

proved

them
;

be capable of the most


all

difficult enterprises

and

distinguished themselves

OF
v^hof-e

AMERICAN HEE0E8.
enabled them to do
first to enter

1<S3

situation

so.

Colonel
strike

E'lenry

was the

the

fort,

and

the British standard.

Major Posey mounted the


instant,

works almost
to

at the

same

and was the


fort's

first

give the watch-word

"The

om* own."
the service

Lieutenants Gibbon and


allotted to

Knox performed

them

with a degree of intrepidity which

could not be surpassed.

Out of twenty men who


were

constituted the party of the former, seventeen


killed or

wounded.

The

loss sustained

by the garrison was not

con-

siderable.

Tlie return

made by

Lieutenant-Colonei

Johnson, represented their dead at only twenty,


including one captain, and their
officers

wounded

at

six

and sixty-eight

privates.

The return made


dead
at sixty-three,

by General

Wayne

states their

including two

officers.

This difference
that

may

be

ac-

counted

for,

by supposing,
to

among

those Colonel

Johnson suj^posed
killed.

be missing, there were


to

many
among

The prisoners amounted


one

543,

whom were

lieutenant-colonel,
officers.

four captains,
stores

and twenty subaltern

The military

taken in the fort were also considerable.

The
menus

loss sustained

by the

assailants

was by no

proportioned to the apjtarent danger of the


13

184
euterprise.

DARINGDEEDS
The
killed

and wounded did not exceed

100 men.
at

General "Wayne himself, who marched


in the

the

head of Febiger's regiment

right

column, received a slight wound in the head, which stunned him for a time, but did not compel him
to leave the

column.
fort

Being supported by

his aids,

he entered the
Colonel

with the regiment.

Lieutenant-

Hay was

also

among

the wounded.

The

intrepidity, joined with

humanity,

its

noblest

companion,

displayed

on

that

occasion

by

the

Pennsylvania Hero and his brave followers, cannot


be too highly esteemed nor too frequently com

memorated.

COLONEL ISAAC
hands of Lord Comwallis,
his

HATISTE.

After the city of Charleston had fallen into the


lordship issued a

proclamation, requiring of the inhabitants of the


colony, that they should no longer take part in the
contest, but continue

peaceably at their homes, and

they should be most sacredly protected in property

OF
and person.

AMERICAN HEROES.

185

This was accompanied with an instrn

ment of
tm*es of

neutrality,

which soon obtained the signa-

many

thousands of the citizens of South


Colonel Hayne,
to

Carolina,

among whom was


that

who

now conceived

he was entitled

peace and
it

security for his family

and

fortune.

But

was not

long before Cornwallis put a

new

construction on
it

the instrument of neutrality denominating of allegiance to the King, and called

bond

upon

all

who

signed

it

to

take

uj)

arms against the Rebels!

threatening to treat as deserters those

who

refused

This

fraudulent

proceeding
of

in

Lord

Cornwallis

roused

the

indignation

every honorable

and

honest man.
in violation of

Colonel

Hayne now being compelled

the most solemn compact, to tako


his native

up arms, resolved that the invaders of

country should be the objects of his vengeance.

He

withdrew from the

British,

and was invested


;

with a

command
his

in the Continental service


to

but

it

was soon

hard fortune

be captured by the

enemy and

carried to Charleston.

Lord Rawdon,

the commandant, immediately ordered

him

to

be

loaded with irons, and after a sort of

mock

trial,

he was sentenced

to

be

hung

This

sentence

seized all classes of people with horror

and dismay

186

DARING DEEDS
Leaded by the British Governor, Bull,

A
in

petition,

and signed by a number of Royalists, was presented


his

behalf,

but was totally disregarded.

The

ladies

of

Charleston, both whigs

and

tories,

now

united in a petition to Lord Rawdon, couched in


the most eloquent

and moving language, praying Hayne, might be


It

that the valuable life of Colonel

spared; but this was treated with neglect.

was

next proposed that Colonel Hayne's children (the

mother had recently expired with the small pox,)


should, in their mourning habiliments, be presented
to

plead for the

life

of their only surviving parent.


his

Being introduced

into

presence, they

fell

on

their knees; with clasped

hands and weeping eyes

they

lisj)ed

their

father's

name, and

plead most

earnestly for his

life.

His

son, a youth of thirteen,

was permitted

to

stay with his

father in prison^

who, beholding his own parent loaded with irons

and condemned and sorrow.


"

to die,

was overwhelmed with grief


said he, "

Why, "

my

son, will

you

thus break your father's heart with unavailing sor-

row
this

Have

I not often told


to

you that we came

into

world but
life,

prepare for a better?


is

For that
pr&pared.

better

my

dear boy, your father

Instead then of weeping, rejoice with me,

my

son,

"

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
that

18T

my

troubles are so near an end.

To-moiTow,

I set out for immortality.


to the place of

You

will

accompany me
I

my
fell

execution, and

when

am

dead,

take and bury

me by
die

the side of your mother."


father's neck, "
?

The youth here


father
!

on his

Oh,

my
his

I will

with you

"

Colonel

Hayne

would have returned the strong embraces of


son
;

but alas

his

hands were confined with

irons.

"Live," said he,


a good
to
life
;

"my

son, live to

honor
;

God by
and
live
!

live to serve

your country

take care of your brother and

little

sisters

The next morning Colonel Hayne was conducted


to the

place of

execution.

His son accompanied


in sight of

him.

Soon

as they

came

the gallows,

the father strengthened himself, and said

"Now,
is

my

son,

show yourself a man

That tree

the

boundary of

my

life,

and

all

my

life's

sorrows.

Beyond

that, the

wicked cease from troubling and


Don't lay too
it

the weary are at rest.

much

to heart
It

our separation from you:

will

be but short.

was but
and you,

lately

your mother died.

To day I

die,

my

son,

though but young, must shortly

follow us."

" Yes,

my

father," replied the broken-

hearted

youth,

"I

shall

shortly follow you;

for

indeed I

feel that I

cannot live long."

188

DARING DEEDS
seeing, therefore, his father in the hands of

On

the executioner, and then struggling in the halter,

he stood
horror.
as

like
Till

one transfixed and motionless with

then he had wept incessantly, but soon


sight, the fountain of his tears

he saw that

was
died

staunched, and

he

never wept

more.
often

He

insane^ and in his last


the

moments

called

on

name

of his father in terms that brought tears

from the hardest hearts.

mXKEPIDITY OF
Just before the

COLOTs^EL WHITE.
of

commencement

the siege of

Savannah, in 1779, an enterprise was achieved by


six

Americans, remarkable

for
it

the

address and

daring intrepidity with which


executed.

was planned and

Captain French, of the British army,

with about 100 men, had taken post on the Ogee-

chee river, where were also forty sailors on board


of five British vessels, four of which were armed,
the largest mounting fourteen guns.

Colonel John

White, of the Georgia

line,

with Captain Elholm

OF
and four other

AMERICAN HEROES.
persons,

180
the

one

of

whom was

Colonel's servant, after kindling at night a

number

of

fires,

exhibiting the parade of a large encamp-

ment,

and using other stratagems, peremptorily


the British

summoned

commander

to

smTender.

Captain French, in order to save his


being cut
to
to pieces,

men from

by a

force

which he supposed

be superior to his own, surrendered, on the Ist


Colonel

of October, without the smallest resistance.

White having thus


keep back
stifled

far succeeded,

pretended he must

his troops, lest their animosity, already

by great

exertions, should

break

out,

and

indiscriminate slaughter take place in defiance of


his authority; and, therefore,

he would commit his

prisoners to three guides,


safely to

who would conduct them


This

good quarters.

humane

attention of

White was thankfully

received.

He

immediately

ordered three of his attendants to proceed with


the prisoners,
to

who moved
lest

off

with celerity, anxious


of

get

away,

the

fury

White's

corps,

believed to be at hand, might break out, desirous


as

he was

to

restrain

it.

White, with

the two

men
to

retained

by him,

repaired, as he

announced

his

guides and prisoners, to his troops for the


of

purpose

proceeding

in

the

rear.

He

then

190

DAEING DEEDS
liimself in collecting the militia of tLe

employed

neigliborhood, with

whom

he overtook

his

guides

and prisoners.
This
affair,

says General

H. Lee,

in his memoirs,

approaches too near the marvelous to have been

admitted by him, had


dited,

it

not been uni)rmly accre-

and never contradicted.

PRUDENCE AND BRAVERY OF MAJOR


Major Lee, on
the

LEE.

19th

of

July,

1779, with

about 300 men, completely surprised the British


garrison at Paulus Hook, directly opposite the city

of ITew

York,

and brought

off

159

prisoners;
;

having killed about thirty of the British

while

the loss of the Americans was only two killed and


three wounded.

Congress gave thanks to Major

Lee, and ordered a gold medal to be struck and

presented to him, as a

commemorative

of

the

action, and as a reward for his prudence, address,

and bravery.

SULLIYAX'S EXPEDITIOE".
During the summer of 17T9, an expedition under
General Sullivan was sent against the Indian tribes
called the Six ^Nations,

upon the upper sources of


exception of the

the Susquehanna, who, with the

Oneidas, incited by British agents, had for some

time carried on a sort of guerilla warfare against


the

border settlements.

Sullivan with about 3000

troops, left

Wyoming and

proceeded up the Sus-

quehanna

to

Tioga Point, where he was joined by

General James Clinton, from the banks of the Mo-

hawk, with about 1600 men, making his


force nearly 5000.

effective

At Elmira,

in

Chemung

county, Sullivan found

a party of Indians and tories about 1000 in number,

800 savages and 200 whites, under the


of Brandt, Butler,

command
at

and

others,

who were

the

massacre of

Wyoming
fortified,

the preceding year.

They

were strongly

but Sullivan at once attacked

them, and, after a desperate resistance, the' savages


9*

192

DARING DEEDS
Determined
to

retreated back into the wilderness.


3liastise

them

severely,

the

Americans

pursued

them
during
the

into

the very heart of their country,

and

the

month of September, they desolated


domain
to

whole

the Genesee River.

They
fields,

burned forty Indian villages, laid waste corn

gardens, fruit trees, and every other vestige of cultivation left behind

by the

fiying Indians

and

tories,

destroying more than 150,000 bushels of com.


expedition was a cruel
fiable

This
justi-

one, right;

and was hardly


yet
it

by any

rule of

presented one

of those stern necessities


tude, requiring

an

evil of great to

magni-

a severe

remedy

avert serious

consequences
called
forth.

which
It

the exigencies of the times


Indians,

greatly intimidated the

and

for a

time the frontier settlements had repose.

ADYENTUEE OF DAYID ELEESOK.


The detachment
been
ordered
to

which Elerson belonged had


Schoharie
to

from

join
at the

General

Clinton's expedition.

While lying

head of

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

193

the lake, Elerson rambled off to an old clearing, at the distance of a mile or

more from the camp,

to

gather pulse for dinner.


sack, while adjusting
it,

Having

filled

his

knap-

in order to return to

camp,

he was startled

at

the rustling of

the

tall

and

coarse herbage around him, and in the

same

instant

beheld some ten or a dozen Indians,

who had

crept

upon him

so cautiously as to be just
to

on the point
object

of springing,

grasp

him.

Their

was
kill

clearly rather to

make him a

prisoner than to

him, since he might easily have been shot down


unperceived.

Perhaps

they wanted

him

for

an

auto-da-fe^ perhaps
his rifle,

to obtain information.

Seizing

which was standing by


to escape.

his

side, Elerson

sprang forward

shower of tomahawks
;

hurled through the air after him

but, as he

had

plunged into a thicket of

tall

weeds and bushes,

he was only struck on one of his hands, his middle


finger being nearly

severed.

brisk chase

was

immediately commenced.

Scaling

an old

brush-

wood

fence, Elerson darted into the woods,

and the
;

Indians after him.

He

was

as fleet as a stag

and

perceiving that they were not likely soon to overtake, the pursuers discharged their rifles after him,

but

luckily

without

effect.

The chase was thus

194

DARING DEEDS

continued from eleven until three o'clock, ElersoR


using every device and stratagem to elude or deceive the Indians, but they holding
length, having gained a

him

close.

At

moment

to breathe,

an In-

dian started up in his front.

Drawing up

his rifle

to clear the passage in that direction, the

whiz of
rifle

a bullet fleshing his side, and the crack of a

from another point, taught him that delays were


particularly dangerous at that spot.
front,

The Indian

in

however, had disappeared, on his presenting

his rifle,

and Elerson again darted forward.


side bled

His
to

wounded

little,

though not enough

weaken him.
a

Having crossed a
beyond

ridge, he paused

moment

in the valley

to slake his thirst,


faint-

his

month being parched, and himself almost

ing.

On

rising from the brook, the head of

one
hill.

of his pursuers peeped over the crest of

the

He
that

raised

his

rifle,

but such was his exhaustion


it

he could not hold

steady.
in the

A minute

more

and he would have been


age.

power of the sav


it

Eaising his

rifle

again,

and steadying

by

the side of a tree, he brought the savage tumbling

headlong down the hiU.


trusty rifle

In the next moment his


in the
rusliiiig

was re-loaded and primed, and

next the whole group of his pursuers came

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
over the ridge.

195

He
;

again supposed his minutes

were numbered

but, as

he was partly sheltered

by the trunk of a huge hemlock, they saw not him,


but only the

body of their

fallen

comrade, yet

quivering in the agonies of death.


circle

Drawing

in a

about

the

body of
;

their

companion, they

raised the death wail

and
fly.

as they paused, Elerson

made another

effort

to

Before they resumed

the pursuit, he had succeeded in burying himself


in a dark thicket of hemlocks,

where he found the


crept.

hollow trunk of a

tree, into
full

which he

Here

he lay ensconced two


dressing for
his

days, without food or

wound.

On

the

third

day he

backed out of

" the loophole of his retreat," but

knew

not which

way

to

proceed, not discerning

the points of the compass.


or three miles however, he

In the course of two

came

to a clearing,

and
his

found

himself at

Cobleskill,

having,

during

recent chase, run over hill and dale, bog, brook,

and

fen, upward of twenty-five miles. At about the same time, and probably by

the

same party

of Indians, the premises of a Mr. Shank-

land, lying in their track, situated in the outskirts

of Cherry Yalley, were assaulted.

Eesiding at the

distance of two or three miles from the village, his

196
house

DARING DEEDS
had escaped the common
destruction the

preceding autumn.

But he had, nevertheless, remo-

ved

his

family to the Yalley of the


to

Mohawk

for

safety,

and had returned

his

domicil accompajust

nied only by his son.


before

They were awakened

dawn by
cut

the assailants,

who were
their

endeavorhatchets.

ing

to

away the door with


his

Taking down
his son
to the to

two guns, Mr. Shankland directed

load them, while he successively fired

best advantage.

But not being able

to see

the enemy, he determined upon a sortie.

Having
armed

spear,

or

espontoon,

in

the

house,

he

himself therewith, and carefully unbarring the door,

rushed forth u]3on the besiegers, who


his

fled

back

at

sudden apparition.

One

of the Indians,

whom

he was specially pursuing, tumbled over a


as

log, and,

Mr. Shankland struck

at

him, his

sj)ear

entered

the

wood and parted from the

shaft.

"Wrenching

the blade from the log, he

darted back into the

house, barred the door, and again

commenced
so

firing
surtljey

upon the
prised

assailants.

Tliey

had been

much

by

his

rushing out u]3on them, that


a

neither fired

a shot nor hurled


to

tomahawk
and
barred

until

he had returned
Bally-port.

his

castle-

the

During that part of the

afi*ray, his son,

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

197

becoming somewhat frightened, escaped from the


House and ran for the woods.
overtaken, and

He

was pursued,
however,

made

captive.

The

father,

continued the

fight, the

Indians firing through the

casements at random, and he returning the shots


as well as

he could.

At one time he thought


and

of

sallying forth again,

selling his life to the hest

advantage

but,

by thus doing, he very


at

rightly
life

judged that he should


his son.
at such

once involve the

of

The Indians, growing wearied of

fighting

disadvantage, at last attempted to

make

sure of their victim

by applying the

torch,

and the

house was speedily in flames.

But between the rear

of the house and the forest a field of

hemp

inter-

posed, into which Mr. Shankland contrived to throw

himself from the house, unperceived by the Indians.

Concealed from observation by the hemp, he suc-

ceeded in reaching the woods, and making good


his retreat to the

Mohawk.

Meantime, the Indians


it

remained by the house

until

was consumed,

together, as they suj^posed, with the garrison.

They

then raised a shout of victory, and departed, several


of
their

number having been wounded by

the

courageous proprietor.

BATTLE OF N"EWTOWK.
General Sullivan having completed his arrangements,
lie left

Wyoming

on the 31st of July, and


to Tioga,

ascended the Susquehanna


dition far
less

with an expe-

more formidable
in

as to

numbers, and not


than

imposing

other

respects,

was

the

descending division under General Clinton, though

he had not the advantage of riding upon so majestic a flood.

Sullivan reached Tioga on the 11th

of August, and on the following day pushed out a

detachment twelve miles toward Chemung, which


was attacked by a body of Indians, losing, during
the

brush, seven

men
to

killed

and wounded.

The

detachment returned

Tioga on the 13th, after

having burned one of the Indian towns.

General Clinton, with his division, having been


joined at

Oghkwaga by

a detachment of

Colonel

Pauling's levies from Warwasing, arrived at Tioga,

and formed a junction with Sullivan on the 22d


of August.

The

entire

command amounted now

to

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

199

5000, consisting of the brigades of Generals Clinton,

Hand, Maxwell,

and

Poor,

together

with

Proctor's artillery and a corps of riflemen.

So long
it

had the expedition been in progress,

that

was

well understood the Indians and Tories were not

unprepared

to

receive

them; and

in

moving up

the Tioga and the

Chemung

Pivers, the utmost

degree of caution was observed to guard against


surprise.

strong advanced guard of light infan-

try

preceded the main body, which was well proIn this way they

tected by large flanking parties.

slowly proceeded in the direction of the works of


the enemy, upon the

Chemung

at

ITewtown.

On

the 28th an Indian settlement was destroyed, to-

gether

with

fields

of

corn,

and

other

Indian

products yet unharvested.

The Indians, determined


in

to risk

a general action
selected
in

defence of their country, had

their

ground with judgment, about a mile


of

advance

Newtown.

Their force was estimated by General

Sullivan at 1500, including &ve companies of British


troops

and rangers, estimated

at

200 men.

The

enemy, however, only allowed their force


of 550 Indians, and 250 whites, in
all

to consist

800.

Brant

commanded

the Indians,

and the regular troops


14

300

DARING DEEDS
by Colonel John
Butler,

and rangers were led


associated with

whom
The

were Colonels Sir John and


"N. Butler,

Guy
tain

Johnson, Major Walter

and Capa

M'Donald.

enemj had

constructed

oreastwork of half a mile in length, so covered hj


a bend of the river as to expose only the front

and one of the flanks


flank

to

attack;

and even that

was rendered

diflScult

of approach

by

resting

upon a steep

ridge, nearly parallel to the general

conrse of the river, terminating somewhat below


the breastwork.

Farther yet to the

left

was

still

another ridge, running in the same direction, and leading to the rear of the American army.

The

ground was covered with pine, interspersed with


low shrub-oaks, many of which,
for the

purpose of

concealing their works, had been cut and brought

from a distance, and stuck down in their

front,

exhibiting the appearance of untransplanted shrub-

bery.

The

road, after crossing a deep brook at the

foot of the hill, turned to the right,

and ran nearly


expose the
it

parallel

to

the

breastwork, so as to

whole flank of the army

to their fire should

ad-

vance without discovering their position.

Detach-

ments of the enemy,


oti-er,

communicating with each


hills, for

were stationed on both

the purpose

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

201

of falling upon Sullivan's right and rear the mo-

ment the

action should
position

commence.
was discovered bj Major
advanced guard,
at

The enemy's
Parr,

commanding

the

about

eleven o'clock in the morning of the 29th of


gust.

Au-

General

Hand immediately formed

the light

infantry in a wood, at the distance of

about 400

yards from the breastwork, and waited until the

main body of the army had arrived on the ground.

skirmishing was, however, kept up on both sides,

the Indians sallying out of their works


parties, firing,

by small

and suddenly retreating, making the

woods, at the same time, to resound with their war-

whoops, piercing the

air,

from point

to

point, as

though the tangled

forest

were

alive

with

their

grim-visaged warriors.
hill

Correctly judging that the

upon

his right

was occupied by the savages,


to

General Sullivan ordered Poor's brigade


oif

wheel

and endeavor

to

gain their

left

flank, and, if

possible, to surround them, while the artillery

and

main body of the Americans attacked them


The order was promptly executed
;

in front.

but as Poor

climbed the ascent, the battle became animated,

and the possession of the


[n front the

hill

was bravely contested,

enemy

stood a hot cannonade for

more

202

DARING DEEDS
Both Tories and Indians were

than two hours.

entitled to the credit of fighting manfully.

Every

ock,

and

tree,

and bush shielded

its

man, from

behind which the winged messengers of death were


thickly sent, but with so
little

effect

as

to excite

astonishment.
incli

The Indians yielded ground only


;

by inch

and in their retreat darted from tree

to tree

with the agility of the panther, often con-

testing each

new

position to the point of the bay-

onets, a thing very unusual

even with militiamen,


the undisciplined warani-

and

still

more

rare

among

riors of

the woods.
spirit

Thayendanegea was the


the
savages.

mating

of

Always

in

the

thickest of the fight,

he used every

effort to stimu-

late his warriors, in the

hope of leading them

to

victory.

Until

the

artillery

began

to

play,

the

whoops and
rattling

yells of the savages,

mingled with the

of

musketry,

had well-nigh obtained the


their

mastery of sound.

But

whoops were measuThis

rably drowned by the thimder of the cannon.

cannonade " was elegant," to adopt the phraseology


of Sullivan himself, in writing to a friend, and gave
the

Indians

a great panic.

Still,

the battle was

contested in front for a length of time with undi

minished

spirit.

But the severity of

fighting

was

OF AMEEICAN HEROES.
on the flank just described.

203
gallantly

As Poor

approached the point which completely uncovered


the
to

enemy's
penetrate

rear, Brant,

who had been


of the

the

first

the

design

American comforces,

mander, attempted once more

to rally his

and, with the assistance of a battalion of the rangers,

make

a stand.

But
to the

it

was

in vain, although

he exerted himselt
flying

utmost for that purpose,

from point

to

point,

seeming

to

be every

where present, and using every means


to

in his

power

reanimate the flagging

spirits

and reinvigorate

the arms of his followers.


steep,

Having ascended the


Poor

and gained

his object without faltering.

turned the enemy's flank, and the fortunes of the

day were decided.

Perceiving such to be the

fact,

and that there was danger of being surrounded,


the retreat-halloo was raised, and

the enemy, savtheir

ages

and

white

men,

abandoned
fled with

works,
pre-

crossed the river, and


cipitation, the

the utmost

Indians leaving their packs and

number

of their

tomahawks and scalping-knives


battle

be-

hind them.
of the

The

was long, and on the side


Eleven of their dead were

enemy

bloody.
field
:

found upon the


the Indians,

an unusual circumstance with

who

invariably exert themselves to the

2C4

DABING DEEDS

utmost to prevent the bodies of their slain from


falling

into

the hands of

their

foes.

But

being-

pushed

at the point of

the bayonet, they

had not

time to bear them away.

They were pursued two

miles, their trail affording indubitable proof that a

portion of their dead and


off.

wounded had been

carried

Two

canoes were found covered with blood,

and the bodies of fourteen Indian warriors were


discovered
partially

buried

among

the

leaves.

Eight scalps were taken by the Americans during


the chase.

Considering the duration of the battle,


it

and the obstinacy with which


the loss of
miracle.

was maintained,
to

the Americans
five

was small almost

Only
forty

or six
fifty

men were
wounded.

killed,

and
the

between

and

Among

American

officers

wounded were Major Titcomb,


lattei

Captain Clayes, and Lieutenant CoUis, the


mortally.

All the houses of the contiguous Indian


fields destroyed.

town were burned, and the corn

EXPEDITION OF COLO]^EL BKODHEAD


Bvit there

was yet another expedition against the

Indians, devised and executed simultaneously with


that of

General Sullivan.

This

movement took

place under the direction of Colonel Daniel Brod-

head,

then

commanding

at

Fort

Pitt,

and was
after

originally designed

by the Commander-in-Chief,

accomplishing the destruction of the Mingo, Munsey,

and a portion of the Seneca Indians

settled

on

the Alleghany River, for co-operation with that of


Sullivan,

by a junction

at

^Niagara, a point, as

it

happened, unattained by
left

either.

Colonel Brodhead

Pittsburgh on the 11th of August, at the head


600, rank

of

and

file,

including volunteers

and
first

militia,

with provisions for one month.

The

Indian town designed to be attacked was Canno-

wago.

On

their

way

thither, four

days after theii

departure from Fort Pitt, Colonel Brodhead's ad

vanced guard met a party of between thirty and


forty Indian warriors descending the

Alleghany in

206
ianoes.

DARING DEEDS
The Indians landed
after
five

to

give battle, but

were defeated
flight,

a sharp
warriors

brush,

and put
and
off

to

leaving

dead,

evident

marks that others had been carried

wounded

On

arriving at Cannowago, the troops were mor-

tified to find that the

town had been deserted


onward,

for

eighteen

months.

Proceeding
entered

however,

the/

successively

several

towns,

which

were abandoned by the Indians on their approach.


Tliey were
cornfields.
1

all

destroyed, together with the adjacent

At

the

upper

Seneca

town,

called

oghroonwago, they found a


in dogskin.
this

painted

image,

or

war-j)ost, clothed

There were several


place, containing, in

t()wns in the vicinity of


all,

130 houses, some of which were large enough


or four families each.

to

accommodate three
all

These

were

destroyed, together with their fields of corn,


troops were

60 extensive that the


d^iys in

occupied three

accomplishing the object.

The old towns

of Buckloons and Maghinquechahocking, consisting


of
thirty-five large

houses, were likewise burned.


so precipitately as to leave

The Indians had


some packages of
value of

fled

skins

and other booty,

to

the

$3000

all

of

which were then

taken

Fields of corn were destroved at least to the extent

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
From
the

207

of

500 acres.

number

of

new houses
for
in-

building,

and the extent of lands preparing was conjectured that


it

cultivation, it

was the

tention of the whole Seneca

and Munsey nations

to

plant themselves
distance traversed
returning,

down

in those settlements.

The

by Colonel Brodhead, going and


los^t

was 400 miles, and not a man was

during the expedition.

The thanks of Congress were likewise voted


General Washington for devising, and
to

to

Colonel
It

Brodhead

for

executing,

this
that,

expedition.
as

has

already been remarked

but few of the


the

enemy were
immediate
visions

slain

in

these

expeditions,

only
pro-

effect,

beyond the destruction of

and property, was


effect

to exasperate the Indians.


to

more remote

was

throw the whole body

of the hostiles of the Six N'ations back upon their


British

employers for their entire support the


winter.

fol-

lowing

Another

consequence

was,

that,

from the want and


the
winter,

distress of

the Indians during

mortal

disease

was

superinduced

among them, which swept


eternity.

great

numbers

into

The Delawares
the

w^ere at that

time at peace with

United

States, lo'

and

small

body of

their

208
wai'riors

DAFwING DEEDS
had Liccompaniecl Colonel Brodhead on the
from which he had just returned.

ex])edition

The
chief,

business having been closed with the

Huron

the Delawares interposed in behalf of the Maqui-

chee clan of the Shawanese.

Tiiese Indians
:

were

now apparently very humble


that

but,

apprehensiv^e

thej might not, perhaps, manage their

own

case very well, the Delawares had kept

them back

from the council, and undertaken their cause themselves.

The conference appears


to

to

have been satisfactory


the

Colonel Brodhead.

But

if

Maqui chee

clan

of the Shawanese preserved their fidelity, the

main

body of the nation became none the

less imfriendly

by

their means.

And

although Colonel Brodhead

had admonished them that he would not counter-

mand
it

the orders of Colonel CLarke to strike them,


that the first

so

happened

and severest blow was


It

struck by the Shawanese themselves.

was but a

short time after the closing of the council at Fort


Pitt, that a

detachment of seventy

men from

the

Kentucky
of

district of Yirginia,

under the command

Major Eogers, was surprised while ascending


and nearly exterminated.

the Ohio,
.ans w^ere

The Kentuck-

drawn ashore by a stratagem.

At

first

OF
a

AMERICAN HEROES.
only appeared, standing

209

few Indians

upon

sandbar near the mouth of the Licking Hiver, while


a canoe, with

three

other Indians, was paddling


to receive to the

toward them as though

them on board
Kentucky shore

Hogers immediately put in

and having made

fast

his boats,

went

in

pursuit

Only

five or six

Indians had been seen, and Eogers,

presuming that the whole party would not probably exceed


fifteen

or twenty at farthest, felt per

fectly sure of

an easy victory, having seventy men,

well

armed and provided.


the

Proceeding cautiously
he should
his

toward
surround

point where he supposed

the

enemy,

and

having

adjusted

movements with

that design, at the very


to rush

moment

when he was preparing

forward and secure

them, he found himself with his whole force in the


midst of an ambuscade
dreds on
all sides
!

The Indians

rose in hun-

of him, and pouring in a close

and deadly
tlie

fire

upon the Americans, rushed upon


in hand.

survivors
forty-five

tomahawk
of his

Major Eogers
almost
in-

and

men were
for

killed

stantly.

The residue ran


five

the boats, but the


left

guard of only

men, who had been

in

charge, had sought security


of them, while the Indians

by putting

off

in ona

had already anticipated

lilO

DA.KING DEEDS
fugitives

the

by taking possession of

tlie

others.
off,

The

possibility of

retreat being thus cut

the

brave fellows

now turned

furiously

upon the enemy


fight

and
for

as night

was approaching,

after a sharp

some time, a small number, aided by the darkin effecting their escape
to

ness, succeeded

Har-

rodsburgh.

Among
encounter,

the

wounded

in this

sharp and bloody


captivity,

who escaped both death and

were Caj)tain Robert Benham and another man,

whose

cases, together,

form a novel and romantic


shot through both hips,
fell.

adventure.

Benham was

and the bones being shattered, he instantly


Still,

aided by the darkness, he succeeded in crawl-

ing

among

the thick

branches of a fallen tree,

where he lay without molestation through the night

and during the following day, while the Indians,

who had
the slain.

returned for that purpose, were stripping

He

continued to

lie

close in the

place

of his retreat until the

second day, when, becom-

ing hungry, and observing a raccoon descending

tree,

he managed

to shoot

it,

hoping

to

be able

to strike a fire

and cook the animal.

The crack
cry,

of
at

the
first

rifle

was followed by a human


the

which

startled

captain

but the cry being

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

211

repeated several times, the voice of a Kentuckian

was

at

length recognised
parties

the call was returned,


together.

and

the
to

were

soon

The man
lost

proved

be one of his comrades, who had

the use of both his arms in the battle.

ITever did

misery find more welcome company.


parties could use his feet,

One

of

the

and the other

his hands.

Benham, by
ion's shirts,

tearing

up

his

own and

his

compan-

dressed the wounds of both.

He

could

load his

rifle

and

fire

with readiness, and was thus

enabled to
his

kill

such

game
roll

as

approached, while
the
col-

companion could
feet,

the

game along upon


same manner

ground with his


lect

and

in the
to

wood enough together


thirsty,

cook their meals.

Wlien

Benham

could place his hat in the

teeth of his companion,

who went

to the Licking,
fill

and wading
it,

in until

he could stoop down and


water.

returned with
squirrels

a hatful of

When
in

the

stock of

and other small game

their

immediate neighborhood was exhausted, the


of
legs

man
flock

would roam away, and drive up a

of wild turkeys, then abundant in those parts, until


tliey

came within range of Benham's

rifle.

Thus
a boat

they lived six weeks,

when they discovered


oif.

upon the Ohio, which took them

Both recov-

ered thorou2'hlv from their wounds.

CHAPTER VI. 1780.

CAPTURE OF MAJOR ANDRE.


In
the
to

year
the

1780,

j^lot

fraught with

much
dis-

danger
covered.

American cause was happily

This plot originated with Arnold, a gene-

ral in the

American army, who by

his extravagance

and overbearing behavior, had brought upon himself a

reprimand from the American Congress.

Of

a temper too impetuous to bear reproof, Arnold,

bent on rv^venge, entered into a negotiation through

Major John Andre, adjutant general


army,
post
to

in the British

deliver

up

to

the

enemy

the

important

of

West

Point,

of

which Arnold

had the

command.

Andre proceeded

in disguise to

West

Point, a'<ew

a plan of the fortress, concerted with Arnold, and

agreed upon the manner and time of attack.


ing obtained a passj)ort, and assumed the

Havof

name
to

Anderson, Andre set out on his return

E'ew

ii^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

%!

iSliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiliiii'iiiiifciii"!'''^

OF

AMEEICAN HEROES.
He
passed
the
ontposts

213
of the

York by land.

American army without


self

suspicion.

Supposing him-

now

out of danger he pressed forward, elated

with the prospect of the speedy execution of a plot,

which was
A^merica.

to give the finishing

blow

to liberty in

"When Andre had arrived within about


miles
village

thirty

of

i^ew York, and

as

he was entering a

called
that

Tarrytown, three militia men,

who

happened

way, John Paulding, David Wil-

liams, and Isaac


his horse,

Yan Wart,

seized the

bridle of

and accosted him

with, "

Where

are you

bound ?

"

Andre, supposing that they were of the


not

British, did

immediately show his passport,


" where

but waving their questions, asked them,

they belonged to f " they replied " to

helow,'^^ (refer-

ring to the course of the river, and implying that

they were of the British party.)


said

"

And

so

do 7,"

Andre, (confirmed

in

his

mistake

by

this

stratagem,) and at the


that he

same time informed them


officer

was a British

on urgent business,

and must not be detained.


enemies^"^

"

You
with

belong to our
''''and

exclaimed the

militia

men,

we

arrest

you^

Andre,
pass2:)ort;

struck

astonishment,

presented his

but
15

this, after

what had

214
passed,

DARING DEEDS
omj
rendered his case the more suspicious

He

then offered them a purse of gold, his horse

and watch, besides a large reward from the British


government,
if

they would but liberate him.

But

these soldiers, though poor and obscure, were not


to

be bribed.
in his

They searched him, and found


boot,

conhis
to

cealed
guilt,

papers which evidenced

and

they

immediately

conducted

him

Colonel Jameson, their commanding

officer.

Andre was
of the

tried

by a board of general

officers

American army, and executed

as a spy, at

Tappan,
officer,

^ew
He

York, October 2d.

He

was a young

highminded, brave, accomplished, and husuffered with


fortitude,

mane.

and

his

fate

excited the universal sympathy of

all parties.

DEATH OF BAEOK DE KALB.


Major Horry, in
gives the
the brave
battle of his "Life of

General Marion,"

following account of

an interview

witl)

De

Kalb, the day before the disastrous

Camden:

: !

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

215

Immediately on receiving orders of departm-e,

we waited on
leave,

the good

old

De Kalb

to take our

and

to express our

deep regret

at

parting
sirs,

with him.

" It

is

with equal regret,

my

dear

that I part with you," said he; "because I feel a

presentiment that

we

part to

meet no more."
things.

We
"
is

told

him
!"

w^e

hoped better
it

Oh

no

replied he, "

is

impossible.

"War

a kind of game, and has

its

fixed rules, whereby,

when we

are well acquainted wdth them,


tell

we

can

pretty correctly

how^ the trial


is

w^ill

go.

To-mor-

row,

it

seems, the die

to

be cast

and, in

my
side.

judgment, w^ithout the least chance on our

The

militia will, I suppose, as usual, play the hack/

game

that

is,

get out of

battle as
that,

fast

as their

legs will

carry them.

But

you know, won't


and cannot run
will

do

for

me.

I an an old soldier^

and

I believe I

have some brave fellows that


last.

stand by

me

to the

So,

when you hear

of

our battle, you will probably hear that your old


friend,

De

Kalb,

is

at rest."

never was more affected in

my

life

and I
Marion.

perceived tears in the eyes of General

De Kalb saw them

too

and taking us by the hand,

he said, with a firm tone, and animated look, "TTo

216

DAEING DEEDS
gentlemen
;

no

no emotion
I

for

me, but
die
us.
is

tliose of

congratulation.

am
to
is

liappj.

To

the irre-

versible decree of

him who made

Then what

joy to be
This, thank

able

meet death without dismay.

God,
wish
;

my
And

case.

The happiness of

man

is

my

that happiness I
to avert

deem

inconsis-

tent with slavery.

so great an evil

from an innocent

people, I will

gladly meet the

British to-morrow, at any odds whatever."

As he spoke
which seemed

this,

fire

flashed from his eyes,

to

me

to

demonstrate the divinity

of virtue, and the immortality of the soul.


left

"We

him with

feelings

which I

shall

never

forget,

while
brain.
It

memory

maintains her

place in

my

aged

was on the morning of August

15th, 1Y80,

that

we

left

the

army

in

good

position,

near

Kugeley's mills, twelve miles from Camden, where


the

enemy

lay.

About

ten, that night, orders

were
had,

given to march and surprise the enemy,


at the

who

same time, commenced a march

to surprise

the Americans.

To

their

mutual astonishment, the


at
It

advance of both armies met

two

o'clock,

and

began

firing

on each other.

was, however, soon

discontinued

by both

parties,

who appeared very

OF AMEEICAN HEKOES.
willing to leave the matter to be decided
light.

SlY

by day-

council of
that

war was
the

called, in

which
back

De
to

Kalb advised

army should

fall

Rugeley's mills, and wait to be attacked.

General
but

Gates not only rejected

this excellent counsel,


it

threw out insinuations that

originated in fear.

Upon
horse,

this,

the brave old

man
at the

leaped from his

and placed himself


foot,

head of

his

com-

mand on
"Well,

saying, with considerable warmth,

sir,

perhaps a few hours will

show who

are the brave."

As
began

daylight
to

increased,

the

frightened

militia
all

discover

the woods, reddened

over

with the scarlet uniform of the British army, which


soon, with rattling

drums and thundering cannon,


;

came rushing on
waited to
give

to the charge

and they scarcely


fire

them a

distant

before

they

broke, and fled in every direction.

General Gates
to

clapped spurs to his horse, as he said, "


rascals

bring the

back."

However, he did not bring him-

self back,

nor did he stop til he reached Charlotte,


the field of battle.

eighty miles from


of the

Two-thirds

army having
oif,

thus shamefully taken

them-

selves

the brave old

De

-Kalb and his handful


the

of continentals were left to try the fortune of

21B
daj.
for

DA.RING DEEDS
More determined
valor

was never displayed


to

though outnumbered

more than two

one

they sustained the whole British force

for

mor

than an hour.
tinentals,

Glorying in the bravery of his con

De Kalb

towered before them like


!

pillar of fire.

But, alas

what can valor do against

equal valor, aided by such fearful odds?

While

bending forward
received
blood, he

to

animate his troops, the veteran


Fainting with
loss

eleven
fell

wounds.
the

of

to

ground, while Britons

and

Americans were

killed over him, as they furiouslj

strove to destroy, or to

defend.

In

the midst of

clashing bayonets, his only surviving aid. Monsieur

de

Buyson,

stretched
out, "

his

arms

over

the

fallen

hero,

and called

Save the Baron de Kalb


!

save the Baron de Kalb

"

The

British
his

officers

then

interposed,

and

prevented

immediate

destruction.

De Kalb
friend

died, as he

had

lived, the

unconquered
officer conI
T

of

liberty.

When

an English

doled with

him
sir,

for his misfortune

he replied, "

thank you,

for

your generous sympathy; but

die the death I always prayed for; the death of a


soldier, fighting
for the rights of

man."

He
in

sur-

vived

but

few hours, and was buried

the

OF
plains of
fought.

AMERICAN HEROES.
his last battle

219

Camden, near which

was

Many
visited

years after,

when

the great "Washington


for the

Camden, he eagerly inquired


Kalb.
It

grave

of
it

De

was shown

to

him.

Gazing upon
sigh,

thoughtfully,
lies

he exclaimed, with a deep


the brave

" So, there


stranger,

De Kalb

the generous

who came from

a distant land, to hght

our battles, and to water, with his blood, the tioe


of
its

liberty.
fruits

"Would

to

God he had

lived to share

"
!

BATTLE AT
" It

KIJS^G'S

MOUIS^TAIK.

had been the policy


submission
of

of the British, since the

general

the

inhabitants

of

South

Carolina, to increase the royal force

by embodying
In
parto

the people of
the district of

the

country as British militia.

Ninety-six,

Major Ferguson, a

tisan of distinguished merit,

had been employed


and
to

train

the
to

most loyal inhabitants,


his

attach

them

own

corps.

That

officer

was now

220
directed

DARING DEEDS
bj Lord Cornwallis
to enter the western

part of J^ortli Carolina, near the mountains, and to

embody

the loyalists in that quarter, for co-operation


Cornwallis, in the
the

with his army.

mean

time, com-

menced

his

march with

main army from Camthe

den, through the settlement of


Charlotteville, in I^orth Carolina.

Waxhaws,

to

About the same

time. Colonel

Clark, of Georgia, at the head of a

small body of men, which he had collected in the


frontiers of

Xorth and South Carolina, advanced


and
laid

against

Augusta,

siege

to

that

place.

Colonel Brown,

who with
for

a few loyal provincials

held

that post
;

the

British,

made

a vigorous

defence

and, on the approach of Colonel Cruger,


relin-

with a re-enforcement from Ninety-six, Clark


quished the enterprise, and

made

a rapid retreat

through the country along which he had marched


to the

attack.

Major Ferguson, receiving

intelli-

gence of his movements, prepared to intercept him.

The hardy mountaineers of Yirginia and Korth


Carolina, collecting at this time from various quarters, constituted

a formidable force, and advanced

by a rapid movement toward Ferguson.

At

the

same time. Colonel Williams, from the neighborhood of Kinety-six, and Colonels Tracy and Banan,

OF
also of

AMEEICAN HEROES.

221

South Carolina, conducted parties of

men

toward the same points.


of their approach,
lotteville.

Ferguson, having notice


his

commenced

march

for Char-

The

several corps of militia, amounting

to

near 3000 men, met at Gilberttown, lately occu-

pied by Ferguson.

About 1600 riflemen were imfleetest

mediately selected, and mounted on their

norses, for the purpose of following the retreating

army.

They came up with

the

enemy

at

King's

Mountain, October Tth, 1780, where Ferguson, on


finding he

should

be overtaken, had chosen his

ground, and waited for an attack.

The Americans
led

formed themselves
Colonels

into

three

divisions,

by

Campbell, Shelby, and


ascend
the

Cleaveland, and

began

to

mountain in three diiFerent


Cleaveland with his
divi-

and opposite
sion,

directions.
first

was the

to

gain sight of the enemy's

pickets,

and halting

his

men, he addressed them


animating
to-

in

the following simple, affecting, and


:

terms
ries^

" My brave

fellows,
;

we

Jia'oe

beat the
all

and we can beat them


spirit

they are

cowards.

If

they had the

of

men, they would join

with their fellow-citizens in supporting the inde-

pendence of

their

country.

When

engaged, you

are not to wait for the

word of command from

me

2i2

DARINGDEEDS
allow

I will

you hy viy examjple how

to fight,

can undertake no more.


himself as an
officer,

Every man must consider


liis

and act from

own

judg-

ment.

Fire as quick as you can, and stand your


as long as

ground

you

can.

When
;

you can do no
but I beg of

better, get

behind

trees, or retreat
off.

you not

to

run quite
to

If

we
and

are repulsed, let U3

make

point

return,

renew the
the

fight;

perhaps we

may have

better luck in If any of

second
afraid,

attempt than in the

first.

you are

such have leave

to retire,

and they are requested

immediately

to take

themselves

^."
to

This address,
the

which would

have

done

honor

hero of
tlio

Agincourt, being ended, the

men

rushed upon
to

enemy's pickets, and


returning

forced

them

retire

but

again to the

charge with the bayonet,


in their turn.

Cleaveland's

men gave way


Colonel

In the
his

mean

time,

Shelby
like

advanced

with

division,

and was in
of

manner driven back by


;

the bayonets

the

enemy

but

there
:

was yet
Colonel

another body of assailants to be received

Campbell moved up
pulse, but

at the

moment

of Shelbj^'s re-

was equally unable


;

to stand against the


still

British bayonet

and Ferguson

kept possession

of his mountain.

The whole of

the division being

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
separately baffled,

223
another
ter-

determined

to

make

effort in co-operation,
rible.

and

tlie

conflict

became

Ferguson

still

depended upon the bayonet


officer, after gallantly

but this brave and undaunted

sustaining the attack for nearly an hour, was killed

by a musket
rendered

ball,

and

his

troops

soocl

after sur-

at discretion.

The enemy's

loss

on

this

occasion was 300 killed and wounded, 800 prisoners,

and 1500 stand of arms.

Our

loss in

killed

was about twenty, among


liams,
officers

whom was
active

Colonel Wil-

one
;

of

our most
of

and enterprising
con-

our

number

wounded was very

siderable.

BATTLE OF THE COWPEI^S.


Morgan, pursued by Tarleton, having been accus-

tomed

to fight

and

to conquer, did not relish

the

eager and interrupting pursuit of his adversary

and

sat

down

at the

Cowpens

to give rest

and

re-

freshment

to his

harassed troops, with a resolution


should his

no longer

to avoid action,

enemy

persist

224
in
it.

DARING DEEDS
Being apprised
at the

dawn

of

day of Tarle

ton's

advance he instantly prepared

for battle.

This

decision

grew out of

irritation of

temper, which

appears to have overruled the suggestions of his

sound and discriminating judgment.


about the Cowpens
is

The ground

covered with open wood, adfacility, in

mitting the operation of cavalry with

which the enemy trebled Morgan.

Two

liglit

parties

of

militia,

under

Major

M'Dowel, of

ISTorth Carolina,

and Major Cunningin


front,
;

ham, of Georgia, were advanced


orders to
fell

with
and,
fell

the

enemy

as

he approached
fire as
it

preserving a desultory well-aimed

they

back

to the front line, to

range with

and renew
comhead.

the conflict.

The main body of the

militia
its

posed

this line,

with General Pickens at

At

a suitable distance in the rear of the

first line

a second was stationed, composed of the continental infantry

and two companies of Virginia

militia,

under Captains Triplett and Taite, commanded by


Lieutenant- Colonel Howard.
reinforced

Washington's cavalry,
of

with

company
was held

mounted
;

militia,

armed with
to

sabres,

in reserve

convenient

support the infantry, and protect the horses of

OP AMERICAN HEROES.
the
rifle

225

militia,

which

were

tied,

agreeably to

usage, in the rear.

The
was

British

lieutenant-colonel,

urging forward,
;

at length gratified

with the certainty of battle

and, being prone to presume on victory, he hurried

the formation of his troops.

The

light

and legion

infantry, with the seventh regiment,


line of battle
;

composed the

in the centre of

which was posted

the artillery, consisting of

two grasshoppers; and

a troop of dragoons was placed on each flank.


battalion of the seventy-first regiment, under

The
Major
for-

M'Arthur, with the remainder of the cavalry,

med
line,

the reserve.

Tarleton placed himself with the

having under

him Major ITewmarsh, who


The
disposition
line
to

commanded

the seventh regiment.

was not completed when he directed the

advance, and the reverse to wait further orders.

The American
back,

light

parties

quickly yielded,

fell

and

arrayed

with

Pickens.

The

enemy
which
fire;

shouting, rushed forward

upon the

front line, close

retained

its

station,

and poured in a

but, continuing to

advance with the bayonet on

our militia, they retired, and gained with haste the

second

line.

Here, with part of the corps, Pickens

took post on Howard's right, and the rest fled to

226
their

DARING DEEDS
torses
to a

probably
The

with

orders

to

remote
for-

them

further distance.

Tarleton pushed

ward, and was received bj his adversary with un-

shaken firmness.

contest

became

obstinate,
its

and each party animated by the example of


leader,

nobly

contended

for

victory.

Our
the

line

maintained
to order

itself so firmly, as to oblige

enemy

up

his reserve.

The advance of M'Arthur


line,

reanimated the British


forward
;

which again moved

and, outstretching our front, endangered


right.

Howard's
sures
to

This officer instantly took mea-

defend his flank, by directing his right


to

company
order, the

change

its

front

but, mistaking

this

company

fell

back

upon which the

line
it

began

to retire,

and General Morgan directed

to

retreat to the cavalry.

This manoeuver being perom- flank became relieved,

formed with

j)recision,

and the new position was assumed with promptitude.

Considering this retrograde movement the


flight,

precursor of

the British line rushed on with


but,
it

impetuosity and disorder;

as

it

drew near,

Howard
derous

faced about, and gave


fire.

a close and murshock,

Stunned by
the

this

unexpected

the most advanced of


fiLsion.

enemy

recoiled in con-

Howard

seized

the

happy moment, and

OF
followed
his

AMERICAN HEROES.
advantage with
the

227
This

bayonet.

decisive step gave ns the day.

The reserve having

been brought near the


tion of our fire,

line,

shared in the destructo

and presented no rallying point

the fugitives.

part of the enemy's cavalry, havfell

ing gained our rear,


militia

on that portion of the

who had

retired to their horses.


his

Washing

ton struck at

them with

dragoons, and drovo


efforts

them before him.

Thus, by simultaneous

the infantry and cavalry of the

enemy were

routed

Morgan pressed home


became vigorous and

his success,

and the pursuit


British cavalry,

general.

The

having taken no part in the action, except the two


troops attached to the line,

were in force

to cover

the
zeal

retreat.

This,

however, was not done.

The

of

Lieutenant-Colonel Washington in pursuit


far before his squadron, Tarle-

having carried him


ton turned

upon him with the troop of the seven-

teenth regiment of dragoons, seconded by


his officers.
first

many

of

The American

lieutenant-colonel

was
his

rescued from this

critical contest

by one of

sergeants,

and afterward by a fortunate shot from


This check concluded resistance
officer,

his bugler's pistol.

on the part of the British


with
the

who drew
collected

ofi^

remains

of his

cavalry,

hia

BAKING DEEDS
stragglers,

and hastened

to

Lord Cornwallis.

The

baggage guard, learning the issue of the

battle,

moved

instantly toward the British armj.


vs^ith

The

re-

mainder arrived

Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton

on the morning following.

In

this

decisive battle

we

lost

about seventy men, of

whom

twelve only

were

killed.

The

British infantry, with the excepall

tion of

the baggage guard, v/ere nearly

killed

or

taken.
;

One hundred,

including

ten

officers,

were killed

twenty-three officers and 500 privates

were taken.

The

artillery,

800 muskets, two stan-

dards, thirty-five

baggage

wagons,

and 100 dra-

goon horses,

fell

into our possession.


this

Congress manifested their sense of


victory

important

by a

resolve, approving the conduct of the

princijDal officers,

and commemorative of their

dis-

tinguished

exertions.

To

General

Morgan they

presented a golden medal, to Brigadier Pickens a


Bword,

and

to

Lieutenant-Colonels
silver

Howard and
to

Washington,

medal,

and

Captain

Triplett, a sword.

SEKGEANT MITCHELL.
The
intrepidity of
this excellent

soldier^ merits

particular notice.
to the

There were no ensigns attached


it

command, and when

was ascertained that

a contest must ensue with Tarleton, the adjutant


selected Mitchell to bear the colors, as he

had

al-

ways been distinguished

for correctness of conduct,

and was connected with a family of high respectability.

In the progress of the battle, Tarleton led


line

an attack on the centre of the


w^as

where Mitchell
ser-

posted, with

his standard.

The intrepid
staff

geant was cut down, and the


broken.

of

his

colors
colors

Grasping

the

part to which the


it

were attached, he retained


w^hile

firmly in his hands,

dragged

to a distance of fifteen yards.

The

British

dragoons

now gathered round him, and


to

would immediately have mangled him


but Captain

death,

Kinloch

dismounted

and
so

protected
gallant

him from
soldier,

their rage, declaring

that

though

an

enemv
16

should

not

perish.

230

DARING DEEDS
though severe,
to Georgia,
re-

Mitchell survived Lis wounds,

moved,

at the close of the

war

became,

from his acknowledged merits, a Brigadier-General,

and was, but a few years back, a hale and hearty


man.

ISTAYAL EKGAGEME:N'TS.
In June, 1Y80, the twenty-eight gun ship Trumbull,

commanded by Captain

Nicholson, attacked

the

British ship "Watt, of greatly superior strength,

and

was disabled, but not captured.


in killed

She

lost thirty-two

and wounded

the

enemy

lost ninety-two.

In October, the sixteen-gun sloop Saratoga, Captain

Young, captured a British ship and two

brigs, but

while convoying them into port, was overtaken by


the seventy-four Intrepid, and

the prizes were re-

captured.

The Saratoga escaped.

On

the 2d nf

April, 1Y81, the Alliance, Captain Barry, captured

two Guernsey privateers

and soon

after,

she cap-

tured two British men-of-war, one

of

which was
June,
the

retaken

on

its

way

to

America.

In

OF
Confederacy,

AMERICAN HEROES.

231

Captain Harding, was captured

by

two armed British vessels.


bull

In August, the Trumcruisers, off the

was captured by three British


;

Capes of the Delaware

and on the 6th of Sep-

tember, the Congress, Captain Geddes, cajDtured the


British

ship Savage, after a desperate

encounter.

She was afterward recaptured.

DEFEAT OF MAJOE
command.
that

Gxill^EY.

Marion's career of activity commenced with his

Though always prudent, he yet learned


life

prudence in military

must always imply

activity.

The

insecurity of the
is

encampment, with
battle.

a militia force,

always greater than that of

The

Roman

captains of celebrity were particularly

aware of

this truth.

But the

activity of

Marion

was necessarily straitened by the condition in which


he found his men.

They were wretchedly


service.

deficient

in all the materials of

His

first effort to

supply some of their wants, was in sacking the


saw-mills.

The saws were wrought and hammered

232

DARING DEEDS
blacksmiths
into

by rude
sabres,

some resemblance
set

to

and thus provided, Marion


two
days
after

his

men

in

motion,

taking

the

command.

Crossing the Pedee at Port's Ferry, he advanced

upon a large body of Tories commanded by Major


Gainey,

who held

a position upon Britton's ]^.eck.

Gainey was considered by the British an excellent


partisan officer, but he was caught, napping.
rion

MaAfter

moved with equal


all night,

secrecy and celerity.


at

riding
in

he came ujDon the enemy

dawn
attack

the

morning.

The
surprise

discovery and

the

were one.

The

was complete.
slain,

captain
dis-

and several privates were


persed.

and the party

Marion did not

lose a

man, and had but

two wounded.
tive,

In this engagement, our representa

Major

James,

distinguished

himself,

by

singling

out Major Gainey for personal


his

combat.
assail-

But Gainey shrank from


ant,

more powerful

and sought safety

in

flight.

James pursued

for a distance of half a mile.

In the eagerness of
that he

the chase he did not perceive

was alone
he

and unsupported.

It

was

enough

that

was

gaining upon his enemy,

who was almost within


the chase brought

reach of his sword,

when

them

Buddenly upon a body of Tories

who had

rallied

OF
upon
lost.

AMERICAN HEROES.
There was not a moment
fatal.

233
to

the road.

be

Hesitation would have been

But our

gallant

Major was not

to

be

easily

intimidated.

"With great coolness and presence of mind, waving


his

sword

aloft,
!

he cried out, " come on, boys


"

here they are

and rushed headlong upon the


if

group of enemies, as

perfectly assured of support.

The ruse
more,

was

successful.

The Tories broke once


from
their

and

sought

safety

individual

enemy

in the recesses of

Pedee swamp.

MAEIOI^ AT
On
wholly
the

In"ELSOIS"'S

FEKEY.
following the

ITth
Gates,

August,

the

day

defeat of

of ignorant he

which event he was


dispatched Colonel

as yet

Peter

Horry, with orders


panies,

to take

command

of four com-

Bonneau's, Mitchell's,

Benson's, and
;

Le-

nud's, near
pJl

Georgetown, on the Santee

to destroy

the

boats

and canoes on the river from the

lower ferry to Lenud's

to

break up and stop

all

communications with Charlestown, and

to procure,

234
if

DARING DEEDS
gunpowder,
flints

possible, supplies of

and

bul-

lets.

"Twenty-five weight of gunpowder, ball or


is

buckshot,"

the language of his orders.

This will
to

show how scanty were the supplies which were

be procured of the material upon which everything

depended.
less

Marion frequently went

into action with

than three rounds to a

man half

of his

men

were sometimes lookers on because of the lack of

arms and ammunition

waiting
in

to see the fall

of

friends or enemies, in order to obtain the necessary'

means of taking
easily satisfied

part

the

affair.

Buckshot

soldiers,

who

not unfrequently ad-

vanced

to the

combat with nothing but swan-shot

in their fowling-pieces.

While

Horry proceeded
to

toward

Georgetown,

Marion marched

the upper Santee.

On
;

this
bxxt,

march he was advised of the defeat of Gates


fearing
cating
its

effect

upon

his

men, without communi^N'elspn's

it,

he proceeded immediately toward

Ferry.

This was a well

known

pass on the great


to

route, the " war-path, "

from Charleston

Camden.

Here

his scouts advised

him

of the approach of a

strong British guard, with a large body of prisoners

taken from Gates.

The guard had stopped


river.

at

house on the east side of the

Informed of

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
all

235
before
six-

necessary particulars, Marion,

little

daylight, detached Colonel

Hugh

Horry, with

teen men, to gain possession of

the road, at the

pass of

Horse Creek, in the swamp, while the


to attack the

main body under himself was


rear.

enemy's

The attempt was made

at

dawn, and was

perfectly successful.
to

letter

from Marion himself,


details

Colonel P. Horry, thus

the

event:

"

On

the 20th inst. I attacked a guard of the 63d


w^ith

and Prince of "Wales' Pegiment,

number

of Tories, at the Great Savannah, near l^elson's

Ferry

killed

and took twenty-two regulars, and

two Tories prisoners, and retook 150 Continentals


of the Maryland line, one

wagon and a drum

one

captain and a subaltern were also captured.


loss
is

Our

one

killed,

and Captain Benson

is

slightly

wounded on the head."

ADYE:N"raEES OF

MA JOE

JAME5S Aisu

CAPTAm WITHEKSPOOX.
Major James, who was equally bold and
pressed forward fearlessly
till

skillful,

he became aware of

the proximity of the British.

make

sure of his intelligence.

He was resolved to He placed himself


form a very correct

in a thicket

on their

line of

march, and by a bright


to

moon, was readily enabled

notion of their character and numbers.

But

as the

rear-guard passed by, his courageous spirit prompted


further performances.
to his general

He

was not content

to carry

no other proofs of

his vigilance but

the tidings which he had

obtained.

His

jDerfect

knowledge of the ground,


cellent character of his

his confidence in the ex-

men, and the speed of


;

their

horses,

moved him

to greater daring

and, bursting
shout,

from his hiding-place, with a

terrible

he

swooped down with


tled

his small party

upon the

star-

stragglers

in

the

rear

of

the

Tory march,
an

carrying off his prisoners in the twinkling of

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

237

eye, without stopping to slay, and without suffering

the loss of a man.

Before the

enemy

could rally,

and turn upon

his path, the tread of the partisan's

horse no longer sounded in his ears.


It

was while Marion remained

at "White

Marsh,

that one of his captains,

Gavin TVitherspoon,

whom

he had sent out with four men, achieved one of


those clever performances, that so frequently distinguished the

men

of Marion.

He

had taken

re-

fuge in Pedee

Swamp

from the pursuit of the

enemy, and, while hiding, discovered one of the

camps of the Tories who had been


him.
to

in

pursuit of

Witherspoon proposed

to his four

comrades

watch the enemy's camp,

until the Tories

were

asleep.

But

his

men

timidly shrank from the pertheir

formance,
nimibers.
himself.

expressing

dread

of

superior

TVitherspoon undertook

the

adventure

Creeping up

to the

encampment, he found
a pine tree, which

that they slept at the butt of

had been torn up by the


})iled

roots.

Their guns were


little

against one of

its

branches at a
first

distance

from them.
and,
still

These he

determined

to secure,

creeping, with the skill and caution of

an experienced scout, he succeeded in his object.

The guns once

in

his

possession, he aroused

the

238
Tories

DAKTNG DEEDS
by commanding
their surrender.

They were

seven in number, unarmed, and knew nothing of


the
force of

the

assailant.

His own more timid


in

followers

drew near

in sufficient time to assist

securing the prisoners.

There was another Wither-

SDOon with Marion, John, a brother of Gavin, and


like

him

distinguished for great coolness, strength,

and courage.

Both of the brothers delighted

in

such adventures, and were always ready to engage


in them,

the

rashness of the attempt giving a

sort of relish to the danger,


it

which always sweetened

to the taste of

our partisans.

BLACK MIXGO.
Marion was advised of a large body of Tories
Black Mingo,
fifteen miles distant,

at

under the com-

mand

of Captain

John Coming

Ball.

Marion was
troops,

in expectation, every

moment, of additional

but he determined not to wait for them.


his

He
not

found

men

in the proper

mood
of

for fight,

and

at such
to

times

small

inequalities

force

are

be

OF
regarded.

AMERICAN HEEOES.
resolved to give
tlie

239
vent,

He

humor

and

at

once commenced his march for the enemy's

encampment.

He

found the Tories strongly posted

at Shepherd's Ferry,

on the south side of the Black

Mingo, on a deep navigable stream, the passage


of which they

commanded.

There was but one

other approach to them, about a mile above their


positiun,

through a boggy causeway, and over a


It

bridge of planks.

was nearly midnight when


this

Marion's

troops

reached

pass.

While the

horses were crossing the bridge, an alarm gun was

heard from the Tory camp.


as

Celerity
caution,

now became
and

necessary

to

success
to follow

as

Marion

ordered his

men

him

at full gallop.

When

they reached the main road, about 300 yards from


the enemy, the whole force, with the exception of

a small

body acting

as

cavalry,

dismounted.

body of picked men, under Captain Waties, was


ordered

down

the road

to attack Bollard's house,

where the Tories had been posted.


under Colonel

Two

companies,

Hugh

Horry, were sent

to the right,

and the cavalry

to the left, to support the attack,


It

Marion himself bringing up the reserve.

so

happened, however, that the Tories had taken the


alarm, and having withdrawn from the house, had

240

I>ABING DEEDS
field

chosen a strong position in an old

near

it.

Here they encountered Horry's command, on the


advance, with a
fire eqi^ally

severe and unexpected.

The
ants.

effect

was that of a
fell

surprise

upon the

assail-

Horry's troops
rallied

back in confusion, but


to the charge.

were promptly

and brought

The

battle

was obstinate and bloody, but the ap-

pearance of the corps under Waties, suddenly, in the


rear of

the Tories,

soon brought

it

to

close.

Finding themselves between two


gave way in
all

fires,

the

enemy

directions,

and

fled

for refuge to

the neighboring

swamp

of Black Mingo.

So warmly

contested was this


fully one third of

affair, that,

though soon over,


field

the

men

brought into the


loss of

were put hors de

corribat.

The

Marion was

proportionably very considerable.

Captain Logan

was among

his

slain,

and

Captain Mouzon and

Lieutenant Scott so severely wounded as to be unfit


for

future

service.

The

force

of

the Tories

was

almost twice as great as that of the Whigs.


lost

They

their

commander, and

left

nearly half their

number, killed and wounded, on the ground.


for the

But

alarm given by the tread of Marion's horses,

while crossing the neighboring bridge, the Tories

would most probably have been surprised.

At any

OF
rate, the
affair

AMERICAN HEROES.
would have been
settled

241

without
it

subjecting the brigade to the severe loss which


sustained.

After this event Marion adopted

the

precaution, whenever about to cross


night,

a bridge by

wdth an enemy near, to cover the j)lanks

with the blankets of his men.

But he generally

preferred fords, where they could possibly be had,


to bridges.

DEFEAT OF
Colonel

COLOlSrEL TYNES.
brought
with

Tynes

had

him from
war
poor

'Charleston, large supplies of the materials of

and

comfort

commodities
bayon^ets,

of

which

the

patriots stood
at the tidings

grievously in need.

They hungered

brought by the scouts, of

new English
pistols,

muskets and

broad-swords and
ball,

saddles and bridles,

powder and

which the

provident Colonel had procured from Charleston


for fitting

out the

new new

levies.
levies,

To
and

strike

at

this

gathering,
supplies

prevent

procure

the

which

were

designed

for

them,

were

242

DAEING DEEDS
wMcli
all

controlling objects to
yield.

others were

made

to

The half-naked troops

of the brigade found

new

motives to valor in the good things which the

adventm-e promised.
forks of

Tynes lay

at Tarcote, in the

Black Kiver, and, as Marion was advised,

without exercising

much

military watchfulness.

The
this

head of
direction.

his

column was instantly turned in

Crossing the lower ford of the northern

branch of Black Eiver, at l^elson's plantation, he

came upon

the

camp

of

Tynes

at

midnight.

hurried, but satisfactory sm-vey, revealed


tion of the
for
safety,

the posi-

enemy.
no

'No preparation had been

made

precautions

taken

against

attack.

Some
were

of the Tories slept, others feasted, and others


at

cards

none
for

watched.

Marion made
obstacle

his

arrangements
interruption.

the attack without


surprise

or

The

was

complete, the

panic universal.
cards
in
their

few were

slain,

some with the


two
of his
prisoslain,

hands.

TjTies,

with

officers,

and many of

his

men, were made


fled.

ners, but the greater


as scarcely

number

Few

were

any resistance was

offered,

and Tarcote

Swamp was

fortunately nigh to receive and shelter

the fugitives,

many

of

whom

shortly

made

their

appearance and took their places in the ranks of

OF
tlie

AMERICAN HEKOES.
Marion
his
lost not

24:3

conqueror.
of of

a man.

The

an-

ticipations

people were gratified with the

acquisitions

no small store of those supplies,

arms and ammunition, of which thej had previously


stood in so

much

need.

CHAPTEE

VII. 1781

BATTLE OF EUTAW SPEmGS.


On
the
9tli

of September, 1781, General Greene,


to

having assembled about 2000 men, proceeded


attack the British, who,

nnder the command of


at

Colonel Stewart, were posted

Eiitaw Springs.
lines

The American
the
first,

forces

were drawn up in two


militia,

composed of Carolina

was com-

manded by Generals Marion and Pickens, and


Colonel

De Malmedj.

The second, which consisted

of Continental troops from !N'orth Carolina, Yirginia,

and Maryland, was commanded bj General Sumpter,

Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and Colonel "WilLieutenant-Colonel


right

liams.

Lee,

with

his

legion,

covered the

flank;

and Lieutenant-Colonel
left.

Henderson, with the state troops, covered the

corps

de reserve was formed of the cavalry,


"Washington,

under

Lieutenant-Colonel

and

the the

Delaware troops, under Captain Kirkwood.

As

THE^S YORK
^AT

PUBLIC LIBKm

^:^^-

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
to

245

Americans came forward


in with

the

attack, tliey fell

some advanced

parties

of the

enemy

at

about two or three miles ahead of the main body.

These being closely pursued, were driven back;

and the action soon became general.


were
at length forced to give

The

militia

way, but were bravely


In the hottest part

supported by the second


jf

line.

the engagement. General Greene ordered the


to

Maryland and Yii'ginia continentals


trailed

charge with

arms.

This decided the fate of the day.

" N'othing, " says Dr. Eamsey, " could surpass the
intrepidity of
sion.

both officers and


on, in

men on

this occa-

They rushed

good order, through a

heavy cannonade, and a shower of musketry, with


such unshaken resolution, that they bore down
before
all

them. "

The

British

were broken, closely


pris-

pursued, and upwards of


oners.

500 of them taken

They, however, made a fresh stand, in a

favorable position, in impenetrable shrubs, and a

picketed garden.
after

Lieutenant-Colonel Washington,
effort

having made every

to

dislodge them,

was wounded and taken

prisoner.

Four six-poun-

ders were then brought forward to play

upon them,

but tliey
to

fell

into their

hands
their

and the endeavors


being
found

driv3

them from

station

246
impracticable,

DARING DEEDS
the

Americans
field

retired,
battle.

leaying

strong picket on the

of

Their loss
of 1100.

was about 500

that of the British

upward

General Greene was honored by Congress with


a British standard, and a gold medal, emblematic
of the engagement and
decisive,
its

success, "for his wise,

and magnanimous conduct


in which,

the action

of
in

Eutaw Springs,

with a force inferior

number

to

that

of

the

enemy, he obtained a

most signal victory."


In the evening of the succeeding day. Colonel
Stewart abandoned his post, and retreated
Charleston, leaving behind
his

toward

upward of seventy of

wounded, and a thousand stand of arms.

He

was pursued a considerable

distance, but in vain.

The

battle of

Eutaw produced

the most signal

consequences in favor of America.

The
lorded

British,
it

who

had, for such a length of

time.,

abso-

lutely in

South Carolina, were, shortly after that

event, obliged to confine themselves to Charleston

BATTLE OF GUILFOKD.
The
battle of

Guilford Coui't-House took place

on the 15th of March, 1781.


consisted of 4491

The American army


2753 were militia

men, of

whom

of !N"orth Carolina and Yirginia, 1060 from the


first state,

and 1693 from the

last;

the British of

about 2400 men, chiefly troops grown veteran in


victories.

The American army was drawn up


;

in

three lines
militia,

the front composed of ITorth Carolina

under the command of General Butler and


the second
of

General Eaton;

Virginia militia,

commanded

by General

Stevens

and

General

Lawson; the third and

last of

the Maryland and

Yirginia continentals, amounting to 1490 rank and


file,

commanded by General Huger and


Lieutenant-Colonel

Colonel

Williams.
his cavalry,

"Washington,

with

and a corps of Delaware

light-'nfantry,

and some riflemen under Colonel Lynch, cohered


the right flank.
legion,

Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, with his

and some riflemen under Colonel Campbell,

248
the

DAEING DEEDS
left.

After a brisk cannonade in

front,

tlie

British

advanced
right,

in

three columns, the

Hessians

on

the

the

Guards

in

the

center,

and
left,

Lieutenant-Colonel Webster's brigade on the

and attacked the front


their adversaries

line.

This gave vraj v^^hen

were

at the distance of
militia,

140 yards.

Some

of the

North Carolina

who composed

this line, fired once,

but a great number ran away

without

firing or

being fired upon.

All exertions

of their officers to rally

them were

ineffectual.

The

Virginia militia behaved


their fire
till

much

better

kept up

they were ordered to retreat, and did

great execution.

General Stevens had posted forty

riflemen at equal distances, twenty paces in the


rear of his brigade, with orders to shoot every

man

who should

leave his

post.

This gallant

officer,

though he received a wound through the thigh, did


not quit the
his
field.

He

had the address

to

prevent

brigade from

receiving

any bad impressions

from the retreating l^orth Carolinians, by giving


out that they
their pieces.
militia

had orders
To cherish

to retire after discharging


this idea
to

he ordered the
their files to

under his command,

open

favor their passage.


last

The continental

troops were
spirit

engaged, and Huger fought with great

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
Toward the
on the
Colonel
close of the action, a charge

249

was made

British' guards

by the cavalry of Lieutenantand


the

"Washington

Maryland

troops,

commanded by
Colonel

Colonel

Gunby and

Lieutenantthat

Howard, with such

execution

the

whole corps was nearly annihilated.


conflict

After a severe

of

an hour and a

half,

the discipline of

veteran troops carried the point against numbers.

General Green abandoned the


still,

field
;

to

his

rival,

however, showing a good face

he retreated no
a distance of

farther than over the

Eeedy Fork,

three miles.

The Americans

lost four six-pounders

which had been in possession of both armies


different

in

stages

of

the

action.

This

victory cost

the

British

dear.

Their killed and wounded ex-

ceeded 600 men.

The Guards

lost

Colonel Stuart,

wdth the Captains Schutz,


besides subalterns.

Maynard and Goodriche,

Colonel Webster, an officer of

distinguished reputation, died of his woimds, to the

great injury of the service, and the universal regret


of the royal army.

Brigadier-Generals O'Hara and


Tarleton,

Howard,

and

Lieutenant-Colonel

with

several other officers, were wounded.

About 300 of the

continentals

and 100 of the


;

Yirginia militia were killed and

wounded

among

250

DAEING DEEDS

the former was Major Anderson, of the Maryland


line,

a valuable
in

officer,

and the same who behaved

so

well

General Gates's defeat.

Among

the

latter

were General Huger and General Stevens.


of
loss.

The

early retreat

the ^N'orth

Carolinians saved
the Americans had
British, yet

them from much


fewer killed
their

Though

and wounded than the

army

sustained
fugitives

a greater diminution by the


militia,

numerous

from the

who no more
suffered
to

rejoined the
severely, that

camp.

Lord Cornwallis

so

he was in no condition

improve

the

advantage he had gained.

The
all

British

had

only the name, the Americans

the

good con-

sequences of a victory.

General Greene retreated,


field;

and Lord Cornwallis kept the


standing, the
British

but, notwith-

interest, in

Korth Carolina,
after the

was ruined by
battle

this action.

Three days

Lord Cornwallis issued a proclamation,


complete
victor}^,

setting

forth his

and

calling on all loyal


in

subjects to stand forth,


restoring good order

and take an active part


;

and government
to all

and

offering

a pardon and
excepted,

protection

rebels,

murderers
or

who would surrender themselves on


April.

before the 20th of


this

On

the

day on which
left

proclamation was issued, his lordship

his

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
nospital

251

and seventy-five wounded men with the


loyalists in the vicinity of Gruilford,

numerous

and

began a march toward thb


the appearance of a retreat.

sea-coast,

which had

Thirteen days before

the expiration of this act of grace, he had reached


his shipping at

Wilmington,

all

the upper country

remaining in the power of General Greene's army.

SIEGE OF

YORKTOWN.
the British in posses-

The autumn of 1780 found


Bion

of

most of

tlie

southern states.

Charleston
overrun,

had

fallen,

South

Carolina
;

had

been

Virginia was threatened

and the victorious Gates,


the patriots,

advancing

to the succor of

had been

totally destroyed at

Camden.

But the savage policy


his conquest

adopted by Cornwallis

to secure

was

ultimately the cause of his ruin.

He

issued a proall those,

clamation, sequestering the estates of

not

included

in

the

capitulation

of

Charleston,

who

were in the service or


of

acting under the authority


all

Congress, and of
i2

others who,

by an open

252

DAKING DEEDS
principles,

avowal of liberal
acts,
ties.

or

other

notorious

should show a leaning to the colonial authori-

At

this juncture

Marion appeared
;

the militia

flocked
partisan

to

his standard

and the success of the


raised

war carried on hj him and Sumpter

the drooping spirits of the whigs.

The appointment

of Greene to the

command

of

the southern army,


still furthei*

and the
exalted

brilliant affair at the

Cowpens,

their

hopes

so

that

even the check at


to

Guilford

Court-House failed

dishearten

them.

Indeed, the result of that battle was almost as unfavorable to the British
as to the

Americans.

In

a few dajs Greene was ready to renew the contest


but Cornwallis eluded his grasp, and reached Wil-

mington, in his
Aj)ril,

way

to Virginia,

on the Yth of
it

1781.

The American

leader, finding

im-

possible to bring his

enemy

to battle, tcok the bold

resolution

of

marching

into

South Ca/olina, and

thus forcing Cornwallis to follow


his

him

or

abandon

conquests.

The

British general, on receiving


hesitated, but finally

intelligence of this

movement,
first

determined to pursue his


Virginia.

design,

and overruD

By

this

daring step he would place his

army

in

a country not yet wasted

by war, and

where, consequently, supplies would be plentiful

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

253

while, if he should succeed in reducing the colony,

the subjugation of the other southern states would


inevitably follow, no matter
in the

how

fortunate Greene,

mean

time, might be.


footstep of the

For a time success followed every


foe.

Cornwallis, advancing rapidly northward,

had

united himself to the British Generals Philips and

Arnold, as early as the latter end of

May
to

while
succor

La

Fayette,

who had been

dispatched

Greene, but had been arrested by the enemy on


the

James River, was preserved from capture only


his

by

energy and address.

At

length a junction

w^as effected

between him and Wayne, and subsestill

quently a detachment led by Baron Steuben


further increased his force.
Sir

Happily, at this

crisis,

Henry

Clinton, alarmed siege

by Washington's pre-

parations for the

of "New York, recalled a

portion of the force of Cornwallis, and that general,

now somewhat weakened,

retired to
allies

Yorktown.

The whole of the French

and 2000 of the

continental line were detailed for the southern expedition,

which Washington determined


the

to lead in

person

march

of the troops was concealed as


left

long as possible, while a sufficient force was


to

defend the Hudson

and so completely was Sir

254:

BAKING DEEDS
Clinton deceived, that
tlie

Hemy
their

allied forces

had

reached the Delaware before he became aware of


intention to

move southward.
which they had

The brave

continentals traversed now, with far diffled

ferent feelings, the ground over

a few years before, ill-provisioned, poorly clothed,

and marking
before

their footsteps with blood.

There was

them the prospect


little

of reducing a formidable

army, with but

expense of blood and treasure,


their

and thus revenging


ing their country.

own wrongs and redeemSir

They had already eluded

Henry

Clinton,

and a few days would probably

enable them to surround Cornwallis.

They marched

on with high

ho23es,

cheering their

way with

songs,

and before the end of September arrived

at

Wilfoe.

liamsburgh, in the immediate vicinity of the

Meantime, the French

fleet, in

pursuance of the

concerted plan, had reached the Chesapeake, while


Cornwallis, too late aware of the net in which he

was involved, had been assiduously occupied


fortifying his position.

in

Having formed a junction with La Fayette,


allied

the

army, commanded by Washington in person,


to

moved down from Williamsburgh


and on the 30th
.of

Yorktown

September occupied the outer

5'

'ts^i^f,;

LAl^WYETTE AT YORKTOWN.

THE NEW YORK


PUBLIC LIBRARY
ATO, LENOX AN TILOEN fOUNOAfraNt,

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
lines of

255

Cornwallis, which that general


struggle.

had aban-

doned without a
detailed
post.
It

Two

thousand
to

men were

to

the Gloucester side

blockade that

The investment was now complete.


was
not,

however, until the night of the 6th of

October that the Americans broke ground, within


1600 yards of the enemy's
lines,

the intermediate

time having been employed


stdres

in

bringing up the
the

and

heavy

artillery.

By daybreak

trenches were sufficiently advanced to cover the

men.
of

In less than four days a sufficient number

batteries

and

redoubts

had

been erected

to

silence

the fire of

the enemy.

On

the

10th, the

day on which the British withdrew


from the embrasures, the red-hot
batteries set
fire to

their

cannon

balls of the allied

an English frigate and three

large transports lying in the harbor.

On

the night

of the 11th the second parallel was opened within

300 yards of the British

lines.

These new trenches

were flanked by two redoubts in possession of the

enemy, who, taking advantage of the circumstance,


opened several new embrasures, and kept up an
incessant and destructive
to
fire.

It

became necessary
;

carry these batteries


fixed
for

by storm
:

and the 14th


redoubt

was

the

purpose

one

being

256

BAKING DEEDS
othxrjr

assigned to the Americans and the

to

the

French.

noble emulation fired the soldiers of

the respective nations as they advanced across the


plain.

La Fayette

led the continentals

the Baron

de Yiominel commanded his countrymen.


doubt entrusted
to

The

re-

the Americans was carried

at

the bayonet's point, the assailants rushing on with

such impetuosity that the sappers had


to

not time

remove the

abattis

and palisades.

The French

were equally courageous and


their redoubt

successful, though, as
force, the

was defended by a larger

conquest was not so speedy, and their loss was


greater.

Cornwallis was

now reduced

to extremities.

His
first

works were crumbling under the shot of the


parallel,

and in another day the new trenches


their fire at half the distance.
sortie,

would open

In

this

emergency he resolved on a

hoping thus

to

retard the completion of the batteries in the second


parallel.

The enterprise was,


batteries,

at

first,

successful,

and the two


pleted, fell

which were now nearly comhands of the foe


;

into the

but the

guards

from the trenches immediately hastening

to the assistance of their fellow soldiers, the

enemy
The

was dislodged and driven back

into his works.

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
parallel

.257

same day the second


Datteries.
It

opened several of

its

was hoped

that,

by morning, every

gun might be brought

to bear.

capitulation
at

was now the only resource.

Ac-

cordingly,

ten the

same forenoon, Cornwallis

beat a parley, and proposed a cessation of hostilities for

one day, in order

to

agree on terms for

the surrender of

Yorktown and Gloucester.

Wash-

ington granted two hours for Cornwallis to prepare


his

proposals

and,

that no

time might be

lost,

sent in his own.


ral

The answer

of the British genelittle

rendering

it

probable that but

difficulty

would occur in adjusting the terms, Washington


consented to the cessation of
hostilities.

On

the

18ih, the commissioners from the two armies

met;

but evening arrived before they could agree except

on a rough draft of the terms of surrender.


howevei',

These,
a d

Washington caused
early next

to

be

copied,

sent

them

morning

to Cornwallis, deter-

mined not

to lose the slightest

advantage by delay.
general
that

He
and

further

informed

the

British

a
;

definitive

answer was expected by eleven o'clock

that, in case of a surrender, the garrison

must

march out by two


being
left,

in the afternoon.

'No resource

Cornwalb's signed.
18

258
It ^v'd^

DARING DEEDS
a proud

day

fur the

war-worn troops

ol

America, when the richly appointed soldiery of


Britain

marched out with dejected

faces from their

works, and in profound silence stacked their arms

on the plain, in presence of the conquerors.

But
allies.

no unmanly exultation was seen among the

With decent
reserving
quarters.
fervent,
their

i^tj they gazed

on
for

the

spectacle,

congratulations

their

private

But

there, the rejoicings

were loud and

and the gay Frenchman from the Loire

joined in triumphal songs with the hardy sons of

E'ew England,

or the

more

enthusiastic Yirginian.
prisoners,

By

the

capitulation,

more than 7000


fell

exclusive
allies.

of

seamen,

into

the hands

of

the

Among
cliest,

the captives were two generals, and

thirty-one field officers.

The army,
stores

artillery,

arms,

military
to

and public
;

were surrendered

Washington

while the ships and seamen were

assigned to Count de Grasse, the French admiral

In addition to those
lation, the

made

prisoners at the capitu-

loss of

the garrison, during the siege,

was 552.
whole
ton's

The

allied

army

lost

about 300.

The

force, including the militia,

imder Washingsiege

command, was 16000.

The

occupied

OF
eleven days
to

AMERICAN HEEOES.
the

259
treaty,

opening

of

the

and

thirteen to the signing of the capitulation.

On

the

very day when

the

capitulation

wafe

signed at Yorktown, Sir

Henry

Clinton sailed from

Sandy Hook with 7000 men


but on the
24:th,

to relieve Cornwallis

when

off

the capes of Virginia,

having received intelligence of the surrender, he


altered his course for

'Hew York.

This brilliant result was achieved chiefly by the

energy and wisdom of Washington.

delay of

one week would have frustrated his plans, relieved


Cornwallis,
years.

and protracted the war, perhaps,

for

BATTLE OF HOBKIEK HILL.


Early in April, Greene arrived
at a place called

Hobkirk's Hill, about a mile from Eawdon's en-

campment

at

Camden.

He

established

his head-

quarters there, but was soon after attacked


British

by the

commander, and a desperate


lono- time, the result

battle ensued-

For a

was doubtful.

Greene

260

DAKING DEEDS
to cut ofi

anticipating victorv, sent a detachment


':he

expected retreat of Eawdon, but

a regiment
furious

from

Maryland becoming confused bj a

charge of the enemy, disconcerted the others, and


soon
the rout of

the Americans

became

general.

But Greene so
with
six

far restored order that

he retreated
off

deliberation,

and succeeded

in carrying

English
to

officers prisoners.

He

retired with his

army

Eugely's Mills, where, after some days,


a reinforcement of 400
in vain at
to

Rawdou, who had received

men, (whom Marion had endeavored


intercept,)

attempted
to

to

surprise

him

night.

Greene retreated
don

Saunder's Creek, where


effort

Eawhim,

made an ineffectual
after

to

dislodge
mills,

and who,
houses, and
ien,

burning
his

the

jail,

private

some of

own

stores,

evacuated Cam-

and retreated south of the Santee Eiver.


to

During the march of Greene


he dispatched Colonel

Hobkirk's Hill,

Lee with

his legion to join

General Marion on the Santee, for the purpose of


operating against a chain of British forts established

between the Santee and the

Congaree, the

most

Important of which was Fort "Watson on Wright's


Bluff.

Marion and Lee, although provided


rifles,

witli
tliat

nothing but muskets and

closely invested

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
fort.

261

After a resistance of eight days, the garrison


obliged
to

was

yield,

and

ll-i

men

surrendered

themselves prisoners of war.


posts fell

Several other British

in rapid succession before the victorious

Americans.
on the 11th

Orangeburgh surrendered
of

to

Sumpter

May;
;

Fort Motte to Marion and

Lee on the 12th

the post at ]N"elson's Ferry was


;

evacuated on the 14th by the British


capitulated to

Fort Granby
21st,

Lee on the 15th

and on the

a detachment of

Lee's legion, under Captain Bu-

dolph, reduced the fort at Silver Bluffs.

Early in

June, Lee and Pickens, having united their forces,


penetrated into Georgia, and attacked Fort Cornwallis, at

Augusta.

The

garrison, after a stout re-

sistance,

surrendered, and over 300

men became
during the
w^hile,

prisoners of war.
siege about forty
closely

The Americans
men.

lost

Marion, in the mean

invested

Georgetown,
of
the

and

the

garrison,
in

learning
vicinity,

the downfall

other posts

the

evacuated
to

the

town.

The

British

were
Eiitaw

now

confined

three posts,

E^inety-six,

Spring?, and Charleston.

MAEION AI^D THE BEITISH OFFICER.


It

was while Marion was lying with


the

his

main

force at

camp

at Snow's Island, that two cir

cumstances occurred which

deserve

mention,

as

equally serving to illustrate his


the warfare of that time

own

character, and

and region.
.*

One

of these

occurrences has long been


as

popular anecdote, and,


the

such,

has

been made

subject

of

a very

charming picture, which has done something toward


giving
is less
it

more extended

circulation.
is

The other

generally known, but

not less deserving


quite
as

^f the

popular
as

ear,

as

distinguishing,
purity,

much

the former,
of

the

simplicity,
It

and

firmness

Marion's character.

appears that,

desiring the exchange of prisoners, a

young
at

officer

was dispatched from the British post


town
to

George-

the

swamp encampment

of

Marion, in

order to effect this object.

He

was encountered

by one of the scouting


fully blindfolded,

parties of the brigade, careintricate paths,

and conducted, by

OF

AMEKICAN HEROES.
and
into the

263

tLrongli the wild passes,

deep recesses

of the island.

Here, when his eyes were uncovered^

he found himself surrounded by a motley multitude,

which

might well remind


outlaws.

him

of

Robin Hood

and

his

The scene was unquestionably


and
attractive,

wonderfully picturesque

and our

young

officer

seems
in

to

have been duly impressed


middle
of

by

it.

He

was

the

one of those
in

grand

natural
forests,

amphitheatres so
in

common

our

swamp
gigantic
laurel,

which the massive pine, the


stately

cypress,

and the

and ever-green

streaming with moss, and linking their oparms, inflexibly locked in the embrace of

posite

centuries,

group together, with elaborate limbs and

leaves,

the chief

and most grateful features of

Gothic

architecture.

To these

recesses,

through

the massed foliage of the forest, the sunlight


as sparingly, as

came

and with rays

as

mellow and subdued,

through the painted window of the old cathefalling

dral,

upon

aisle

and

chancel.

Scattered

around, w^ere the forms of

those

hardy warriors
destined,
or

with

whom

our young
to

officer
"

was yet

most probably,

meet

in

conflict,

strange
at

savage in costume or attitude


of frame

lithe

and sinewy
the
least

keen-eyed

and wakeful

264
alarm.

DARING DEEDS
Some
slept,

some joined

in

boyish sports
for the sigrifle

some, with foot in stirrup, stood ready


nal to
against

momit and march.


the
tree,

The deadly

leaned
its

the

sabre

depended

from

boughs.
loosened
of

Steeds were browsing in the shade, with


bits,

but saddled, ready at the


to skirr

first

sound

the bugle
fires,

through brake and thicket.


their
faint

Distant

dimly burning, sent up

white smokes, that, mingling with the thick forest


tops,

which they could not pierce, were scarce


from
the

distinguishable

long

gray moss which

made

the old

trees look like so

many

ancient pain
all

triarchs.
this scene

But the most remarkable object


was Marion himself.
Could
it

be that
in stat-

the person

who

stood before our visitor


size,

"
as

ure of the smallest

thin, as well

low "

was that of the redoubted


activity

chief,

whose

sleej^less

and

patriotic zeal
;

had carried
baffled

terror to the

gates of

Charleston

had

the pursuit and


;

defied the arms of the best British captains

had
su^je-

beaten the equal enemy, and laughed at the


rior
?

Certainly, if

he were, then never were the


intellect,

simple

resources

of

as

distinguishable

from strength of limb, or powers of muscle, so


wonderfully evident as in this particular instance.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

265

The physical powers of Marion were those simply


of

endurance.

His frame had an iron hardihood,

derived from severe discipline and subdued desires


'

and

appetites,

but

lacked

the

necessary muscle
It

and capacities of the mere


general, the

soldier.

was

as the

commander, the counselor, rather than


men, that Marion takes

as the simple leader of his

rank, and

is

to

be considered in the annals of war.

He
to

attempted no physical achievements, and seems


little

have placed very

reliance

upon

his personal

prowess.

The

British

visitor

was a young man who had

never seen Marion.

The great generals

whom

he

was accustomed

to see,

were great of limb,

portly,

and huge of proportion.


others

Such was Cornwallis, and


Such, too, was the

of

the British army. the Americans.


generals,

case
of

among

The average weight


during
that war,
is

these opposing

stated at

more than 200 pounds.

The successes of

Marion must naturally have led our young English-

man
above

to

look

for

something in his stature

even

this average,

and verging on the

gigantic.

Vastness seems
in

always the most necessary agent


it.

provoking youthful wonder, and satisfying

His astonishment, when he found they did meet,

266

BARING DEEDS
probability, not of a kind to lessen the

WSiS^ in all

partisan in his estimation.

That a frame so
coupled with so

slight,

and seemingly
gentleness,

so

feeble,

much

and

so little pretension, should provoke

a respect so general, and fears, on one side,

so

impressive, was well calculated to compel inquiry


as to the true sources of this influence.

Such an

inquiry was in no

way

detrimental to a reputation

founded, like Marion's, on the successful exercise


of peculiar mental endowments.
as soon as
to depart,

The young

officer,

his

business was

dispatched, prepared

but Marion gently detained him, as he

said, for dinner,

which was in preparation.

"The

mild and dignified simplicity of Marion's manners

had already produced


BO

their effects, and, to prolong

interesting an interview, the invitation

was

ac-

cepted."

The entertainment was served up on pieces

of bark, and consisted entirely of roasted potatoes, of

which the general ate

heartily, requesting

his

guest to profit by his example, repeating the old


adage,
that
'

hunger

is

the

best

sauce.

'

" But

surely, general, " said the officer, " this cannot

be

yom^ ordinary fare. "


plied,

" Indeed,
fortunate

sir,

it

is,

" he reoccasion,

"and we

are

on

this

entertaining company, to have

more than our usual

OF
allowance. "

AMERICAN HEROES.
The
story goes, that the

267

joimg Briton

was

so greatly impressed with the occurrence, that,


to

on his return

Georgetown, he retired from the

service, declaring his conviction that

men who

could,

with such content, endure the privations of such a


life,

were not

to

be subdued.

His conclusion was

strictly logical,

and hence, indeed, the importance

of
in

such a warfare as that carried on by Marion,


tvhich, if

he obtained no great

victories,

he was

vet never to be overcome.

CAPTUKE OF FOKT WATSOK.


Havins: once resolved, Marion's movements were

always rapid and energetic.

On

the 15th of April,

only a day after the junction


before Fort "Watson.

with Lee, he

was

This was a stockade

fort,

raised on one of those

remarkable

elevations

of

an

unknown
as

antiquity

which are usually recognized


It

Indian monnds.
river, a

stands near Scott's

Lake on the Santee

few miles below the junction of the Congaree and

268

DARING DEEDS
The mound
is

Wateree.

forty feet in height,


it

and

remote from any other elevation, by which


be commanded.

might

The garrison

at this post consisted


it

of eighty regular troops and forty loyalists,

was

commanded by Lieutenant McKay,


of the regular service.

a brave
of

officer,

To the summons

Marion

he returned a manly defiance, and the place was


regularly invested.

Besieged and besiegers were alike without


lery
;

artil-

with a single piece, the former might well

have defied any force which Marion could bring


against him.

The place would have been impreg-

nable to the Americans.

As

it

was,

its

steep sides
to storm.

and strong palisades forbade any attempt

To
it

cut off

the garrison fi-om Scott's Lake, where


first

procured water, was the

step

taken by the

besiegers.

But the besieged, by sinking a well

within the stockade, below the level of the contigu-

ous water, counteracted the attempt.

For a moand, without

ment,

the

assailants

were

at

fault,

artillery, the

prospect was sufficiently discouraging.


hesitating. Colonel

But while doubting and

Maham,
At

of the brigade, suggested a


garrison which
short distance

mode

of overawing the

was immediately adopted.


from the
fort

there

grew a small

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

269

wood, a number of the trees of which were hewn

down, and transported uj)on the shoulders of the

men

within a proper distance of the mound.


all

Here,

during the night


in

hands were actively employed


in massive

piling the

wood thus brought,


cross-wise,
until

and

alternate

layers,

the

work had
the garat

reached a
rison

sufficient elevation.

At dawn,
find
rifle

were

confounded

to

themselves,
bullets.
;

wakening, under a

shower of

Thus
and a

overlooked, the fort was no longer tenable

party of

volunteers from

the

militia,

headed by

Ensign Baker, and another of Continentals, from


the legion, led

by Mr. Lee, a

volunteer, ascended

the

mound

with great intrepidity, and gained the

abattis,

which

they proceeded
the

to

destroy.

This

movement brought

garrison to

terms, and a

capitulation immediately followed.

OAPTUEE OF FORT MOTTE.


This post was the principal depot of the convoys

from Charleston

to

Camden, and sometimes

of

270

DARING DEEDS
Granbj and Ninetj-Six.
to

those destined for Forts


large

new mansion-house belonging


and commanding
It

Mrs. Motte,

situated on a high

hill,

had been

chosen for

this

establishment.

was surrounded

with a deep trench, along the inner margin of


w^hich

a strong and lofty parapet was raised.

To

this post

had been assigned a


This force was

sufficient garrison of

150

men.

increased by a

small

detachment of dragoons from Charleston, which had


been thrown into
ance
of
it

a few hours before the ajDpear

the Americans.

The garrison was coma firm and gallani

manded by Captain McPherson,


officer.

Opposite
another
hill,

to

Fort

Motte,

to

the

north,

stood
ex-

where Mrs. Motte, who had been

pelled from her dwelling, resided in an old farmhouse.

On

this,

Lee took

position with his corps

Marion's

men

occupied the eastern declivity of the


fort.

same ridge on which stood the

The place was very soon

invested.

The

six-

pounder wdth which Greene had furnished Marion,

was mounted on a battery raised

in

the

quarter

which he occupied,

for the

purpose of raking the

northern face of the enemy's parapet.

McPherson

Was

in

the possession of

a wall-piece, but he had

OF

AMERICAN HEEOES
it

21*

uot been able to adapt

for use befoi^ the

mvest-

ment took

place.

It

does not seem t^ Lave been

used during even the siege.


in

His chief

lioj)es

lay

being relieved by a detachment from Camden,


its

not doubting

arrival before

his assailant could

push his preparations


the latter advanced

to maturity.

The works of
the

rapidly,

and

place was

summoned on
the

the 20th of of

May.

The reply declared


to

determination

the

besieged

try

the

strength and patience of the besiegers.

These had
ad-

now every motive

for perseverance.

They were

vised of the approach of


to the relief

Rawdon, with

all his force,

of

the

fort.

That stern commander,

finding

Camden was no

longer tenable against the

increasing forces of the Americans, and unable to

maintain
strength,

his

several

posts

with

his

diminished

was aiming

to contract his scattered bodies

into narrower limits.

Having made a second, but


upon Greene, he de-

unsatisfactory demonstration

stroyed his unnecessary baggage, and, leaving

Cam-

den in flames, he once more abandoned


Americans.

it

to the

Greene advised Marion of


to expedition.

his retreat,

and urged him

On

the next night

he reached the country opposite Fort Motte, and


lis

numerous

fires

on the highest grounds on his

272

DAKING DEEDS
suc-

route, encouraged the garrison with hopes of


cess,

which were not


to

to

be realized.
to

"What was

be done, was

be done quickly,
bat-

on the part of the besiegers.


tering

The process of

by cannon would be
to

too slow.

Some

shorter

mode was
of

be adopted,

to anticipate the

approach

Rawdon.

The ready thought


process.
It

of

our partisan
the

suggested

this

was known that

large mansion of Mrs. Motte occupied


part of

the greater

the area of

the fort

but a few yards of

ground within the works remained uncovered by


it.

To burn the house by

fire

would compel the

surrender of the garrison.

The necessity was


cated to the

very

reluctantly

communi-

widow by whom the property was


glorious
is

owned.

But she was one of those

dames

of the Revolution, to

whom

the nation

so largely
re-

indebted for the glory of that event.

She had

ceived the American officers with a hospitality which

made them almost


purposes
;

shrink

from suggesting

thei-r

but as soon as they were

made known,

Bhe put them perfectly at ease upon the subject.


"With
pride

something

more

than

cheerfulness

with

that

any

sacrifice

on her part should concountrymen, in so dear

tribute to the success of her

OF

AMEKICAN HEROES.
all

273
the

an object, she herself produced a bow, with

necessary apparatus, which had been brought from


India,

and

which

she
the

had
fire

preserved.

By

the

arrows from this

bow

was

to

be communi-

cated to her dwelling.

Every thing being

in

readiness, the lines

were

aianned and an additional force stationed at the


batteries, lest

the

enemy, in the moment of desan assault, rather

peration,

might prefer risking

than endure the mortification of a surrender.


(lag

was again sent

to

McPherson, but the sight

of

Rawdon's

fires

on the other side of the river


still

encouraged him with the belief that he might


resist successfully.

The bow was put


age, a private

into the

hands of l^athan SavIt

in Marion's brigade.

was noon

when

the attempt was made.

The scorching rays

of the noonday sun had prepared the roof for the


conflagration.

Balls of blazing rosin and brimstone


to

were attached
shafts

the

arrows,

and

three several
militia-

were sent by the vigorous arm of the


against the roof.

man

They took

effect, in

three
in a
to

different quarters,
blaze.

and the shingles were soon

McPherson immediately ordered a party


had been prepared
19
for,

the roof, but this


1^

and the

274:

BAKING

DEP:DS

fire

of the six-poimder soon drove the soldiers down.


to rage, the

The flames began

besiegers were on

the alert, guarding every passage, and, no longer

hopeful of Rawdon,
flag

McPherson hung

out the white

imploring mercj.

The gentle nature of Marion


Lee
tells

readily yielded to his prayer, though, as


us, " policy

commanded

death."

LA FAYETTE
Early in the

IE"
of

YIRGII^IA.
1781,
all

summer
;

eyes were
in

turned toward Yirginia

and La Fayette,

proud

consciousness of the interest he was

exciting, the

more resolutely determined

to

triumph.

'No ex-

citement can be traced in any of his letters during


this

period.

He
as

seems coolly

to

have extricated
they

himself from his various


arose,

difficulties as fast as

and

calmly

to

have
to

narrated

them.

Witness the following, addressed


dated at his camp, June 3d
" Lord Cornwallis had at
first

General Greene,

a project to cross
it

above Richmond, but desisted from

and landed

OF
at

AMERICAN HEROES.
He
it

2T5
our
left

Westover.

then

proposed

to turn

flank, "but before


loft

was executed we moved by the


of

to

the forks

Chiccahomony.

The enemy
in

advanced twelve miles, and we retreated

the

same proportion.

They crossed Chiccahomony and


to

advanced on the road

Fredericksburg, while

we marched

in a parallel with

them, keeping the


position at Matta-

upper part of the country.

Our

pony church would have much exposed the enemy's


flank

on their way

to

Fredericksburgh, but they


JS^orth

stopped at Cook's ford on the

Anna

Kiver,

where they are


having

for the

present.
his

General "Wayne
departure

announced

to

me

on

the

23d, I expected, before this time, to have

made a

junction with him.


distance

We

have moved back some


not
to

and

are

cautious

indulge Lord

Cornwallis with an action with our present force.


It

was not long before Cornwallis, with great

chagrin saw that the " boy " was successfully eluding his grasp.

The distance between them


all

daily

increased, notwithstanding

the efforts

made by
With a

the British General to overtake his foe.


rapidity only equaled

by

his

caution.

La Fayette

had passed the Pamunkey before the British army


had reached
the

Chiccahomony, and Cornwallis,

276
after marcliing

DAEIXG DEEDS
some distance up the northern
side

of ^orthanora, found that the


his junction with

Marquis would make

Wayne

in spite of him,

and gave

over the heat of his pursuit while he turned his


attention to other objects
able.

which

w^ere

more

attain-

La

Fayette, however, did not relax his vigiclose

lance.

watch of

his adversary enabled

him
most

to foresee,

and thereby

frustrate,

some of

his

important plans.

Cornwallis found himself harassed


to his morti-

and frequently outwitted, exceedingly


fication.

He
of

dispatched

Tarleton to capture the

Assembly
at

Virginia, which
;

was then in session


Tarleton

Charlotteville

but

before

could get

there.

La Fayette had when

contrived to foi-ward the in-

formation, and

the British arrived,

the lirds
line,

had flown.
General "Wayne, with the Pennsylvania
sisting

con

of

about 800 men, at length

joined him.

Though
still
it

this addition left the force of

La Fayette

feeble, in

comparison with that of Cornwallis,


determine him upon a

was yet

sufficient to

new

course of
pursuer.

action.

The pursued would become the

Cornwallis established himself at Williamsburg,

and

La Fayette about twenty miles above, with

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
the

277
his adver-

Chiccahomony between himself and


ITeither party,
Sir

sarj.

however, remained

in

this

position long.

Kemy

Clinton snspecting that

a combined attempt was about to be


allied forces against

made by

the

'New York, and deeming himit,

self

too

weak

to resist

ordered

Cornwallis

to

send him a detachment of the troops under his

command
enough
to retire

in Virginia.

After complying with this

requisition, Cornwallis thought


to

himself not strong

remain

at

Williamsburg, and resolved


Accordingly, on the 4th
de-

to

Portsmouth.

of July, he

marched from Williamsburg, and

termining to cross the river at James' City Island,


he encamped that day favorably for the passage

But before he was ready


him.
the

to

move,

his foe

was neai

La Fayette

left his

camp on

the 5th, crossed


his

Chiccahomony the same day, and pushed

best troops within eight miles of the British camp.

He

learned that Cornwallis was expecting to pass

the river, and he at once formed the

design of

attacking his rear after the main body should have

gone over
])ected
ette

to

Jamestown.
lie

Cornwallis, however, sus-

this.

knew

that the ardor of

La Fay^o

would not allow such an opportunity


as soon

escape

him, and

as

he found

that

the

Marquis

278

DARING DEEDS
so near, he resolved to

was

make one more


took

trial

of

stratagem npon him.

He

every measure to

encourage his advance, but instead of passing the


river,

he waited an attack.
to

At

the

same time he

took measures

induce the belief, that he had

crossed with the main


parties

body of

his

army.
troops
little

His

light

were

all

drawn

in, his

were held ground as

compact, and
possible,

made
his

to cover as

and

piquets,

which lay
to

close
at

to the
first

encampment, were ordered


attack,

yield

the

and exhibit an appearance of disorder and

alarm.

To add

to the

deception, the intelligence

was spread, that the greater part of the British had reached the
island,

and a few troops were

sta-

tioned there, with orders to


tions as

make such demonstranews.

would corroborate
fully

this

La Fayette was

deceived.

The plans

of

Cornwallis were so complete, and were carried out


so accurately, that he could not perceive the snare.

Every thing looked

as

he had anticipated

after

personally reconnoitering
all

the scene, and receiving

the intelligence he could meet,

La

Fayette, on

the Gth of July, began his attack.

few riflemen

were detached

to harass the outposts of tlie

enemy,

while he advanced at the head of

the continental

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
troops
to

279

support
precisely
fell

the
as

onset.

Every thing was


had
planned.

conducted

Cornwallis

His piquets

back in disorder, and thus drew

on the Americans, emboldened by their success,


in a rapid pursuit.

The main body

of Cornwallis'

army was concealed by woods, and General Wa^me,

who was
out

first in

advance, soon discovered


battle against

it

moving

in order of

him.

Eetreat was

impossible, and that brave officer, with a boldness

almost without parallel, rode gallantly forward, with


his

800 men, and


line.

made
act* on

a furious attack upon the

British
for

The

was kept up with

spirit

some time, while


its

che British

army was windlittle

ing

fold, like

a serpent around the


up, and

band.

La Fayette soon came


crisis.

saw

at a glance the

The plan of Cornwallis was evident

in a

moment, and perceiving that Wayne was outflanked


right and
left,

and

fast

becoming surrounded, he
line of

ordered his retreat.

light infantry

was

drawn up about half a mile


skillful

in his rear,

and by a

movement "Wayne was enabled


loss.

to join these

without serious

Here they remained

for

some
Corn-

hours, but the British


wallis,

army

did not pursue.

who

greatly overrated
his retreat

La

Fayette's numbers,
to

judged

that

was a stratagem

draw

280

DARING DEEDS
into an

him

ambuscade, and

accordingly did not

improve the advantage he had gained.


of
of

The

loss

La Fayette

in

this action to

was 118 men, most

whom

belonged

General "Wayne^s detachment.


during the day
is

The conduct of
vras

this latter officer


all

worthy of

praise.

"It

enough," says

La

Fayette, " for the glory of General

Wayne,
to

and'
at-

the officers

and

men

he commanded,

have

tacked the whole British army, with a reconnoiter-

ng party
this

only, close to their encamj)ment, and,

by

severe

skirmish, hastened

their retreat

over

he nver.

'^""'

XHENEWYOPtK
'^LIBRARY

Sf

CHAPTER

VIII.

17841804.

WAYNE'S VICTORY AT THE MIAMI RAPIDS.


On
eral
tlie

20tli of

August, 1794, the army of Genput in motion, a


battalion

Wayne was

of

mounted

volunteers,

commanded by Major

Price,

forming the advance.

This corps was attacked, after

marching nearly
fire

five miles,

and received so hot a

from the enemy, who were concealed in the


it

high grass and woods, as to compel

to fall back.

The army was immediately formed by General


"Wayne
the
in

two

lines, in a close thick

wood, while
lines,

savages were drawn


to support

up

in

three

near

enough

each other, at right angles with

the river.

" I soon discovered," says the General,

in his account of the engagement, written to


eral

Gen-

Knox, " from the weight of the


lines, that

fire,

and extent
force

of their
in
front,

the

enemy were

in full

in

possession
to

of their favorite

ground,
I

and endeavoring

turn

our

left

flank.

gave

2Sii

DARING DEEDS

orders for the second line to advance, and directed

Major-General

Scott

to

gain

and turn the right

flank of the savages, with the

mounted

volunteers,
I ordered

bj a circuitous route.
the
front
line to

At

the

same time,

advance with trailed

arms, and
the
point

rouse the Indians from their coverts at


of the bayonet;

and when up,


fire

to deliver a close

and well directed


give time
to

on their backs, so as not to


I also ordered Captain

load

again.

Campbell, who commanded the legionary cavalry,


to turn the left flank of the

enemy, next the

river,

and which afibrded a favorable


to act in.

field for that corps

All these orders were obeyed with spirit


;

and

promptitude

but

such was

the impetuosity

of the charge of the

first line

of infantry, that the

Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were


driven from their coverts in so short a time, that,

although

every exertion was used by the

ofiicers

of the second line of the legion, and


Scott,

by Generals

Todd, and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers,


their proper
positions, yet

to gain

but a part of

each could get up in season to participate in the


action,

the

enemy being

driven, in the course of

one hour, more than two miles through the thick

woods already mentioned, by

less

than

one-half

OF
tneir

AMERICAN HEROES.
From
every accomit,
;

283

numbers.
to

tlie

enemy

amoimted

2000 combatants

the troops actually

engaged against them were short of 900.


horde of savages, with their
selves
to
flight,
allies,

This

abandoned themterror
in
full

and dispersed, with

and

dismay, leaving our victorious

army

and

quiet possession of the field of battle, which termi-

nated under the influence of the British garrison,


as

you

will observe

by the inclosed correspondence

between Major Campbell, the commandant, and


myself."

The correspondence referred


pungent in
its

to

was

sufficiently

tone

and the British commander


to

having taken occasion

give notice

to

General

Wayne
to
it,

" that

his

army, or individuals belonging

should

not

approach within reach of his

cannon, without expecting the consequences attending


it,"

the

answer he received was, the imme-

diate destruction

by

flre

of every thing of

any value
very muzrecon

within view of the


zles

fort,

and up
fort

to the

of

the

guns.

The

was
it is

carefully

noitred within pistol-shot, and


that nothing

easy to perceive,
the feelings of
act of hostility

would have

gratified

the successful soldier

more than an
British

on

the

part

of

the

commandant which

281
v^'ould

DARING DEEDS
have
justified

him

in carrying the

works by

storm.

This victory was followed by the treaty of Greeneville,

the result of

which was a long peace with

the Indians.

CAPTUEE OF L'mSUEGEXTE.
On
the 9th of February, 1799,

Commodore Trux-

ton, in the Constellation,

came

in sight of a large

ship,

and immediately gave chase.

The stranger
to

hoisted

American

colors

but,

unable

answer

the Constellation's

private signals, she ran up the


fired a challenge.

French ensign, and


time
since

For the

first

the

Eevolution, one

of

our national

vessels

was

in sight of

an enemy.
;

We
sea.

had fought
to

and triumphed on land

now we were

meet the

powers of the old world upon

Every man

was eager

to

engage

and,

as

the gallant ship

moved down upon


too small to

the enemy, her speed

seemed

meet the anxious longing of her crew.

They were not disappointed.

The In^^urgente waited

OF

AMERICAN
;

IIEKOES.
and,

285
the
latter

calmly for Ler opponent

when

opened her
was broken

fire,

returned

it

with

spirit.

The

silence

the eager antagonists had their wish

and one loud cannonade roared across the solitary


waters, rocking the surface of ocean like an earth-

quake,

and

heaving the ships


J^earer and

to

and

fro

with

miglity energy.

nearer they drew to

each other, and louder and fiercer the conflict grew,


until

nothing was heard but the roar of heavy ordi-

nance, and nothing seen excej^t a thick black pall,

shooting forth columns of fiame.


shot were poured
until it reeled

Yolleys of heavy
foretop-mast,
ter-

into the

American

and swung backward under the

rible

blows.
it,

The

young midshipman who com-

manded
to his

(David Porter,) called again and again


leave
;

superior for

to

lower the

sail

and

relieve the pressure

but his voice was lost in the


fall,

uproar of

battle.

Feeling that the mast must

unless this were done, he

assumed the

responsibility,

and thus saved the ship from a serious misfortune.


llei'

broadsides

now raked

the
sails,

enemy from stem


and rigging, and

to

stern,

crashing masts,

strewing the deck with dead and dying.


stellation

The Con-

then glided from the shroud of smoke,


to

sailed

round

her opponent's rear, and was on

286

DAETNG DEEDS
when
the
lacit^''

the point of raking her again,

&,d-uc^

her colors.

The Insurgente was one


the

of the fastest sailers

French navy, and was nnder the commanv.


Captain
Barreault.

of

She carried
409

forty

French
was

twelve-pounders,

and

men.

Her

loss

twenty-nine
Constellation
bre,)

killed,

and forty-one wounded.


thirty-eight

The

had

guns, (English call

300 and nine men, and had three of her crev

wounded.

An

incident subsequent to the battle

deserves

mention.

The

first

lieutenant of the Constellation,

Mr. Eodgers, with Midshipman Porter and eleven

men, were placed on board the prize


tend the removal of prisoners.
this

to superin-

While engaged

in

duty,

the
in,

wind

rose

almost to a hurricane,
still

night set

and 173 of the crew

remained

on board.
that

So strong was the action of the waves,


ships

the

were often widely separated, and


col-

then driven with fearful violence almost to a


lision.

At

length, notwithstanding every exertion,

the prize was driven completely out of sight.

At

this opportunity, so

unexpectedly ofiered, the


unequivocal
signs of
this

prisoners
revolt.

began

to

exhibit

To the handful who watched them

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
movement would have been
fatal
;

287

but the intrepid

Kodgers showed himself equal


Ordering
all

to the

emergency.

the prisoners to the hold, he secured

the lire-arms,

and placed a

sentinel at each hatch-

way, with positive orders

to shoot

every

man

wdio

should attempt to mount the deck.


viable situation he
his prisoners
]iis

In this unen-

remained three days, watching

with sleepless vigilance, and exhorting


to

men

never

surrender their prize.

At

the

end of the time he arrived safely in

St. Kitt's,

where the Constellatiou

w^as already anchored.

THE CONSTELLATION AND VENGEANCE.


The
battle

between the Constellation and Yenis

geance (February 2d, 1800,)

one of the most


the

in-

dubitable proofs in history of


superiority, both in

American naval
action.

maneuvering and

The

French
day,

frigate

had been descried on the previous


hoisted

when Commodore Truxtun

English

colors.

These, however, were disregarded,


all

and a

chase commenced, w^hich contiDued 20

night, and

288

DARING DEEDS
At
eight
in

thi'ougli the following day.

the eve-

ning, Trnxtun

was about speaking

his

opponent,
Flight

when

the latter suddenly

commenced

firing.

and pursuit were now abandoned, and each com-

mander prepared
Tvas

for a violent struggle.

The night

dark

and the sullen dashings of the waters

neemed

in unison with the terrible storm that

was

soon to hurry

man

into

conflict

with his fellow

man.

At

a few minutes

]Dast

eight, the

Constellation

poured a heavy broadside into her antagonist, which

was answered by a wide sheet of flame, followed

by another and another,


lighted

until the pitchy

gloom was
Side
fling-

up by the incessant volcanic


two ships
sat

glare.

by

side those

upon the waters,

ing out their crashing hail, and rolling with terrific


violence

upon the
;

heaving ocean.

Minutes

and

hours rolled on

the night

grew deeper and blacker,

and the wind howled and shrieked along the heavens.

But man heeded not the elements.

Far over
;

the ocean was that red dismal glare beheld

and

the distant mariner started from his dreaming berth,

and bent forward


that wild revel.

to catch

the faint lingering of

At

intervals each

crew heard the

ehouts of opposing officers and the cheers of battle.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
The same voice
that

289

had rung out against the


the Americans
to

Insurgente was driving


while,
as

battle

though in

stern

mockery, the French

commander poured
ors.

his thrilling appeals to his sail-

That

night

battle

was a scene

terrible

and

sublime.

At one

o'clock, the

Frencb vessel drew from the


Sure of victory, Truxtun

combat, and spread

sail.

ordered a chase, but at that

moment

received the

disheartening intelligence, that every shroud had

been shot from the main-mast, which was supported


only by
its

wood.

But, anxious to risk everything

m
to

order to secure the prize, he ordered his


secure
it

men

long

enough

to

come up with the

enemy.

But no exertion could obviate the calamity,

and the mast went by the board, in a few minutes


after the

enemy had

retired.
lost

In this long-disputed action the Constellation


fourteen

men
of

killed,

and

twenty-five
died.

wounded,

eleven

whom

subsequently

Her whole
of

crew was 310


geance was

souls.

The armament,

the

Yen-

twenty-eight eighteens, sixteen twelves,

and eight forty-two pound carronades. was between four and


loss fifty killed

Her crew

five

hundred men, and her

and 110 wounded.

"When arriving

290
in Cnracoa, she

DARING DEEDS
was
little

in

a sinking condition

and

there

can

be

doubt, that
.

had the

action
in*

recommenced, her captm-e would have been


evitable.

BURKIXG OF THE PHILADELPHIA.


The
successful attack on

the Philadelphia (Feb-

ruary 16, 1804,) laid the foundation of Decatur's


fame.

The plan of the

assault

was not more admiit


it.

rable than

the chivalric daring with which


little

was
Its

executed, or the

loss

that

attended

influence on both belligerents

was incalculable, and


the subsequent ope-

gave a new complexion


rations of the war.

to all

The Siren and Intrepid had


under
ordersto

sailed

on the 3d,

burn the Philadelphia.


;

Stormj

weather attended them until the 15th


ceeded
;

a calm suc-

and Decatur, with about eighty men, made


These were contin-

his reconnoissances for attack.

ued
the

until the afternoon of the following day,

when
the

ship

became

visible.

She remained

in

OF
same condition

AMERICAN HEEOES.
as

291
that hei

when grounded, except

lower rigging was standing, and her guns were


loaded and shotted.

Near her

lay two corsairs, a

few gun-boats, and two galleys.

As

the twilight declined, and the shades of eve-

ning gathered round, the Intrepid, slowly winding

amid rocks and


ject.

shoals,

approached her intended

ob-

The deep blue sky, purified


reflected
;

by the

late storm,

was

from the tranquil water, as from a

mirror

while the young moon, like a crescent gem,

hung

fair

and beautiful over the peaceful scene.


as

Gradually,

evening deepened, the wind died


breath
lay

away, until
waters,

scarcely a

swept across
as

the
as

and the

Intrepid

immovable
ripple

though founded on a rock.

Then a

would

dim the bright

surface, a slight breeze


it

sweep on
its

the vessel, and silently


like

would continue
the
contrast of
that

swan-

course.

How
the

great

sleeping

nature, with

feelings of

crew.

On

the

deck stood their leader, every muscle rigid with


expectation, and his restless eye piercing through
the surrounding night.

At

his feet lay his

men

in

concealment, panting with expectation of the ap-

proaching struggle.
sive silence

Not

a sound broke the oppresterrible.

it

was a pause stern and

292

DAKING DEEDS
sea.

Suddenly a voice came ringing over the

They were

haile(f

by the Moorish crew.

con-

versation took place, which was maintained under

an assumed character on the part of the Americans, until the

wind suddenly

shifted

and brought
the frigate's

their vessel within complete range of

guns.

Their situation was

now

perilous

single
to

broadside would
bottom.
excited,

have

sent

the

Intrepid

the

Fortunately, no suspicion had as yet been

and the Turks even sent a boat


of

to

the

assistance

the

supposed

unfortunate

stranger.

In 'a few moments the Intrepid was alongside of,

her prey.
of

Instantly Decatur

sprang

to

the

side

the vessel.

" Board

" he shouted to his crew,


their

and the astonished Turks beheld


ing

deck swarmfoot

with

armed

troops.

Decatur's

slipped

in springing, so that

Mr. Charles Morris had the


on the quarter-deck.
In a
at his

honor of being

first

moment

his

commander and Mr. Laws were

side, while

heads and bodies appeared coming over


in all directions.

the

rail,

and through the ports

]N'ever

was surprise more complete.

The enemy-

hurried in disordered crowds from place to place,

some crying

for quarter, others

climbing the shrouds,

and others leaping overboard.

In ten minutes tha

OF AMEEICAN HEROES.
enemy were swept away, and
had undisputed possession of

293

the gallant Decatui*

his prize.

And now
joys.

a shade of sorrow
vessel,

dimmed

the victor's
often

That proud

whose deck he had

paced, in
for

company with

his nation's defenders,

and

which he had faced such danger, must, before


It

morning, be given to the flames.

would have

been happiness

to bring

her from the sands, and


sister fleet
;

once more restore her to her

but this

was impossible.

The combustibles were now ordered from the


Intrepid,

and

in a

few minutes the flames were


sides.

sweeping and hissing along her

The greedy
chaff,

element licked up the spars and rigging, like

and bursting sheets of


their ketch.

fire

drove the victors to


port-holes,

The flames burst from the

glanced like lightning along the sides, and flashed


in the faces of the adventurers.

The ketch became


all

Jammed
tion

against the frigate, and


in danger of igniting.

her ammuni-

was

The crew, however,


swords, and soon

extricated themselves

by

their

escaped from their dangerous position.

Then they

paused, turned one exulting gaze toward the burn-

ing vessel, and poured their feelings in one wild


shout of victory.

That sound had not yet subsided,

294

DARING DEEDS
the

when

land batteries, the corsairs and galleys,

burst forth in one simultaneous roar.


balls

Showers of
the men,

and shot came whistling around

plunging and splashing among the waters, throwing the spray in


all directions.

and

But, elated

by

success,

the

crew hastened

not,

heeded

not.

That

spectacle

was

terrible

to

sublimity.
blaze.

The
of

Philadelphia

was

in one

wide

Sheets

flame flashed along her rolling hull, danced

among
fell

her rigging, and, collecting along the masts,

down with

sullen
like

report toward

the water.

The

waves seemed
in uproar.

melted brass.

All Tripoli was


in

Thousands of people were standing

fearful anxiety, gazing

upon the conflagration

vol

umes

of
;

smoke

wej*e unfolding heavily along

the

heavens

batteries

were roaring on
;

all

sides
all

shijjs

passing to and fro

within a few miles

nature

appeared convulsed.
till

Yet the

little craft

bore on,

the balls ceased to ^^histle near them, and they


free

were
each

from danger.

Then,

for the first

time,

man

thought of what he had accomplished,


in astonishment at his fellows.

and gazed

Steadily'

the Intrepid bore on, until the


Siren,

she met the boats of

sent

to

cover her retreat.


these

In a few
the
Siren,

moments

one

of

returned

to

OF
bringing a

AMERICAN HEKOES.
dressed in a sailor's jacket.

295

man

He

8j)rang over the


victory,

gangway
himself.

it

was a messenger of

Decatm*

BOMBAEDMEISTT OF TEIPOLL
In order to have a correct idea of the terrible
scene attending the bombardment of Tripoli,
it

will

be necessary

to take a

view of the respective forces


fleet of

of the combatants.
consisted
brigs,

The

Commodore Preble
Constitution,

of one

frigate,

the

three

three

schooners,
;

six

gun-boats,
all,

and
guns-

two

bombard-ketches

carrying in
castle

164:

and

1060 men.

The

and

batteries of the
forty-five

enemy

mounted 115 guns, of which


brass battering-cannon.

were heavy

Beside these, there were

nineteen gun-boats, each carrying a heavy twentyfour-pounder and two howitzers


eight guns each,* a brig of
;

two schooners of

ten,

and two

galleys,

each of four guns.

The regular garrison and crews


assisted

numbered 3000 men, and they were


20,000 Arabs.

by

296

DAKING DEEDS
the

On
signal

afternoon

of

the

3d of August, 1804,
attack

was given
It

for a

general

upon the

town.
shot.

was commenced by bombs and heavy

In a moment, 200 cannon opened upon the


fleet,

American
lire.

and Tripoli seemed shrouded in

The smoke from the ships meeting that on


formed one black canopy, under which the
combatants
hurled
forth
this

shore,
fierce

their

volleys

of

blasting flame.

Through

darkness bombs were

passing and repassing, scattering red-hot fragments


in all directions,

and sweeping every thing before

them
water

as

they struck at the desired object.

The

ploughed

and

boiled

with

the

incessant
of
Tripoli

plunges,

and

the

strong-built

houses

tottered as though in an earthquake.

While the

main

forces

were

conducting
his three

the

bombardment. Captain Decatur, with


boats, attacked

gun

nine of the enemy's.


little

few

mo

ments, and these


their

squadrons were rocking witl

own cannonadings.

These died away

as the

boats neared
clash of

each other, and then succeeded the

bayonets and the ringing of sabers.


a
boat,

De-

catur
fifteen

seized

and boarded her with but


at

men.

Five Turks rushed

him with

their

cimeters.

The moment was

6ig with importance.

OF

AMERICAN HEKOES.
the conduct

297

On

his life

hung

and

fate of his

men.

But, with the rapidity of thought, he parried eYGvj

blow, and drove

back his antagonists unharmed.

The

captain, a powerful Turk, rushed at


;

him and

severed his blade

but Decatur closed with him,

and both came

to the deck.

Although the Ameri-

can was under his antagonist, he managed to draw


his pistol, with

which he shot the Turk dead.

Part

of his crew then rushed to his assistance, and soon

cleared the

boat.

With

eight

men he
fleet,

then ad-

vanced against another of the


it

and carried

after a

desperate encounter.
in

The obstinacy of
the

the

enemy

these

conflicts

made

slaughter

immense.

The two
killed,

prizes

had

thirty-three oflicers

and men

and nineteen out of twenty-seven

prisoners wounded.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Trippe boarded

one of

the enemy's large boats, with only a midshipman,

Jonathan Henry, and nine men.


of boarding, his

At

the

moment

boat

fell

away, and thus eleven

men were
was

left to

wrestle with thirty-six.

The

battle

fearful,

but short.

Fourteen of the enemy were

killed,

seven

badly wounded, and the rest taken

prisoners.

Lieutenant Trippe received eleven saber


fell

wounds, and

while wrestling with his enemy.

298

DARING DEEDS
in getting his opponent's

The lieutenant succeeded

sword, with which he killed him.

In this manner the

battle

raged for more than


pistol-shot,

two hours, the batteries working within

and every gun


four

in uninterrupted blast.

At

half-past

Commodore Preble gave


withdraw
;

signal to the smaller


after the

vessels to

and soon

whole

fleet
fire

were retiring from the town, under cover of a


from the Constitution.

The smallness of the American

loss in this fierce

cannonade must ever remain a matter of astonishment.

But

one

man was

killed

Lieutenant
his

Decatur, brother of the captain.

One man had

arm

shattered,

and several others were wounded.


injured,

The Constitution was considerably

and the

other vessels suffered in their rigging.

Vastly difierent was the

effect

upon the enemy.


on board the capfor

Of one hundred and


tured

three

men
fit

boats, only thirty

were

duty.

Three

other boats were sunk with their entire crews, and


the decks of the remaining vessels were swept of

numbers.

The town

itself

was considerably dam-

aged, and the inhabitants thrown into the greatest


consternation.
of

Many

fled

into

the interior;

and,

the thousands

who swarmed

the house-tops, to

OF
witness the

AMERICAN HEROES.
of

299

commencemeut

the battle, not one

was

left

ten minutes after

it

had begun.

On

the 7th of August, the second

bombardment

of Tripoli

commenced.

The

ships opened their fire

at half-past tw^o,

and continued three hom'S.

Fortj-

eight shells, and five hundred twentj-pound round

shot were thrown into the town, one battery silenced,

and several boats injured.


prize boat,

The Americans

lost

which blew up, together with twenty-

four killed
still

and four wounded.


to

The bashaw being

determined

pursue his aggressions against

the Americans, a third assault

was determined upon.

At two

o'clock

on the morning of the 24th, the

work of death recommenced.


ing with
as

The moon was


and
all

shin-

uncommon

brightness,

nature lay

fhough exhausted with the heat of the preceding

day.

The white buildings of


flood of light,

the town, mellowed


still

by the

seemed

and

solitary as

the regions

of Arabian fairy land.

Far away

in

the distance the


tops,

palm
still

trees

drooped their graceful

and further

the mountains of Barbary

seemed, Atlas-like,

to

be supporting the heavens.

As

the ships glided slowly into station, they seemed

strano^e

and unnatural

intruders

into the sacred

repose of so lovely a spectacle.

800

DARING DEEDS
tins

But

hushed

tranquillity, this peaceful reposvd

of nature, was destined to a rude


single

awakening.
silence,

bomb

burst

faintly

on

the

swept

across the starry arch,

and dropped

into the town.

Another followed
burst along the
into

and then one tremendous roar


fleet,

startled

lashing the waters


air for

maddening

surges,

and stunning the

miles around.
direction,

Eanks of

liquid fire blazed in every

and hundreds of flashing shot rushed

through the void, toward the devoted town.


a pause
;

Then
and

and then the

terrible answer, crashing

plunging in and around the vessels, and throwing


fountains

of

spray over

the
forth

decks and

rigging.

Again the ships hurled

their defiance,

the

batteries replying until intermission failed,

and one

uninterrupted

uproar

shook

land

and

sea.

The

hours rolled

dreadfully
;

on

but that

death-work

seemed endless
in the east

and the sun had begun careering

before the

mad

passions of

man had
of
lit-

ceased to struggle.
Tliis
tle

bombardment having been productive


a combined
attack
after,

effect,

upon the town and


August 28th, made.

bashaw's castle was soon

The gun-boats and smaller

vessels anchored within,

among

the rocks of the

harbor.

Thirteen of the

OF
enemy's boats

AMEEIOAN HEROES.

301

engaged eight of the Americans',

when
retire,

the constitution sailed by, ordered the latter to

and delivered a

fire

which sunk a

Tripolitaii

boat, drove

two others on the rocks, and obliged


to
retire.

the

remainder

The

frigate then

comcastle,

menced

a fierce attack upon the town and


it

continuing

for

three-quarters

of an

hour, with
batteries

considerable effect.

The

castle

and two

were

silenced,
killed.

many

houses

destroyed, and

some

men
a few

boat of the Americans was susk,

men

killed,

and several badly wounded.


fifth

On

the 3d of September, the

and

last

bom-

bardment of Tripoli took

place.

The

action com-

menced
general.

little after

three P. M., and soon

became

In about half an hour, the battle became


;

divided

a part of the

fleet

bombarding the town,

and the remainder engaging the enemy's squadron.


Taught by former experience, each party seemed
rely principally on maneuvering, during
to

which many

of the vessels were so


for sailing.

much

injured as to be unfit

Yet, although the shipping suffered so


a

materially, not
jured.

man

of the Americans was

in-

The

action closed at half-past four.

LOSS OF THE INTEEPID.


The name of
of the
fate
this vessel is associated

with some
;

most daring deeds of modern warfare

her

was

in strange keeping with her reputation.

On

the

evening of September 4th, she was

dis-

patched by Commodore Preble as a


explode

fire-ship, to

among

the enemy's cruisers.

It

was com-

manded by Captain Somers, and

his second. Lieu-

tenant Wadsworth, with ten other

men.

deep
stars

mist

had brooded over the water, and the

were seen dim, as though half extinguished.

gloom hung oyer the American seamen


bold comrades
to return

for those

whom

they were

sending forth

were

no more, unless they could escape unper-

ceived from the enemy.


his

The captain had declared


the vessel
;

intention of exploding

in

case of

being boarded by the Tripolitans

and now those


his side

who knew
in

his

worth

who

had stood by

danger as in prosperity
the

yearned
sailors.

over him

with

honest

sympathy of

Pale with

repressed anxiety, the commodore gave them his

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

303

parting instructions, and the ketcli swept forward

through the water toward

its

object.

The manner
for

in

which the
is

fire-ship

was prepared

her

dreadful work,

thus described

by Mr.

Cooper, in his Kaval History


"

small room or magazine had been planked


of the ketch, just forward
of her

up

in the hold

principal mast.

Communicating with
tube, that led
aft to

this

magazine

was a trunk or
filled

another room

with combustibles.

In the planked room, or

magazine, were placed


in

100 barrels of gunpowder,

bulk

and on the deck immediately above the


fifteen thirteen
shells,

powder, were laid


shells,

and a half inch

and 100 nine-inch

with a large quan-

tity of shot, pieces of

kentledge, and fragments of

iron of difierent sorts.

A
this

train

was

laid

in the

trunk or tube, and fuses were attached in the proper

manner.

In addition to

arrangement, the other

small room mentioned was filled with splinters and


light

wood

which, besides firing the train, were to


as the flames

keep the enemy from boarding,


be apt to induce them
explosion.
to

would

apprehend an immediate

And now

the fearful voyage

commenced.
2]

Slowly

the canvas of the devoted

craft

receded into the

14*

304

DARING DEED?
seemed
like

distance, until she

some shadowy

spirit,

strnggling and writhing with the darkness.


that

Hearts
chilly

had swelled

to the rigidity of iron,

grew

and palpitating
folds
;

as the eye

hung on the lessening


solitary

and a strange

restlessness, a

pang
Deca-

for the horrors of war, crossed

each bosom.

tur himself,

who moved among


like a

the mighty as the


his

mightiest, stood

statue

upon the deck,

eye peering through the

darkness, and
feeling.

his noble

form thrilling with intense

Not

a sound

was heard

nature seemed
the
sails

suspended.

More and

more

faint

become, until only by tm-ns

are they revealed through the darkness.

Sometimes

a blast of wind
sel

strikes the water,

heaves the vesto the sight

on

its

bosom, and displays her


all
is

then she suddenly sinks, and


the spectators strain

black.
their

Now
all
is

and lean from


;

stations,

and pray
blackness.

for

one more glance

but

still

Suddenly every
along
the strung

man
the

started.
;

report cracked
light

nerves
;

a thick

gleamed
their

through
guns.

the night

enemy had opened


to

Anxiety changed

agony.

One

ball

would
;

hurl the ketch and her crew into

mangled atoms
avoidable

and

how

was

such

catastrophe

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

305

Battery after battery opened, glaring throngli the


blackness, lashing

the

surges

into fury with their

iron

showers, and filling the

spectators with feel-

ings unutterable.

Now

and then, by the help of

one volcanic
careering
spirit of

flash, the fearless sail

would appear,

in

the

jaws of death, like some white

destruction.

Time seemed standing


thrilling,

still.

Yet deeper, louder, more


swelled, until earth, sea, air
battling
in

the

uproar

all

nature

seemed
which the
like

convulsions.

Tripoli

had

never wit-

nessed a night like that.

Suddenly a column of massive


united
efforts

fire, to

of every

battery
to

seemed

the

mockery of

tapers,
like

swept up
a
ball,

heaven, tossing the

boiling ocean
for

and lighting the coast


as
if

leagues.

Then a

report,

the

elements

were crashing with each other; and every vessel


shook like a leaf in autumn.
ning blow,
nation
;

After the

first

stun-

men

gazed

on each other in conster-

the nerves shrunk

and quivered, through

fear of a repetition.

There was no inquiry; e^ch


truth.

knew

each
like

felt

the
;

Darkness, three-fold
stillness

dense, succeeded
fell

every gun hushed, and

mountain

on

every heart.

Oh, the

rackino^

of that

moment!

The roar of cannon

*S06

DARING DEEDS

the struggling of battle

would

have been wild,

sweet music, to the tortured system.

world of

horror was crowded into every moment, and

man

ceased for a while to breathe.

The Intrepid was but a name.


were they?
sailors

The crew

where

After the

first

shock had subsided, the

leaped over the sides of the vessels, held


to the w^ater

up their lanterns, and placed their ears


to catch

the

dash of oars.

How
hope

fearful

was the

pause!

]^ one could resign

that
tale.

crew could
their

not be lost

they must

meet once more with

comrades, and narrate the thrilling


tion swallowed

Imagina-

up judgment

and " I hear them

they are coming," often


joy.

warmed each bosom

with

Then there was


renewed.

silence,

and the watch was


died

again

Hope

again

time

rolled

on

the

whole truth was being

told.

Their oars

were never again heard.


none ever knew
;

How

that vessel exploded

the awful

sublimity of her fate


its

was not

to

be lessened by a disclosure of

cause.
;

Not
both

a single

gun was

fired

ailer the explosion

parties

seemed bewildered;

and, for

a few

days, operations against the city were suspended.

EXPEDITION OF
In

GElS^EEiVL EATON".

the African expedition, the Americans were


to

not confined

naval

operations.

"VTe

have

else-

where remarked that the Tripolitan war was conducted with


daring,

chivalry,

and display of personal


in

rarely

equaled

modern

warfare.

Its

conclusion was the romantic expedition of General

Eaton

an appropriate closing

for

deeds of such

remarkable intrepidity.
Jussuf Carawalli, the Bashaw of Tripoli, during
hostilities

with the United States, was indebted for


to a

his

eminence

successful

usurpation.
heir,

Hamet,
had
fled

his elder

brother,

and the

rightfiil

from the

dangers of his

own
for a

country, and, after

wandering in the desert

long while, joined

himself to the Egyptian Mamelukes.

Among

these

he was sought and found by Mr. Eaton, American

envoy

to Tunis,

who, having obtained consent of

government, determined to reinstate him.

The

pro-

308
posal

DARING DEEDS
was favored by the viceroy of Egypt, who

permitted

Hamet
the

to pass

from that kingdom, not-

withstanding his connection with the with

Mamelukes,

whom

government was

at war.

In compam^ with the deposed prince, and a small


party of adventurers from
all

nations,

Mr. Eaton
his

(under the

title

of General,)

commenced

march

toward Tripoli.

They crossed

the desert of Barca

from Alexandria, and in April, 1805, arrived before


Derne.

Having received arms and

supplies from

part of the fleet under Captain Hull, they attacked


this

place on the 27th, at two P.

M.

The advenand were


incessant

turers

advanced rapidly
spirit

to

the

attack,

received with
roll

and firmness.
for

An

of musketry

was kept up

more than an

hour,

when Lieutenant O'Bannan and Mr. Mann

stormed the principal work, hauling down the Tripolitan ensign, and, for the first

time, hoisting

that

of our

country on

a fortress

of the

Old World.
after.

The whole town surrendered immediately

Fourteen of the assailants were killed or wounded,

Eaton

among

the

latter.

They numbered 1200,

and their opponents 3000.


General Eaton was prevented from following up

OF
his victory
"by
;

AMEKICANHEROES.
an attack on
Tripoli, through

309

want

of siippiiey

and, soon

after, a

permanent treaty
to his spirited

between the two nations put an end


enterprise.

CHAPTER IX. X812.


CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIEKE.
The
disasters

of

the

Americans

in

the

land

campaign of 1812 were compensated by several


brilliant victories.

The

first

remarkable naval vie

tory

was that of the

frigate Constitution, Captain

Hull, over the frigate

Guerriere, Captain Dacres

The

action took place on the 19th of August, 1812

At

half past three, P. M., Captain Hull


frigate,

made

out his antagonist to be a

and continued

the chase

till

he was within about three miles, when


;

he cleared
top-sail

for action

the chase backed her main-

and waited

for

him

to

come down.

As

soon
to

as the Constitution

was

ready,-

Hull bore down

bring the

enemy

to close action

immediately; but,

on his coming within gun-shot, the Guerriere gave


a broadside and filled

away and wore, giving a


effect,

broadside on the other tack, but without


shot falling short.

her

She then continued wearing and


about three-quarters of an hour, to

maneuvering

for

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
get a raking position
;

311

but, finding she could

not,
jib,

she bore up and ran under her topsails and

with the wind on the quarter.

During

this time,

the Constitution not having fired a single broadside,


the impatience of

the officers and

men

to

engage

was excessive,

l^othing but the most rigid disciHull, however,

pline could have restrained them.

was preparing

to decide the contest in a

summary
to

method of

his

own.

He now made

sail

bring
at five

the Constitution

up with her
six,

antagonist,

and

minutes before

P. M., being alongside within

half pistol-shot, he
all his

commenced

a heavy

fire

from

guns, double-sJiotted with

round and

grajpe^

and so well directed and


fire,

so well kept

up was the

that in sixteen minutes the mizzen-mast of the

Guerriere went by the board, and her main-yard


in the slings,

and the

hull, rigging,

and

sails

were

completely torn to pieces.


for fifteen

The

fire

was kept up
fore-

minutes longer, when the main and

mast went, taking with them every spar except the


bowsprit,

and

leaving
this,

the Guerriere a comj)lete

wreck.

On

seeing

Hull ordered the

firing to

cease, having brought his


after

enemy,

in thirty minutes

he was

fairly alongside, to

such a condition that

a few more broadsides must have carried her down.

312

DARING DEEDS
prize

The

being so shattered that she was not


pris-

worth bringing into port, after removing the


oners to the Constitution, she was set on
fire

and
lost

blown up.

In

the

action,

the

Constitution
;

seven killed and seven wounded


fifteen killed,

the Gueid^re,

sixty-two

wounded,

including

the

captain and several officers, and twenty-four missing.

The news

of

this victory

was received in the

United States with the greatest joy and exultation.


All parties united in celebrating
it,

and the

citizens

and public

authorities vied with each other in be-

stowing marks of approbation upon Captain Hull

and

his gallant officers

and crew.

THE WASP AITD FEOLIC.


Later achievements of our navy, on a large scale,

have not been

sufficient to efface the recollection of

the brilliant action of the United

States sloop-of-

war Wasp, under the command

of Captain Jones,

and the British sloop-of-war Frolic.

He

sailed

from the port of Philadelphia on the

OF
13tli

AMERICAN HEROES.

313

of October, 1812, with a gallant set of officers,

and a high-spirited and confident crew.


16th of the same month the

On

the

Wasp
lost

encountered a

heavy

gale, during

which she

her jib-boom and

two valuable seamen.

On

the following night, being

a bright moonlight, a seaman on the look-out dis-

covered five strange

sail,

steering eastward.

JSTotwithstanding the apparent disparity of force,

Captain Jones determined to hazard an attack


as the

and,

weather was boisterous, and the swell of the

sea unusually high, he ordered

down

the topgallant

yards, closely reefed the topsails, and prepared for


action.

The convoy

sailed

ahead and lay

to, five-

or six miles

distant, while

the sloop-of-war, with


sail,

Spanish colors flying, remained under easy

the

Wasp coming down


side,

to

windward on her larboard


the

within pistol-shot, displaying

American
being
hoisted

ensign,
hailed,

and pennant.

Upon

the

enemy's
flag,

he hauled down the Spanish

the British ensign, and opened a broadside of can-

non and musketry.

The

fire

was promptly returned


gradually neared each

by

the "Wasp, the

vessels

other,

and each maintained the combat with great

animation, the English vessel firing with most ra


pidity,

but,

as

the

result

proved, with no grea

314
precision.

DAEING DEEDS
In a few minutes after the commence-

ment

of the action, the maintop-mast of the


falling

Wasp
yard,
braces,

was shot aw aJ, and


across

on the

top-sail

the

larboard

fore

and

foretopsail

caused the head yards to be unmanageable during


the continuance of the
action.

In two or three
sail

minutes more the gaft and mizzen topgallant

were shot away.


sition in

Each

vessel continued in the po-

which the action commenced, and mainclose

tained

and

spirited

fire.

Captain Jones

directed his officers not to


vessel rolled

fire

except

when

the

downward,

so that the shot

was either
it,

poured into the enemy^s deck, or below

while

the English fired as soon as they had loaded, without regard to the position of their vessel, and thus
their
balls

were either thrown away, or passed

through the rigging.

The Wasp now passed ahead

of the enemy, raked her, and resumed her original


position.
It

was now obvious that the Wasp had

greatly the advantage in the combat, and Captain

Jones thought the contest might be speedily decided

by boarding, but hesitated because the roughness


of the sea might endanger the safety of both vessels
if

brought in contact.
the

As, however, the braces and


so injured

rigging of

Wasp were

by the

shot

OF
of the

AMERICAN HEROES.
that
lie

315

enemy

was

fearful his masts, being

unsupported, would go by the board, and that the

enemy might escape


all

he therefore determined at

hazards to board, and thus decide the contest,


this

With

determination he wore ship, and ran

athwart

the

enemy's

bow, so that the jib-boom

came

in

between the main and mizzen rigging of

the "Wasp.
inviting
for

The enemy was now


a

in

a position so
that

raking

broadside,

one

was

promptly ordered.

So closely in contact were the

contending vessels, that while loading, the rammers


of the

Wasp

struck against the sides of the oppo-

sing vessel, so that two of the guns of the former

entered through the

bow

ports of

the latter, and

swept the whole length of the deck.


ture a sprightly

At

this junc-

and gallant seaman, named Jack

Lang, who had once been impressed on board a


British man-of-war,
las,

jumped on a gun with


to

his cut-

and was about

leap on board the enemy,


back, wishing to

when Captain Jones ordered him

give a closing broadside before boarding.


petuosity,

His im-

however, could not be restrained; and


the

observing the ardor of

crew generally. Lieugallantly led

tenant Biddle and Booth

them

on,

but to their great surprise,

when they reached

the

516

DAKINQ DEEDS
individual

enemy's deck, not a single uninjured

was found on deck except the seaman


and three
dying
officers.

at the wheel,

The deck was covered with the


and was
slippery

and

dead,

with

blood.

AYhen Lieutenant Biddle reached the quarter-deck,


the

commander and two


swords,
thus

other officers threw


inclination that

down
their

their

and

made an

of

bodies,

affording

evidence

they

had

surrendered.

DEFEASE OF FORT HAREISON".


On
the 19th of June, 1812, a declaration of

war

was formally declared against Great Britain by the


United
States

Congress,

and

sanctioned

by the

President.
before,

Captain Taylor had, but a few weeks

been placed in command of Fort Harrison,

a rude and
soldiers,

weak

stockade, garrisoned
like

by only

fifty

most of whom,

himself,

were worn

down and disabled by their long and severe service.


Almost
in the

very midst of an enemy's country,


all sides

surrounded on

by a

sleepless

and savage

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
fc-e,

317

and kept constantly on the


it

alert,

night and day,

for

weeks together,

is

not to be wondered at that

Taylor and his


the fatigue

men

should have nearly sunk undei


so

and labor they had


wretched
state,

long endured.

While

in this

with scarcely a dozen

men

fit

for service,

he was attacked on the night

of the 5th of September, 1812, after an ineffectual

attempt

to get possession of

the fort by. stratagem,

by a

force

of 450
his

Indians.

But Captain Taylor

had taken

measures with too

much prudence

to

be captured either by stratagem or force, as weak


as

were

his defences,

and few

his

men.
o'clock

The attack was commenced about eleven


at night, amidst the excitement

and confusion occa-

sioned by the

burning of the lower block-house,

which contained the property of the contractor, and which they had previously
fident
little

fired.

The Indians,

con-

of victory,
garrison,

had completely surrounded the


firing

and commenced

upon
firing

it

from
the

all

sides,

simultaneously with

the

of

block-house.
either

But Captain Taylor was undismayed,


of

by the overwhelming number


murderous
fire,

his

enemy

and

their

or the

more dangerous
to their aid.

element of destruction they had called

He

calmly

gave

his

orders

to

have

the

fire

318

DARING DEEDS
all

extinguished, but for a long time


fruitless.

efforts

were

The

fire

communicated
check
it.

to

the

roof, in

spite of every effort to

The scene

at this

time

is

represented as truly appalling.


fire,

The raging

of the

the jelling and howling of several hun-

dred Indians, and the cries of

women and
must

children

who had taken


unceasing

shelter

there, together

with

the

discharge

of

guns,

have

been
find

enough

to appal

the stoutest heart.

Yet we

this stripling captain,

only twenty-two years of age,


all,

boldly meeting

them
fire,

and giving

his orders for

suppressing the

and repelling the attack of his

iOO savage foes, with as


veteran.

much

coolness as the oldest

By
and

his great presence of


efforts,

mind, and his

well-directed
arrested,

the

flames

were

at

length

the

fire
fire,

finally

subdued.

Having

extinguished

the

and erected a temporary


the

breastwork, the

fire

of

enemy was returned

with redoubled vigor dui'ing the whole night, and

with such success, that at six o'clock in the morning,

the

enemy gave up
their forces.
lost

the contest in despair,

and .withdrew

In

this gallant defense,

Captain Taylor only

two

men

killed,

and two

wounded.

CAPTUilE OF THE MACEDONIAN.


Shortly after the declaration of war against Great
Britain, in 1812, the

frigate

United

States sailed

upon a

cruise,

under the command of Commodore


in

Decatur,

and on the 25th of October, 1812,


fell

latitude 29 N., longitude 29 30' W.,


his Britannic Majesty's ship, the

in with

Macedonian, comfrigate of

manded by Captain Carden.


the largest class,

She was a

mounting forty-nine carriage guns,


swiftest sailers in the British

and reputed one of the


navy.

"When

this frigate first

hove in

sight,

and

while orders were given on board the United States


to prepare
aloft
;

for

action. Lieutenant

Allen mounted

and, after watching her closely for

some time,

at length discovered the English, pennant.

He

de-

scended

to

his

comrades,

who were

impatiently

awaiting him below, and jocosely pronounced the


frigate a lawful
prize.

The enemy having the

ad-

vantage of the wind, fought at his

own

distance,
fifty

and the contest was kept up


1."^

for

one hour and 22

320
minutes.
sant
fire,

DARING DEEDS
The United
that
States poured such an inces-

the shouts

from the

crew of the

Macedonian were
cause,

distinctly heard,
to

who, from that

apprehended her

be in flames.

Her

col-

ors were, nevertheless,

hauled

down
lost

shortly after-

ward.

In

the

engagement she

her mizzen-

mast, fore and maintop-mast, and main-yard.

She

was likewise much damaged in her


six

hull.

Thirty-

were killed and forty-eight wounded.

On

board

the United States, ^ve only were killed, and seven

wounded.

The American
this

frigate received so little


still

damage

in

engagement, that she would


it

have continued her cruise, had


for

not been necessary

her to accompany her prize into port, on ac-

count of the crippled state of the British frigate.

Any comments
surely

on

so glorious to the

an action arms of our countrymen would


this

splendid action

now be

needless.

CAPTURE OF THE ADAMS AND CALEDONIA.

In July, 1812, Colonel Winfield Scott received


the

commission

of

lieutenant-colonel

in

the

2d

artillery, (Izard's

regiment,)

and arrived on the

Niagara
Barker.

frontier,

with the companies of Towson and


at

He

took post

Black Rock, to protect

the navy-yard there established.

Lieutenant Elliott of the navy had


enterprise against

planned an
brigs, then

two British armed

lying at anchor under the guns of Fort Erie.


this

For

purpose, he
to

applied, on
Scott, for

the 8th of October,


assistance
in
officers

1812,

Colonel

and men.

Captain Towson, and

a portion of his

company were dispatched


attack

to the aid of Elliott.

The

was

successful.

On

the morning of the 9th,

both vessels were carried in the most gallant manner.


in

The Adams was taken by Captain


assisted

Elliott

person,
the

by Lieutenant Isaac Roach

and
eon.

Caledonia

by the

gallant Captain

Tow
the

In dropping

down

the Niagara River,

322

DARING DEEDS
through
into

Adams became unmanageable,


currence of a calm, and drifted
channel.

the

oc-

the British

She got around on Squaw

island, directly

under the guns of the enemy's

batteries,

where

it

was impossible
therefore,

to

get

her

oif.

Captain

Elliott,

having previously secured the prisoners,


fire

abandoned her under a heavy


shore.

from the British

Then ensued an

interesting

and exciting

scene, the British endeavoring to retake the aban-

doned

brig,

and Colonel Scott

to

prevent them.

The enemy
in

sent off boats, and Scott resisted them,

which

effort

he was successful.
until

The brig was


subsequently

recaptured,

and held

she was

burned, by order of General Smythe,


arrived.

who had then

As

for

the

Caledonia she

was preserved

by

the extraordinary efforts of Captain

(now General)

Towson, and afterward did good service in the

memorable and

glorious victory

won on Lake

Erie,

by

the gallant Perry.

i:v:a^iiS^-t5gr;a;a;i^y?i-^'gs>';k^y.u^^

BATTLE OF QUEENSTOK.
Early in the montli of October, 1812, there were
near 1500 regular troops at Buffalo and Fort Niagara, under the

command

of General

Smythe

and

General Stephen
militia, the

Yan

Kensselaer, of the

New York
known

commander

of the united force,

as the

Army

of the Center,

had concentrated about

2500

men

at Lewiston.

Nothing was talked of but

the invasion and conquest of Canada.


ful

The

success-

enterprise under Elliott infused

new

zeal into

the breasts of the really patriotic, but


disciplined militia
to
;

raw and un-

and

all

that

was then required

have terminated the campaign, and perhaps the

war, by a bold and successful stroke in the upper


province, was the presence of resolute and energetic

general

officers.

The arrangements

for

storming the heights of

Queenston were completed on the 12th of October,


and
late

in

the evening of

that

day Lieutenantthrough

Oolop^l

Scott hastened

to Lewiston,

mud

324
and
rain,

DAKING DEEDS
and
sleet,

and entreated General Yaa

Rensselaer to permit him to serve as a volunteer

with the attacking force.


Schlosser,

He

instantly returned to

where

his

men were

posted, ordered

them
at

under arms, and just before daylight arrived

Lewiston, bringing with him two pieces of artillery.

The

troops under

Yan

Rensselaer and Chrystie had

already passed the river,

though

not with

much

regularity, on account of the deficiency of boats,

under a heavy
they were
Dank.

fire

from the enemy's batteries


the

and

now warmly engaged on

opposite

Colonel

Van

Rensselaer and

Lieutenant-

Colonel Chrystie were both

known

to

be severely
to

wounded, and

Scott was

finally ordered

cross

over and take the command.

Leaving
shore,

his

train

in

battery on

the

American

under the command of Captains Towson and

Barker,

who opened an

effective fire

on the enemy,

Scott crossed the stream, about eight o'clock in the

morning, when he found

that

the

British

force,

consisting of two fiank companies of the 4:9th,

and

body of
;

militia,

had been driven from

their po-

sition

that Captain

Wool had stormed


three

the heights

south
18th

of the town, with


infantry,

companies of the

and

carried

the enemy's batteries;

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

325

and that the British commander, General Brock,

had been

killed

in

an unsuccessful charge, which

he had gallantly headed in person.

Although the American detachments, which had

made

a lodgment on the

Canada
it

shore,

remained

for several

hours unmolested,
rally

was not doubted

that the

enemy would

again before night.

Scott

arranged his men, therefore, so as both to


that

cover the ferry, in order


forced
if

he might be rein-

necessary, and to repel an attack.


o'clock in the afternoon,

Between two and three


small
parties

of

the

enemy were seen hovering


hills,

along the slopes of the


action

and, shortly after, the


rallied

was

fiercely

renewed by the
about

militia

and

grenadiers,

and

400

Indians,

under

Norton,
hurried

who had heard

the previous firing and had

down from Chippewa.


regulars

With

a mixed comfar

mand
strong,

of

and

militia, not

from 350

Scott

boldly

encountered the enemy.

A
tlie

sharp conflict ensued for a few moments, and


assailants

were then driven back, and put

to flight,

by a forward movement of the bayonet.

The protection of the


impossible.

ferry rendered

a pursuit

Scott therefore re-formed his line, in

readiness for another attack.

He had

just returned

326
to

DARING DEEDS
the rear, to JL'ect his

men how
enemy

to

unspike a

captured cannon, when the

rallied again,

and forced
too,

in the

advanced

picket.

The main

line

had commenced a

retreat ere
to

he could reach
front,

them.

Instantly springing

the

by great

exertions, in
ral

which he was ably seconded by Gene-

AYadsworth, and Lieutenant-Colonel Chrystie, he

brought the retreating line to the right about.

His

earnest enthusiasm produced a sudden revulsion of


feeling,

and the enemy were soon a second time

repulsed.

Meanwhile,

General

Sheaffe,

who commanded
all

the troops at Fort George, had hastily collected


his disposable forces,

and the provincial

militia in

the neighborhood, and was rapidly approaching the

scene

of

action.

About

four o^clock, his column,

numbering rather more than 800 men, emerged


into

open view just below the village of Queenston.

He
that

advanced with much caution, though


the

fully

aware
to

Americans were greatly

inferior

his

own

force in point of numbers, especially

when he
and

had effected a junction with the


Indians.

light troops
left,

Leaving Queenston on his


circuit

he took
the

wide

through

the

woods,

gained

heights,

and opened the action anew, with a rapid

OF
fire

AMERICAN HEKOES.
and
artillery.

327

of musketry
little

For half an houi,

the

band headed by the dauntless and heroic


their

Scott,

manfully held

ground,

and breasted
side.

the volleys that

met them on every

All that

bravery and

skill

could do, was nobly performed,


!

but performed in vain

Scott fearlessly exposed his person to the enemy's


bullets.

His

tall

form, six feet and five inches in

height,
field.

was the most conspicuous object on the

He

was arrayed in

fall

uniform, and was

entreated again and again to cover up or change

some
ing
;

parts of his dress.

''

'No,

no
!

" said he, smil-

"I

will

die

in

my

robes "

Others

were

constantly falling around him, but

he escaped unsurren-

harmed.

After
to

the action,

when he had

dered himself a prisoner of war, an Indian warrior

came up
said

him, and surveying

him

attentively,

"You are not times holding up


so

born to be shot;

so

many

all

the fingers of both hands

many

times did I

fire at

you "
!

GENERAL SCOTT AND THE INDIAN

CHIEFS.

After the battle of Queenston, the prisonei-s were


escorted to the village

now

called I^Tiagara, at the


officers

mouth of the
in an inn,

river,

where the

were lodged

and placed under guard.


to suffer

The

sentinel
to pass

had received orders


out,

no prisoner

but

not otherwise to restrain their motions.

In a

little

while a message came that

some one
Scott

wished to speak with the "tall American."


passed

through several

doors into the entry.

He

was surprised to find in his visitors the


Indians, hideously painted
as in
battle,

same two

who had
flag of
distin

sprung upon him while he was bearing the


tiTice.

The

elder, tall

and strong, was the

guished chief known by the


cobs,

name

of Captain Jafine figure,

The other was a young man of


inferior
in

and only

muscular development.

In

broken English, and by gestures, the prisoner was


questioned as to his shot-marks
ally holding
:

the Indians sever-

up

their fingers to indicate the timoa

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
their rifles

329
Jacobs grew
to turn

had been leveled


seized

at him.

warm and
round

Scott

bj the arm

him

to see his back.

Indignant at this manual


hira,

liberty, the

American threw the savage from


!

exclaiming, " OiF, villain


"

You

fired like a

squaw."

We

kill

you now

"

was the angry reply, loosen-

ing from their

girdles at the

same

instant

knives
;

and tomahawks.

There was no
;

call for

help

none

could have arrived in time


been,
in

and

flight

would have
as
Scott,

the

opinion of such

soldiers

dastardly.

In

a corner of the entry, under the

staircase, stood the

swords of the American

officers,

which, according to the custom of war, they had

been desired
sabre, in a

to lay aside

on their

arrival.

long

heavy

steel scabbard, as readily

drawn

as

grasped, lay on

the

outside of

the

stack.

A
in

spring swiftly to the rear, and another back upon


the foe, brought the American, with blade
air, to

hung
lost

an attitude of defiance.

second

quiver

or an
and

error of the eye,


left

would have ended


to the biogra-

this story,

no further room

pher of the "


ants Scott
fall

tall

American."
;

Of one

of his assail^

was absolutely sure

but that he would

by the hands of the other before the sword

could be again poised, seemed equally certain.

He

330

DARING DEEDS

had the advantage of position

standing

on the
foot

defensive, in a narrow entry, just within

the

of the staircase.
turned.

It

was a pass that could not be


in

The savages were held without,

the

wider space, near the front door, but maneuvering


like

tigers to close

upon

their

prey.

The

parties
officer,

were thus terribly grouped, when a British

entering from the street, and seeing what impended,


cried,

"

The guard 1

" and

at

the

same moment
pistol to the

seized Jacobs

by the arm, and put a

head of
to

his

companion.
in

Scott held his blade ready


his

descend

aid

of
foes.

gallant deliverer,

now

turned upon by his


call

Tlie sentinels
in,

obeyed the

they had heard, and came

with bayonets
off,

forward.

The Indians were marched


all

muttering

imprecations on
of

white men, and aU the laws


chiefs

war.

The younger of these Indian


the

was

the son of

celebrated Brant, of
life

the Eevolu-

tionary war, whose


the public
officer

has recently been given to

by the

late Colonel

"Wm. L. Stone.
a
visit

The
of
of

who

so opportunely entered, on

com'tesy,

was Captain

Coffin, then in the staff

General Sheaffe,
British army.
rated, both in

and now of high rank

in

the

This adventure he

frequently nar-_

New York

and on the other side of

the

tl

an tin.

THE NEW YORK


PUBLIC LIBRARY
V?TO.^,

LENOX AND
J*>r!ON-l..

r^^

m "w^w

^#\\vwMii

i"-^'nr

m^
''!i;r'

CAPTUEE OF THE JAYA.


Long
before the

commencement

of

the last war

with Great

Britain,

Commodore Bainbridge had

established the highest character for bravery and


ability as a naval

commander.

On
6' S.,

the 29th of December, 1812, in latitude 13

and about ten leagues from the coast of


fell

Brazil,
frigate,

the Constitution
the Java,

in

with

an

enemy's

bound

for the

East Indies, with a number

cf supernumerary officers and seamen for the

Bomfrigate

bay

station.

The commodore, finding the


his reach, prepared with

fairly within

alacrity for
colors,

action.

The stranger showed English


the intention of

and

bore

down with

raking the Con-

stitution.

Bainbridge avoided
colors,

this,

and the enemy


a jack

having hauled down


only, the

and

left flying
fire

commodore gave
to

orders to
full

ahead of
This

the

enemy

make him show


full

colors.

was returned with a


action
to

broadside, and a general


striving to rake

commenced, both ships

and

avoid being raked.

23

332

DARING DEEDS
after the

Soon

commencement
a ball
in

of the action, Bain


;

bridge received

the hip

and

a few

minutes later a shot carried awaj the wheel, and


drove a small bolt with violence into his thigh.

These injm-ies did not induce him

to sit

down, and

he continued on deck, giving orders until eleven


o'clock at night.
fifty-five

The

action lasted

an hour and

minutes,

when

the

enemy

struck her flag,


sent

and

the
to

American commodore
take possession.

Lieutenant

Parker

The

Java was comofii-

manded by Captain Lambert,


cer,

a distinguished

who was

mortally wounded, and died a few


battle.

days after the


less

The enemy's

loss

was not

than sixty killed and 100 wounded.

The Con-

stitution lost nine killed

and twenty -five wounded.


a striking contrast in
;

The two

vessels presented

appearance, at the close of the action

the Consti-

tution " actually coming out of the battle as

she

had gone
spar,

into

it,

with royal-yards across, and every


to the lowest, in its place,"

from the highest

though some of them were considerably injured;


while the Java lay upon the water an unmanageable wreck, with every spar shot away, and but a

few stumps

left

standing.

Bainbridge

displayed
;

great kindness in the treatment of

his prisoners

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
his
prize,

333
landed
his

and, having destroyed


captives
to

he

at

St.

Salvador, on parole of

honor not
Stat^^

engage

in hostilities

against the United

until

exchanged.

CHAPTER X. 1815.
CAPTURE OF THE PEACOCK.
The following account of
is

this celebrated

action
dis-

extracted from Caj)tain Lawrence's

otficial

patch to the secretary of


19th, 1813

the navy, dated

March

After cruising off the coast of Surinam, from the


5th to the 22d of February, without meeting a vessel,

I stood for

Demarara, with an intention, should


that station, to run through
to the

I not be fortunate on

the

West

Indies,

on

my way
the

United States.
discovered a
;

But, on the morning of

24:th, I

brig to leeward, to which I gave chase

ran into

quarter less

four,

and, not

having

pilot,

was
of

obliged to haul off

the
this

fort at the

entrance

Demarara

river

at

time

bearing

south-west,

distance about two and a half leagues.


to

Previously

giving up the chase, I discovered a vessel at


the
bar, with
brig-of-war.

anchor without
ing,

English colore

fly-

apparently a

In beating ronnd

OF
Corobano bank,
three,

AMERICAN HEROES.

335

in order to get at her, at half-past

P. M., I discovered

another
for us.

sail

on

my

weather quarter, edging down


minutes past four she
hoisted

At twenty
colors, at

English
to

which time we discovered her

be a

lars^e

manfor

of-war brig, beat to quarters, and cleared ship


action; kept close

by the wind,

in order, if possi-

ble, to get the weather-gage.


five,

At

ten minutes past

finding I could weather the enemy, I hoisted


colors

American
past

and tacked.

At twenty minutes

five, in

passing each other, exchanged broad-

sides within half pistol-shot.

Obseiwing the enemy in the act of wearing, 1


bore up, received his starboard broadside, ran him
close

on board on the starboard quarter, and kept


fire,

up such a heavy and well-directed

that in less

than fifteen minutes he surrendered, being literally


cut to pieces, and hoisted an ensign, union down,

from

his

fore

rigging,

as

signal

of

distress.

Shortly after, his

main-mast went by the board,

dispatched Lieutenant Shubrick on board,

who

soon

returned with her


to

first

lieutenant,

who

reported her

be

his Britannic majesty's late brig

Peacock, comfell

manded by Captain William Peake, who


latter part of the action
;

in the

that a

number

of her crew

336

DARING DEEDS
sinkiiig
;

were killed and wounded, and that she was


fast,

having then six

feet

of

water

in

her hold

dispatched the boats immediately

for the

wounded,
shot-

and brought both


holes as could

vessels

to anchor.

Such

be got at were then plugged, her

guns thrown overboard, and every possible exertion


used to keep her
De removed,
effect,

afloat, until

the prisoners could


bailing, but without

by pumping and

and she unfortunately sunk

in

five

and a

half fathoms water, carrying

down

thirteen of her
viz.
:

crew and three of

my

brave fellows,

rohn

Hart, Joseph Williams, and Hannibal Boyd.

DEATH OF GENERAL PIKE.


Keeping up
their system of petty incursions on

the border towns, on the morning of the 22d of

February, 1813, the British crossed over in considerable


force,

and succeeded

in

capturing Og-

clensburg, on the St. Lawrence.

Captain Forsythe,
that
place, with

the
force

American commander
less

at

than half that of the British, effected

OF
his

AMERICAN HEROES.

337

retreat
ice

to

Black Lake, in a masterly manner.

The

having disappeared from Lake Ontario

about the middle of April, the look-out boat Growler


sailed

from Sackett's Harbor on the 19th,

to recon-

noiter the lake,

and immediately preparations were


for the invasion

made
of

for

an embarkation of troops

Canada.

The

troops, to

the

number

of

1700,

under the

command
;

of Greneral Dearborn, were em-

barked by the 23d

but the weather proving stormy

the fleet did not sail until the 25th.

On

the

morning of the 27th they arrived


;

off

York, the capital of Upper Canada

and, the fleet

having taken a position

to the south

and westward

o^ the principal fort, and as near the shore as possible,

the

debarkation of the

troops

commenced
:n

about

eight,

and was completed about ten

the

forenoon.

The riflemen under Forsythe


a heavy
all

first

landed, undei

fire

from the enemy, who had collected 700 regu-

their force at this point, consisting of

lars

and

militia,

and 100 Indians, commanded by

General Sheaffe in person.

The

contest

was

eharj)

and severe

for about half

an hour, when, about 700

or 800 of the Americans having landed,

commanded

by Oeir

rnl

Pike, and the remainder of the troops

338
pushing

DARING DEEDS
for ihe shore, the

enemy

retreated to theii

works, leaving a number of killed and wounded on


the
field.

Pike having formed the troops on the ground


originally intended
for their landing,

advanced

to

the batteries, which

now opened

their fire, whicli

was returned /rom the schooners, that had beat up


to a position within

600 yards of the principal


in the

fort^

The

troops were led

most gallant manner


two redoubts, and
work,

by General Pike, who


was
approaching
the

carried

principal

when

the
his

enemy, having previously

laid a train,

blew up

magazine, by which a great number of the troops

were killed and wounded, and, among the former,


the ever-to-be-lamented
fall

General Pike.
to

"When the

of Pike

was made known

General Dearborn,
troops.

he landed and took the command of the

As

soon as

the

magazine was blown up, the

British set fire to their naval stores and a ship on

the stocks

and then the regulars, with Sheaife

at

their head,

made

a precipitate

retreat

from the
flag

town.

By two

in the afternoon, the


for

American

was substituted

the British, and

by

four

the

troops were in peaceable possession of York, a capitulation having

been agreed on with the militia

OF

AMERICAN HE K U
by which
tlie

E 8

o'r

>

cuininaiiding officer,

towu

stores,

and

nearly 300 militia were surrendered.

The
killed

total

American

loss

on

this occasion

was 264

and wounded.
British

The

acknowledged a

loss of

156, killed,
loss

Wounded, prisoners, and


killed,

missing.

Tliis

of

wounded, and prisoners, however, must only

include the regulars, as 300 militia were surrendered


in the town.

CAPTAIN HOLMES' EXPEDITION.


Early in the spring of 1813, a small force, consisting of about

180 rangers and mounted infantry,

under Captain Holmes, was dispatched by Lieutenant-Colonel


ao-ainst

Butler,

the a

commander
post

at

Detroit,

Delaware,

British

on

the

river
artil-

Thames.
lery,

This detachment had set out with

but the state of the country presenting invinobstacles


in
its

cible

transportation,

it

was

left

behind.

By

this

means, and by sending back the


little

sick to Detroit,
to

Holmes'
16

force

was diminished

about 160 men.

340

DAKING DEEDS
the 3d of

On
that a

March, intelligence was received


his force,

body of the enemj, nearly double

was descending the Thames, one-half of


regulars,

whom

were

and the remainder

militia

and Indians.

Holmes immediately

retreated

few miles, and

took an excellent position on the western bank of

a creek, which ran through a deep aijd wide ravine.

Captain Gill was

left,

with a few rangers, to cover

the rear, and watch the motions of the

enemy

but

hardly had

the

main body encamped before they

were joined by the rangers, who had been driven


in

after

exchanging a few shots with the British


to reconnoiter

advanced corps, in a vain attempt


their forces.

The attack was commenced simultaneously on


every front, the militia and Indians attacking the
north, west,

and south, with savage

yells

and bugles

sounding, and the regulars charging from the ravine

on the

east.

The

latter

bravely

approached

to

within twenty paces of the American line, against


the most
destructive
fire.

But the

front

section

being shot to pieces, those


thinned and wounded, and

who

followed

much

many

of the officers cut

down, they were forced

to

abandon the charge, and


in

take cover in the woods

diffused order, within

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
from
fifteen

341

to thirty

paces of their

antagonists.

The charge of the


they had
recourse

British regulars
to

tliiis

repulsed,

their

ammunition, and the

firing increased

on both sides with great vivacity.


regulars,

The

American
to
assist

being

uncovered,

were

ordered

kneel, that

the

brow of the heights

might
the

in screening

them from the view of


also

enemy.

But the enemy's cover

proved
to

insufficient, a

common-sized tree being unable

protect even one

man from
less the

the extended

line of

Americans, much

squads

that often stood

and breathed

their last together.

On

the other three sides the firing was also sus-

tained with

much

coolness,

and with considerable


sides

loss to the foe.

The troops on those

being

protected by logs hastily thrown together, and the

enemy

not charging, both the


at
leisure,

rifle

and the musket

were aimed

with that deadly certainty

which distinguishes the American backwoodsman.

Unable

to sustain

so unequal a contest, therefore,


twilight, the British

and favored by the shades of

commenced
and gallant

a general retreat, after an hom'^s close


conflict.

CAPTUKE OF THE
On
the

PEISTGUHST.

morning of the 23d of March, 1813, while

the Hornet sloop-of-war, of eighteen guns,

commandojff

ed bj Captain Biddle, was preparing to anchor


the island of Tristan d'
steering

Acunha, a

sail

hove in

sight,

northward, with a fine breeze, and disap-

peared in a few minutes behind a projecting point


of land.

The Hornet immediately made

sail,

and

on clearing the point, discovered the same vessel,


bearing down before the wind,
shortened
sail

when Captain Biddle


her to come up with

and hove

to for

him.

When

the stranger got near he began also

to shorten sail,

and took

in his steering-sails very


it

clumsily, for the purpose, as

afterward appeared,
forty minutes past

of practicing a
one, the

deception.

At

engagement commenced by a broadside

from the Hornet.


great
spirit

The

action

was sustained with

for fifteen minutes,

when

the

enemy

approached, with the apparent intention of boarding


;

but finding the Hornet prepared

to receive

,f::'(i:i!ll!''i|

^3

til.fl'?'!iii!!|i

i||vi!|ii|,fi|it.

'

lliiiill'^.:"

OF AMERICAN HEEOES.
him, he desisted

343

from

the attempt, and in a few

minutes surrendered.

The

prize proved

to

be the

British brig-of-war Penguin, of nineteen guns

and

132 men, forty-two of

whom were

killed or

wounded.
fire

So heavy and well-directed had been the


Hornet, that
it

of the

was found necessary

to scuttle the

Penguin, after removing the prisoners.


received no material injury; one

The Hornet
only of her

man

crew was

killed,

and eleven wounded.

BATTLE OF TOHOPECA.
I^ot far from five miles below

'

Emuckfaw,

is

the

great

bend of the Tallapoosa,

called

by the Indians,
war-

Tohopeca, or Horse Shoe.


riors

At

this place, the

from the hostile towns of Oakfuskie, Oake-

hoya, Enfaulee, IS'ew Yonca, the Hillabees and Fish

Ponds, had concentrated their


strong, for a
last

forces,

near

1000

desperate

struggle.

Across the

narrow neck of land, or isthmus, by which the


peninsula formed by the crooked river was entered,

they had erected a breastwork of logs, from five

844

DARING DEEDS
with double port-holes, arranged

to eight feet high,

with no

little skill

and ingenuity.

"Within the in;

closure, there

were about 100 acres of land

the

center was

high ground, covered with brush and


;

fallen timber

and on the river bottom,

at the

lower

extremity of the peninsula, was the Indian village.

On
ral

the night of the 26th of March, 1813, Gene-

Jackson encamped within six miles of the Horse

Shoe, and early on the following morning. General


Coffee was detached, with

mounted men and most

of the friendly Indians, under instructions to cross


the river at a ford two miles below Tohopeca, and

take possession of the high grounds on the opposite

bank, so as to cut off aU chance of escape in that


quarter.

The

firing

on the American side

w^as

mainly con-

fined to the artillery, though a

rifle

or

musket was

occasionally discharged,

whenever the dark warriors


For nearly two
spirit

incautiously exposed their persons.

hours, the cannonade


activity,

was kept up, with


producing
friendly

and

though

without

any sensible
Indians

impression.

Meantime the

had

advanced

to the left

bank of the

river,

while Gen-

eral Coffee
rest of

remained on the high ground with the


troops.

his

Some

of the Cherokees

now

OF AMERICAN HEKOES.
discovered
that

345

the

enemy's canoes, which were

drawn up on the
left

shore, near their village,

had been
into

unguarded.

They

instantly plunged

the
re-

stream,

swam

across, and, in

few moments,

turned with a number of the canoes.


thus

Means being
Cherokees,

provided

for

passing

over,

the

headed by

their chief,

Richard Brown, and Colonel


spies,

Morgan, and Captain Russell's company gf


crossed to the village, set
the
it

on

fire,

and attacked

enemy

in the rear.
hostile Indians

Surrounded though they were, the


fought with
the utmost

bravery and

desperation
fled

Every avenue by which they might have


occupied
tations
der,

was

by the American
;

troops,

aud their habi-

were in flames

still

they refused to surren-

and successfully resisted every attempt of the

Bpies

and Cherokees

to dislodge

them.

The

soldiers

with General
to the assault,
till

Jackson, clamored loudly to be led

but he hesitated to give the order,

he became convinced that the party in the rear


"jtrong

were not
they

enough

to

overcome the opposition


to

encountered.

The

command

storm

the

works was then received with shouts and acclamations.

General Doherty's brigade, and the 39th


^^^

in-

fantrv,

under Colonel Williams, promptly advanced


24

346
to the attack.

DARING DEEDS
The
in
result

of

the contest
fierce

did

not

long

remain

donbt.

struggle

was

maintained for a short time, through the port-hole^

muzzle

to

muzzle

the

action being so

close,

as

remarked

in the dis23atch of the

commanding

gen-

eral, that "

many

of the enemy's balls were welded

to

the

American bayonets."

Major Montgomery
first

of

the 39th infantry, was the

to spring

upon

the breastwork, but was shot dead


rades,

among

his

com
him
the

who were rushing forward


cry for vengeance

to sustain

smotliered

rolled

along

line,

and the whole column dashed over the feeble


the avalanche, crushing and

barrier, like

bearing

down every

thing before

it.

The Indians,

fighting with the fury of despair,


rifles,

met
with
at-

the shock with clubbed muskets, and the gleaming knife and tomahawk.

Some few

tempted
shot

to

escape by

swimming
by the

the river, but were


spies

down

in their flight,

and mounted

men under
fought

General Cofiee.

Most of them, however,

and died where they stood

behind
continued

the

ramparts which they were unable


conflict

to defend.

The

nay,
^N'one

we may

call

it,

without

rej^roach
for

to

the

victors, the

butchery
for

was

hours.

asked

quarter.

The Tallapoosa

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
ran red with
the blood
of the

347

savages, and the


its

dead were

j)iled in

mangled heaps npon

banks

Driven from the breastwork, a considerable number of the


fallen

enemy took

refuge

among

the brush and

timber on the high ground in the center of

the peninsula.

General Jackson sent them an

in-

terpreter, to offer
fired

terms of capitulation, but thej

on

and wounded

him.

The

cannon were

brought to bear on their position, and a partially


successful charge

was made, yet they were not


brush was set on
fire.

dis-

lodged.

Finally, the

The

flames spread with rapidity, snapping and crackling


as they caught the dry

bark and leaves, and licking

up every thing in
monster.

their way, like

some huge, greedy


their

The Indians were now forced from


and
all

concealment;

who attempted

to

fly,

or

offered resistance,

were shot down.

IN'ight at

length

put an end to the carnage, and, under cover of the


darkness, a few of the survivors of that fatal field

escaped into the adjoining

forests.

Five hundred and fifty-seven dead bodies of the

enemy were found

within the peninsula


all

and there

were over 300 taken prisoners, nearly


children.

women and
number
of

The

total loss of the

Ked
;

Sticks, in killed
as a

alone,

must have been near 800

34:8

DARING DEEDS
thrown into the river previous
to

the dead were

the final

rout,

by

their

surviving friends, or shot

by General Coffee's
their escape.

men

while attempting to

make

Among
in

the slain were three prophets,

one of whom, by the

name
his

of Monohoe, was struck

by a grape-shot
issued the lies
ruin.

mouth, out of which had


his nation to their

which had lured

General Jackson

lost fifty-five

men

killed

and 146
forty-

wounded.

Twenty-three

of

the killed, and


friendly Creeks

seven of the wounded, were


Cherokees.

and

CEUISE OF THE ESSEX.


Among
those

by whom the

enterprise of

the

American navy was

chiefly evinced,

was Captain

Porter, whose cruise on the Pacific terminated about


this time.

As

early as the

month of October, 1812,


frigate Essex.

he sailed

from the Delaware in the

He

doubled Cape Horn, amidst tremendous storms,


on
tlie

about the middle of February, 1813, and

OF
15tli of

AMERICAN HEROES.

34:y

March put

into the port of Yalparaiso, and,

having obtained the necessary supplies, proceeded


on his cruise, along the coast of Chili, and thence
to the
isles

Gallipagos islands.

In the vicinity of these

the Essex cruised for

upward of

six months,

during which she totally destroyed that valuable part


of the enemy's

commerce which was

carried on in

those seas.

The whole of the

British vessels at that

time in the Pacific, to the number of twelve, carrying in


all

107 gnns, and 302 men, were captured.

Their value was estimated at $2,500,000.


verted one of

He

con-

them

into a vessel of war,

mounting

twenty

gilns,

which he named the Essex Junior,

and sailed

for Yalparaiso.

The
at

intelligence of Captain Porter's exploits

had
be
at

length

occasioned a force of the

enemy

to

sent

in pursuit of

him.

Soon

after his arrival

Valparaiso, the Phoebe, a British frigate of thirtyeight guns, and a sloop-of-war appeared off the port,

naving been

fitted out

expressly to meet the Essex.

They entered the harbor to obtain provisions, and,


having efiected
off the port for
this,

again stood

out and cruised

about six weeks.

Their united force

was much greater than that of Captain Porter, the


Essex Junior being of but
little

utility in action.

350

DARING DEEDS
length, on
tlie

At

28th March, the Essex

made an
The
Cap-

attempt

to get to sea,

with a favorable wind.


to

enemy's vessels were close


tain Porter expected
to

the shore and

be able to

pass to wind-

ward of them.
the
point, the

Unfortunately, however, in rounding

American

vessel

was struck by a Thus


as
it

squall,

which carried away her maintop-mast.

crippled, escape to sea

was impossible

and

was equally

difficult

to reach

the harbor, Captain

Porter ran into a small bay, and anchored within


pistol-shot of the shore.

In

this situation

it

was

to

have been expected- that the ordinary rules of warfare,

which forbid an attack upon an enemy lying


a

within
served.

neutral
It

territory,

would have been

ob-

was, nevertheless, soon perceived that

Captain Hillyar, the English commander, was determined


to avail

himself of the opportunity oifered,

without regard to the rights of sovereignty of the


local

government.

The Essex was prepared


;

for ac-

tion with all possible dispatch

but before a spring

could be put upon her cable to enable her to bring

her broadside to bear, the attack was commenced.

The

British

commander, desirous of capturing the


little

Essex with as
placed
his

loss

to

himself as possible,

frigate, the

Phoebe, under

her stern,

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
while
the

351

Cherub took a position on her bows.


soon finding the
also
fire

The

latter,

of

the Essex too


stern,
fire.

warm, bore up, and ran

under her

where
Cap-

both ships kept up a heavy and raking

tain Porter continued the action for a considerable

time, with

three

long twelve-pounders, being


it

all

the

guns which he found

possible to

bring to

bear on the enemy, when, finding his crew falling


fast

around him, he cut his cable, and ran down

on the enemy, with the intention of laying the

Phoebe on board.

For a short time a


;

close

and

sanguinary action ensued

but the superior equip-

ment of

the British frigate enabling her to choose


off,

her distance, she edged


a
fire

and continued so heavy

from her long guns, that Captain Porter deto

termined

run his ship ashore.


in this

He

was, however,
off

disappointed
the land
test
;

hope by the wind setting

and

after

an unequal and hopeless con-

of

three

hours,

was compelled

to

give

the

painful order to strike the colors.

DEFEIS'SE

OF FOET STEPHEKS0:N".

Captain Croghan commanded, a short time, Fort


Defiance, on the
defeat of

Miami

of the lakes

but after the


to

General Winchester, he was ordered

Fort Meigs, upon which the


attack.

enemy designed an
in

Here General Harrison commanded


Every
disposition, both for attack
conflicting

person.
fense,

and

de-

was made by the

parties.

The

siege

began on the 28th of April, and on the 9th


following, the

of

May

besiegers

commenced

their

retreat,

covered with disgrace.

Here Croghan
by

parsev-

ticularly signalized himself with his corps,


eral

handsome and
his conduct

brilliant charges
this occasion,

on the enemy.

For

on

he received the
;

particular notice of the

commanding general
to a majority,

and

was

shortly after

advanced

and was

stationed

with his battalion at

Upper Sandusky.
Fort
Stephenson,
river.

From

this

he was ordered

to

twenty miles above the mouth of Sandusky

On

the 1st of August, General Proctor

made

his

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
fort.

353

appearance before the

His troops consisted

of 500 regulars, and about 700 Indians of the most


ferocious kind.
in

There were but 133

effective

men

the

garrison,

and the works covered one acre


pickets were about ten feet high,

of ground.

The

surrounded by a ditch, with a block-house at each


angle of the
fort,

one of which contained a

six-

pounder.

This was the exact state of the post at

the time the

enemy appeared.
enemy was
to

The

first

movement

made by

the

make such

a disposition

of his forces as to prevent the escape of the gar


rison, if

they should be disposed to attempt

it.

He
the

then sent ColoneJ. Elliott with a flag to


surrender
of the
fort.

demand

He was met by

Ensign

Shipp.

The

British

officer

observed that General

Proctor had a number of cannon, a large body of


regular troops, and so

many

Indians,

whom

it

was

impossible to control, that


as
it

if

the fort was taken,

must

be, the

whole of the garrison would be


it

massacred.

Shipp answered, that

was the

detei

mination of Major Croghan, his


to defend the garrison or

officers

and men,
and that

be buried in

it,

they might do their best.

Colonel Elliott addressed


are a fine

Mr. Shipp again


I pity

"

You

young man

your situation

for

God's

sake

surrender.

35#

DARING DEEDS

and prevent the dreadful slaughter that must fallow


resistance."
tion,

Shipp turned from him with indigna-

and was immediately taken hold of by an

Indian,

who attempted

to

wrest his sword from him.


called
to

Major Croghan, observing what passed,


Shipp
to

come

into the

fort,

which was instantly

obeyed,

and the action commenced.


rear,

The

firing

began from the gun-boats in the


tip

and was kept

during the night.

At an

early hour the next morning, three

six-

pounders, which had been planted during the night


within 250 yards of the pickets, began to play upon
the fort, but with
all
little efiect.

About

four P. M.,

the enemy's guns were concentrated against the

north-western
of

angle

of

the

fort,

for

the

purpose
effect of

making a breach.

To counteract the

their fire.

Major Croghan caused that point


flour,

to

be

strengthened by means of bags of


other materials, in such a

sand, and

manner

that the picket-

ing sustained

little

or no injury.

But the enemy,


the

supposing their

fire

had

sufficiently shattered

pickets, advanced, to the

number

of 500, to storm
feints

the place, at the


different points.

same time making two

on

The column which advanced against the north-

OF
western
angle

AMERICAN HEROES.
was
to

355
in

so

completely

enveloped
it

smoke, as not

be

discovered until

had ap-

proached within eighteen or twenty paces of the


lines,

but the

men
it,

being

all

at

their

posts,

and
gall-

ready
ing a

to receive
fire as to

commenced

so

heavy and

throw the column into confusion;

but being quickly rallied, Lieutenant-Colonel Short,


the

leader of

the

column, exclaimed, "

Come

on,

my
no

brave fellows, we will give these Yankee rascals


quarter,"

and

immediately leaped
his troops.

into

the

ditch, followed

by

As

soon as the ditch

was entirely

filled

by

the assailants.

Major Croghan

ordered the six pounder, which had been masked


in the block-house, to be fired.
It

had been loaded

with a double charge of musket balls and slugs.

The piece completely raked the


end.

ditch,

from end

to

The

first fire

leveled the one half in death

the second or third either killed or

wounded every

one except eleven, who were covered by the dead


bodies.

At

the

same time, the

fire

of small arms
it

was

so

incessant and
oflScers

destructive, that

was in

vain the British

exerted themselves to lead


;

on the balance of the column


under a shower of
djoining wood.
shot,

it

retired in disorder in

and sought safety


the

an

The

loss of

enemy

in killed

356

DARING DEEDS

was about 150, besides a considerable number of


their
allies.

The Americans had but one


wounded.

killed

and seven
of

slightly

Early in the morning

the 3d, the

enemy

retreated

down

the

river,

after

having abandoned considerable baggage.

CAPTURE OF THE EPERYIER.


On
the

29th

of

April,

1813,

the

sloop-of-war

Peacock, of eighteen guns, commanded by Captain

Warrington,

fell in

with, and after an action of forty-

two minutes, captured the British brig-of-war Epervier, of

a like

number

of

guns, and 128 men, of

whom
and

eight were killed and fifteen wounded.

The

Peacock was deprived of the use of her

foresail
;

foretop-sail in the early part of the action

but

received
slightly

no

other

injury,

two

men
to

only being

wounded.

The

prize

had on board $120,000


the Peacock,

in specie,

which was transferred


vessels

and both
States.

arrived in safety in the United

DEFENSE OF SACKETT'S HAKBOE.


On
fleet

the evening of the 27th of

May,

the British

from Kingston was discovered bearing in the

direction of Sackett's Harbor,

by

the small vessels

under Lieutenant Chauncej, who had been sent out


to reconnoiter.

The alarm guns were


also

instantly fired,

and a messenger was

dispatched to General After issuing orders


to the post

Brown with

the information.

for the militia to assemble,

he repaired

of danger.

The delay experienced by the enemy

in the attempt, but partially successful, to capture

number

of boats coming from

Oswego with

troops,

fortunately gave time to collect

some 500 or 600

men
in

but not more than 1000 could be assembled


including the invalids.

all,

At

the request of

Lieutenant-Colonel
short time
at

Backus,
station,

who had been but a


and was unacquainted

the

with the

localities.

General Brown took

command
one

of the united force.

In the afternoon of the 28th,


ships,

the hostile

fleet,

which consisted of four

S5S

DARING DEEDS
two schooners, two gun-boats, and thirtj-three

brig,

flat-bottomed boats, containing 1000 picked troops,

under Sir

George

Prevost
in

and Commodore
the
offing.

Sir

James Yeo, appeared

Under the

orders of General Brown, a breastwork was hastily,

but skillfully thrown up, at the only point where a


landing could be readily effected,
forests

the
of

primeval
in rear

sweeping away,

for miles

on miles,

of the town, and on either side

the opening
lake.

leading
militia,

down

to

the

margin of the

The

and the Albany volunteers, under Colonel


recently arrived, were posted behind

Mills,

who had

the

breastwork with

field-piece.

The regular
sta-

troops

under Lieutenant-Colonel Backus, were

tioned in a second line, in rear, and near the bar-

racks and

public

buildings.

Lieutenant Fanning,

with his
barracks

artillerists,
;

occupied Fort Tompkins, at the


his

and Lieutenant Chauncey and


to

men

were ordered

defend the stores at

Navy

Point.

During the night of the 28th, General Brown


was constantly on the
their arms, while
alert.

His
officers

men

slept

on

he and his

reconnoitered

the shores of the lake.

All was quiet, however,

save the mournful sighing of the breeze

among

the

dark pines and hemlocks, the

tall

oaks and maples

OF
in the

AMERICAN HEROES.
forests,

359

neighboring

and the constant dashing


till

of the tiny waves on the pebbly beach,

the early

dawn on

the following morning.

The

British

were

then descried pushing rapidly toward the landing


in

their

small
militia

boats.

As they approached,

the

American

appeared cheerful and animated,


;

and betrayed no symptoms of fear

on the contrary,
conflict.

they seemed anxious to participate in the

The orders of General Brown were,


the

to

permit

enemy

to

come within

pistol-shot,

and then,

taking deliberate aim, to open on them vigorously

with the field-piece and musketry.

The

first

fire
shot;

was well-directed, and very destructive; the

tearing and crashing through the sides of the boats,

knocking

ofif

the gunwales, splintering the bowls of

the oars, and killing and

wounding several

ofiicers
;

and men.
their

The

British

were thrown
;

into confusion

advance was checked

and a few more rounds


the

would undoubtedly have


ment.
tia, for

terminated

engagemili-

But
the

after firing the


first

second round, the

time in action, were seized with a


efibrts of

sudden panic, and, in spite of the


officers, retreated

their

in

disorder.

Colonel Mills lost

his life in the vain

attempt to prevent the retreat.

General Brown succeeded in rallying about ninety

360

DARING DEEDS
belonging to the company of Captain McNitt,

men

whom

he formed in line with

the regulars,

who

maintained their position with

spirit

and bravery.

Meanwhile

Sir

George Prevost had disembarked

his troops on the beach, and commenced his march

toward the

village.

But the enemy now encountered


little

the most desperate opposition from the of Americans


the

band

who remained

firm,

encouraged by
heroic-

presence of General

Brown, and the

example of the brave but unfortunate Backus, who


fell

mortally
to

wounded during the


give

attack.

Though

compelled

way

before superior numbers,


of

they disputed
took possession

every inch
of

ground, and finally

the

barrack buildings.

Here,

partially sheltered, they

poured their gallant volleys

on the enemy;
ning, though
<)f

at the

same time. Lieutenant Fanthe


fire

severely wounded, directed

his

gun with remarkable precision and


British having

effect.

The
lodge

made repeated
without

efforts to dis

the

Americans,
his

success.

General

Brown exhorted

men

to continue

the defense

of the position to the last extremity, while he

made
Hav-

another effort to rally the militia to their assistance.

He

then hastened to overtake the fugitives.

ing collected a large

number

of

them

together, he

OF
earnestly

AMERICAN HEROES.
them, rebuking both

361

addressed

officers

and

men

for their lack of corn-age,

with such force


tears

and eloquence, that many of them shed

when

he alluded to the brave conduct of the regulars and


volunteers, who, though strangers to the soil,

were

more prompt
and occupants.

to

defend

it,

than they,

its

owners

He now

ordered them to form and

follow him, declaring that he


act of

would punish the

first

disobedience with instant death.

Although

his orders

were obeyed without reluctance, he was


rely

ifraid
attack.

to

upon

their

firmness

in

an

open

Being unwilling, therefore,


with the troops

to

meet the enemy


rallied.

whom

he had just

General

Brown determined
was
fearful

to effect

by stratagem what he
Di-

he could not otherwise accomplish.

recting the militia to pass through the edge of the


forest, in sight of

the field of battle, as if affecting

to conceal the

movement, he marched them by a

circuitous route toward the place of landing.


British, suspecting

The

an attempt

to turn their flank

and capture

their boats,

became alarmed, and made


all their

a precipitate retreat, leaving behind them


killed, a

number

of their wounded, and thirty-five

prisoners.

25

CAPTURE OF THE
About the
first

liEIJSTDEER.
sloop-of-war

of

May, the

Wasp,

of eighteen guns,
sailed

commanded by Captain

Blakely,

from Portsmouth ou her

first cruise.

After

captm-ing seven merchantmen, she encountered, on


the 28th of June, the British brig-of-war Reindeer,

of nineteen guns and 118 men.

After a series of
latter,

maneuvers on the part of


close action

tlie

by which a

was

for a long time prevented, a

warm

engagement commenced, which was continued with


great spirit on both sides for

upward of two

hours,

during which the


to

enemy

several times

attempted

board, but were as often repulsed.

The crew

of the W-asp

now boarded with


Owing

great ardor, and in

a few minutes resistance ceased and the British


flag

was hauled down.

to the

proximity of

the two vessels and the smoothness of the sea, the


loss

on both sides was severe.

That of the Ameri;

cans was five killed and twenty-one wounded

while

the British lost twenty-five killed, including Captain

OF

AMERICAN HEKOES.

363

Manners, and fortj-two wounded.

The Eeindeei

was so much injured that


to set

it

was found necessary

her on

fire.

Captain Blakely, continuing his cruise, about the


1st of

September discovered a

fleet of

merchantmen

under convoy of a seventy-four gun-ship.

One

of

them was
set

taken, and after removing her cargo,

was
with

on

fire.

On

the same evening he


British

fell in

and

captured

the

sloop-of-war

Avon, of

twenty guns.

The appearance of a
to

British squadron

compelled him

abandon

his

prize,

which sunk

soon after the removal of her crew.

The damage sustained

in this action

being soon

repaired, Captain Blakely continued his cruise,

and

on the 23d of September, captured the British brig


Atlantic,

which

he sent into the United

States.

From

this

period no tidings ever reached the reshij).

public of this gallant


in

Whether she foundered

darkness or tempest, or perished in a conflict

with an enemy, has never been ascertained.

ENTERPRISE AND BOXER.


On
the 1st of September, the Enterprise, Captain

Burroughs, sailed from Portsmouth on a cruise.

On

the 5th, early in the morning, they espied a brig


in

shore, getting

under way.

They reconnoitered

her for a while to ascertain her character, of which


they were soon informed
British

by her

hoisting

three

ensigns,

and

firing

a shot as a challenge.

The Enterprise then hauled upon a wind, stood out


of the bay, and prepared for action.

calm

for

some

time delayed the encounter

it

was succeeded

by a breeze from the southwest, which gave our


vessel the weather-gage.

After maneuvering for a

while to the windward, in order to try her sailing

with the enemy, and to ascertain his force, the


Enterprise,

about

three,

P.

M.,

shortened

sail,

hoisted three ensigns, fired a gun, tacked and ran

down with an
quarters.

intention

to

bring

him

to

close

When

within half pistol-shot, the

enemy

gave three cheers, and commenced the action with

'S'rii!

THE

.^._
.1

pasLic

TILDEN rQVN^ArWNI.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
his

365

starboard

broadside.

The cheers

and

the

broadside were returned on our part, and the action

became

general.

In about

five

minutes after

the battle had

commenced, the

gallant Burroughs
fell
;

received

a musket-ball in his body and


to

he,

however, refused

be carried below, but continued


action.

on deck through the

The

active

command
who
con-

was then taken bj Lieutenant McCall,


ducted himself with great
skill

and coolness.

The

enemy was out-maneuvered and

cut up; his main-

top-mast and topsail-yard shot away; a position

gained on his starboard bow, and a raking


up, until his guns

fire

kept
for to

were silenced and he cried


as his colors

quarter, saying that

were nailed

the mast he could not haul

them down.

The

prize

proved

to

be his Britannic majesty's brig Boxer,

of fourteen guns.

The number of her crew

is

matter of conjecture and dispute.

Wq

turn gladly from such an idle discussion to

notice the last


Tliere needs

moments

of the worthy Burroughs.


to

no elaborate pencil
to the

impart pathos

and grandeur
sim]>le

death of a brave man.

The

anecdotes, given in

simple terms by his

surviving comrades, present more striking pictures

than could

be wrought up by the most refined

366
attempts of

DARING DEEDS
art.

"At

twenty minutes

jjast

ttree

P. M.," says one account, " our brave commander


fell,

and while lying on the deck, refusing

to

be

carried below, raised his head

and requested that


In
this situation

th& flag niigJit never le struck!''*

he remained during the


regardless
of bodily pain

rest of
;

the engagement,
the
life-

regardless of
;

blood

fast

ebbing from his wound

watching with
;

anxious eye the vicissitudes of battle

cheering his
still

men by
by

his

voice, but animating them

more

his glorious

example.

"When the sword of the

vanquished enemy was presented to him, we are


told that he clasped his hands

and exclaimed, " I

am

satisfied, I die

contented."

He now

permitted
at-

himself to be carried below, and the necessary


tentions

were paid

to save his life, or alleviate his

sufferings.

His wound, however, was beyond the


his last within

power of surgery, and he breathed


SI

few hours

after the victory.

^-'Ai-^

IBRARY

l!iil!!l!''''''iJ':'i:i:i''ii':i!!!iiiW^

COMMODOKE PEERT'S YICTORY ON


LAKE
EEIE.
flotilla

Perry took charge of the

of

gun-boats

etationed in the harbor of 'New York, early in 1812,

with the rank of master-commanJant.

Here he

remained about a year, disciplining his crews.

As

war had begun and the United


sphere
;

its

ravages between Great Britain

States,

he sought a more active


request,

and, at his

own

he was transferred

to the service

on the lakes.
this disposition of

In pursuance of
he repaired with

his services,

a reinforcement of
to

seamen
act

to

Sackett's Harbor, on Lake Ontario,

under
the
its

Commodore Chauncey.

Tlie transportation of
to the harbor,

seamen from the sea-board

from

novelty to the sons of I^eptune, afforded them the


highest amusement, particularly as
cruise " in the depth of winter.

it

was a " land-

After remaining at Sackett's Harbor some time.


dispatched

Commodore Chauncey

Perry

to

take

368

DARING DEEDS
fitted

charge of the squadron then

and

fitting out

on Lake Erie, and

to hasten their
fleet

equipments.

At

this time, the British

on that lake was com-

manded bj Captain
standing, rank, and
vice,

Earclay, an oflScer of high

skill,

who had

seen

much

ser-

and whose force was of superior strength

to

the

American squadron.
his

Perry pursued

object

unmolested

by the

enemy, who was continually hovering


harbor.
sels,

about the
his

Havino

equipped

and manned

ves-

he buoyed them over the bar, on which was

only ^ve feet of water, at the harbor's mouth of


the port of Erie, on the 4th of August, 1813.

The The

enemy were peaceable

spectators of the scene.

next day he sailed in pursuit of them, and returned


to

port

on

the

8th,

without

accomplishing

his

object.

Nothing of moment happened


ing
of
the

until

the morn-

10th

of September.

The

American

squadron was then lying at anchor

at Put-in-Bay,

and consisted of brigs Lawrence, Commodore Perry,


twenty guns
;

Niagara, Captain

Elliot,

twenty guns
;

Caledonia, Purser McGrath, three guns


Ariel, Lieutenant Packet, four guns
;

schooners

Scorpion, Sail-

ing-Master Champlain, two guns

Somers. Almv.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
two guns, and
Conklin,

two swivels

Tigress,

Lieutenant

one

gun;
;

Porcupine,

Midshipman G.

Senat, one gun

sloop Trippe, Lieutenant Smith,


forty-four guns.

one gun

in

all,

At

simrise they discovered the

enemy, and im-

mediately got under

way and

stood for him, with


British force con-

a light wind at southwest.

The

sisted of ship Detroit, nineteen guns, one

on pivot
seventeen
thir-

and

two

howitzers;
;

Queen

Charlotte,

guns, one on pivot

schooner Lady Prevost,


;

teen guns, one on pivot

brig Hunter, ten guns


;

sloop Little Belt, three guns

schooner Chippeway,
sixty-three guns.

one gun, two swivels

in

all,

At

ten A. M., the wind hauled to the southeast,


to

and brought our squadron

windward.

Commo-

dore Perry then hoisted his union jack, having for


a motto the dying words of the valiant Lawrence, " Don't give

up the ship "


!

It

was received with

repeated cheerings by the officers and crews.

And
;

now, having formed his

line,

he bore for the enemy

who

likewise cleared for action, and hauled

up

his

courses.

As

the hostile squadrons approached each

other, suddenly a bugle

was sounded on board the

enemy's ship Detroit, and loud huzzas immediately


burst forth from
all

their crews.

370

DARING DEEDS
soon as the Lawrence came witliin
tlie

As
of
fire

reach

the enemy's long guns, they opened

a heavy

upon

her, which,

from the shortness of her


Perry, without

guns, she was unable to return.

waiting for his schooners, kept on his course, which

induced the enemy to suppose


to board.
j

it

was

his intention

In a few minutes having gained a nearer

position,

he opened his

fire.

The length of the

enemy's guns, however, gave them greatly the ad


vantage, and the Lawrence was excessively cut up

without being able to do any great damage in re


turn.

Their shot pierced her sides in

all

directions

killing the

men on

the berth-deck and in the steer


to

age, w^here they

had been taken down


nearly produced

be dressed

One

shot had

a fatal explosion
it

passing

through

the light room,

knocked
;

the

snuff of the candle into the magazine

fortunately
pres-

the gunner happened to see

it,

and had the

ence of mind
his hand.

to extinguish

it

immediately, with

Their heaviest

fire

was directed

at the

Lawrence,
situation,
to follow,

and Perry, finding the hazards of

his

made

sail,

and directed the other vessels


foe.

for the

purpose of closing with the


fire,

The

tre-

uiendous

however,

to

which he was exposed,

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

371

soou cut away every brace and bowline, and the

Lawrence became unmanageable.

Even

in this disastrous plight, she sustained- the

action for

upward of two

hours,

within canister
the time the
to

distance, though for a great part of

Lawrence could not get more than three guns


bear upon her antagonist.
It

was admirable

to be-

hold the perfect order and regularity that prevailed

among her
this

valiant

and devoted crew, throughout


'No trepidation, no confusion
;

scene of horror.

occurred, even for an instant


w^ere

as fast as

the

men

wounded, they were carried below, and others


their places
;

stept into

the dead remained where

they

fell,

until after the action.

At

this juncture, the

fortune of the battle trembled on a point, and the

enemy

believed the day their own.


to

The Lawrence
her decks were

was reduced

a mere wreck

streaming with blood, and covered with mangled


limbs, and the bodies of the slain
;

her guns were


his
officers

dismounted, and the commodore and

helped

to

work the

last

gun

that

was capable of

being used.

Finding the Lawrence was incapable of further


service,

he gave his vessel in charge to Lieutenant

Yarnall. wlio liad already distinguished himself by

872
his braveiy,

DARING DEEDS
and
hauled down Lis union, bearing
it

the motto of

Lawrence, and taking


it

under his

arm ordered

to

be put on board the Niagara,


close

which was then in

engagement.

In leaving

the Lawrence, he gave his pilot choice, either to

remain on board or accompany him


plied, "

the pilot re-

He'd

stick

by him

to the last,"
off

and jumped

into the boat.

Perry went

from the ship standthe

ing up in the stern of


absolutely pulled
sides

the

boat, until

crew
Broaddis-

him down among them.


at

were leveled

him, and

small

arms

charged by

the enemy, two of whose vessels were

within musket-shot, and a third


balls struck

one nearer.

The

around him and flew over his head in

every direction; but the same special Providence


that seems to have watched over the youthful hero

throughout

this

desperate battle, conducted

him

safely through a

shower of

shot,

and

his shipmates

beheld with transport his flag hoisted at the mast-

head of the Niagara.

E'o sooner was he on board,


ofl'

than Captain Elliot volunteered to put


Doat,

in a small

and bring

into action the schooners

which had

been kept astern by light winds;


accepted, and
execution.
Elliot
left

the offer was


it

the Niagara to put

in

OP

AMEEICAN HEROES.
signal
for

373
close

Commodore Perry now made


action,

and the small vessels got ont their sweeps


all
sail.

and made
but
little

Finding that the Niagara was


he determined,
line.
if

injured,

possible,

to

break the enemy's

He

accordingly bore up
brig, giving

and passed ahead of the two ships and

them a raking

fire

from his starboard guns, and

also to a large schooner


side,

and sloop from

his larboard

about half pistol-shot distance.

Having passed

the whole squadron, he luffed up and laid his ship

alongside the British commodore.


sels,

The smaller
Elliot,

ves-

under the command of Captain

having

in the

meantime got within grape and


and keeping up a well-directed

canister dis-

tance,

fire,

the whole
vessels,

of the

enemy

struck, excepting
to

two small

which
taken.

attempted

escape,

but were afterward

BATTLE OF THE THAMES.


.

Previous to the battle of the Tliames,

Commofor the

dore Perry's victory had opened the

way
20

374

DARING DEEDS

passage of the American army into Canada, and on


tlie

3d of October, General Harrison


pursuit

left

Sandwich
regulars,

in

of

Proctor with

about

140

Colonel

Johnson's

mounted

regiment,

and

the

Kentucky vohmteers, under the venerable Governor


Shelby, amounting, in the whole, to near 3050 men.

Harrison was accompanied by

Commodore Perry,

who

volunteered as his aid-de-camp.


river

The army reached the


into
troit,

Thames, which

falls

Lake
the

St.

Clair, twenty-five

miles above De-

same evening, and next morning crossed

by

a bridge, which Proctor had neglected to destroy.

Xext morning, about

eight

miles

above

their

encampment, the army arrived

at the third unford-

able branch of the Thames, where they found that


tJie

b'.-idgc

over

its

mouth, as well as one a mile

abov<3,

had been taken up by the Indians.

Here

several hundred of the Indians attempted to dispute

the passage of
six-

the troops, but the


off;

fire

from
in

tw^o

pounders soon drove them


after,

and

about

two hours

the bridge was repaired, and the


in

troops crossed
that had

just
set

time to extinguish a house


tire,

been
of

on

containing a considera-

ble

number At

muskets,

which were fortunately


tlie

saved.

the

first

farm above

bridge was found

OF AMEEIOAN HEEOES.
one of the enemy's vessels on
ligence
fire,

375
intel-

and here
but a

was received that they were

few

miles ahead.

The army halted

for the night

about four miles

above the bridge, where they found two other vessels,

and a large

distillery,

filled

with ordnance and


in

other valuable stores to an


flames.
It

immense amount,
extinguish

was impossible

to

the fire

but two mounted twenty-four-pounders were taken,

and a large quantity of


sizes.

ball

and

shells of various

Early on the morning of the 5th, the troops

were again put in motion, and in the afternoon the


officer

commanding

the advance sent to inform Gen-

eral

Harrison that his progress was stopped by

the enemy,

who were formed

across

the

line

of

march.

Between the two armies the road passed through


an uncleared beech
forest, pretty clear of

underwood,

near the banks of a river, parallel to which, at


the
distance

of

200 or

300

yards,

extended a
this

swamp

several miles in length.

Across

strip

of land the British were

drawn up,

their left rest;

ing on the river, supported by artillery

their right

^n the swamp, covered by the Indians.

The army moved on

in order but a short distance.

876

DAEING DEEDS
the

when

mounted men received the


and were instantly ordered

fire

of the

British line,

to charge.

The horses
the
fire
;

in the front of the

column recoiled from


fire,

but on receiving a second

the column
full

got into motion, and immediately,

at

speed,
force.

broke through the enemy with

irresistible
front.

In one minute the contest was over in


British
officers,

The

seeing no hope of reducing their


order,

disordered ranks to

the

mounted

infantry

wheeliug upon them and pouring in a destructive


fire,

immediately surrendered.

Only three of the

Americans were wounded

in this charge.

Upon

the

American

left,

however, the contest


Colonel John-

with the Indians was more severe.

son

who commanded on

that flank of his regiment,


fire

received a most galling

from them, which was


still

returned with great


to the left

efiect.

The Indians
fell

further

advanced and

in with the front line

of infantry, and for a

moment made an

impression
sta-

upon

it.

Governor Shelby, however, who was


point, brought

tioned near this


its

up a regiment

to
fire

support.

The enemy now received a severe

in front,

and a part of the mounted men having

gained their rear, they immediately retreated with


precipitation.

OF

AMEEICAN HEROES.

377

Of

the

British troops,

twelve were killed and

twenty-two wounded in this action, and 601 regulars

taken prisoners.

General Proctor escaped by

the fleetness of his horses, escorted

by

forty dra-

goons, and a

nnmber
the

of

mounted Indians.
loss.

The

Indians

suffered

greatest

Thirty-three

were found dead on the ground, besides numbers

who were

killed

in

the retreat.

On

the day of

the action six pieces of brass artillery were taken,

and two twenty-four-pounders the day

before.

Of

the brass peices, three were trophies of the Eevolu-

tionary

war

that were taken at Saratoga

and York,

and surrendered by General Hull.


of arms captured

The number
or destroyed

by the Americans,

by the enemy, must have exceeded 6000; most of

them had been taken by the

British at Detroit,

and

the river Eaisin, and the Miami.

The

loss of the

Americans was seven


ded, five of

killed

and twenty-two woun-

whom

afterward died.
in this

The death of Tecumseh, which took place


action, has

been attributed

to Colonel

Johnson.

CHAPTEE XL 1814.

BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.
During the night of the
eral
2d.

of July, 1814, Genlittle

Brown embarked

his

troops, but

more

thon 3000 strong, at Black

Kock

and early in the

morning of the 3d, General Scott landed below the


fort

with his brigade, and a battalion of artillery

under Major Hindman, and General Ripley, with


his brigade, above.

The commanding general


forces,

fol-

lowed with the volunteer

and
fort

a party of

Lidians were sent round through the woods in rear


of the

enemy's position.

The

was soon

in-

vested,

and a battery of heavy guns planted


completely

in a

position that

commanded

its

defenses.

Witho'ut awaiting the threatened assault, after firing

a few guns, the garrison surrendered themselves


prisoners of war.

The main body of the


mediate vicinity of the

British troops in the imriver,

amounting

to

over

3000 men, under Major General Riall, occupied an

GENERAL SCOTT.

THENE
PUBLIC
i

FQUN0A.TK5>IS.

OF
intrenched

AMERICAN HEROES.
at

379
miles
in Fort
its

camp

Chippewa, about two

above the Falls.


Erie, General

Leaving a small garrison

Brown advanced, on
the
position

the day after

reduction, against

of

General Eiall.
Captain

The brigade of General

Scott, which, with

Towson^s battery, formed the advance, had a run-

ning

.fight, for sixteen miles,

with the 100th regiof Tweedale,

ment,

commanded by
it

the Marquis
the

and

finally drove

across

Chippewa Creek.

In the evening, the whole army encamped on the


south bank of Street's Creek, the bridge over which

had been destroyed by the Marquis, within two


miles of the enemy's works.

Between

this

stream

and the Chippewa, lay the broad plain on which


the

sanguinary engagement of the following day

took place.

On

the east were the waters of the


flight, to

Niagara, speeding along in their arrowy


the cataract

beyond

and on the west was a dense

forest of oaks,

and beeches, and maples, extending

for several miles into the interior.

At an

early hour on the

morning of the 5th of


Cana-

July, the British

light troops, consisting of

dian militia and Indians,

who were

posted in the
attacks on
flank,

woods on the
the

left,

commenced making

American pickets placed on that


18

and

380
small parties of
in the

BAKING DEEDS
the

enemy
fi-ont.

occasionally appeared

open plain in

General Brown was anxious

to

bring:

on an en

gagement with the enemy, and,


this object, or, if that

in order to effect
to

were fonnd impossible,


fire

put

an end

to the

annoying

of their skirmishers, he

directed General Porter to fetch a circuit through


the
forest

with

the volunteers
;

and Indians, and

cut off their retreat

and the advanced parties were


fire

ordered
nents,

to fall

back before the

of

their oppo-

and thus favor the movement.

About

four

o'clock in the afternoon, General Porter encountered

the light companies of

the Royal Scots

and the

100th regiment, in the woods, and drove them back

upon the Chippewa, where they met the whole


British column, under General Riall,
ticipated the intentions of General

who had

an-

Brown, and was

now

rapidly approaching with the hope of finding

the Americans unprepared for his reception.

The commanding general had accompanied the


volunteers, but, on hearing the roar of the artillery,

and discovering the clouds of dust


vicinity of

rising

in

the

Chippewa

bridge, he returned to camp,


to

and ordered General Scott


with the
first

advance forthwith,

brigade and Towson's battery, and

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

381

engage the enemy on the open phihi, while he


brought up the second brigade, under general
lej, to act at
Ri})-

whatever point

it

might be needed.
all

The order was executed with

possible

speed.

The troops under General Scott dashed


creek,
its

across the

and through the clumps of bushes fringing


fire

bank, under a galling

of musketry and arin the wreaths of


field
;

tillery,

and were soon enveloped

sulphurous smoke rising over the battle

their

shouts and cheers, borne merrily on the breeze, and

the deep-toned thunder of their artillery, and their

sharp rattling volleys, announcing the spirit and


eagerness with which they entered into the contest.

Meanwhile the British

light troops

had

rallied,

and

compelled the volunteers of General Porter, in turn,


to

give way.

The

left

flank

of Scott's brigade,
21st in-

therefore,

became much exposed; and the


part of

fantry, forming

General Ripley's brigade,

which had been held


gain the
rear
of

in reserve,

was detached
flank.

to

the

enemy's right

The

greatest exertions were


in time, but in vain
;

made
for

to

reach their position

such was the impetuosity


Scott, that the battle

of the attack

made by General

was fought and the victory won, before they had


time to participate in the conflict.

382

DARING DEEDS

After the retreat of the volunteers, the 25th in


fantr}^,

commanded bj Major

Jesup, on the extreme

left

of Scott's brigade, in the forest, was


in front

warmly

pressed

and in

flank,

being exposed to a

withering tempest of musket balls that was fast


thinning their ranks
their brave
;

but, at

this critical

period,

leader gave his well-known order,

" Support

arms

forward,

march "
!

Men
fire

who

could advance without faltering in such fearful peril

were not
favorable

to

be resisted.

Having gained a more


of

position,

they returned the

the

enemy, with interest, and in a few minutes compelled them to seek safety in flight.

In the other part of the


gallantry were

field,

equal zeal and

displayed.

The

strife

was bloody
but of short
for about

and

fiercely contested

on both

sides,

duration.

warm
the

fire

was kept up
artillery

an

hour,

when

enemy's

was

silenced

but their infantry were

now

ordered to

move

for-

ward with charged bayonets.


a raking
fire

As they advanced,

was poured upon them from Towson's

guns, which Scott had posted in the road to Chip-

pewa, and

this

was followed, almost

instantly,

by

a destructive volley from the 9th and 11th infantry,

thrown

forward

on their outer flanks,

and

that

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
tremendous charge which scattered the pride of
the English
soldiery like
line

chaff

before

the wind.

The enemy's whole

now wavered and

broke,

and they were hotly pursued

to their intrenchments.

Here
the

the advance of
batteries which

the victors

was checked by
fire.

opened

their

General

Brown bad
serve,

already hastened forward with the rein the pursuit.

and joined

He

at

once de-

cided to force the British position, which was well


fortified,

having a heavy battery on one

flank,

and

a strong block-house on the other.

The ordnance
hour

was brought up

for the purpose, but, as the


thirst,

was

late,

and the men burning with

and

wearied with the fatigues of the day, upon consulting with


his officers,
it

was concluded

to retire to

camp

rather than hazard

what had been gained by

an attack which might terminate in a disastrous


repulse.

The number of troops


battle,

actuall}^

engaged

in this

on the side of the British, was not far from


the

2100

American

force

wa.s

about 1900.

The

loss of the

enemy, according

to the official report

of the action, was 138 killed, and 365

wounded and

missing.

Of

the Americans there were sixty killed^

and 207 wounded and missing.

BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE.


On
the 24:th of
July, 1814, General

Brown

re-

crossed the

Chippewa Creek, and encamped.


his

Abont

noon on the 25th, while

men were

busily en-

gaged in making preparations for the march, he

was informed that the British appeared


able force on Queenston heights
vessels
;

in consider-

that four of their


at

had arrived during the previous night


ISTiagara
;

the

mouth of the

and that a number of

boats were

moving up the stream.


instantly

The

troops were

ordered under arms,


tlie

and in twenty minutes General Scott was on


road to Queenston with his brigade, Towson's
lery,

artil

and a troop of dragoons.

About two miles


dis-

from the American camp, and within a short


tance of the Falls, he learned that the
in

enemy were

force

in

his

front,

separated from view only

by a narrow piece of wood.


Assistant
Ih'owTi,

Having dispatched
Jones,
to

Adjutant
with
tlje

General
intelligence,

General
on
liis

he

heb]

*
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^^^^--r^i

i i

1Pii ^^^"
^fe
i

^m ^^p'i

THENEVVYOftri
PUBLIC LIBRARY
MT9R,
LSNfJX ANB

TfLDEN fOUNOAHONa.

OF AilEKICAN HEROES.
marcli,

3S5

and

in a sliort time discovered the British


in

army, treble his own force

numbers, stronglv

posted on Lmidy's Lane, which led np from the


Falls
to

Beaver Dams.

Regardless of the great

disparity

between the two armies, General Scott


for battle, fully detill

promptly made his dispositions

termined to maintain his ground

the reserve

came

up.
in line on the
left

The Americans deployed


the Queenston road.

of
for-

Major Jesup was thrown

w^ard on the right with his regiment, and Captain

Towson was posted on the


artillery.

left

opposite the enemy's

All were elated with their recent victory,


spirit.

and animated by the best


the terrible fire which

Undismayed by

they encountered, they adagainst

vanced

firmly

and

steadily

the

closely

serried columns of the

enemy.

General Scott and his


manfully,
till

men
of

held their ground

the arrival

General Brown, who

had hurried forward with

his suite, in

advance of

the brigades of General Kipley and Porter, as soon


as the firing

was heard.

Meanwhile the 11th and

22d iniimtry, under Colonel Brady and Major McKeil, both of

whom

were severely wounded, having

ex])euded their ammunition, were withdrawn from

386
action,

DARING DEEDS
and the whole brunt of the
infantry,
battle in front,

was sustained by the 9th

commanded by

Major Leavenworth.

"With unswerving courage this


effort of the

regiment resisted every


with the

enemy, though
until their op-

loss of half their

number,

ponents suspended the attack.

General Kiall was

deceived by the obstinacy of their resistance, and


as
it

was impossible

to distinguish objects

with any

precision, he
\ras engaged,

supposed the entire American army

and was therefore content


to

to wait for

General
ments.

Dmimmond

come up with

the reinforce-

For a few moments the roar of

battle

was hushed,

and the silence was only broken by the unceasing

murmur

of

the

cataract,

and the groans of the

wounded and the dying.


suspension
of

During the temporary

the

fire,

General Ripley, with his


the artillery under

brigade and

the remainder of

Major Hindman, and the volunteers under General


Porter, arrived upon the ground.

With

these fresh

troops General

Brown formed

new
of

alignment, to

cover the exhausted

command

General Scott,

who

fell

back behind their comrades.

The

respite
re-

was'of brief duration, and the action was soon

newed

vrith

increased

warmtli.

TTider and wider

OF
><3verberte?J

AMERICAN HEROES.
deep
echoes
of

387
artillery
roll

the

the

higher and LJgher rose the sharp, continued


of

musketry

lond was the

Briton's

cheer,

and

louder yet the answering shout of defiance.

Captain Towson had failed to

make any

impres-

sion on the enemy's battery, though his guns


skillfully

were

and actively directed

and on the renewal

of the engagement, under the advice of Major

Mc-

Ree, the senior engineer

officer.

General Brown
it

determined

to carry the

eminence on which

was

posted, at the point of the bayonet.

The execution

of

this enterprise

was intrusted

to Colonel Miller

with the 21st infantry.


colonel,

The reply of the

gallant

when he

received the order to advance,


is

from General Ripley,


"

memorable

in

history

/ \oill

try^ sir ! " said the intrepid soldier.

The

trial

was made,

nor made
that day,

in vain.

Supported by

the 23d infantry under


1st

Major McFarland, while the

infantry,

under Colonel ^Nicholas, which had

joined the

army

was

left to

receive the
the
1st
it

enemy's
hill

fire in front.

Colonel Miller

moved up
The

through a raging flood of missiles.

stao:orered

under the tremendous


faltered,

fire

to

which

was exposed, the 23d

but the brave

21st*

following their heroic leader, rushed

up the height

388
witli accelerated

DARli^GDEEDS
speed.

On

reaching the summit

thej paused an instant, and then rushed fonvard


with shouts and cheers.

The

British

troops

had

fought bravelj, for they were anxious to wipe out


the discredit of their late defeat.

The cannoniers
for a

were transfixed
onds there was a

at

their posts,

and

few
to

sec-

fierce contest fought

hand

hand,

over the loaded guns.

But the daring onset of the


be resisted
;

Americans was not


of

to

the

discipline
it
;

the British soldiery gave

way

before

their

artillery

was captured, and

their routed

columns,

sullen
hill.

and discontented, retired slowly down the

Meanwhile Major Jesup had turned the enemy's


left

with

the

25th

infantry, and, favored

by

tlio

darkness, had cautiously advanced in their rear.

detachment

from

his

command, under Captain


the place where

Ketchum, succeeded
Generals

in reaching

Drummond

and Eiall were stationed with


his escape, but the

their suites.
latter

The former made

was taken prisoner with

his staff.

hirge

number

of prisoners, in addition, were captured by


to the
let\

Major Jesup, and he then moved


attack the

to

enemy

in

rear.

Coming upon

body

of their troops posted in the Queenston road, abo;U

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
the time of

389

the capture of

the battery, his


it

men

deliv^ered their fire, as galling as

was unexpected,

and instantly dashed over the fence that separated


them.

The enemy broke and

fled,

and, as the Ist

and 23d infantry had been already


imated
line
efforts of

rallied

by the an-

General Ripley, the whole British

was now

forced.
to

General Brown was prompt

improve the adofficers

vantage he had gained, as the British

were

heard encouraging their


to

men

for a desperate effort

recover their cannon.

While they were engaged


hill,

in re-forming their

broken masses under the


guns

he

advanced
rear
;

his line, placing the captured

in his
left

General Porter being on the extreme

with his volunteers. General Ripley's brigade occu-

pying the center, and Major Ilindman being

sta-

tioned in the interval between the second brigade

and the 25th infantry, which was posted on the


right of the line.
Scott,

The

first

brigade, under General

was held

in reserve.

A
short

gloomy and ominous


time,

silence prevailed

for a

and

it

was then interrupted hj the

lively strains of

martial music, as the British col-

umns were

asrain

ordered

to

advance.

General

Drummond had

given his

men

but a few momenta

390
recover from

DARING DEEDS
tlie

.to

effects of their repulse.

With

great daring and intrepidity they


height,
at

marched up the

double

quick time, presenting an ex-

tended line outflanking the Americans on both extremes.

Within twenty yards of the

crest of

the

eminence, they poured forth their volleys, and prepared


to

rush forward with their bayonets.

In an
fire.

instant the

American

line
;

was one blaze of


volley,

The enemy staggered

another
still

followed

rapidly by another, and


to

another, caused
hill

them

break and

retire

down
of

the

in

confusion,
to

despite the

exertions

their

officers

inspire

them with confidence.


Another half hour passed in suspense, and again
the measured tread of the advancing columns was

heard,

as

they

rose

the
it

hill.

The Americans

reserved their

fire till

could be most effective,


artilits

and when the enemy came within range, the


lery of

Major Hind man once more pealed


notes,

forth

brazen

and, as

they

pressed

nearer

and

nearer, the rattling musketry was added to the din

But the constant shower of shot and


upon them soon checked their advance.
half

ball

ponrtd

For nearly
tlie

an hour they strove in vain to overcome

firmness of the American troops.

The

content

was

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

39J

warm and animated


into one battalion,

and, during

its

continuance,

General Scott, wlio had consolidated his brigade

under Major Leavenworth, made


on the
left

two

effective charges

and right of the

British line, in the latter of

which he received two

severe wounds, that soon after obliged


the
field.

him

to quit

General Brown was always where his

presence was needed

in the front

of

the battle.

Heedless of the exposure of his person, he was


ever ready to utter words of encouragement where

symptoms

of

hesitation
act

were manifested

to

com-

mend wery
his

of

noble daring; and to arouse

men

to further exertions.

His

efforts

were well

seconded by the chivalric bearing and the dauntless


intrepidity of Scott
to

and Ripley and Porter.

Unable

make head

against the stern and unyielding re-

sistance of the

American

soldiers.

General Drumhis

mond was
men.

a second time forced to draw off

The

contest

was not yet ended.

Additional

re-

inforcements had joined the enemy, and, after the


lapse of another hour, their hesitating columns were

-sncouraged to

make one more

effort for the victory.

Regardless of the havoc


British

made

in their ranks, the

troops advanced

boldly under a witherin^^

392

DARING DEEDS
This time they gained
tlie

'

fire.

summit of the

hill^

never pausing after they had delivered

their fire,
battle

and dosed with their antagonists.

The

was

now

at its height.

The beams

of the rising

moon
that

struggled vainly to penetrate the

murky

pall

overhung the

field of

combat, but the darkness was

illuminated by the constant flashing of musketry

and

artillery.

Two

lines

of

armed men, merged


fro.

with each other, were seen surging to and


earth shook beneath their feet.
breast to breast, they fought.
struggle, the Briton

The
and

Foot

to foot,

Locked

in the death
fell

and the American

together.
;

The green sward was soaked with blood


lected in pools in the ridges

it

col-

made by
ri\T.dets to

the plough-

ing shot

and ran down in

mingle

its

crimson dyes with the limpid waters of the

JS^iagara.

General Brown had previously received a

severt?

wound from a musket


his right thigh,

ball

which passed through


to the

and

as

he now moved

lef

of the
to

American

line, to

encourage the volunteen

remain firm, he was struck violently upon hia


side

left

by a missile of some

description.

The

blow nearly unhorsed him, and on meeting Colonel


ity

Wood, he expressed
to

his doubts as to his abil-

keep the saddle.

"Is'ever mind,

my

dear

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
general,'-

was the

reply,

" you are

gaining

the
na-

greatest victory that


tion
!

was ever gained by your

"

Cheered by these words, which indicated

the spirit prevailing

among

his officers

and men.

General Brown remained on his horse, giving his


orders with wonted firmness and promptitude.

The

American troops were


more than a match
was every
effort

sorely pressed, but they were

for their opponents.

In vain

of

the latter.

The

artillery

on

both sides was taken and retaken during the struggle,

but the British were finally forced to yield the


the

ground, leaving their guns in the hands of

Americans.

At midnight

the contest terminated.

The

British

made no

further effort to

regain the position, but

shrunk silently away in the darkness.


excessive

Faint froTn

pain and loss of blood. General


field

Brown

was now assisted from the


eral

by

his staff.

Gen

Scott being also

disabled, the

command was
directions

assumed by General Ripley, under whose

he wounded were collected, and orders were then


Issued for a return
to

camp.

The

artillery horses
at

being

all

killed,

and there being no drag-ropes


Ripley
very reluctantly
left

band, General
captured

the

guns on the ground, having rolled the

394
smaller pieces

DARING DEEDS
down
the
hill.

This circumstance
to

was seized with avidity by the British officen

give color to their claim that they had defeated


the

American army, and

it

has frequently served

a similar purpose in the works of British writers.

few considerations will


this claim.

show how

utterly

un-

founded was

The Americans attacked

their opponents in a position of their

own

selection.

This position they seized, and held against three

daring and desperate

eiforts

to regain
;

it.

It

was

yielded, but yielded voluntarily


tlie

and being without


left

means

to

remove the guns, General Ripley

tlicm on

the field, and returned to the

American

cam[)

unmolested.

The

enemy remained nearer


and when they

the ])ati]e-ground, as their tents and baggage were


directly in rear of
their line
;

dis-

covered, on the following morning, that the guus

had been abandoned, they took


without
difficulty,

possessi* a of
to

them

there being no one

oppose

them.

SOETIE OF FOKT EEIE.


On
force

the 3d of August, 1814, General

Drumniond

invested Fort Erie.

The

infantry of the besieging

was divided

into three brigades, each contain-

ing 1200 or 1500 men, one of which was stationed


alternately in the

works in front of the

fort,

for

the protection of the artillerists, and the other two

occupied the main


rear.

camp about two

miles in the

The circumvallation

consisted of two lines of

intrenchments supported by block-houses, in advance


of which the
It

enemy had

constructed their batteries.


to

was General Brown's intention "

storm

tlie

batteries,

destroy the cannon, and roughly handle

the brigade on duty, before those in reserve

could

be brought up."

The

project was well

conceived

and admii-ably executed.

At noon, on
iutended to
arms.

the

ITth of September, the troops


the sortie were

make

paraded under
into

The
;

sallying force
left,

was divided

two

col-

amns

the

comm.anded by Genera) Porter, and

?96

DA KING DEEDS
Pennsylvania volunteers under

Culoiiel Gibson, the

C<jlonel

^Yoods,

tlie

Xew York
1st
to

volunteers

under

General Davis, and the

and 23d infantry under

Major Brooks, were ordered


upon the enemy's
ously opened
right,

move

cautiously

by a

circuitous road previ;

through

the woods
Miller,

and the

right,

commanded by General
the
first

and consisting of
to

brigade, was
the
fort

directed

enter a ravine
lines,

])etween

and the British

and

ad-

vance rapidly upon the enemy's works as soon as


General Porter became engaged.

General Elpley

remained
the

in reserve

with the 21st infantry, between


fort;

new

bastions

of the

his

command, and

that of General Miller, being both out of view of


tlie

enemy.

The day was dark and lowering.


rested upon the lake and
river,

thick mist
lazily

and floated

along their banks.

The clouds overhead were

sur-

charged with moisture, and sent down copious showers of rain.

Favored by those circumstances,


columns
gained
their

tb.e

American
ceived.
lerity

position

unpercetlso

General

Porter advanced with such

and caution, that his


pickets

men sprang upon

enemy's
pre-ence.

before they were

aware of his

As soon

as the rapid volleys of General

!'

^[

;;

c A x

II

I-:

i:

o k

C'JT

Porter wei-e heard, Genearl "Bi'own ordered General


Miller to advance, the
directed

head of

his

column being

toward the interval between batteries 2

and

3.

Dashing forward

at

full

speed,

General

Miller reached the enemy's line and pierced their


i

retrenchments.

The British were taken by

surprise,

yet they fought bravely and well.


close

The

contest

was
min-

and animated, but

brief.

"Within thirty
fired, batteries 2

utes after the first

gun was

and

3 were in possession of the

American

troops,

who

swept every thing before them with the bayonet.


Battery

number

was

then

abandoned

by the
time,

enemy, and the Americans, without

loss of

commenced
guns were

the

work of demolition.
or

The

British
their

spiked

otherwise

destroyed,

bi*east- works leveled,

and the magazine of battery

number

was blown up.

General Bipley had

now brought np
for a

the reserve,

and was making preparations

demonstration

on the enemy's camp, when he was disabled by a


severe wound.

The object of the

sortie

having been

accomplished, in the destruction, by a force of regulars

and volunteers, only ^2000 strong, of the labors

of 4000

men

for a period of

near
to

fifty

days. Gento

eral Miller ordered

his

men

fall

back

the

398
ravine, and

DAKING DEEDS
General Brown then directed
all
Liio

corps to return to

camp with

their prisoners,

which

was done

in

good order.

In this affair the Amerikilled,

cans had eighty-three

men

216 woimded,

and there were 216 missing.


eighty-five

Three hundred and


prisoners,

of

the

enemy were taken

and

til

ere

were between 400 and 500 killed and

w^ounded.

This daring sortie put an end to the leaguer.

During the night of the 21st of September, General

Drummond

broke up his camp, and retreated

to

his intrenchments

behind the Chippewa.

ASSAULT
assault
14:th of

01s

FORT ERIE.
fur the

The preparations of General Drummond


were completed
August, 1814.

soon after nightfall on the


It

was arranged that the

projected assault should be

made

early on the

fol-

lowing morning, in three columns,


right designed to attack the left of

that
the

on the

American

works, consisting of 1300 men, being placed under

OF A M E II I C A N H
the

E RO

P:

./J9

command
left,

of

Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer

that

on the

of about the

same number, under Colo-

nel Scott,
select
It

and the central column, composed of 800


under Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond.

troops,

had been rainy throughout the day, and the


the tempest mingled with
the

rolling thunders of

loud roar of cannon, and the noise of

exploding

bombs.
to fall
;

When

the night set in, the rain continued

heavy masses of clouds swept athwart the

sky, curtaining the scene with a dark


pall
;

and gloomy

and the

fires

of

the

enemy's camp could


feebly
throii{3'h

scarcely be

discerned, glimmering

the obscure haze.

The breast-works of Fort Erie


anxious bosom,
that
bu.t

sheltered

many an
courage,
in

the jire of
to
falter,

noble

knew
and

not

how

sparkled

every

eye,

beamed

on

every

countenance.

Midnight came,
tions

and

yet there were no indica-

of

an attack.

Another,

and another hour

passed by in silence.
told, a low, faint

Ere the next half hour was

sound was heard, like the rustling


the leaves of the forest.
It aplis-

of the wind

among

proached nearer and nearer,


teners

and

the eager

soon caught

the

measured

tread

of

the

approaching columns, enveloped in thick darkness,


400
but

DAKING DEEDS
hurrying onward with rapidity
led
to the a&sault.

The column
the
first to

by Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer was

reach the works.


quickly,

The enemy advanced


portion

steadily

and

one

approaching

the battery at the southwestern angle, with scaling

ladders

and the other advancing against the


it

line
tei^

between

and the

lake, with

the design of

minating the contest, in an instant, by the decisive

shock of the bayonet.

They were allowed


range,

to ap-

proach

within good
artillery

when

the

American

musketry and

opened suddenly upon them.

The

effect

was

terrific.

The enemy were mowed


at

down

in platoons,

and scores were swept away

every discharge.

They

hesitated for a

moment,

another blast burst from the American batteries,

and they recoiled

in terror

and alarm.

They were

soon rallied however, and again led to the attack;

but they were again repulsed with fearful slaughter.

On

the other flank the

enemy were equally im-

Buccessful.

The column under Colonel Scott became

entangled in the rocks near the river, on the right


of
the

intrenched camp, and were delayed


;

for a

short time

but

when they

discovered their error,

and regained

their line of
before.

march, they pushed on

more rapidly than

The

sleepless vieiilance

OF
of

AMERICAN HEKOES.
couid
not

401

the besieged
assailing

be taken by surprise.
distinctly

The

column were heard

behind
within

the ramparts as they approached, and


fifty

when

yards of the American lines, they encountered


fire

an appalling

that forced

them
The

to halt.

To

ad-

vance further was impossible.

batteries before
fire,

them presented a constant blaze of


air

and the
In the

was

full

of bursting balls and missiles.


central

mean

time, the

column, commanded

by

Lieutenant-Colonel

Drummond, had advanced

boldly

against the fort in front.


fire

A rapid

and well-directed

was turned upon them by Captain "Williams,


unappalled by the carnage, they succeeded in

but,

applying their ladders to the walls of the salient


bastion.

Their commander and a number of his

officers
;

were cut down

their loss

was dreadfully severe

they were unable to continue the advance, and a retreat

was ordered.

They commenced

retiring slowly,

but the

movement terminated

in a disorderly flight.

Drummond's column, however, had achieved a


slight advantage, yet
it

was brief

as

it

was unim-

portant.

The
;

first

attempt to carry the bastion en-

tirely failed

a second, and a third effort was made,

with similar results.


19

But the

British

commander

28

402

DAKTN G

DEEDS

lacked not in brutal courage, though sadly deficient


in

the

more ennobling

qualities

of

the

gallant

soldier.

Under cover

of the intense darkness, just

before the break of

day, he led a portion of his

men

silently along the ditch, applied his ladders at

a point where he was not expected, and the parapet.

mounted

With a daring
he led his

intrepidity worthy of

a better

cause,

men

forward to the

charge, shrieking out in the tones of baffled rage

and hate
quarter
!

" 'No

quarter

give

the

Yankees no

"

This dastard order was faithfully obeyed.

A
the

fierce

and maddening contest took place


the
bastion.

for

possession of
his

Major

Hindman
force,

and

artillerists,

with their supporting

bravely stood their ground.


unavailing.

Their efforts proved

Captain "Williams, and a number of


killed or mortally

the

men, were

wounded, and

his also

lieutenants,

Watmough and Macdonough, were


The
latter

severely wounded.
till

disdained

to

yield

he was completely disabled, and then asked


quarter.

for

This

was

refused,

when,

rallying

his remaining

strength, he

snatched a handspike,
despairing

and, with

the madness of

humanity,

strove to beat off his assailants.


at

As he held them
rushed forward,

bay, the infm*iated

Drummond

i<^

AMEKICAN
his

11

EEUE

403

and

sliot

him down with

own hand.

But

this

coward act received a


instant

fearful retribution.
its

The next
to

an avenging bullet found

waj

the

heart of the British leader, and he


victim.

fell

beside his

i^otwithstanding the

fall

of their

commander, the

men who had

effected

a lodgment in the bastion

successfully resisted every attempt to dislodge


till

them

daylight.

General Gaines then ordered up larger

reinforcements, and the


fall

enemy began
at

speedily to

back.

They were now


soldiers,

the

mercy of the

American

who had not

forgotten the sav-

age cry which had been the death-knell of


a

many

brave

spirit.

Expecting no favor, as none was

merited, they had

commenced tumbling
into

pell-mell

over the parapet


reserve was

the

ditch,

when

a strong

descried

rapidly coming

up

under

Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker.

An

enfilading fire from

Captain Douglass' battery upon

the

approaching

column, and a few rapid and effective discharges

from the guns of Captains Biddle and Fanning,


checked their advance.
the

Between 800 and 400 of

enemy advanced
;

to within a short distance of


this

the bastion

but, at

moment, and while the

Americans, under the orders of General Gaines,

404

DARING DEEDS
for a vigorous rusli

were preparing
nant of

upon

tlie

rein

Drummond's column, an

explosion took

place carrying
of the

away the whole platform.

The

los3

enemy by

the explosion was small in comsustained,


in-

parison with what they had previously

but

it

served to add to their confusion, and to

crease their anxiety to escape

beyond the reach of

the the

American guns.
assault
further,

'No effort was

made

to

pursue
the

and a general

retreat of

enemy now
as their

took place, as tumultuous and disorderly,

advance had been brave and imposing.

BATTLE OF PLATTSBUEG.
From
till

the evening of the 6th of September, 1814,

the morning of the 11th, Sir George Prevost


his
batteries,

was zealously engaged in planting


before

Plattsburg,

both

open

and masked, and

bringing up his heavy artillery.

During

all

this

time he refrained from offensive operations, though


there were constant skirmishes between advanced
coi'ps of the

two armies, at the bridges and

fords.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
The reason alledged
for the delay

401

on his part, was

the want of his battering train, that

came np very
under Captain
without

slowly

but the absence of the

fleet

Downie, which had not yet

arrived, and

which, as appeared in the sequel, he dared not

make an attempt on
probably, the

the

American

position,

was,

main consideration

that

influenced

him.

In the

mean

time, a lively and eifective cannon-

ade was directed upon the enemy's lines from the

American

forts,

the
many

sullen thunder of their artil-

lery echoing for


forests

a mile through the sweeping

whose rich
Champlain.

foliage

enameled the borders of


assaults

Lake

The repeated

of

the

enemy

at the different crossings of the river


;

were

repelled with ease and alacrity


sion.

and on one occa-

Captain M'Glassin, of the 15th infantry, galcrossed the river in the night, with
fifty

lantly

men

attacked a working party 150 strong, con-

structing a battery opposite Fort

Brown

defeated

both them and their support, also 150 in number,


killing seven of the

enemy

and completely demoltroops, besides

ished the work.

The regular

per-

forming regular tours of


fords,

duty at the bridge


in

and
the

labored

incessantly,

strengtheniug

fortifications.

40G

DARING DEEDS
tlie

On
enemy
his

night of the lOth of September, General

Macomb was
to

apprised

of

the

intention

of

the

make an

attack the next

day; and, by

orders,

the roads

and

passes leading to the

south of his position, as he suspected they designed


to

turn

it,

were covered with

felled

trees,

and

strewed with leaves, so as to deceive them, and a

new road was opened


At
began
the earliest
to

leading toward Salmon river.


of

dawn

day, before the welkin

glow with the purple light of morning, a

general

movement was

reported,

by the advanced
;

parties, to

be making in the enemy's camp

and

when

objects could be distinguished from the


their different corps

main

line, all

were observed under

arms.

Shortly afterward, the British fleet rounded

Cumberland head.
Sir

George Prevost only waited

to give his

men
on

their breakfast,

when

the

attack was

ordered
balls,

the land.
rockets,

Showers of bombs, shrapnels,

and

were hurled across the river; and immedi-

ately after the

bombardment commenced,

the

enemy

advanced
assault

to force a

passage across the stream, and


in

the

American works,

three colum.ns

one approaching the bridge in the village, another


the upper bridge, and the third a ford about three

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
miles aboYe the forts

407

all

of whicli were provided

with scaling ladders.

The

attack
;

was vigorously
fire

met by the American


fire
;

artillerists

answered
far

and the ringing shot and shout resounded

and wide.

The two columns of the enemy which attempted


to pass the bridges,

were gallantly driven back by

the regulars
in the

the remaining column was led astray

woods

the

artifices

of the American com-

mander being

entirely successful

and

after spend-

ing a long time in marching and countermarching


to

no purpose, wearied and worn with fatigue, they


the

arrived in sight of

American works, only

to

hear the glad shouts of victory at the brilliant


success of

the brave Macdonough.

further ad-

vance was no longer to be thought of; the recall

was sounded

the

scaling

ladders

were

thrown

down, and a hasty retreat was made.


teers

The volun-

and

militia stationed in this quarter, pressed

warmly upon them, and succeeded


,

in cutting off

an entire company of the Y6th

foot,

not a single

man
up

of

whom
sunset,

escaped.

The cannonade was kept


all

till

when

the enemy's batteries were


fire

silenced
forts.

by the

effective

from the American

BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIIS".


The
fleet

assaults

on Plattsburgh and on the American

by the British were simultaneonslj made by

land and water, on the 11th of September.


o'clock in the morning, the British
fleet

At

eight

was seen

approaching
general.
It

and, in an hour, the action


is

became

thus

described by Macdonough, in

his official letter

"

At

nine," he says, " the

enemy anchored

in a

line ahead, at about

300 yards distant from

my

line

his ship

opposed

to the

Saratoga; his brig to the

Eagle, Captain Robert Henley; his galleys


teen in

thirdi-

number

to the schooner, sloop


;

and a

vision of
their ship

our galleys

one of his sloops assisting


the other assisting their gal-

and brig

leys

our remaining galleys were with the Saratoga

and Eagle.
" In this situation, the whole force on both sides

became engaged
the

the Saratoga suffering

much from

heavy

fire

of the Confiance.

I could perceive,

at the

same

time, however, that our flre

was very

OF AMERICAN HEKOES.
destructive
to

409

her.

The Ticonderoga, Lieutenant


gallantly

commandant

Cassin,

sustained

her

full

share of the action.

At

half past ten, the Eagle

not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her


cable,

and anchored

in

a more eligible position,

between
very

my

ship and the Ticonderoga, where she


the enemy, but, unfortunately,
to

much annoyed

leaving

me much

exposed

a galling

fire

from

the enemy's brig.

"
all

Our guns on

the starboard side being nearly

dismounted or unmanageable, a stern anchor


let

was

go, the

bower cable

cut,

and the ship

winded, with a fresh broadside on the enemy's ship,

which soon
then

after surrendered.

Our broadside was


sloop,

sprung

to

bear on
fifteen

the

which

sur-

rendered
sloop

about

minutes

afterward.

The

which was opposed


before,

to the Eagle,

had struck
line.

some time

and drifted down the


their galleys

The

sloop that was with

had

also struck.

Our

galleys

were about obeying with

alacrity the

signal to follow them,

when

all

the vessels were


state.

reported to

me

to

be in a sinking

It

then

became necessary
and order
their

to

annul the signal to the galleys,


to the

men

pumps.

I could only

look at the enemy's galleys going off in a shattered 19*

410

BAKING DEEDS
was not a mast
in either

condition, for there

sqnaa

ron that could stand to


rigging
lacing nearly
it

make

sail on.

The lower
as

shot away,

hung down

though

had

just

been placed over the mast-heads.


fifty-five

" The Saratoga had


hull
;

round shot in her

the Confiance, 105.

The enemy's shot passed

principally over our heads, as there were not twenty

whole hammocks in the nettings, at the close of


the action, which
lasted without intermission

two

Louts and twenty minutes.

DEFENSE OF BALTIMOKE.
The success of General Ross
duced him
to

at

Washington

in

undertake the capture of Baltimore.

He

boasted that he would

make

the city his winter-

quarters,

and with the

force

which he commanded

he could march where he pleased in Maryland.

The Americans were not unprepared


tack in this quarter.

for

an

at-

A force

of militia from Mary-

land and the neighboring states, together with the


regular troops

who had

recently been engaged

at

OF AMEKICAN HEROES.
Washington, amounting in
all

411

to

15000 men, had


the city.

been assembled

for

the defense of

The

command

of

these

troops was

given to

General

Smith, of the Maryland militia, assisted by General


"Winder.

On

the 11th of September, a British squadron of

fifty sail,

with 6000 men, entered the mouth of the

Patapsco, and

on the morning of the


at

12th

commiles

menced landing
below the
with
city.

N"orth

Point,
Strieker

fourteen

General
to

was detached
Genliis

3500 militia

oppose their advance.

eral Ross, having preceded the

main body of

army with

a small

reconnoitcring party, was shot


fell

through the breast by a rifleman,


of
his

into the

arms

aid-de-camp, and

died in a

few minutes.

The command devolved on Colonel Brook, who led


on the
attack,

which was commenced by a


the British, and was

dis-

charge of rockets from

suc-

ceeded by grape, canister, and small arms on both


sides.

After maintaioing his position for an hour

and a half against a great superiority of number?,


General Strieker was at length obliged
to retire to

"Worthington Mills, half a mile in advance of the

main body.

On

the niglit of

tlie

12th, the British bivouacked

412
in advance of

DARING DEEDS
t'Le

battle ground,

and on the
city.

13tli

commenced

their

march toward the

"When

within two miles of the American lines they halted


to await the result of the attack

on Fort McHenry.

This fortress defends the narrow passage from the

Patapsco into Baltimore harbor, two miles


the city, and
its

below
to

command had been

intrusted

Major Armistead, with 100 men.

Fort Covington,

on the right of Fort McHenry, was commanded by


Lieutenant

]^ewcomb.

On

the

12th,

British

squadron of sixteen ships drew up in line of battle


within two miles and a half of the
sunrise on the 13th,
forts,

and

at

commenced an

attack on

them

wdth bombs

and

rockets.

Twelve hundred men


works on the succeedtill

-were detached to storm the

ing night, and the battle raged with great fury


the morning of the
14:th,

when

the assailants, being


to retire,

completely

foiled,

were compelled
river.

and the
example
san-

squadron sailed down the

Their

was speedily followed by the army, who had


guinely anticipated the
Baltimore.

capture

and plunder of

THE NEV/ YORK


PUBLIC LIBRARY

TILDE N

F^

Iff W'
A ^^:

.ynjiiiiii;iihHiiiiiliiiuii.aiiiui!liv.'.lJi^''^w^w'^v^

BATTLE OF KEW OELEAKS.


Positive
leans,

intelligence

was received

in

"New Or

on

the

9th

of

December, 1814, that the


off

British

fleet

had been descried standing


;

the

Chandeleur islands

and Lieutenant Thomas

Catesby Jones was immediately dispatched

Ap by Com

modore Patterson, with a


and 182 men,
to

flotilla

of five gun-boats,

watch the motions of the enemy.

On

the 12th instant,- they were discovered in such

force, off

Cat Island, at the eastern extremity of


that Lieutenant Jones judged
it

Lake Borgne,
to retire

safer

up the lake and guard the passes leading


city.

toward the

All the arrangements of General Jackson for the


defense of ISTew Orleans were

made with consumthe passes

mate

skill.

The

batteries

commanding

from Lake Borgne into Lake Pontchartrain were


well

manned

the colored battalion, under

Major

Lacoste, with the Feliciana dragoons, were ordered


to

take

post

on the Chef Menteur,

to

cover

tlie

414
Gentilly

DARING DEEDS
road
;

Major Planche's

battalion,

with

Lieutenant "Wagner's company of light

artillery,

were stationed
that

at

fort St.

John, on the bayou of

name

the Tennessee cavalry and infantry, un-

der Generals Coffee and Carroll, remained about four


miles above the city;
the regular troops, and

the
city,

remainder of the

state militia,

occupied the
;

and the

fortifications

on the river below

and the

schooner Caroline and brig Louisiana were moored


in the stream.

On

the 22d of

December General Keane, whose

whole command about 4500 in number, with their

heavy cannon and


boats,

stores,

proceeded, in their small

up

the

bayou, and, at four o'clock

the

morning of the 23d, arrived opposite the oj^ening


of Yillere's canal, which connected with the Mississippi.

They halted

at this point

for a

few hours,
the

and then continued up the

canal.

Early in

afternoon of the same day, they gained

the bank

of the river unmolested, and established themselves

on the plantation of General Yillere, Colonel La

Konde, and Major Lacoste, about eight miles below


the city.

General

Jackson

did

not wait

to

be attacked.

Within an hour

after receiving the information that

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
the

415

enemy had

effected a landing,

he put his troops


city

in motion.

Anticipating
threatened

that

the

might be
the

eimultaneoTisly

by way
left

of

Chef
on the

Menteur, General Carroll was


Gentilly road, with his
litia
;

posted

command and
troops,

the city

mi

and the remainder of the


Jackson
in

mider Genof

eral

person,

consisting

General

Coffee's brigade.

Major Hind's dragoons, a detachand marines, under Colonel Mcinfantry, the bat-

ment of

artillery

Rea, parts of the 7th and 44th


talions of

Majors Planche and Daqnin, and two


Spotts,

six-pounder guns in charge of Lieutenant

moved down
the

the

left

bank of the

river, to attack

enemy who had landed below.

The schooner
Patter-

Caroline, Captain Henley, with

Commodore

Bon on board, and the brig Louisiana, Lieutenant

Thompson,

also

dropped down the

river.

It

was

understood that the signal of attack would be the


fire

of the Caroline,

when

she had arrived opposite

the position of the British troops.

At

six o'clock in

the evening of the 23

1,

the

different corps

composing the main column,

in all
it

not far from 2000 men, effected a junction


canal Rodriguez, within sight of the watch
f)

the

es of

the enemy, which were discovered gleaming dimlv

29

416
in

DARING DEEDS
distance.
to the

tlie

The night was prematurely dark


river.

\owing

dense fog rising from the

This
it

circumstance, however, favored the movement, as

was thereby concealed from the enemy; and the


very best
spirit

pervaded the whole command.


for the attack
;

The
artil-

troops were

now formed

the

lery and marines, and the regular infantry, on the


right
;

the battalions of Plauche and


in the center;

Daquin, both

under Colonel Ross,

and the brigade


left.

of General Coffee, dismounted, on the


eral Coffee

Gen-

was directed

to turn the
;

enemy's right,

and attack them

in the rear

while the rest of the


in front.

column advanced against them

At

half-past seven o'clock, the long looked-for sig-

nal was given

by the

Caroline.

The

first

intimation

received by the enemy, of the approach of the Americans,

was the raking broadside of the schooner, which


Before
they

completely swept their encampment.

had
eral

fairly

recovered from their astonishment. Genfell

Jackson

uj)on

them

like

a thunderbolt.

Though taken by
his fires to

surprise.

General Keane ordered

be extinguished, and finally succeeded

in forming his

men
into

to beat off the attack.

Before

order was
forced
his

entirely restored.

General Coffee

had

way

the

enemy's camp, and Gen

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
eral

417

Jackson was moving upon them in front with

equal daring and impetuosity.

Notwithstanding the intense darkness, the American soldiers were kept


to their duty,

and displayed

the most praiseworthy gallantry.

The enemy were

driven from their position, and several successive


charges were made, with great success.
it

At

length,

was discovered that the troops were


on
account
of the thick

falling into

confusion,

mist which

shrouded every thing around, and General Jackson


thought
it

best to call

off

his

men.

During the
field of

remainder of the night they lay on the


battle,

and

in the

morning

fell

back

to the canal
city,

Rodriguez, about two miles nearer the


the

where

swamp and
was

the Mississippi approached within

a few hundred yards of each other.


It

at

first

designed by the

British

com-

mander,

to

commence

regular approaches against

the formidable line of

intrenchments occupied by

the

American

troops.

On

the 28th of

December,
battery

brisk cannonade

was

opened

from a

planted near the levee, within half a mile of the


river.

Showers

of

Congreve

rockets

were

also

thrown, which, although a

new imj^lement

of warin

fare, failed to excite either fear or

astonishment

418

DAEING DEEDS
The
firing

the opposing ranks.

was kept up

for

several hours without producing

any sensible

effect

and the attack was then relinquished.

During the

night of tie 31st, heavy batteries were constructed

on the plain, directly in front of the American


position
;

and

the advent

of

the

new year was


artillery, ac-

welcomed by

a tremendous burst of

companied by incessant
continued
till

flights of rockets,

which was

three o'clock in the afternoon,

when

the batteries were effectually silenced by the Ameri-

can guns.
were,
killed

The
the

casualties on these

two occasions
eighteen

on

side

of the

Americans,
;

and thirty-one womided


enemy, forty-eight

and,

on the side

of

the

killed,

and eighty-two

wounded.
These repeated
efforts

having proved of no
to carry the

avail.

General Packenham decided


a coup de main.

works by

For a number of days


in

all his

men

were employed

deepening Yillere's canal,

for the

passage of the boats, by which a detachment could

be thrown across the river

to attack the fortifications

on the right bank.

On

the

6th instant. General

Lambert joined

the

main body of the

enemy,

already on shore, with his division; and the whole

command was

thus

increased to

upward of 12000

OF A il
men.

ii I

A N U E li O E

4:19

Eveiy

tliiug

being in readiness for the con-

templated assault, on the evening of the 7th instant,


it

was directed

to take

place at

dawn

of day on

the following morning.

On

the

4:th

of

January, the anxiously-expected

reinforcements

from

Kentucky,

under

Generals

Thomas
Orleans.

and Adair, 2500

strong,

reached

E'ew

They were poorly fm-nished with arms,

howerer, and, like most of the other troops, w^ere


nearly
destitute

of

clothing.

The

city

was ran-

sacked in search of weapons, but a scanty supply


could

be obtained;

and the other deficiency was


patriotic exertions of

partially remedied,

by the

Mr.

Girod, the mayor, and the ladies of IS'ew Orleans

General Jackson now made a


of
his troops.

final

disposition

Governor Claiborne was posted on

the Gentilly road, with a portion of the Louisiana


militia;

another portion, under General

Morgan,
river,

was stationed on the right bank of the


the battery on that shore

and

was manned by the

sailors

and marines under Commodore Patterson.

General

Morgan

w^as further reinforced,

on the night of the

7th of January,

when

it

was ascertained that the

enemy were opening

a passage into the river, by a

detachment of the Kentucky troops.

On

the

left

420

DAKiNG

dep:ds

bank; Ceueral Jackson was posted witli his main


coluiiiAi,

consisting of about 3500 men.

There were

eight distinct batteries


in
all,

along the line, mounting,

twelve guns

and two howitzers.


infantry,

On

the

right,

were the Tth and 44th

between

which were the battalions of Majors Plauche, Lacoste,

and

Daquin

in

the center was


that of

General

Carroll's

command, supported by
left,

General

Adair
rifles

and, on the extreme

were the Tennessee

under General Coffee.


troops,

The remainder of the

Kentucky

under General Thomas, remained

in the rear.

The brave troops whom General Jackson had


gathered around him, calmly awaited the approach
of the enemy, behind the breast-work of cotton bags

which

their

sagacious

commander had provided,

not as a shelter for cowardice, but as a protection


against the onset of

a superior force.
;

]^ight after

night they slept upon their arms


Coffee lying far out in the

the soldiers of
of logs

swamp, on heaps
cold,
;

and brush, half benumbed with the

and covyet
all

ered with the moist ooze of the morass


indifferent to

the inclemency of the weather, to

hardship and suffering.

The wintry dawn was

just breaking,

and the cold

OF AMERICAN HKKOES.
silvery

421

sheen of the early morning was rapidly


over the plains of

spreading

Chalmette, on the

memorable 8th of January, 1815, when the dark


masses of the British assaulting columns were
cerned from the American
lines, as
dis-

they emerged

from the thick vail of mist which intercepted the

view of their encampment, and rapidly pressed


forward to the storm.
batteries, planted

At

the

same time,

their

on the previous night, within 800

yards of the intrenchments, commenced an active


fire,

which soon deepened

into a continuous roar,

that shook

the whole valley,

and started the

in-

habitants of the city from their slumbers.

Simultaneously with the movement on the

left

bank of the

river. Colonel

Thornton crossed the

stream with 500 picked men, ascended the levee,


and, by a sudden charge, turned the position, and

made himself master

of the battery, which formed

the strong point of the line.


at the

General Morgan was


force, but finding
fell

head of a much superior

himself unable to maintain his ground, he

back

toward the
troops.

city,

followed

slowly

by the British

Upon

the other shore, the

most desperate and


the
least sub-

uufiinchiug valor failed to achieve

422
Btantial

DARING DEEDS
success.

The main

attack,

on

this

bank

of

the river, was


;

made

in

two columns, sixty or

seventy deep

that on the right,

between 8000 and

9000 strong, led by General Gibbs, moving upon


the center of Jackson's position
;

and the

left,

about

1200 in number, General Keane, advancing along


the levee road.

The

British troops

moved forward
scaling

slowly and steadily,

many

of

them carrying

ladders and fascines.

Three hearty cheers rose from the American

lines

when

the

enemy came within

range.

Every piece
well-sustained
as

was instantly put


rolling
fire

in requisition.

welcomed the
Still,

assailants

they ap-

proached.

the regularity of

their array

was

unbroken.

Torrents of grape and roimd shot, hiss-

ing hot, swept through the solid columns, rending

them asunder

like ropes of sand.

Yet they pressed

on undaunted, through the driving storm of missiles

poured upon them from the

different

batteries,

whose converging

fires

smote them more and more

heavily at every step of their advance, and strewed


the plain with the dying and the dead.

Meantime the American


had remained
at

infantrj^

and riflemen
their

their

posts,

with

hands

clenched about the locks of their pieces, attentively

or

AMERICAN HEROES.

423
General
lines,

watching the movements of the enemy.

Jackson himself occasionally rode along the


to cheer
critical

and animate
period
for

his

men.

It was, indeed, a

his

own fame,

for

the martial

reputation of
his

his country.
lofty

His chivalric courage,


rose

proud and

self-reliance,

with the

emergency.

His eagle eye blazed with an almost

unearthly light, and the shrill notes of his trumpet


voice rang high above the roar of battle.

Making
comrades,
distorted,

their

way through

the heaps

of

their

who
and

lay weltering in their gore, pale,


stiffening

in

death, the British solrifle

diers

advanced within reach of the American

and musket.
rolled

In an instant, a vivid stream of fire


the whole line of intrenchments.
glistening wall of
aghast.
Stout-

down from

The way was now blocked by a


flame.

The bravest shrank back


men, who had never

hearted

faltered

amid the sea

of carnage whose crimson waves dyed the ramparts


of Badajoz, trembled like the aspen.
fire

The American

was never

for

moment

interrupted,

the
dis-

western riflemen making their mark at every


charge, and the

men

in the rear constantly loading their

and exchanging pieces with


front.

companions in

At

the head of the glacis, the right column 20


4:24

DAKING DEEDS
the assailants staggered

of

and halted.

Generals

Packenham and Gibbs dashed


retrieve the

forward, eager to
all

fortunes of

the day ere


to

was

lost.

In vain was every


battle.

effort

turn

the

tide

of

Both

officers fell

mortally wounded, while

hundreds were swept down around them, as the


grass before the

mower.

Some few
1

pressed on,

on and on,

to sure destruction

On
in

the

left,

the

advances of General Keane's

column, led by Colonel Rennie, gained the redoubt


front of the line of intrenchments
;

but

it

was

only to find a soldier's grave.


at once directed
tion,

A murderous fire was


fortifica-

upon them from the main

and every man who had entered the work,

in-

cluding the gallant officer

who headed

the attack,
ineffectual

was cut down.

General Keane made an

effort to rally the troops for

another onset, and was

borne from the

field

severely wounded.

The com-

mand now

devolved

on

General

Lambert, who

promptly led up the reserve; but on discovering


the dreadfal havoc which had been

made

in the

shattered and terrified column before him, he gave

the signal to retire.

At mid-day
looked

the battle was ended

the bright sun

down on

that red waste, everywhere

marred

OF

AMERICAN
shot,

hp:koes.
all

425
over with
cool

by the i^loughing

and dotted
;

huge

piles

of festering corruption

and the

breeze that
groves,

murmured among

the acacia and orange

was loaded with scents of slaughter, wnth


battle-field.

the steam of the

The appalling

fire
its

from the American lines was most terrible in


effects.

The

British lost 293 killed, 1267

wounded,

and there were 484 taken prisoners.


can
loss

The Amerithere were

was

trifling

in

comparison;

but thirteen killed, thirty-nine wounded, and nineteen missing, on both sides of the river, during the
day.

COLOl^EL CLIISrCH
As

AISTD

THE

raDIAl^S.

soon as the war of 1812 was ended, the In

dians in Florida, instigated

by Edward

ISTichols

and James Woodbine, formerly


ish service, again took

officers in the Brit

up the hatchet against


two

their

white neighbors.

These

men, in order the

naore completely to effect their purpose, established

a fort on the Apalachicola river, to which they

4:26

DARING DEEDS
Indians and runaway

encouraged the disaffected


negroes to
flee

as to

a place of safety.

At

this

place, naturally strong

by

its position,

they mounted

twelve pieces of artillery, and in July, 1816, their


garrison amounted
to

400 negroes and

Indians,
all

w^ho were well supplied with provisions and

the

munitions of war.

To dislodge

this

band of outlaws, Colonel Clinch

was dispatched with a small number of regulars


and some Indians under the command of
their chief,

Mcintosh, and in the beginning of July he laid


siege to the fort on the land side.

Two
to

schooners

had been sent from "New Orleans

supply Clinch

with provisions and munitions of war.

Having

ob-

tained the permission of the Governor of Pensacola,


these vessels proceeded
the

up the Apalachicola, under

convoy of two gun-boats, each mounting one

twelve-pounder,
Col.

and

carrying
this small

twenty-five
force

men.

Clinch deemed

insufficient

to attack the fort

on the river side and accordingly


against any offensive op-

cautioned the
erations.

commander

But,

when near

the

fort,

a watering party
of

of seven

men were
five

attacked
killed,

by an ambuscade

negroes;

were

one escaped,

and the

other was taken prisoner, tortured, and murdered.

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
gun-boats

427

The commander of the


warped up
sufficiently
fire

immediately

near to the

fort,

and com-

menced a

on

it

with hot shot, one of which


fort.

entered the magazine and blew up the


this

By

accident the fort was completely destroyed


killed,

270 of the enemy were

and most of the


quantity of arms

remainder wounded.

An immense

and munitions of war, designed

for

supplying the

Indians and negroes with the means of annoying


the frontier settlers,
fell

into the

hands of the con-

querors.

BATTLE OF

O KEE-C H O -BEE
official

General Taylor, then colonel, in his

dis-

patch, after mentioning the preliminary arrange-

ments, proceeds to describe the battle as follows.


It

took place on the 25th of December, 1837.


" These arrangements being made, I

moved under

their

guidance for the camp

of

the Mickasukies.

Between two and three P. M., we reached a very


dense
cypress

swamp, through

which

we were

4:28

DAEING DEEDS
to pass,

compelled
us

and

in

which our guide informed


After making the necesit

we might be

attacked.

sary dispositions for battle,


there

was ascertained that


us.

was no enemy

to

oppose

The

army
being

crossed over and


late.

encamped
passage

for the night, it

During the

of

the rear,

Captain

Parks,

who was
fell

in

advance with a few friendly

Indians,

in with

two of the enemy's spies be-

tween two and three miles from our camp, one on


horseback, the other on
turing the latter.
foot,

and succeeded in cap-

He

was an active young warrior,


rifle,

armed with an

excellent

fifty

balls

in his

pouch, and an adequate proportion of powder.

This

Indian confirmed the information which had been


previously received from the other Indians, and, in
addition, stated

that a large

body of Seminoles,
and, no

headed by John

Cohua,

Co-a-coo-chee,

doubt. Alligator, with other chiefs, were


five

encamped

or six miles from

us,

near the Mickasukies,

with a cypress

swamp and
latter.

dense

hammock between

them and the

"The army moved forward


morning,

at daylight the next


five

and

a^fter

marching
of
the

or

six

miles,

reached the

*arap

Seminoles on the bor-

der of another' cypress swamp, which must have

OP AMERICAN HEROES.

429

contained several hundred, and bore evident traces


of having been abandoned in a great hurry, as the
fires

were

still

burning, and quantities of beef lying

on the ground unconsumed.


"

Here the
battle,

troops were again

disposed in order
to

of

but

we found no enemy

oppose us

and the command was crossed over about 11 A. M.,

when we entered

a large prairie in our front, on


cattle

which 200 or 300 head of

were grazing, and

a number of Indian ponies.

Here another young

Indian warrior was captured, armed and equipped


as the former.

He

pointed out a dense

hammock

on our

right,

about a mile distant, in which he

eaid the hostiles were situated,

and waiting

to

give

us battle.

"

At

this place the final disposition

was made

to

attack them, which was


teers

in

two

lines,

the volun-

under Gentry, and Morgan's

spies, to

form the

first line in

extended order, who were instructed to


in the event of being atfall

enter the

hammock, and

tacked and hard pressed, were to

back in rear
the enemy's

of the regular troops, out of reach of


fire.

The second was composed of the 4th and 6th

infantry,

who were

instructed to sustain the volun-

teers, the 1st infantry

being held in reserve.

430
"

DARING DEEDS
Moving on
in the

direction of

the

hammock,

after

proceeding about a

quarter of

a mile,
lis

we

reached the

swamp which

separated

from the

enemy, three-quarters of a mile


totally

in breadth, being
for foot,
five feet

impassable

for horses,

and nearly so

covered with a thick growth of saw-grass,


high,

and about knee deep

in

mud and

water,

which extended
reach
;

to the left as far as the

eye could

and

to the right, to a part of the

swamp and
deep

hammock we had
creek.

just crossed through, ran a

At

the edge of

the

swamp
Allen

the

men were
left

dismounted, and the horses and baggage


a suitable
guard.

under

Captain

was

detached
to

with two companies of mounted infantry


ine the

exam-

swamp and hammock

to the right,

and

in

case he should not find the

enemy

in that direction,

was

to return to the

baggage, and in the event of


firing, to join

his hearing a

heavy

me

immediately

" After making these arrangements, I crossed the

Bwamp
ders

in the order stated.

On

reaching the bor

of

the

hammock, the
fire

volunteers

and spies

received a heavy

from the enemy, which was

returned by them for a short time,


lant

when
fell,

their gal-

commander.

Colonel

Gentry,
;

mortally
of

wounded.

They mostly broke

and. instead

OF

AMERICAN HEEOES.

431

forming in rear of the regulars, as had been


rected,

di-

they retired

across
;

the

swamp

to

their

baggage
brought

and horses
into

nor

could

they again

be

action

as

a body, although

efforts

were made repeatedly by


to

my

staff to

induce them

do

so.

" The enemy, however, were promptly checked

and driven back by the 4th and 6th


in truth,

infantry,

which

might be said

to

be a moving battery.
fire

The weight of the enemy's

was principally

concentrated on five companies of the 6th infantry,

which not only stood


until

firm, but continued to

advance

their gallant

commander, Lieutenant-Colonel
adjutant,
officer,

Thompson, and
were
killed,

his

Lieutenant

Center,

and every

with one exception,


officers,

as well

as

most of the non-commissioned

including the sergeant-major and four of the orderly


sergeants, killed

and wounded of those companies


the regiment retired to

when

that

portion of

short distance

and were again formed, one of these


left

companies having but four members

untouched.

" Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, with six companies,

amounting in
in

all to

160 men, gained the

hammock

good order, where he was joined by Captain


30

Noel with the two remaining companies of the 6th

1:82

DARING DEEDS
and Captain Gentry's volunteers, with a
to drive the

infantry,

few additional men, continued


for a considerable time,

enemy
front,

and by a change of

separated his line and continued to drive him until

he reached the great lake, Okee-cho-bee, which was


in the rear of the

enemy's position, and on which


for

their

encampment extended

more than a

mile.

As
the

soon as I was informed that Captain Allen was


the 1st
infantry to

advancing, I ordered
left,

move

to
it,

gain the enemy's right flank, and turn

which order was executed in the promptest manner possible, and as soon as that regiment got in
position, the

enemy gave one


1st, 4th,

fire

and retreated,
6th,

being pursued by the


of the volunteers
night,

and

and some

who had

joined them, until near

and

until those troops

were nearly exhausted,

and the enemy driven

in all directions.

"The

action

was a severe one, and continued

fi'om half past twelve until three, P. M., a part of

the time very close and severe.

We

suffered

much,

having twenty-six

killed,

and 112 wounded, among


officers.

whom

are

some of our most valuable


all

The

hostiles

probably suffered,

things

considered,
ten

equally with ourselves, they having

left

dead

on the ground, besides, doubtless, carrying off more,


ti

is

Customa:-" with them

when

practicable

CHAPTER XII 1840.

BATTLE OF PALO ALTO.


As
fiignal

soon as General Taylor was satisfied by the

guns from Fort Brown, that

it

had been

at

tacked

and was

in danger,

he made prompt pre-

parations for opening his communication


it

between
gallant

and Point

Isabel,

and

for relieving

its

defenders

from their perilous

situation.

Accordleft

ingly, on the evening of

the Yth of

May, he

Point Isabel with a force of about 2100 men, and


a train of 250 wagons, loaded with provisions and
military stores, determined to give the
tle,

enemy

bat-

however numerous he might

be.

That night

his

army encamped about seven miles from Point


and resumed
its

Isabel,

march early

in the

morn

ing of the 8th.

About twelve

o'clock, his

advanced

guard reported that the Mexican forces were drawn

up

In large

numbers

to dispute his progress.

An-

other report immediately followed, however, informing

him

that

they had withdrawn their advance,

4:34

D A K 1 N G D K K DS

and were retreating toward Fort Brown.


trains
tion,

His wagon
in

and troops were therefore again put


until the country

mo

and progressed

opened into

a broad prairie, bounded by Palo Alto, a thick grove of dwarfish


left

trees.

On

both the right and


fresh
this

of

the

American army were ponds of


them, chapparal.

water, and beyond


prairie the
for battle.

Upon

enemy were again drawn

up, prepared

On

the extreme right was

drawn up

division of

Mexican

cavalry, with their long, sharp


in

pointed

lances glittering

the

sun,

and

their

pennants gayly waving in the breeze.

Next, were

posted their artillery and their heavy bodies of in


fantry, the

whole forming a solid column of over a

mile in length, with artillery, infantry, and cavalry,


alternately arranged,

and presenting a most formi

dable appearance.

The space between the two armies was now


gradually lessening, and soon the details could be
distinguished.

The

tall,

rank grass of the

prairie,

deadened the heavy tramp of the cavalry, and the


lumbering wheels of the
artillery
;

and the whole

moved forward

so silently that the rattling of their

trappings could be heard singularly plain.


of

space
tv.o

TOO

yards only, intervened

between the

OF
armies,

AMERICAN HEROES.
the
batteries

435

when

on the right of the

Mexican

line opened,

throwing their ball and grape

over the heads of the Americans, and announcing,


in tones of

thunder, that the contest had begun.


artillery,

In quick succession the whole of their

from extreme right


ball,

to left,

poured forth volleys of


filled

which made the earth tremble, and

the

air

with clouds of dust and sulphurous smoke.


for the
line.

The

word was now given


halt,

advancing columns to

and deploy

into

When

this

was done,

Lieutenant

Churchill's

eighteen-pound ers

boomed
full roll-

above the surrounding din, announcing, in

ing echoes, that the Americans were " in the field."

Major Ringgold's and Captain Duncan's commands


were now ordered forward
into the

open

prairie,

and commenced

their rapid discharges.


it

A general
is

cannonading now raged, unparalleled,


in

believed,

any

figlit

upon an open
its

battle-field.

Duncan's

battery, from

conspicuousness and nearness to


fire

our line, had often the concentrated

of

the

enemy upon

it.

For two hours, twenty or

thirty

pieces of artillery rent the air with their thunders

the iron hail tearing

up the

prairie in

deep furrows,
air.

and sending the dry dust


There was but
little

in

clouds in the

precision in the enemy's firing.

436

DARI>TG DEEDS
:i).>xil<^!?

The

almost
Fo-r

invariably

passed
it

over

the

American

lizea.

uiSerent was

with

our

own

at every discharge, the

sudden opening that

followed in the solid masses,

marked

the terrible

course of death where the Mexican cavalry bit the


dust.
battle,

The

infantry, cool

spectators of
this

the raging

marked with eagle eyes

havoc in the

opposing ranks, and mingled their exulting shouts


with the din, as they witnessed
their

the prowess

of

companions in arms.

The

terrible eighteen-

pounders rose ever above the tumult, and seemed


as if

keeping time in solemn sound,

as

at

every

discharge they sent their huge masses of crushing


iron into
rected.

the living wall at which they were

di-

As

the

battle

thickened,

the

infantry,
to partici-

now formed

in our rear,

grew impatient
the

pate in the fight,

and

Mexican
artillery,

cavalry,

by
for

suffering so severely

by our

prepared

the

charge.

The

maneuvering
time
of
for

of

the

day now
quick

commenced
thought,
arrived.

the

cool

courage,

and

deeds

individual

heroism

had

regiment of Mexican lancers, commanded by


right, as
it

General Torrejon, moved toward our

was supposed

to

gain possession of our train.

Tlie

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

437

Third and Fifth regiments of infantry, with a portion of Einggold's battery,

under the command of


to

Lieutenant Ridgeley were ordered

check

this

movement, and turn the


They, however,
still

left flank

of the enemy.
fire,

keeping up an irregular

continued steadily to advance toward our right and


front, so as to outflank

our

line, if possible.

Upon

their near approach, the Fifth

was thrown

into square

with Captain Walker and twenty mounted


its

men

on
for-

right.

Lieutenant Ridgeley having dashed

ward, unlimbered his battery, and commenced rapid


discharges of grape and canister upon the enemy's
artillery,

causing

it

to retreat

but the lancers, 1500


advance, in spite of

strong, continued
all

steadily to

opposition, until the

Fifth

poured
fire so

into them,

from the head of the square, a

deadly, that

the front of the cavalry recoiled


fell

great numbers
for-

dead, and those in the rear, without pressing


to receive

ward on the bayonets ready


into confusion.

them, broke

portion, however, re-formed,

and

kept bravely on, in the attempt to reach the

train,

when Colonel Twiggs ordered


enemy saw
in

the Third infantry to

the extreme right, to cut off their advance.

When
by

the

this

movement, they commenced a


marching
apparently

retreat

good

order,

438
squadrons,

DAKING DEEDS
when Lieutenant Kidgelej,
assisted

by

Lieutenant French, opened his batteries, scattering

them

in all directions.
in di-

While Lieutenant Eidgelej was engaged


recting this
fire,

his

horse was shot from under

him, and the same ball probably that caused the


death of his steed, alarmed the horses at one of his
caissons,

which sprang madly forward in range of the

gun.

Lieutenant Ridgeley, regardless of personal

danger, rushed forward between the two contending


fires,

seized

the

front

horses
;

by the head, and


thus saving not only
of
his

brought them into their places


his

horses, but
this time.

the

ammunition

battery.

During

Major Ringgold^s battery was not

idle; but, supported

by

the

Fourth infantry, kept


fire.

up a galling and continuous


in the advance,

On

the

left,

and

was Duncan's

battery, which, sup-

ported by the Eighth infantry and Captain Ker's

squadron of dragoons, poured forth a


charge.
position

terrible dis-

The dragoons, who, from


could witness
its

their

elevated

effects,

say that horses


air,

and

riders

were frequently blown into the


it

and
in

long o^Denings were often visible that


the columns against which
it

made
;

was directed
line

not-

withstanding

this,

the

enemy's

remained

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
unshaken.

4,;3j)

So rapid were these discharges, that the


prairie, that

wiry grass of the


to the

reached nearly up

muzzle of the pieces, dried before the sheeted


;

flame, and burst into a blaze

the sulphurous

smoke

of the exploded cannon and the musket cartridges

had already clouded the


rors

air,

as if to vail the hor-

of

war from the

clear blue

sky above

but,

when
were

this conflagration took place, the

very heavens

at times darkened,

and huge masses of smoke

rolled
lines

across the plain, completely obscuring our

from the enemy's view.

After the battle had raged for two hours, the

Mexican
ceased

batteries

began

to

slacken,

and

finally
to

altogether.

They were unable longer


flre

withstand the terrible and destructive


gold's, Churchill's,

of Ring-

Duncan's and Ridgeley's guns,

and began
a

to fall

back

for the

purpose of forming

new

line

of

battle

under cover of the smoke.

Our eighteen-pounders were then moved forward


until they occupied the position

where the Mexican

cavalry were posted at the beginning of the battle

The Americans

also

formed a new

lino, their righ

wing resting on these eighteen-pounders.


armies were

The two

now formed

in parallel linos, but tlio


first

Mexicans were better protected than in their


osition,

by the chapparal

in their rear.

440

DARING DEEDS

Scarcely an hour elapsed before the action was

resumed.

It

was

commenced by our

artillery,

which was evidently more destructive than ever.


But the Mexicans withstood the shock with great
firmness.

Soon

after

the

action

was

renewed,

Captain

May

was ordered
the

to attack their left.

He
his

cheerfully obeyed

order,

but was unable to


cavalry with

make much impression on

the

small force, and accordingly resumed his former


position

without again having an oj^portunity to

sliare in the

engagement.

It

was now nearly night,

and the Mexicans resolved


to

to

make one

last effort
lines,

shake the firmness of the American


deadly
fire

and

to silence the

of the eighteen-pounders

and Ringgold's battery.


in

Accordingly, they poured


literal

upon them almost a

tempest of

balls.

Captain
ball

Page

fell,

mortally wounded,

a cannon
his

having carried away the whole of

lower

jaw, and the brave Major Ringgold had both legs


nearly shot away by a ball which passed entirely

through his horse.

Sanguine expectations of his

recovery were for a time entertained.

But they

were not
11th

to

be realized, and on the evening of the


at

he died

Point Isabel, mourned

by the

army

as a loss to the service

and the country, not

easily to

be repaired.

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
The
artillery battalion

441

under Colonel Childs was

now brought up
right,

to

support the artillery on the

when
the

a fierce
line

charge was
a

made upon

this

part of

by

strong body of

Mexican
a

cavalry, which continued to advance in spite of

destructive fire from our artillery.

The

battalion

was

formed
attack
;

into a hollow square,

and calmly awaited the


canister,

but a severe discharge of

from

the

eighteen-pounders, threw
finally dispersed

them

into

confusion,

and

them.

heavy

fire

of mus-

ketry was in the

mean time opened upon


slightly,

the square,

wounding Lieutenant Luther

and

killing

and severely wounding several


Childs, however, poured
in

soldiers.

Colonel
well-di-

upon them a

rected

discharge from his guns, which efiectually


the enemy's
left.

silenced

But another

effort

was

made by

Arista to turn our flank, and get posses-

sion of our stores in the rear.

This

movement was

fortunately discovered

by Captain Duncan, and he


to

was immediately ordered


check
until the eighth

hold

the

enemy

in

infantry could

come

to his

assistance.
style,

This he accomplished in most gallant


fire

opening upon them a deadly


his vicinity.

before they

were aware of

Every discharge was


of

fearfully destructive,

mowing down whole ranks

442
the enemy.

DARING DEEDS
They could not long stand nnder
fire,

this

murderous

though they continued

to

advance

with great firmness for a time.

They were driven

back in confusion, but immediately re-foi-med and


again

moved

forward, and were again driven back

in hopeless disorder, and


retreat,

commenced a
confusion

precipitate

throwing

all

into

who had

yet

stood firm.

Thus they were driven from


to

the field

and compelled

take shelter in the


to the contest.

chapparal.

Night now put an end


the battle of

Thus ended

Palo Alto, after the action had con-

tinued for nearly five hours with almost uninter-

rupted fury.

When

it

was ended, our


to

soldiers

sunk

down wherever they chanced

be,

wholly ex-

hausted by the exertions and excitement of the


day, and
fell

asleep with nothing but the sky above

them and the earth beneath.


ever,

The dragoons, howfearing

kept watch
to

all

night,

an

attempt

would be made

surprise

them by the enemy.


to allow

Too much uncertainty hung over the fature


che officers

any repose.

All

felt that

the

morrow
and
ex-

would bring
citement,

forth another

day of
that

battle,

and

carnage,

and

the

Mexicans
it

would make another mighty


victory to their arms.

efibrt to

crown

with

They held

a council of war,

OF

AMEKICAN HEROES.

443

however, and after calmly considering the events


of the day they
ities

had

just passed,

and the probabil-

of the approaching contest, they unanimously

resolved to

move on

early the next morning


again, if

and

give the

enemy

battle

they should be

found on

this side of the

Rio Grande.
this

The

force

under General Taylor in


little

hard
while

fought battle, but


the

exceeded 2000
at least

men

Mexican army was

6000 strong, or

about three to one against the Americans.


.088

Our
killed,

in

the

engagement,
officers,

was

four

men

and

three

and thirty-seven
mortally.

wounded
loss

several of

the

latter

The

of

the

Mexicans was 200 killed and about 400 wounded,


besides the missing and desertions.
It is believed,

however, that their


missing, was but

loss

in

killed,

wounded, and

little

short of 1000 men.

CAPTAIlSr
The enemy
still

MAY'S CHARGE.
la

retaining their strongest positions,

at the battle of

Resaca de

Palma, General Taylor

444

DARING DEED3
that they

saw

must be disloaged, and


gave orders
to

the batteries

taken.
to take

He
sir,"

therefore

Captain

May
will

them

at all events.

May

replied,

"I
"

do

it,

and immediately placing himself

at the
!

head of

his dragoons, said, "

men, follow

me

and

dashed forward with lightning speed, his


rapidly upon his heels.

command

As he was

rushing on, he
to

was stopped by the brave Ridgeley, who said


him, " wait, Charley, until I draw their
at the
fire,"

and

same

instant

discharged his batteries upon


their

the enemy.

The discharge of
with

guns was almost

simultaneously

Kidgeley's.

By

this

great

presence of mind, and noble-hearted magnanimity,

he saved

May

from a

fire

that
his

must have made

dreadful slaughter
fire

among

men. and drew the


few instances

upon himself.

There are but

of equal bravery and magnanimity on record.


instant
fire

The

Eidgeley had thus drawn

ujDon himself the

of the

Mexican

battery.

May

again dashed on

in

advance of his command, in spite of a most


fire,

destructive

and cleared the enemy's works

at

a bound, cutting

down

the gunners at their pieces.


his

He

was gallantly supported by

men, and the


guns

Mexicans were driven from


furious charge.

their

by

their

They immediately

rallied,

however,

OF AMERICAN HEROES.

44:5

und again got possession of them, May's command


having scattered among the enemy.
lected
several

But he

col

of

them, and again charged

the

enemy.

In this charge he captured General La


at the guns.

Yega, while bravely fighting

He im

mediately surrendered to Captain May, and was


carried to our lines in charge of Lieutenant Stevens.

But though the battery had been silenced


the
time,
it

for
re-

was not captured.

The enemy

manned
their

their

guns, and were preparing to pour


fire

deadly

again into our ranks.

But the

Fifth regiment, which had followed

closely

upon
the

the

heels

of

the

dragoons,

now approached
to

battery,

and charged the enemy up

the

very
con-

cannon's mouth, the

enemy and our

soldiers

tending hand to hand for the


works.
Dut the

possession of

the

The

struggle

was a
cut

fierce

and bloody one,


at

enemy were
to fly,

down

their gung, or
left in pos-

compelled

and the battery was

session of the Americans.

CAPTAm MOKEIS
tain Morris,

A:N"D

major ALLEN.

The Third regiment, under the command of Capand the Fourth, under Major Allen,
at

were conspicuous

the battle of

Resaca de

la

Palma
contest.

for the spirit

with which they entered the


gallantly rivaled

These two corps

each

other in sharing the brilliant events of the day.

They
paral

fearlessly charged through the densest chap;

and while Captain Morris, and the other


of
to

officers

the Third, were overcoming

what apto

peared

be insnrmountable

difficulties

meet

the enemy, the Fourth


posite an

came

into

the ravine, opof-

intrenchment supported by a piece

artillery, that

poured a most galling

fire into

our

ranks.

Captain

Buchanan,
collected

being

senior

officer

nearest
thirty

the point,

some twenty-five

or

men, and with Lieutenant Hays and "Woods

charged across the lagoon, knee and waist deep


water,

and

after a close-quarter conflict,

routed the

enemy.

Lieutenant

Hays

distinguished himself by

OF AMEKICAN HEROES.

447

Bpringing forward and seizing the leading mules

attached to the piece, to prevent


off,

its

being driven
to

while Lieutenant

Woods sprang

the hand-

spikes,

and turned

it

in such a direction as to lock


tree.

one of the wheels against a

large force

of the enemy's cavalry suddenly charged upon these


officers,

but Captain Barbour, of the Third, came

to

the rescue, and with the point of the bayonet

drove off the cavalry.

Corporal Chisholm, of the

Third infantry, shot the Mexican lieutenant-colonel

who

led the charge.

As

the officer

fell,

the cor

poral was seen to

hand him

his canteen of water,

and but a moment afterward Chisholm was lying


dead on
his back, with a cartridge in his hand,

and

the bitten-off end resting on his lips.

Buchanan's

party, along

with

portions of

the

Fifth regiment, then charged on the

Mexican

lines.

In

the

excitement, Lieutenant-Colonel

McLitosh
it

dashed on a wall of chapparal, although


lined with infantry
fire

was

and cavalry.

Under a

galling

he broke

it

down by repeated blows


The

of his
instant

Bword, and the weight of his horse.

he got through, his horse

fell

dead under him;


;

Colonel Mcintosh sprang to his feet

a crowd of

Mexicans, armed with muskets and lances, rushed


.21

31

448

">

li I 2^

G DE

]:

Ds

upon Lim

still

lie

gaUiintly defended himself.

bayonet passed through his mouth and came out

below his ear sword


to cut

seizing

the weapon, he raised his

the

fiend

down who held

it,

when

another bayonet passed through and terribly shat


tered his arm, and another
still,

through his hip;

borne down by superiority of

force,

he

fell,

and

was
of

literally

pinned

to the

earth.

The command
Staniford,

the Fifth

now devolved upon Major


it

who conducted

with zeal and ability to the close

of the engagement.

BATTLE OF EESACA DE LA PALMA.


The
detailed

report of

this

brilliant

action, so

glorious to the

American arms, and


gallant army,
is

reflecting

so

much honor upon our

given below
hav-e

However minutely and

correctly

it

may

been

described, the account would be imperfect without

the

report

of

the
to

commanding

officer.

Gen^nd
overy
give

Taylor seems
thing,

be everywhere and
better

to sr,e

and

is

therefore

prepared

to

?'m>T>iT,

S"'^\

Wmm
5^1111

if M ^
Ji/i!^,^^|.

\
x.ii

^fn

IP'

IjiiiiaiHTiSli

OF
perfectly
all
it,

AMERICAN HEROES.
of

4-i9

the particulars

the

engagement.

He
and

does

in this instance as in all others, with

that rare combination of


it

modesty and good sense,

is

marked by the same beauty and elegance

of style, and clearness and perspicuity of expression,


that

have distinguished

all his

dispatches

" Early on the morning of the 9th instant, the

enemy who had encamped near

the field of battle

of the day previous, was discovered


left flank,

moving by

his

evidently in retreat
to

and perhaps

at the

same time

gain a

new

position on the road to


resist

Matamoras, and there again

our advance.
to

"I ordered
parked

the

suj)ply

train
left

be
it

strongly

at its position,

and

with

four pieces

of artillery

the

two eighteen-pounders which had

done such good service on the previous day, and two


twelve-pounders which had not been in the action.

The wounded

officers

and

men
the

w^ere at the I then

same
for-

time sent back to Point Isabel.

moved

ward with the columns

to

edge of the chap-

paral or forest, which extends to the Rio Grande,

a distance of seven miles.


the
first

The

light

companies of

brigade, under Captain C. F. Smith, Second

artillery,

and a

select

detachment of light

troops,

the whole under the

command

of Captain McCall,

4:50

DARING DEEDS

Fourth infantry, were thrown forward into the chap


paralj to feel the

enemy and

ascertain his position.

About three

o'clock, I received

a report from the


in

advance, that the

enemy was

position

on

th(?

road, with at least two pieces of artillery.

The com-

mand was immediately


four o'clock I

put in motion, and at about

came up with Captain McCall, who

reported the

enemy

in force in our front, occupyintersects

ing a ravine which


skirted

the

road

and

is

by

thickets of dense chapparal.

Eidgeley's

battery

and

the

advance under Captain

McCall

were

at

once thrown forward on the road, and into

the chapparal on either side, while the Fifth infantry

and one wing of the Fourth were thrown


forest

into the

on the

left,

and the Third and the other wing


These corps

of the Fourth, on the right of the road.

were employed as skirmishers


and
Call's

to

cover the battery

engage the Mexican

infantry.

Captain Mc-

command became

at

once engaged with the

enemy, while the

light artillery,

though in a very

exposed position, did great execution.


Iiad at least eight pieces of artillery,

The enemy

and maintained

an incessant
"
the

fire

upon our advance.


general, and although

The

action

now became

enemy's infantry gave way before the steady

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
fire

451

and

resistless progress of
still

our own, jet


clic

liis

ar-

tillery

was

in position to

k our advance

several pieces occupying the pass across the ravine,

which he had chosen


that no
decisive

for his position.

Perceiving

advantage could be gained until


silenced, I ordered Captain

this artillery

was

May

to

charge the batteries with his squadron of draThis was gallantly and effectually executed
his guns,
:

goons.

the

enemy was driven from

and General

La Yega, who remained


teries,

alone at one of the bat-

was taken prisoner.

The squadron, which


immediately

suffered

much

in this charge, not being

supported by infantry, could not retain possession


of

the

artillery

taken,

but

it

was completely

si-

lenced.

In the

mean

time, the Eighth infantry

had

been ordered up, and had become warmly engaged

on the right of the road.


part of the Fifth, were
batteries,

This regiment and a


to

now ordered

charge the

which

was

handsomely done

and

the

enemy driven from


on the
left

his artillery,

and

his position

of the road.

"The

light

companies of the

first

brigade, and
infantry,

the Third and Fourth regiments of

had

been deployed on the right of the road, where, at


various points, they

became

briskly engaged with

452
the enemy.

DARING DEEDS

A small party under Captain Buchanan


Wood
and Hays, Fourth
of
infantry,

and Lieutenant

composed
the

chiefly of

men

that regiment, drove

enemy from

a breast-work which he occupied,


artillery.

and captured a piece of

An

attempt to

recover this piece was repelled by Captain Barbour,

Third infantry.

The enemy was

at last

completely

driven from his position on the right of the road,

and

retreated

precipitately,

leaving

baggage

of
pos-

every description.
session of a

The Fourth infantry took


the head-quarters of

camp where

the

Mexican
official

general-in-chief

were established.

All his

correspondence was captured at this place.


artillery

" The

battalion,

excepting

the

flank

companies, had been ordered to guard the baggage


train,

which was

parked some

distance in rear.
to

The

battalion

was now ordered up

pursue the

enemy, and with the Third infantry, Captain Ker's


dragoons, and Captain Duncan's battery, followed

him rapidly
prisoners.

to

the river,

making a number of
of

Great

numbers

the

enemy were

drowned
town.

in attempting to cross the river near the


last

The corps

mentioned encamped near

the river; the remainder of the


of battle.

army on the

field

OF

AMERICAN HEKOES.
our marching
force

453
on
this

"The

strength of

day, as exhibited in the annexed field report, was

173

officers,

and 2049 men

aggregate, 2222.
the

The

actual

number engaged with Our


;

enemy

did not

exceed 1700.

loss

was three

officers killed

and

twelve wounded

thirty-six

men

killed

and seventy-

one wounded.
" I

have no accurate data from which to


this day.

esti-

mate the enemy's force on


to

He

is

known

have been reinforced

after the action of the 8th,

both by cavalry and infantry, and no doubt to an


extent at
is

least equal

to his

loss

on that

(Jay.

It

probable that 6000


position

men were opposed


The
his

to us,

and

in a

chosen by themselves, and strongly


artillery.

defended with
very great.

enemy's

loss

was

Kearly 200 of

dead were buried


battle.

by us on the day succeeding the


in killed,

His

loss

wounded, and missing, in the two

affairs

of

the

8th
at

and

9th,

is,

I think, moderately esti-

mated
"

1000 men.
victory has been decisive.

Our

small force

has overcome immense odds of the best troops that

Mexico can furnish

veteran

regiments

perfectly
artillery,

equipped and appointed.


several colors and 21*

Eight pieces of
great

standards, a

number

of

4:54

PARING

i:

I)

prisoners, including

fourteen

officers,

and a large
fallen

amount of baggage and public property have


Into our hands.

TAK.IKG OF SOKOMA.
In
1838, an exploring expedition

was sent out


direction

hj the war
Lieutenant

department, under the

of

N^icollet, to

make

a scientific exploration

of the countries bordering on the Pacific

Ocean.

On

the death of Lieutenant

!N"icollet, in

1843, Cap-

tain,

afterward

Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont,

who
to

nad been
the

his principal assistant,

was appointed

command

of

the expedition.

Hardly had he

entered California, in January, 1846,

when he

re-

ceived information that General Castro, with a large


Torce,

was advancing
though
this

to drive

him from

the terri-

tory,

same Castro had but a few weeks


to winter in the val-

before, given

him permission

ley of

San Joaquin.

Colonel Fremont was in no


;

condition to act against this force

his intentions in

entering the territory had been entirely pacific, ar-l

OF
h

AMERICAN HEROES.
With

455
this

whole force was but sixty-two men.

li.tle

band, however, he determined to await the

attack of Castro, and accordingly took position on

mountain

about

thirty

miles

from

Monterey,
flair

where he intrenched himself and raised the


of
tlie

United States, and then continued

for
it

week, when, not being attacked, he thought


to retire,

best

hj slow marches, toward Oregon.

On

the

15th of May, he arrived at the Great Tlamath Lake.

There

he found

his

farther progress

completely

barred by the double obstacle of hostile Indians,


incited against
tains,

him by

Castro,

and the

lofty

mounThese

covered with deep and falling snows.


difficulties

were the
Cleneral

and dangers

in front.

Behind,

Castro was assembling his troops, at So-

noma, with the avowed intention of attacking Fremont's party, and exterminating
settlers,
all

the

American
to revolt.

whom

he accused of an intention
state of
aifairs.

Such being the

Colonel Fremont

determined, after mature deliberation, on the 6th


of June, to turn
safety as well
.s

upon

his pursuers,

and secure
settlers,

his

that of the

American

by

overturning the Mexican government in California.

At

that time the

war wnth Mexico had commenced,


liad

and the two battles on the Hio Grande

l)een

456
fought,

DARIXa

dp: k d

but of this Fremont


his

knew

nothing.

lie

formed

judgment on the circumstances around

him, and not on any of the previous events connected with military operations.
this determination, he,

Having come

to

on the 11th of June, cap-

tured a convoy of 200 horses, going to the


of Castro
;

camp

and on the 15th,

at daybreak, surprised

the military post at Sonoma, and

captured

it,

to-

gether with nine pieces of brass cannon, 250 stand


of arms, and several officers,
prisoners.

whom

he detained as

Leaving a garrison of fourteen


to the

men

at

Sonoma, Colonel Fremont repaired

American

settlements on the Rio de los Americanos to obtain


assistance.

Scarcely had he arrived there,

when

an express reached him, that Castro was preparing


to attack

his

little

garrison.

He

immediately, on

the 23d of

June, set out for Sonoma, and arrived


25th with ninety mounted ri^emen
fell

there on the

party of twenty, sent forward to reconnoiter,


the vanguard of

in with

Castro's force^ consisting

of a squadron of seventy dragoons,

which they

at-

tacked and

defeated,

killing

twO' and

wounding

three, without

harm

to themselves.

Castro,
first

immeSanta
de
los

diately
Clara,

after this

defeat, fell

back,

to

and

then

farther

toward

Ciudad

OF
Angelos.

AMERICAN HEROES.
course of
this

4:5T

In

tlie

pursuit

Fremont

learned, for the

first

time, that
;

war existed between


and that Monterey,

the United states


in

and Mexico

Upper

California,

had been taken bj a naval


Sloat,

force

under Commodore

on the Yth of Julj.


to

The commodore
Monterey, when

instructed

him

march through

he would

arrange with
expedition to
territory.

him a
pursue
did
so,

combined land
Castro,

and naval

and subjugate the

He
in

and

found

Commodore

Stockton

command,
United

Commodore
States.

Sloat having returned to the

The combined

pursuit

of

Castro

was

rapidly

continued, and on the 12th of August,

Commodore

Stockton and Colonel Fremont, with a detachment


of

marines from the squadron and some riflemen,

entered the city of Los Angelos, without opposition


;

the Governor-General Pico, the


all

Commandant-

General Castro, and


having
fled

the Mexican authorities

and dispersed.

Commodore Stockton

took possession of the whole country as a conquest


of the United States.

CAPTUEE OF MOKTEEEY.
Early in the morning of the 21st of September,

General Worth put his division in motion, having


written a note to General Taylor, suggesting a diversion in his favor, on the north and east of

the the

town.

The road wound

in

and

out

around

ridges projecting from the mountains on the west,

and sometimes brought the column within range


of the batteries on the hill of Independence.

On

turning one of these angles, at the hacienda of San

Jeromino, a strong force of Mexican cavalry and


infantry

came suddenly upon the advance, which


by
the light

consisted of Hays' Texans, supported

companies of the
Smith, and

first

brigade under Captain C. F.


battery.
fire

Duncan's

The rangers met


from their unerring

the charge with


rifles,

a deadly

and the

light

companies also opened uj)on


Duncan's battery was in action
section of Lieutenant

the attacking party.


in a

moment, together with a


battery.

Mack all's

The

conflict lasted about fifteen

THENEVs^

OF AME-RICAN HEROES.
mimites, when, as the whole
first

459

brigade had

now

formed
along

to the front, the

enemj

retired in disorder

the Saltillo road,

closely

followed

bj the

Americans, who took possession of the gorge, and


thus prevented their return to the city, and ex-

cluded

all

reinforcements and supplies from enter-

ing in that direction.

The enemy

left

100 of their

men, either

killed or

wonnded, on the ground, and

among them

a colonel of lancers.

Previous to the reception of General "Worth's


note.

General Taylor had determined

to

make

diversion against the lower part of the town.


first

The

division of regulars,

and the division of volun-

teers,

moved toward

the city in the morning, hav-

ing

left

one company of each regiment as a camp

guard.

The
and

dragoons
Colonel

under

Lientenant-Colonel
of Texan

May,

Wood's regiment

mounted volunteers, under the immediate command


of
to

General Henderson, were directed to the right


support

General

Worth.

Lientenant-Colonel

Garland advanced with Bragg's battery, and the


First

and Third infantry, and the Baltimore and


battalion, piloted

Washington

by Major Mansfield,
northeastern angle of

against the defenses at the


the
citv,

while
3:^

the

mortar

served

by

Captain

^60

DARIXO DEEDS
tlie

Eamsay, and
AYebster,

howitzer battery under Captain


tlieir
fire.

opened

General
of

Butler
the

re-

mained

with,

his division

in rear

battery.
di-

The remaining regiment


vision, the 4th

of

General

Twiggs'

infantry,

was

also held in

reserve

the general himself, though suffering severely from


sickness,

being
his

present,

and directing the move-

ments of

command.

The column under Lieutenant-Colonel Garland


was soon exposed
citadel
to

the

converging

fire

of

the
gall-

and the redoubts, and annoyed by the

ing discharges of musketry from the adjacent houses

and stone

walls.

Moving rapidly

to the

right of

the fort at the northeastern angle, an attempt was

made

to carry it

by gaining a

position in the rear.

Shower upon shower of

balls fell

upon and around

them

yet they j)ressed nobly on.


all

The

stoutest

hearted of them
bravest, of

began

to quail.

The best and


fallen,

both

officers

and men, had


to

and

the whole
destruction.

column seemed devoted


Still

immediate

those

men were
It

ready for the

advance; their bosoms throbbed with anxiety, but


they sheltered no coward hearts.

was madness,
expose their
protected

however, for the

officers

further to

commands, wh;le

the

enemy were

by

or
tlieir

AMERICAN HEROES.
;

461

breast-works and barricades

and most of tliem


compara-

were temporarily withdrawn


tive

to places of

secm'ity.

The battery under Captain Bragg


up, and

was
of

terribly cut

compelled

to

retire out

range.

Captain Backus, of the First infantry,

with portions of the different companies, gained


the roof
of a tannery looking
directly
into

the

gorge of the fort; and had just commenced pouring


his

destructive

volleys

into

the work,

when

General Quitman arrived upon the


his brigade of volunteers,

ground with

and three companies of


They,
too,

the Fourth infantry under Major Allen.

encountered a most withering

fire.

The Tennessee
and the compa-

regiment sustained a severe


nies of

loss,

the regular infantry, in the advance, were


of

deprived of one third

their officers

and men,

who were

struck

down

in

an

instant.
;

For a moofficers,

ment they staggered and

fell

back

but the
if

both of the regulars and volunteers, as

animated
and

by one sentiment, sprang


encouraged the
ample.

into the front line,

men by

their

words and

their ex-

Being joined by the remaining companies

of the Fourth infantry, they again

moved

forward,

no longer

to

be repulsed.

The breast-works were

surrounded, and the battery won.

4:62

DARING DEEDS

Meanwhile General Butler had entered the edge


of the town with the First Ohio regiment, the re-

maining regiment of General Earner's brigade, the


First

Kentucky being
howitzer
battery.

left

to

support the mortar


that

and

Discovering

nothing

could be gained in his front, and being advised

by Major Mansfield

to

withdraw

his

command, he
that the first

was about
fort

retiring,

when he learned
The

had been taken.

direction of his

column

was promptly changed, and he advanced under a


severe
fire to

within 100 yards of the second

fort,

called El Diablo.

He

here found that the interfire

vening space was completely swept by the

of

three distinct batteries, but being anxious to capture the work, if within his power, he

was prepar-

ing to storm

it,

when he received a
to halt.
to

severe

wound

which compelled him


rendered
the

He

afterward sur-

command

General Hamer, who


position,

moved

the regiment to a

new

and within

sustaining distance of the batteries under Captains

Eidgeley and Webster, which had already occupied


the
first fort,

and were vigorously playing upon the

second.

General Taylor

now came

up, and ordered

Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, with such


bp.

men

as could

collected of the First, Third,

and Fourth

infantry,

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
and Baltimore and Washington
section of

463
a

battalion, with,

Ridgeley's battery, to enter the town,

penetrate to the right, and carry the second battery, if

possible.

The command advanced beyond

the bridge, Purissima, exposed to an incessant fire

from the

forts

and the

citadel,

where they sustained


it

themselves for some time, but finding

impracti-

cable to gain the rear of the battery, they withdrew


to the

captured

fort.

For

six long hours

had

this contest

continued in

the lower part of the town.

The

streets

were

slip-

pery with the blood of the assailants.


lost 394:

They had

men,

in

killed

and wounded, during the


of
the

operations of the day,

among whom were some


in

the ablest and most accomplished officers


service.

The

line of the

enemy's defenses had been

penetrated, and a foothold gained, but at a great


sacrifice
.

It

was

truly

scene

of havoc

and

slaughter.

The capture of Federacion


only rendered
it

hill,

and the Soldada,


that the position

more necessary

of the hill of Independence and the Bishop's palace

should also be secured.

The party who stormed

the former, had been nearly thirty-six hours without food, and
to

add

to their hardships a violent

464

DARING DEEDS
21st.

storm came up, toward evening on the


out any covering to protect
rain,

"With-

them from the


their

pelting

they lay

down with

arms

upon the

ground, to snatch a few hours sleep.


o'clock
in

At

three

the

morning of the
hill of

22d, they were

aroused to storm the

Independencia.

The

execution of this enterprise was intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, with three companies of his
artillery battalion, three

companies of the Eighth


200

infantry under
x'iflemen,

Captain Scriven, and

Texan

under Colonel Hays and Lieutenant-ColoThere were


faint

nel Walker.
light

gleams of morning
hills,

dancing on the summits of the

but the

sky was curtained by a thick veil of clouds, and


the valley
still

in

deep shade.

Proceeding cau-

tiously along, the

party picked their

way up

the

steep

hill,

among

the rocks and thorny bushes of

chapparal, and at daybreak were within 100 yards


of the breast- work on the summit.

Here they

ensta-

countered a body of Mexicans

who had been

tioned in a cleft of rocks on the night previous, in


anticipation of an attack.
lery battalion,
haste,

Three

men

of the
too

artil-

having

advanced with

much
They

came unexpectedly upon the enemy.

instantly yielded, but

were shot down with the very

^'^^

mm
*
5^31
S'l'^r^i

1|1

lii a
liiifto"
,..s*isiiiKK'ii"""iillilil!

thene;.

;,

PUBLIC LIBRARY
AST'

T!LDN irOUN'OArKJNt,

OF
pieces
whicli

AMERICAN HEROES.
they had surrendered.
cruelty
It

4:65

did

not

require

this act of
fire

and outrage

to kindle

the zeal and

the ambition of

their comracl,es.

With

a loud fierce shout for vengeance they sprang

up the height.

deadly volley from their guns,


in

and a charge with the bayonet, placed them


possession of

the work; the

enemy

delivering an

inefiectual fire as they retreated.

The next object

of attack was the Bishop's palace, about 400 yards


distant.

The Mexicans had withdrawn

their

guns

from the battery, and the detachment were obliged


to wait for their

own cannon.

Lieutenant Rowland.

of Duncan's battery, was ordered from the mairx

rank with a twelve-pounder howitzer, and in two


hours his

men had dragged and


by main
strength,

lifted their piece

up the

hill,

and were showering

their missiles

upon the enemy.


also reinforced

The detachment on the height was

by the Fifth infantry and the Louisiana volunteers.

The enemy saw the advantage which had been


gained, and manifested a determination to recover
the heights.

Several feints were made, and then

a heavy
alry.

sortie,

supported by a strong body of cavfor the

The Americans were prepared

move-

ment.

Captain Yinton advanced, under cover of

4:66

DARING DEEDS
two companies of light troops,
to

the rocks, with

draw the enemy forward, followed by the main


column under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, with the
Texans on either
boldly, but
flank.

The Mexicans adyanced


into

were scattered
all

confusion by one

general discharge from


regain

arms.

Before they could


soldiers

their works, the

American

rushed

down upon them, shouting


the palace

as they ran.

Entering

by a door which had been barricaded,


fire

but opened by the


pleted
first

of the howitzer, they


Aj-res

com

the

victory.

Lieutenant

was the
flag,

to reach the halyards

and haul down the

which was soon replaced by the American standard,

waving proudly
together with

in the breeze.

The captured guns,


Mackall's
batteries,

Lhincan's
at a
full

and

which came up

gallop,

were

efiectively
fled

served upon the Mexican soldiers,


the city, pouring
in

who

toward
the

confused

masses

down

street leading to the Plaza de la Capella, the pro-

longation of which was

now held by

the Americans.
in

With

the loss of but seventy

men

killed

and
the

wounded.

General

Worth had accomplished

purpose for which his division was detached.

The

enterprise was executed promptly and skillfully, and

with entire success.

His whole

force

was soon

after

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
concentrated
in

467
palace,
in

the

vicinity

of

the

readiness to co-operate with General Taylor in an


assault

upon the town.


idle.

Meanwhile General Worth had not been

In the morning of the 23d, he sent a detachment


to take possession of the

gorge near Santa Catarina,


into the city

and

had designed

to

move forward
;

under favor of the ensuing night


the lieavy firing

but on hearing

upon the opposite side of the town,


columns of attack, who were
first plaza,

he

organized

two

ordered to press on to the


cover as

keeping under

much
it,

as possible, to get hold of the streets


to

beyond

and then, entering the houses,

break

through the longitudinal sections of the walls with


picks

and

bars,

and work their way from house


columns

to house.

The

light artillery followed the


to support the

in sections

and pieces

movement.
Step

All

day long the

work proceeded.

by

step, slowly, but

surely, the

Americans won

their

way

into

the

city.

The

solid

masonry

yielded

before their ponderous blows.


stricken as with a panic.

The inhabitants were

For years Monterey had


;

defied the arms of

Spain
every

but here were soldiers

who mocked
everv

at

obstacle,

and

overcame

difiiculty.

Begrimed with dust and smoke,


22

468

DAKING DEEDS
tliein as

imagination pictured
world.

beings from another

As thej

sprang, like

magic, through the

firm walls of the apartments where pale-faced wo-

men had
the
air,

retired for shelter, shriek

upon shriek rent

and only ceased when those who uttered


assured,
in friendly tones,

them were

that there

were wives and daughters by the


dark warriors, who waited
for

firesides of those

their

coming, and
not
forgotten

whose purity and

innocence were

even in the wild excitement of that hour, by those

who esteemed and loved them.


ridors,

Galleries

and

cor-

chambers and balconies, which had


w^ith the notes of

oft re-

sounded
listened

merriment and
affection

joy, or

to the

endearments of

and the

Boft accents of love,

now echoed with

the rattle of the


clash

musketry, the sharp crack of the

rifle,

of steel against steel, the exulting shout

and dying
the un-

groan; and, high above

all

the

din, rose

ceasing thunder of artillery.

At

sunset General Worth's division

had reached

a street but one square in rear of the great plaza,


leaving a covered

way behind them, and had

car-

ried a large building overlooking the principal defenses of

the enemy.

The mortar had been


this

sent
in

round by General Taylor, and

was placed

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

469

position in the Plaza de la Capella,

masked by the

church wall, and opened on the main plaza and


the
cathedral,

where the enemy were principally

collected,

and whither the aged and helpless had

retired as to their only remaining place of refuge.

The two

howitzers,

and a six-pounder were


building, and every

also
j^re-

mounted on the captured


paration
at

made

during the night to renew the assault

dawn

of day.

But

this

was rendered unnecessary.

Monterey was already

lost

and won
24:th,

Early in the morning of the


out by General

a flag was sent

Ampudia, accompanied by Colonel


communication
to

Moreno
eral

as the bearer of a

Gen-

Taylor, proposing to

evacuate the city with


This was posi-

the personnel and mat^iel of war.


tively

refused,

and a surrender of the town deafter,

manded.

Soon

conference

took

place

between General
at the quarters of

Taylor and

General Ampudia,

General "Worth, which resulted

in the appointment of commissioners

and the

capit-

ulation of the city.

BATTLE OF
tain howitzers,
its

SAIT

PASQUAL.
men and two mounto

General Kearnj, with 100

proceeded along the river Gila

junction with the Colorado, and thence across

the desert, until, on the 5th of December, 1846, he

was met, about


small

forty miles

from San Diego, by a


sent

party

of

volunteers,

by Commodore

Stockton to escort him to that place.

On

the next

morning, December 6th, a party of 160 Californians

was discovered
after a severe
lost

at

San Pasqual, and attacked, and

engagement, in which the Americana

thirty-four

men

in

killed

and wounded, were

completely routed.
ascertained.

The

loss of the

enemy was

not

The detachment reached San Diego

on the 12th of December, 1846.

On
and

the 29th of December, General Kearny, and

Commodore
sailors,

Stockton, with 500 men, mostly marines

and a battery of

artillery,

left

San

Diego

for

Los Angelos, then in the possession of

the enemy.

On

the

8th of

January, the enemy

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

47\

was discovered, numbering about 600, occupying a


strong position on a rising ground,
the passage of tbe river San Gabriel.

commanding
The
troops

were soon
forded, the
fighting,
treat.

formed

in

order of battle, the river

heights carried after about an hour's


the

when

enemy were compelled


day, the

to

re-

On

the next

enemy appeared

in

force

on the front and flanks of the Americans,


galling

harassing and
for about

them with

their

artillery,

two hours, when, arriving

at the plains

of the Mesa, they concentrated their forces, and

made

a charge upon the American

left.

This being

repulsed, with

some

loss to

them, they retired, and

on the 10th the


molestation.

city

was entered without further


loss

The American

on the 8th and 9th

of January, was one killed and thirteen wounded.

The

loss

of

the

enemy was

not knov/n, as they


off their

were mounted on good horses, and carried


killed

and wounded.

BATTLE OF BEACITO.
Colonel Doniphan
left

Santa Fe on the 1st of

December 1846, with

his regiment,

numbering 924,
escort

including Lieutenant-Colonel

Mitchell's

of
left;

100 picked men.

His march lay along the

bank of the Kio Grande, and on the 25th of De-

cember he had arrived

at a

place called Bracito,


first

284 miles from Santa Fe, where they

met the
that

enemy.
day
at

About 600 of the men encamped on

two o'clock P. M., and were engaged in

carrying

wood and

water, their horses being un-

saddled and grazing at a short distance,

when

the

word was passed


vancing.
out as

that the

enemy was

in sight, ad-

The

troops were called together instantly

there was not time to saddle their horses,

they were drawn up as infantry.

The Mexicans,
good order, on

numbering about 1100, drew up


the

in

summit of a small
their

hill,

with their cavalry on

the right of
center,

line,

a small howitzer in the

and on the

left their infantry.

Previous

to

OF
the
encoimter,

AMEEICAN HEROES.
a lieutenant advanced
flag, for

4Y3
from
tlieir

ranks bearing a black

the j)nrpose of

in-

forming Colonel Doniphan

that the

Mexicans before
Their

him gave no

quarter,

and would ask none.

charge was immediately


against the left of the
at

made bj

their

dragoons

American

line,

the infantry

the

same time advancing

steadily

and pouring

in

three volleys before they were answered.

But

when

the cavalry had advanced within 100 steps

of the line, such a volley was returned as caused

the whole of

the enemy's

line to

waver, and anin

other sent the dragoons to the

left,

their flight

making an

attack

on the provision
reception,

train.

There

they met with a

warm
mean

and were soon

compelled to
confusion.

fly in

every direction in the utmost


time, the enemy's infantry
fifteen

In the

had been put

to flight,

and were pursued by

men under

Caj)tai.n

Reid,

who had jumped upon


of volunteers, taking

their horses, while a

company

advantage of their position

on

the rout

of

the
their

enemy, charged
cannon.
fled,

upon

them and

captured

The rout was complete, and the enemy

without stopping, nearly 100 miles, neglecting

to fortify

El Paso, which a few determined


22*

men
force.

might have defended against a vast superior


.3.3

4^14^

DARING DEEDS
loss in this, the first

The American

battle of

the

army
killed.

of

the west, was seven


lost

The Mexicans

men wounded, none about thirty men killed,

and eight prisoners,


of their wounds.

six

of

whom

afterward
their

died

The number of

wounded

was not ascertained.

CHAPTEH XIIL 1847.

BATTLE OF BUENA YISTA.


On
the morning of
the 20th of
at

February, our
information

army being encamped


was received
that the

Agua Nueva

enemy was advancing, when


to fall

General Taylor ordered the troops

back upon
of

Buena

Yista.

Early on the 22d, the clouds


told

dust toward

Agua Nueva,

that the

Mexican
o'clock

army was on the advance.


the long roll of
field.

At about 11

the

drum summoned

us to the

Our regiments were formed,

artillery posted,

and we availed ourselves of every advantage that


could be taken of the ground.
the leading columns of
the

In a few minutes,
distinctly

enemy were

8een, at a distance of two miles, steadily advancing


in the

most perfect order.

Some 2000
of

lancers with
caliber,
di-

the

artillery, fourteen

pieces

different

from twenty -four's down, composed the leading


vision; then such a host of infantry

and lances as

never was seen

in

Mexico before, I suppose, came

76

DARING DEEDS
full

into

view and

filed

into

position.
:

It

was a

most grand and gorgeous spectacle

the sun glanc-

ing from the bright lances and bayonets of 21000

men

the rattling
air,

of their artillery carriages

the

prancing of their richly caparisoned horses, and the


continued sound of their bugles, swelling through
the

made up

a scene never to be described or


in line of battle

forgotten.

The armies

were drawn

up

in a

mountain pass.
to

On

our right was a deep


oi

ravine, impracticable
artillery,

be turned by cavalry
left

whilst

on

our

the
fefet

mountains

of

" Sierra
A.

Madre

" towered 2000


hills,

into the skies.

spur of continuous
nearly to the

running from the moun-

tain

ravine,

was occupied by our

troops

whilst

the space between the spur of hills

and the ravine, over which the San Luis road runs,
was occupied by
five pieces of light artillery,

comour

manded by Captain Washington.


center,
tain

This was

and was most gallantly defended by Cap-

Washington, upon whose battery the enemy

played four hours with six twenty-four pounders,


planted within point blank range, and out of reach
of his sixes, without making the slightest impression

on them.
ravines,

Between the two armies were immense

some

of

them nearly

fifty feet

deep,

tli.^

OF AMERICAN
sides covered with

EROES.

477

loose peobles,

and the bottoms

extremely precipitate and serpentine from the heavy-

washing

rains.

A smooth
it

piece of ground next the

mountain, and between


vines,

and the head of the

raac-

some 300 yards

in depth,

was the most


if,

cessible point for turning our

left flank,

indeed,

an army of 5200 men, displayed over two miles of


ground, in the presence of such a host, could be
considered as having a flank.
ington's battery,

Overlooking Washshot, is

and within near musket

high
first

hill

on the crown of which was posted the


Illinois

regiment of

volunteers, to cover

the

battery and save the center.

CAPTURE OF ALYAEADO.
On
troops

the 30th of

March, 1847, a detachment of


left

under General Quitman


the squadron

Yera Cruz

to

co-operate with

under Commodore
Lieuten-

Perry, in a joint attack upon Alvarado.

ant Hunter was dispatched in advance, with the

steamer Scourge,

to

blockade the port.

He

arrived

478
off

DARING DEEDS
the bar in the afternoon of
fire

the 30th, and


at

at

once opened a

upon the

forts,

the

mouth

of the river, which were garrisoned

by 400 men.

During the night he stood


attack in the morning,
their defenses.

off,

but renewed the

when

the

enemy evacuated

Several government vessels in the

harbor were burned, and the guns spiked or buried


in the sand

before they retired.


fort,

Leaving a

garri-

son in the

Lieutenant Hunter proceeded up

the river and succeeded in capturing four schooners.

Early in the morning of the 1st of April, he


off

anchored

Thlacotalpan, a city containing near


to

TOOO inhabitants, which surrendered


offering

him without
arrived

any

resistance.

Commodore Perry

on the 2d with the squadron, but the towns on the


river

were already captured.

TAKIE"G OF PUEBLA.
General Worth halted at Amasoque, twelve miles

h
to

Puebla, with his division, on the

14:th of

May,

await the arrival of

General Quitman.

About

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
eight o'clock in the forenoon
lie

479

found his position

suddenly menaced by about 3000 Mexican cavalry,

commanded by Santa Anna.

When

first

discovered

they appeared to be moving along on the right


flank of the Americans, toward their rear
;

it

was

soon reported that a heavy column was also approaching on the main road.
the Second artillery
tery,

Colonel Garland, with

and a section of Duncan's bat

and Major Bonneville, with the Sixth infantry


battery,

and Steptoe's

were ordered

to attack

the

cavalry force, and the remainder of the troojDS pre-

pared
front.

to

meet the enemy said

to

be advancing in

]^o other party was discovered, however, and

after twenty-five
ies,

rounds were fired from the batterdisap-

the Mexican cavalry were routed, and


hills.

peared among the

Some

prisoners were taken,


killed

and

ninety-eight

of

the

enemy were

or

wounded.

Late at night Santa

Anna

reached Puit

ebla with his discomfited troops, and evacuated early on the following day.

Having been joined


General

by

General

Quitman's

brigade.

Worth

entered the town in the morning of the 15th, without meeting

any further

resistance,

and

on

the

ensuing day took possession of the adjacent heights


of Loretto and Guadaloupe, and planted a battery

on the

hil]

of San Juan.

drSO

DAKING DEEDS

History presents few instances of the display of


daring and boldness which deserve to be compared
with the entrance of the American soldiers into the
city of

Puebla.

But

little

more than 4000 men,

weather-beaten, jaded, and wayworn, with the dust


of

many

a dreary day's journey " on their sandal

shoon," in the gray fatigue-dress of the service, and

unaccompanied by the gay paraphernalia of war,

marched through the midst of a


of

hostile population

60,000 souls, stacked their arms in the public

square, posted their guards, and,

when

the night-

watches came, lay down to sleep without one emotion of fear or alarm.

AFFAIK AT THE
General Pierce
left

]^ATI0:N'AL BKIDGE.

Yera Cruz on
all in

the

16th of

July, with 2500 men,


talion of marines,

arms, including a bat-

under Lieutenant-Colonel Watson.

His column, with the wagon-train, was nearly two


miles in length.
Bridge, he

On
it

arriving near the

I^ational
in

found

obstructed

and defended,

OF
the

AMERICAN HEROES.
as

481

same manner

on the passage of the river


;

by General Cadwalader
place his artillery in a

but

he was unable to
position,

commanding

and

orders were therefore given to charge upon the

enemy.

Lieutenant- Colonel

Bonham,

of the Twelfth

infantry, at the

head of
fire

his battalion,

rushed

for-

ward under a heavy

from the enemy's escopetas,

followed by Captain Duperu, with his


the

company of
The men

Third

dragoons,

sword

in

hand.

leaped over the barricade upon the bridge, and in


the space of ten minutes the guerilleros were flying
in

every direction.

The command proceeded

to

the Kio del Plan, where they discovered that the

main arch of the bridge had been blown up. Having crossed
on his way
the river, General Pierce continued

to join

General Scott.

He

was ^ve
the

times attacked by the guerilleros, including


renconter at
the Puente ITacional, but
occasion.

repulsed

them on every

GENERAL RILEY AT CONTRERAB.


The following account of the Battle
contains
of Contreras

more

particulars of

the achievements of

General Riley than any other

we have

seen.

Yery

early on the morning of the 19th of

August there
house
in

was

discovered

from

the

top of

the

which we were quartered in San Augustin, a large


body of the enemy, some 12,000 or 15,000, on our
left,

about three miles distant.

General Scott had

ordered reconnoisances in that direction toward San


Anfiel,

where I reported

to

him.

He

immediately

ordered two divisions forward under Pillow and


Twiggs, and followed soon after himself.

The enemy
at

were found
called

in an

intrenched camp,

a place
artillery,
at-

Contreras, with

twenty pieces of
siege pieces.

some of them very heavy


tack

The

commenced

at noon,

and the
it

firing continued

incessantly until dark,

when

ceased on both sides,

our troops maintaining their ground and occupying a


village near by.

During the afternoon we watched

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
the different movements
of

483
with the

our troops

most

fearful anxiety,
resist

and could plainly see one of


a large body of
cavalry,

our columns
the

and

enemy

falling

from their saddles and taking

to their heels, or rather to their horses' heels.

Du-

ring the whole of the


right, a

fight

we

could see,

on the

body

of at least 10,000 infantry and cavalry

in reserve, toward the city; but they

had not the


himself

courage to advance, although Santa

Anna

was said

to

be there.
to

The attack was ordered


o'clock next morning, and
to

be renewed,

at three

General Scott returned

San Augustin.

He

left at

an early hour, taking


divi-

with him General Worth's and one-half of his


sion as a reinforcement
;

but on the route he was met


that the batteries

by an

officer,

who reported

had

been carried by our troops in a most gallant


-Colonel

style,

Riley

leading

the

assault.
it

As he

ap-

proached the scene of action,

seemed incredible

how
It

our

men

got over the ground to the attack.


in

was over immense masses of lava thrown up

the roughest, sharpest possible shapes, and covered

with dense brushwood.

Streams had

to

be crossed,

and deep ravines

and most of them having passed


it

"he night in a pelting rain without shelter,

appears

484

DARING DEEDS

almost incredible that they were able to drive double


their

numbers from a battery of twenty-three heavy

guns.

Colonel Riley's brigade had crossed

the ravine,

and gone up toward Contreras,


of the enemy, which he drove

after a strong

body

off.

The enemy was

now drawn up

in

two

lines

above the village, on

the right of the fort

the

front infantry,

and the
protected

rear cavalry.

The

village of

Ensaldo

is

on one side by a deep ravine


it

on the road

between

and the stream

is

a house and garden, surrounded

by a high and rather strong stone wall


is

the village
dikes,

intersected

by narrow

lanes,

between high

inclosing gardens full of fruit trees and shrubbery, affording protection and concealment for the

men.

The church standing


protection,
if

in the center, also

affording

necessary.

General Smith

now

di-

rected General Cadwalader's force to be

drawn up
enemy's
the

on the outer edge of the

village, facing the

heavy force on the


Third infantry and
left in front of

left

of
in

the fort

formed

rifles

column of company,

the right flank, and placed Lieutenant

Smith's sappers and miners, and Captain Irwin's

company of

the Eleventh infantry, in the church,


in the

and Major Dimick's regiment

garden on the

road, in order to secure that avenue

and

his rear.

OF AMERICAN HEKOES.
General Smith now determined
force on the

485

to attack the large

enemy's

right,

with Colonel Rilej on

the

left.

General Cadwalader, on the right of the


;

former, retired in echelon

but before the movement


the
the

could

be

completed, night approached, and


line

enemy's

could

not be

seen.

Therefore

order was countermanded, and General Cadwala-

der resumed his position on the edge of the village


Colonel Riley's brigade was formed in a long line
inside, parallel to
it,

the

rifles

on his

left,

and the
re-

Third infantry in the churchyard.


mained, exposed to a severe rain,
out
fire

Thus they
all

night, with-

or shelter

the

officers, fi'om

generals down,
;

shared the severity of the weather


it

but perhaps

only whetted their appetites for a more glorious


in the morning.
this

and determined engagement

But

now imagine

the position of

portion of the
ar-

army, numbering 3500 at the outside, without


tillery or

cavalry; while the

enemy

in front

and
fort

on the

left

had 19,000 troops

said to be the best


artillery,
It

those in the of Mexico with 22 pieces


his troops about
to
;

of

and among

7000 cavalry.

was evident that some decisive action had

be

taken, that

some great

effort

had

to

be made

and

General Smith and Colonel Riley, seconded as they

486

DARING DEEDS
men competent
to the task.

then were, were just the

An

attack on the

main work was determined upon


to take

and the movement

place at three o'clock

on the following morning.

However, here another


Smith

obstacle presented itself; the force of General

was not strong enough

to attack the
;

main work and


and
it

hold the village at the same time

was of
he

the utmost importance he should do so,

for, if

drove the

enemy from

this

main work, and

in his

retreat secured possession of

the village, he could

hold

it

long enough to allow his troops to get away,


all

and in

probability seriously embarrass any further


until

movements of our army


somewhere
brave
else.

he was safely fixed

It is said that fortune favors the


it

and

in this instance

most truly did

for

while General Smith was preparing for the attack,

General Shields reported his near approach with


his brigade of

South Carolina and

Kew York

vol-

unteers

and

here was an exhibition of magnato a

nimity on the part of a high-minded soldier


brother
officer.

When

General Shields arrived, he

was the ranking


the

officer,

and could have assumed

command

but he was not the

man

to

pluck the

bright laurels

about to be gathered by a brother

soldier in carrying one of the strong

works of the

OF AMERICAN HEROES.
enemy; accordingly he moved

487

subject to the com-

mand

of General Smith, and his brigade was placed

in the village of

Ensaldo, as circumstances might re-

quire, either to cut off the retreat of the

enemy from

Contreras, or to take the reserve of the enemy, in


flank, if
it

should change

its

front

and attempt

to at-

tack our force toward Contreras.

At
troops

three o'clock in the morning of the 20th, our

commenced

their

movement toward
so dark, that

the front the

of

attack.

The night was

men
to

could not go out of reach of one another for fear


of losing their way.

This caused the

movement

be so slow, that day-break approached before the

head of General Cadwalader's brigade commenced


descending into the ravine at the village.
as Colonel Riley got out of the

As soon
at

deep ravine, and

a point where

it

was thought the rear of the work

could be approached, the head of the column halted

and

closed, at

the

same time drawing the loads


Colonel Riley

out of tbe guns supposed to be wet.

then formed his brigade in column by divisions

and thus the column stood formed, Colonel Riley's


brigade on the advance, next General Cadwalader's

and General Smith's brigades, together with the


sappers and miners, under the

command

of Major

4:88

DAKING DEEDS
closed
at

Dimick,
Shields

up

tlie

rear

leaving

General

the village.

Colonel Riley continued


little to his left,

up the ravine bearing a

and

as

he raised over the bank, he stood fronting the rear


of the enemy's work
the severity of
the ground. the hill and
its fire
;

but he was protected from

by the favorable position of


as

As soon
came

Colonel Riley ascended

in full

view of the enemy, they


fire

immediately opened a

warm
"

upon him.

Colo-

nel Riley threw out his two advanced divisions as

skirmishers,
close

and

said,

Forward now,
let

my

boys,

in with

them and

the bayonet

do

its

work"

and

his

command rushed down

the slope

with a desperation and enthusiasm enough to strike


terror to the

heart of the boldest, while the rear


steadily forward
in solid

of

his

command moved
the most

block, with

mechanical precision.
rifle

The

sappers and miners and the

regiment, which

had been thrown across a ravine intervening between the one they had passed up, and under the

brow of the slope which Colonel Riley came down,


from that position poured in a
front
fire

which swept in
inclining

of

Colonel Riley's column, then


the
left,

toward

joined

in

the

attack
fort.

on

the

troops outside of the left flank of the

Genera]

OF AMEKICAN HEROES.

489

Oadwalader followed the route taken hj Colouel


E,iley,

and, as soon as
to his support.

his

troops
first

were formed,
brigade, which
to follow

moved on

The

was bringing up the


the same route
;

rear,

had been ordered


it

but while

was on

its

march by

the right flank up the ravine, and nearly opposite


the fort, General Smith ordered the brigade to face
to the left,

and advance
flank.
it

in line

to attack

the en-

emy's force in
in less time

This
takes

movement was executed

than

me
it

to write
fort, just
;

it.

They

met the enemy

outside of the
into

as Colonel

Eiley's brigade rushed

the

enemy was

completely routed, and commenced a precipitate


retreat
;

their cavalry

and infantry had been formed


both were compelled to
the rout

to receive the charge, but

give
plete,

way

to the

bayonet

was most com-

and victory most decided.

GALLANT AFFAIR OF COLONEL DE RUSSEY.


Early in July, Colonel Gates, of the Third
lery, the
artil-

commanding
23

officer at

Tampico, received
34

400

DARING DEEDS
number
were
of

information that a

American

prisoners,

entitled to liberation

at or near Huejutla, over

1000 miles in the

interior, of

Tamanlipas, where

General Garej had established his head-quarters,


with a force from 1000 to 1500 strong.
ious to liberate

Being anx-

them

as soon as

possible, Colonel

Gates ordered Colonel

De

Eussej, of the Louisiana

volunteers, to proceed to Huejutla,

accompanied by

an escort of 126 men, in order


General Garej, and
prisoners.
effect

to

communicate with

the restoration of the

Colonel

De Russey

left

Tampico, on the 8th of

July with his command, consisting of one company


of the Third artillery. Captain "Wyse and a
field-

piece

company

of dragoons, under Captain


;

Boyd

and Lieutenant Taneyhill

a detachment of Loui-

siana volunteers under Captains

Mace and Seguine

and a small party of Tampico rangers, a volunteer

company organized by Colonel Gates


of the post.
ers,

for the defense

Passing up the river Panuco in steam-

about sixty miles, and then marcning by land

through Asulwama, the alcalde of which was

made

acquainted with the friendly purpose of the expedition,

and cheerfully furnished the command with

supplies. Colonel

De Eussey

arrived at Tantayuka.

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.

491

twenty-five miles
instant.

from Huejutla, on the eleventh


this

The alcalde of

town was
;

also

informed

of the object of his mission

and on the morning


So
far

of the 12th he continued his march.

he

had been unable

to

find

a military

officer

who
Gen-

might accompany him


eral Garey,

to the head-quarters of

and although

he anticipated that pre-

parations for defense would be made, he intended


to

rely on the white

flag

when

the

enemy should
conflict,

be discovered, in order to prevent a

at

least until the pacific nature of his visit should

be

made known.
About eight miles from Tantayuka, a Mexican
Indian was met,

who informed

Colonel

De Russey
had
laid

that General Garey, with a large

force,

an ambuscade

for

him, at the Calaboso river, one


Captain Boyd was then in ad-

mile in his front.

vance with his company, and before orders could


be sent to him to
fall

back

to the

main body, a
Colonel

rapid discharge of fire-arms was heard.

De
his

Russey hurried forward with the remainder of


detachment, and encountered the dragoons in

retreat,

having already

lost

Captain Boyd and six


river,
it

of

their comrades.

On

approaching the

was found

that

the

enemy, who

had displayed

492

DAKING DEEDS

considerable sagacity in their choice of position, had


cleared the ground from bushes, for the space of

150 yards on either side of the road, leaving be-

yond the now open ground, a dense hedge


paral, in rear of

of chap-

which a fence had been constructed

as an obstacle to the

movements of
force

cavalry.

The

main body of General Garey's


opposite
front

were upon the

bank of the stream,

also protected in their

by thick chapparal.
charge was instantly

A
the

made on

either flank by

Captains

Mace and

Seguine, with their men, and

enemy
at

retired hastily across the river.


fire

Captain

"Wyse
on

once opened his


opposite
hour,
to

upon the main body


kept

the

bank, which was

up

for

nearly an
disposition
fire
all

when

the

enemy manifested
ground, and

abandon
It

their

their

altogether ceased.

was now ascertained that

the cartridges but three

had been exhausted, and


the towns through

great numbers of the

enemy from

which the Americans had passed, were discovered


on the flanks and in the
in
rear,

who had succeeded

capturing about ninety mules, laden with the

provisions,
It

money, and clothing of the detachment.

was

also

known

that the road to Huejutla lav


acclivities,
an<^'

through a gorge flanked by steep

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
had been removed.
In

493
this po-

that the prisoners


sition of affairs,

Colonel

De Russey

determined

to

retrace his steps with his small

command.
the

After the retrograde

movement commenced,
American
rear,

Mexicans began
they were

to harass the

but

always

repulsed, with

great loss,

by

Captain Mace,

who poured upon them

his volleys
hill

of musketry with good effect.

On

ascending a

about one mile from Tantayuka, a desperate rush

was made by the enemy, and the rear-guard was


driven
in.

Captain "Wyse promptly unlimbered his


dispersed the Mexicans with

gun, and

two

dis

charges of canister.

In this manner the detachment

returned to Tantayuka, keeping up a continued fight

throughout the whole distance of nine miles.

When
in

they reached
their front to

the town,

the

enemy appeared
The
field-piece

oppose them.

was

again discharged, and again scattered the


in confusion.

enemy

Colonel

De Russey now

posted his
;

men on
ball

mound

overlooking the town


;

powder and

were

procured at the stores

and a number of cartridges


bottles, as a
filled

were prepared, by using champagne


substitute for tin cylinders,

which were half

with balls, and

the remaining space

packed with

4:94

DARING DEEDS
Musket
cartridges for the infantry were also

earth.

manufactured, and every preparation was made to


defend the position.

At

nine o'clock on the night

of the 12th, a message was received from General

Garey demanding the immediate surrender of the


force.

Colonel

De Hussey

replied that this

was

impossible,

and then informed the bearer of the


his visit.

message of the object of


in

The

latter stated,

answer, that there had

been some misunder-

standing in regard to the matter, and arranged an


interview between General Garey and Colonel

De

Russey, to take place in a few hours.


can
officers

The Mexi-

failed

to

keep the appointment, and

Buspecting treachery, Colonel


his

De Russey
his retreat

ordered

men under

arms, and at two o'clock in the

morning of the 13th continued

toward

Tampico, protected by the darkness.


daylight the

Shortly after

enemy
make

again appeared upon the flanks

and rear of the detachment.


tempted
off

Whenever they

at-

to

a close attack they were driven

by the

fire

of the field-piece or muskets, though

the pm'suit was continued for

more than

fifty

miles

beyond Tantayuka.

The

detachment

succeeded,
lost, in

however, in reaching Tampico, having


aifair at

the

Calaboso river, and the subsequent retreat,

OF
fifteen killed

AMERICAN HEROES.

495

and mortally wounded, ten wounded,

and three missing.


killed

The enemy

lost

nearly 300 in

and wounded.

CA.PTUEE OF THE TUSPAN.


On
the morning of the 18th of April,

the

day

on which the heights of Cerro Gordo were carried


by the troops under General Scott, the Mississippi

anchored
steamers

off

the bar of Tuspan river; the small

their masts being taken out,

and

other-

wise lightened

took
all

the gun-boats

and barges in

tow, carrying in
pistols,

1200 men, armed with cutlasses,


field artil-

and muskets, and two pieces of

lery
at

and the other vessels of the squadron remained

anchor under Tuspan shoals, from six to eight

miles eastward of the bar.

The

Spitfire,

under Captain Tatnall, led the way

over the bar, followed by the Yixen and Scourge,

each having a gun-boat in tow.


ers struck
;

Two

of the steam-

but they soon ploughed their

way

over

the sand,

and dashed through the breakers.

At

4:96

DARING DEEDS
the

noon

whole

flotilla

had

entered

the

river.

Commodore Perry then


on board the
of
Spitfire,

hoisted his broad pennant

and commenced the ascent


five miles

the stream.

About

from the month

of the river, two forts were discovered, on the right

bank, the gnns of which began to play briskly upon


the squadron.

The small boats were immediately


parties,

manned with storming

and darted

for the

shore, under cover of a rapid fire from the steamers

and gun-boats.

The Mexicans did not wait


retreated

to

meet the
of the

assailants, but

down one

side

hill,

as the gallant tars

from the American

vessels sprang

up the

other, shouting

and cheering

at the top of their voices.

The

forts

being captured,

the

flotilla

again

moved

forward.
fort erected

On

approaching Tuspan, another


hill,

on

a high

commanding

the town, opened on the


fired, at the

squadron.

Yolleys of musketry were

same

time, from the thickets of chapparal on the


river.

bank of the

Two

parties

were now landed


fort,

one of which proceeded against the


carried without serious
resistance,

which was

and the other


fled

entered the town.


into

Most of the inhabitants had


and but very few
to

the

interior,

soldiers

were
for

seen,

who were brave enough

stand, even

OF

AMERICAN HEROES.
fire.

497

a few moments, before the American

Commo-

dore Perry took possession of the town, having lost

but seventeen men, killed and wounded, during the


day, and ordered the forts on the river to be destroyed.

Those

inhabitants

who were peaceably


CommoYera

disposed, were invited to return and resume their

occupations; and on the 22d instant, the

dore re-embarked his forces, and set


Cruz, leaving the
tain Breese, to

sail for

Albany and Reefer, under Cap-

guard the river and town, and also

directing one of his vessels to blockade the stream

on which the town of Soto de Marina

is

situated.

CAPTURE OF SANTA CRUZ DE ROSALES.


Governor Trias had collected between 1500 and
2000 men, and fourteen pieces of
Cruz de Rosales, a strongly
sixty miles
artillery, at

Santa

fortified

town, about

beyond Chihuahua, and General Price


to

determined

march down and attack him.

He

left

El Paso on the 1st of March, 1848, with


23*

400 men, and arrived at Chihuahua on the 7th,

498

DARING DEEDS

performing the distance of 281 miles in seven days.


After Colonel Doniphan's departure, Chihuahua had

been reoccupied by the Mexican authorities, and


General Price was met, on his approach, by a civic
deputation,

who

represented that a treaty of peace


to

had been concluded, and requested him not


enter the
city.

Doubting the information,


official

as he

had received no

intelligence

of

the fact,

General Price entered the town, and on the ensuing

day continued

his

march

to

Santa

Cruz de
,

Rosales, where he arrived in the evening.

On

the

morning of the 9th he summoned Governor Trias


to surrender.
also, that it

The

latter refused to

comply, stating,

was understood

there, that the

war had

been terminated by a

treaty.

Considerable parley-

ing ensued, and General Price finally consented to


wait for four days, during which time a messenger

was expected

to return,

who had been

sent

by the

governor, to ascertain whether the rumor in regard


to

a treaty was well founded.

After waiting twice the specified time, and having been


joined by a reinforcement of

300 men,
ar-

whom
tillery.

he had directed to follow him, with the


General Price on

determined
of

to

attack

the

position,

the morning

the

16th of

March.

OF

AMEKICAN UEKOES.
for a surrender

499

Another demand

was made, which

was rejected, and the action then commenced by


a lively cannonade.

good

impression
divided

having

been produced, General Price

his

comRalls,

mand

into

three

parties,

under

Colonel

Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, and Major Walker,

who
dif-

were directed

to attack

the works, from three

ferent positions.

The

contest

was maintained with


it

vigor until eleven o'clock,


in

when

was suspended
to

consequence of a rumor, which proved

be
in

false, that

a body of lancers were moving up

the rear.
attack

At

three o'clock in the

afternoon, the
zeal,

was renewed with increased

and conbm--

tinued until sunset,

when the Americans had


to the
at

rowed through the houses


Mexicans then surrendered

Plaza; and the

discretion.

The enemy
storming
of

lost

300 killed and wounded at the

Santa

Cruz
but

de Rosales, while
five

the

American
wounded.

loss

was

killed

and

twenty

'1/

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