American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-01-31
BATTLE OF PL.qTrsBURGH.

The stand made at Plattsburgh was as spirited as
il wa, important An army Of veterans. from the
school of The Duke Of Wellington, having entered
the st Lawrence, was suddenly marched by Sir
George Provost into the state OF New York, An
attack from this quarter was at the time unexpect-
ed: for NJ .ny miles beyond the frontier, the popua-
ton thny scattered through forests and hills;
the army was busiIy engaged in remote parts Of the
Union; and an attack upon the city OF New York
being apprehedded the militia oil the state had beer
chiefly drawn towards the coast. Fifteen hundred
regulars principally composed of raw recruits and
in aids was the only force in readiness when tht
British troops took possession OF the little town o.
ChdmpIaln within the American frontier.
he scattered mil tia OF the vicinity was instantly
sum noned and ali hands set to work to throw uE
G,rticaions, and to prepare feet TO engage that
Of he enemy The exer,ions made during these
anxious days are almost incredible night and day
this axe and the hammer were at work.
Ihe enemy soon advanced up the shores of the
lake 10 the river Saranac, at the mouth OF which
stands the village oil Pattsburgh backed and flank
ed by the forest whuse dark interminahle line it
sw, euY breaks with its cheerful and hospitable
dwellings,, overlooking 'he silver bosom of circu
lar ay whic receives the waters OF The river Con
tnnai air nishes now TOOK place between the enc
my and flying parties Of militia, seven hundred Of
wnich soon collected from the surrounding forests
The state oi Vermont, which lies on the opposite
shores OF the lax, then poui ed forth her noun
tsineers. Scattered through mountainous coun-
try il might have been thought difficult to collect
the scanty population; but the cry OF an inyasion
echoed from hill to hill. from village to village;
some caught their horses from the plough, others
ran OF foot, leaving their herds in their pastures
and scsrce exchanging parting blessing with their
wives and mothers, as they handed them their mus
kets,
Their guns OH their shoulders, a powder flask att
their sides, sometimes ration in their pockets, /
crowd after crowd, poured into Burlington, and all
as friend who had witnessed the scene described
1t 10 me, came at run, whether on their legs orI
their horses.
The beautiful little town Of Burlington covers the
hui on opposite shore, and somewhat higher up the !
llke than Pl tlsough. Here every boat and canoe
was IN re usition; troop alter troop hurried to the
shore aid as The scattered crowds poured INTO
PiattsDursb, they collected in lines on the Saranac |
10 -esst the passage OF the enemy, or struck into
the woods with orders to harass their rear.
hr ieet was now equipped; and, when that of
the enemy appeared In sight, moored in line
across the ent ance OF the bay With such breath
less a'acrlty had the Americans prepared to NEE,
N encounter, that one Of the vessels which then !
entered into action had built and equipped in
tne space oil fortnight; eighteen days previous 10
the enlargement, the timber OF which 1t was con-
npsn tbs shores Of the lake. n
The British hotilia under the command of cant. Ii
DOW ne mounted IS guns and upwards of thous r
ahd men; The American. under com Macdonourh
ID guns, and nearly eight hundred men. The 6rstIil
exchange OF cannon between the fleets was the slp p
nal Of ne ARMIES on land a desperate conflict en-
sued lhe BRITISH With daring bravery, twice at 70
temp ca to force the bridges, and were twice driven 4
oAck; lhen, hing up the river, a detachment at Is
n lOrd. hnf haru !.
aely assaIled hem from the woods and rced them ID
to etfeat with loss. v
: ne Issue OF the day was felt by both parties TO
depend upon the naval engagement then raging in
ING sSht OF Doth armies. Many an anxious glance
was Hast upon the waters by those stationed near the
,h4re For wo hours The conflict remained donb, "
u ne Vessels on either side were s!ript OF their g
sans I'D rigging, staggering and reeling huks thew
'NH a'e ana 'ecelved the shocks which threatened |
!" 'uoner6e them. The vessel of the American te
'om nodore was twice on FIRE; her CANON dlsmoun W
ed and her sides leaking; the enemy was in The III
ame conditlon.-The battle seemed for a no,nent In,
drawn one, when both attempted the same ma e.
,oSuV.e which was to decide the day. With infinite III
ihluy the American ship veered about; the enc ST
ny attempted the same in van fresh fire poured
lpon her and she struck. A shout then awoke uponI
nc shore; ana ringing along the American lines &c
'"eheu lor moment above the roar Of the battle "
,or snort space the British efforts relaxed; but z
men, as 1t nerved rather than dlsmayed by misfor .
une the experienced veterans stood their ground 10
nd continued their fight until darkness constraneI
IS suspension. HI
The little town of Burlington during these busy 10
lours, displayed far different hut not less ,n,e ID
eStn8 scene; all occupation was nerrupted the "
N'ous inhabitants lining the heights, and straining
ne eyes and ears to catch some signal that might !!
,psaH ,ne rave OF comna' on which much de- :, =
pended The distant firing and smok. told whsn u
ne ehga cement commenced: the minutes rolled nm al
iea'y; hopes and Tea alternately prevailing: when CT
ltng the CT oaadng suddenly ceased: b, st;li W
Thn the p o. telescope, nothing could be dis m
ingn shed os, the waters save thai the .t, u
cath OF smoke had died away, and that life honor 81
md rr1n- rtu uar, .;.L. ~ - N 49, noIor, III