Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-03-11

ed in two divisions, OF about 800 men
each, commanded by that infamous trail
tor TO his country, Benedict Arnold, who
headed the division that landed on the
New London SIDE, near Browns farms /;
the other division, commanded by Col.
Eyre, landed on Groton Point, nearly
opposite. was first SERGEANT oil Capt.
Adam Shapley's con- pany OF State troops,
and was stationed with him, al the time,
with about 2 men, at Fort Trumbull,
ION the NewL London side.) This was
mere 6reaslwork or water battery, open
from behind, and the enemy coming on
us from that quarter, we spiked our AN
non, and commenced retreat across
the river 10 Fort Griswold in three boats.
l he enemy were so near that they over
shot US with their muskets. ard succeed
ed in capturing one boat, with six men,
commanded by Josiah Smith, private.
They afterwards proceeded to New
London, and burnt the town.-We were
received by the garrison with enthusiasm,
being considered experienced artillersts,
whom they much needed; and we were
Immediately assigned 10 our stations.
The Fort was an oblong square, with
basuons al opposite angles, Its longest
side fronting the river, in N. w. and
S. E. direction. It's walls were OF stone,
and were 10 or IL feet high on the lower
side, and surrounded by ditch. On
the wall, were pickets, projecting over
| | q 81, n II
embrasures, and within, platform Tor
the cannon, and step 10 mount upon 10
shoot over the psrapet with small aims.
! In the S. w. baslion was fag- staff, and
IN the SIDE, near The opposite angle, was
the gate, in front OF which was TRAN
guar breastwork TO protect The gate /;
and to the right oil this was redoubt,
with three FOUNDER in ii, which was
about 100 yards from the gale. Between
the Fort aud the river, was another bate
ry, with a covered way, but which could
not be used in this attack, as the enemy
appeared IN different quarter. he
garrison, with the volunteers, consisted
oil about l60 men. Soon after our arrl-
val, the enemy appeared IN iofce ID some
woods about half a mile 5. l.. OF the
Forl, from whence they sent Gag OF
truce, which was met by Capt. Shapley,
demanding an unconditional surrender,
Threatening, al the same lime, 10 storm
the Fort instantly, If the terms were noI
accepted. A Council oil War was held
and " y as the unanimous voice, that the
garrison were unable To defend them
selves agaiDs, SO superior a force. But
militia Colonel, who was then in The
Fort, and had a body Of men in the i'm
mediate vicinity, said he would reinforce
them with or 500 men in fifteen MIN
uies, ii they would hold out; Colonel
Leydard agreed TO send back a Il, fiance,
upon the most solemn assurances OF m
mediate sucoor. For this purpose, Col.
- started, bis men being then III sight ;
| bu, he was no more seen, nor did be even
attempt a diversion IN our favor. When
| The answer TO their demand had been re-
tufLed by Capt Slapley, the enemy
| we're soon in motion, and matched with
great rapidly, in solid column, to with
III a short distance oil he Fort; where,
dividing both columns, They rushed fu.
riously and simultaneously 10 the assault
the S. w. bastion and the opposite
aides. They were, however, repuIsed
with great slaughter; their commander
MORALLY wounded, aud Major Montgo-
merry, next in rank, Killed, having been
thrust through the body, whilst III the
act OF scaling the walls at the s. W. bas-
,ion, by Capt. Sbapley. The commend
then devoived on Col. Beokwi,h, "a reiu-
gee from New.Jersey, who commanded
corps OF that description. The enemy
rallied and returned to the attack witt
great yigor, but were received and re.
pu,aed with equal frnness. During the
attack, Shot cut the balyards OF the
flag, and i, fell 10 the ground, but was
instantly remoun,ed Oh pike pole.
This accident proved fatal to US, as The
enemy, supposlng il had been struck by
lis defenders, rallied again, and, rushing
with redoubled impetuosity, carried the
S. w. bastion by storm. Until this mo-
ment, our loss was ,riling in nun Der,
being or killed, and ! 8 or 90 wound
ed. Never was post more bravely de-
tended, nor a garrison na5re bar barously
butchered. We Tough, with all kinds OF
Weapons, and at all places, with cou-
rage that deserved better fate. Many
OF the enemy were killed under The walls
by throwing simple shot over on them,
and never would we have relinquished
our arms, had we had the least idea thai
such catastrophe would have fellow ed.
To describe this scene ! must be per-
mi,ted to 60 back little in my narrative.
| commanded an l8 FOUNDER on the