The Litchfield County post., 1826-09-19


in this form contribute to the fund, as per.
haps there will be no great evil in making this
an exception to what we. should be disposed
In nearly every other instance, to consider an
inHexible rule. To this it may not be lmprop
er, to subioin a brief account by the Editor Of
the Mirror of the excursions of party from
various parts of the state to witness this in
tcresting ceremony.
it'd 1.-THE neat, fleet Steam boat Macdonough,
Captain William Beebe, departed from Hart
ford at half past nine on Tuesday morning
last, with about sixty Of the Governors guards
IA number of passengers-a noble band OF
Il Music and fine day, bound for Newton
don, Norwich and Groton. She was beauti-
fully decorated with flags from stem to stern,
and on the topmast was displayed a white
one inscribed by the taste of the directors
with the name of Fort Grjswold and the date
v of the battle, aud ornamented with square
and cOmpass-two crossed swords and star.
The boat was saluted by every town and yil-
lage on the river and Captain Beebe was very
alert in returning gun for gun and cheer for
cheer.-She arrived at the wharf in New
London about half past five. The next NOR
ming the Marlborough carried them and as
Groton. An escort was formed consisting of
the Guards--a Rifle company from Norwich
"a company of artillery fro:a Stonington, and
and the Light Infantry of New-London, the
whole commanded by Major Charles Wells
of the Guards. The Brethren Of the mystic
tie'' constituted splendid part of the process
sion, among which we are happy to observe
some six or eight officers Of high reputation
and rank in the army and navy of the United
States. the Aiutant General and the General
of Artillery of the State and to finish the
whole, all the survivors that could be found,
of the battle at the fort on the 9th of Septem-
Der 1881. The Committee and the Citizens
formed the remainder of the procession.
A salute was fired from the heights in a
very complimentary manner, for the Com
manding Officer of the United States troops
ordered it on his own account, the stone was
laid square, plumb and level, the corn, and
wine, and oil were poured upon 1.-THE pray
er was made and the psalm sung, and about
eight thousand crowded in and around the
spot to listen to an address on the occasion
from Col. Charles Grlswold. Those who
could hear it We're highly pleased. Some of
them remained to dine, some went home and
the guards went in the Mac2onough to Nor
witch where they were very handsomely and
Hospitality receved.-The next morning the
first appearance of the Steamboat was mott
ced by gun and twenty-three more in sue
cession from the NewLondon side, an equal
number from Groton and some from different
vessels in the harbor. They were answered
by the Macdonough as rapidly as she could
fire. 49,
After some civilities from the citizens, such
as a good breakfast and such other refresh
ments as were proper for that time of the
day, three yollies were fired by the Guards
and the boat went on her course to Hartford,
greeted as she had been on her passage down
by the towns and villages which she passed.
She arrived at Hartford about six o'clock
Thursday evening""
To this it may be well to add, for the infOr-
NATION Of such as are unacquainted with the
localities, that fort Griswold is situated on a
hill upon the eastern side OF the Thames, a.
bout eighty rods from the river. The ridge
/. OF the hill passes down parallel to the river
till it comes to the fort, where it suddenly
terminates;and the fort is situated on the crown
or point of the hill, overlooking New London
on the west bank of the Thames, and fort
Trumbull little south Of the city on the same
side; and commanding the harbour which is
one of the best in the United States, and the
country south of the fort on the east side of
the river: it is susceptible, by adequate forti-
fications. of being made very strong post.
The fort is now in good state of preserva-
ton, and the means which it furnished, of
safety to the garrison, and of annoyance to
the enemy, may be easily understood.
1t is well known, that the British forces
consisted of about 1900 veteran troops, con-
Quoted by the celebrated Arnold, who was
probably selected to command the expedition
on account OF his intimate knowledge of the
place; he having been reared upon the banks
of the Thames; and now came with a sword
for the lives, and a torch for the dwellings, OF
hrs former neighbors and friends the same
man who at Saratoga precipitated himself up
on the enemy in critical moment; overthrow
their columns, and established himself in their
camp; and thus earned for himself a renown,
which would have been imperislfable, if he had
not turned out perfdious enemy to his COUP
try. The British forces were divided into two
parties, and eight hundred men invaded the