The Litchfield County post., 1828-12-18

mha'ion never more to set foot upon the shores 0f America, Edward Francis pur- chased commission, and wen; out with the invaders against his native land.
 Col. Francis in the mean time had been appointed to the command of regiment in the American army, under St. Clair. on the northern frontier. When Brit ish army of ten thousand veteran troops made descent upon Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, St. Clair, whose whole effective force did not exceed two or three thousand men, poorly armed and equipped, determinedto evacuate the for- tresses, as it would be impossible to hold them any length of time, and retreat thro' the wilderness into the interior, the enemy having the command of the lake. This was effected, under cover of night; but the next day detachment of the enemy. com- manded by Gen. Frazer and Baron Reide- sei, accompanied by body of Indians, were in full pursuit. The America arr rived at Hubbardton during the day, and halted there short time; they then pro- ceeded to Castleton, leaving detachment of men under Col. Warner at the former place, to wait until the rear guard under Col. Francis came up, with orders that they should follow the main body immedi- ately after forming junction. This or der was accidentally misunderstood, and they encamped at Hubbardton over night.
 The guard had been set. and the sol- diers, each lying on his gun. were enjoy ing sweet repose after a toilsome and wea- ry march during the day. Nought was heard save the measured tread of the sen- tinel as he paced back and forth on his allotted ground, and the ftful shriekings of the wind as it rushed wildly by. Sudden ly hideous yell burst upon the ear. Each soldier in an instant sprung upon his feet, grasped his 6relock, and firmly awaited the coming foe. The next moment a large body of Indians rushed upon them in all the demonaic fury of savage warfare. They were coolly received by the American sol- ders on the points of their bayonets, and the Indians, unaccustomed to fighting at close quarters with solid body of men, aud finding it impossible to penetrate the chevaux -de-trise of bayoneis which the A merican line presented, immediately gave 1 way but at that instant the Hessians un- der Baron Reidesel came up, and the con- fiictg was renewed with vigor. A few ! rounds were fired, and the contending par ties closed in at the point of the bayonet.- Then commenced struggle, bloody, des- perate, and deadly. The Hessians, after dreadful confict, began to give way when, as if fortune had f,rmed league with the enemy, anothfr detachment of British troops, under Gen. Frazer, arrived on the spot just as victory was declaring in favor of the Americans. The British halted moment; and the American Colonels for- med their men into closer body, deter mining with Spartan spirit to defend them- selves to the last The moon, which had ] been hid behind cloud, ,,now unveiled it. self, and the contest was again renewed, but with such great disparity in point of numbers, that'it was of short duration. The Americans, overpowered and borne down by the superior force of the enemy, gave way and the confusion now be- anne dreadful. Friend and foe were mingled in one undistinguishable mass. Col. Warner was fortunate enongh to escape, with great difficulty. Colonel Francis, who had per- formed feats of individual valor during the conflict, was attacked by two Hessian gfen- adiers, one of whom he laid gasping at his feet, and disabled the other. Before he had time to move from the spot,he was as- saulted with great fury by young British officer.
 "Surrender myself, thou hoary-hsaded traitor," said the young man.
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