The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-01-10

on storm, aud 1etdrheu inc cAecuSon
the plan. On the 9th the weather wa
fair but there were several new obstacles
which hindcred our going. The next day
being the 9th, the weather was promising
every thing appeared to invite us to the
enterprize. The boats were now number
ted; and every one assigned his boat ant
seat: to every boat there was one com
missioncd officer, besides one with me.
directed the commanding officer ofthe pos
AT the shore to keep good look out and
if he should hear three distinct muskets
10 come on to the north end Of Prudence,
10 take US oir-for we bad reason to fear
that the men Of war would send out their
boats and cut US OF from the main. We
were now come to our boats--tbat went
in was posted in the front, with a pole a.
bout ten feet long, and an handkerchief
tied to the end, SO that my boat might be
known from The othcrs, and that none
might 90 before it. We went between the
islands OF Prudence and Patience, in order
that tho shipping which lay against Hope
isle, might not discover US We rowed
under the west side of Prudence till we
came to the south end, when we heard the
enemy OIL board The ships cry out ails well.
When we were within about three quar-
ters of a mile Of Rhode Island, we heard a
great noise like the running OF horses.
This threw n CONSERVATION over the minds
of the whole party but 10 one spoke, as
had given the most positive orders not to
have ono syllable uttered. Thinking on
the matter for moment, was sure that
the enemy could not have the least know
ledge OF our design, and concluded it must
be horses running as they often do. We
now pushed for the shore. There WAS a
man left to each boat TO keep them ready
for push, for we expected that the enemy
might try to impede our retreat. The
party being now ready, we marched with
the greatest silence, in five divisions, to the
house whore the General qnar,ered. The
entrance into it was by three doors, on the
south, the east and the west. The first
Division was to attack the south door, the
second the west, the third the east, the
fourth TO guard the road, the fifth to act in
emergencies. We left the guard house
On our left, and on our right was a small
house whore a party of light-horse quar-
tered, IN order to carry orders from the
General to any part of the island.-When
we opened the gate Of the front yard, the
sentinel, who stood about twenty five yards
from us, hailed who comes there We gave
no answer, but continued marching on.
There being n row &c trees between us
apd the sentinel, he could not well dscov-
er our number: he again hailed who comes
there? we answered friends: friends AL
vance and give the countersign. spoke
rs though in great passion, and said we
had no countersign, have you seen any de-
serlers to night Thi - had been previous.
ly contrived as a decoy, which had the de-
sired effect; for before he suspected va to
be enemies, wo had hold of his musket, told
kin he was prisoner, and if he made the
least noise he shorld be instantly put to
death. We asked him if General press.
colt was in the house. lie was so friph-
tened, that az first .ie could not spcak; but
at last, with a fauItcring voier aud waving
his hand towards tho ,honse. he said yes.
By this time, each division having got it's
station. the doors were burst open. We
first went into a chamber whore we saw
Inr. Overin9--the General was not there.
We went into another chamber who're Mr..
son was: he said the General
was not there. then went to the head Of
the stair. way and called for the soldiers to
set the house on fire, for we were determin.
ed 10 have the General, dead or alive on
this we went below and called for Gene.
raj Prescott: we heard voice saying,
what .is the matter? proceeded from
whence il me, and entering room saw
a man just rising out Of bed, and clapped
him on the shoulder, asked him il he was
General Prescott he replied yes, sir.
told him he was my prisoner, he rejoined I
acknowledge it, sir; desired him to hur-
ry he requested he might be allowed to
put on his clothes told him veiy few, for
our business required haste I; In the mean
time, Major Darlington. the Generals aid
de amp, finding the house was attacked,
leaped out Of the window, but by the time
he was to the ground, was secured pris.
oner. After the General had slipped on
few clothes, we marched for the shore. We
de sired the General to put one arm over my
shoulder and the 6ther over one ofthe off
GERS, that he might go with the greater
ease and despatch. Major Darlington and
the sentinel were kept in the middle Of The
party. IN little time we came TO the shore.
The General seeing the five small boats,
and knowing in what manner the shipping
lay, appeared much confused, and asked me
i'll commanded the party. told him Gid;
he said hope You will not hart me as
sured him, whilst in my power, he should
not be injured. Before we got into the
boats we put on the Generals coat, for as
yet he had on only waist. coat, breeches,
and slippers. We were very soon seated
in our boats, the General in No. I. After
we had gotten a small distance from the
shore. we heard three cannon and saw
three sky rockets. which was the signal for
nn alarm II was fortunate for us that the
enemy on board the shipping could not
know the cause of it, as they might with
ease have cut off our return TO the main.