Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-19

The following, which we extract from the
Frederick (Md.) Herald, relating as it does 10
a gallant individual well known in this section
Of the country, cannot fail TO interest the read
er. The exploit alluded in the "Reminiscence {.
was much talked of al,he time, and i! was mn
iyersally thought, that justice was withheld
from the officer who planned and conducted il.
ap,ain T. is still in the army.
REMINIscENcE OF THE LATE wAR.-No 6.
"Our Country owes adebt of gratitude
81 hope she'll pay it----
II is now about twenty years since first
met with Thornton in service-he was then
handsome young Rifle Officer, very much, and
deservedly esteemed. In 1912. when an addi>
lion was made to the United States Army,
Young Thornton received promotion, in the
Regiment Of Light Artillery. In the spring Of
1914, Gen. Wilkinson was Withdrawn, and
Major Gen. lizard placed in command of this
Division of the army. Head quarters were at
Pla,tsburgh, New York, the General Hospital
and Brigaders command Burlington, Yer
mont, the Navy Yard, near Vergennes, at the
mouth Of Otter river about 81 miles up the
Lake from Burlington This place was open,
{aud except small militia command, posted
there 10 guard The naval stores sc unproiect-
ed The armed vessels for the Lake service,
were on the stocks, nader The hands OF ship
Carpenters. When the enemy's feet appeared
on the Lake, our unarned Graft fed, like sheep
from the wolf. We we're unareparec to meet
them on The lake The Enemy's feet was seen
from Burlington, standing up the Lake: think
Gen. Macomb then commando d al Burlington,
and quickly penetrated the intention and views
OF our enter prsing foe. They expected 10 cap
ture our stores, and destroy our Vessels build
ing at Outer river and thereby to cripple our
movements, and Illustrate our designs at
least for one whole campaign. 1t is almost
impossible to calculate the extent OF injury our
capse an country would have sustained.
II was about sunset, when Captain Thornton
was ordered to proceed from Burlington with
his company, 10 the Navy Yard, there to pro-
tect the stores and vessels at every hazard
Away drove this little band, with all the speed
their nurses could make, with four pieces OF
ligh, artillery. Fortunately the wind was light,
and the enemy's vessels obliged to beat up the
lake. Captain Thornton arrived in the night,
and by great exertions, when the morning
dawned, had constructed hasty battery, as
sisted i'm part with cord wood and some ship
timbers, erected his furnace for heating shot,
and masked his works with hemlock, pine, and
other evergreen bushes, so as TO conceal his
preparations and his little force from the enc
my's view.
Al daylight the enemy's fee, stood in for the
Navy Yard. They hoped to make an easy prey
Of our naval stores, ~ burn our vessels, and
then 10 sail proudly, the masters OF Lake cham
plain. Captain Thornton viewed The approach
of This superior foe, and, with his little band
behind their temporary defences, every man at
his posi-. stood ready for action, prepared. with
their gallant young Cap ain, to sacrifice lie
rather than yield up matter Of such immense
importance TO our country. The command was
one Of gres, responsibility, and Thornton felt
it to his hearts core. When the enemy had
neared to a proper point, Capt. Thornton open
ed his li,,e battery, and so well were his pieces
served, that, in The first moment of surprise,
the enemy were brought 10 halt, and the Bri-
fish tars ordered 10 prepare for action. Some
confusion appeared, and some random shots
were returned; bat The enemy, finding they
we're receiving hot snot from pieces SO well
served, and fearing the loss of some OF their
vessels, or perhaps the whole feet, they moved
beyond the reach Of Thornton's light pieces,
and then stood. down the lake.
believe, if Captain Arthur w. Thornton is
living, he is still 10 our Army ;-and II is to be
regretted, that, by any transfer from one part OF
the Army 10 another, an officer Ut Ihornton's
merits aud length Of service should lose rank.
Some time after, the close OF the las: war,
accidentally meeting with Major General lizard
at Lancaster, we spent the evening together at
his lodgings. In the course Of conversation,
the General assured me he was unable to obtain
brevet rank for any Of the officers Of his divi-
sion, and specified particularly his anxiety to
succeed in the cases Of Captain Arthur w.,
Thornton, OF Light Artillery, and Major /. NJ.
Nelson, Of the tenth Infantry, who were both
gallant young Ulcers Of Virginia. A. M.
February, 1929.