The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-03-18

ssinnish; but deed that would require the
nerve ofmsnhooJ, and the fearless daring
Of the hero. Accordingly each man was
prepared for the utmosl:sll useless and I'm.
necessary membranes were left within
the fort, and equipped only with the trusty
hrelock. the glislening bayonet, and the
vel, scored cartridge box, we stood pre-.
pared for an enterprise that would befit
the body guard ofs Napoleon and one in
which even they might pluck IN addition
al laurel.
The twenty frs, regiment, 20 which the
writer Of this brief sketch was attached,
was commanded by Colonel UpHAM, the
present candidate Of the Republicans Of
New. Hampshire, for the Chief Magistra-
cy ofths State. This corps was composed
mostly OF the hardy yeomsnry ofthe "Gran-
| lie State, full blooded Yankees from
New. Hampshire" men who had left their
iiresides and their homes, their wives and
their children, and drawn the sword in de.
fence Of their bleeding country, not rs the
mercensry<and wholesale butchers OF
iyrsnt. butas freeman and as men, bound
10 protect the soil, the institutions. and
the laws, which had been relgioUsly be.
queathed to them by their revolutionary
fathers. And noby and truly did they dis
charge this duty. They proved, not only
their descent from HEROES, but that they
themselves were such: ever ready at the
call of danger, and ever foremost ip the
hour Of fight, they acquired name for gal
lantry and noble daring that is remember
cd to this day with gratitude and pride,
Nor was the man who led them deficient
in any Of the qualities Of the skIlful com.
mandc. or the galan, soldier--frm os the
everlasting rock Of his native hills, and
true as the steel ho wore he was the fit and
| worthy colonel Of as brave a regiment ss
ever carried dismay and death into the
ranks ot q foe. But ~ return 20 the fight
A division composed of rlaemen aud IN
dams, and commanded by General Porter,
the late Secretary OF War, was ordered TO
open the attack, by proceeding IN circuit.
Gus route, through the woods, by a road
which had been opened. and engaging the
cnemy's flank; while the right division, un.
der General Miller, was stationed in q rev.
inc, between the For, and the enemy's
works, with orders not 10 advance until af.
ter the attack of General Porter.
| The command Of Gen. Porter advanced
with 80 much celebrity and caution that
when they rushed upon the encmy's'hank,
! they gave the first in,imaton OF their sp.
! prosch.--A severe conflict for moment
ensued, in which several gallant officers
fell at the head Of their columns. la thir
.,y minutes. however, possession was taken
of two Of the batteries in This quarter, and
the garrison made prisoners. Al this mo
a. .
dered to advance. In conjunction with .
column Of Gen. Porter's DIVISION, he pierc.
ed between the second and third tier Of
batteries and after o severe contest carrie d
the FIRST of these. The whole ofthese bat
teries, being now in possession OF our
troops, Gen. Milcr's DIVISION inclined to
the more formidable batteries toward the
lake shore, and at this moment o part OF
the reserve. under Gen. Ripley, joined him
Here the resistance on Tho part Of the
British vas more obs(fnts, their works
being exceedingly insrichte. from the sue
ccsslye lines of IItrea~hJpent. and the con
slant use Of The boynpetwa tho only mode
Of assailing them. Inthis manner the con
test Was paintained for several moments
with nneqpal advantage on the part Of III,
Americans. The British, having by thi,
, time received considerable reinforceme nis
from the bngades in the rear, poured upon
them, from their batteries, . destructive
fire. which they were unable to return, or
their part, with effect; and thus situated
their condition was becoming every min
ute more doubtful aud precarious.
At this critical juncture, the remaining
: division OF the reserve, composed Of oul
own 0hs twenty hrst) and part Of tho
seventeenth regiment, under the command
or Colonel Upham, was ordered up, TO pu
an end. At once, TO the contest, by chare int
rapidly upon the enemy's works and carry
ing them At the poin, Of the boyonet. 4
conflict. dreadful beyond desc crpiion, nov
2 cnsued hat the twenty first under its bray,
' lesdor frmly withstood the shock. Al on,
Z period, however, our centre for q momen
2 fal,rred, but it was but for moment. Th'
= voice of our Colonel was heard above th,
+. din of ba,tle--"fhs ipsniy first musi do IL
duty; Hsrt ara none 10 support H." Thl
b was enough--its effect was electrical, AM
!. sent thrill TO each soldiers heart. Ila'
2 a frcsh division OF troops at thai monen
r arrived, they could not have done NOR
J. The dsafening shout Of "oswARD" burs
f a, once spontaneous from every soldier
;. lips, and the two lines closed with Gael
J. other, OF the very mouth of,he British bat
]. teries. which they contested with teuiicl
d violence, at The point ofihs bayone', Sucl
}. was the obs'ipscy of,hc conflict that man!
d portions Of The troops, on both sides, whcr
,, forced back, and the contending psriIe
il become mingled with each other. Moth
u ing could exceed tho desperation OF th
e contest at those points were the canno
h were stationed with which the enemy hs
e cslculsipd 10 compel the fort 10 cnpitnlatc
e and 10 dislodpe nd destroy which had bee