Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-27
From the New Monthly Magazine.
RECOLLECTlONS OF LUNDY 'S
LANE


altitude, and was blazing in his full glory,
in one of those clear cerulean skies which
] have never seen equaled, except in some
other portions of the North American con-
,inent. The native forests, which bound.
ed on two sides the farm of Lundy's Lane,
lay lonely and moionless and save for the
noise caused by the rapid motion of the
wings of some beautiful little humming
bird, nutteriug occasionally from flower 10
flower, in the foliage Of the majestic and
blossoming tulip tree, or the hum of the la
borous bee among the sweet buds and
blossoms of the sugar maple. all was life
less and still as The grave. The roar of
the mighty Niagara disturbed not the
repose of the midday lassitude that seem.
cd everywhere to reign, for its thunder be-
came softened aud subdued through the
thick foliage of the forests; and, although
scarcely mile distant from the Canadian
shores of this mighty cataract, had it not
been for the immense column of spray. rolls
ing upwards to vast height, and then
forming into stream Of fantastic clouds,
impeIled by gentle current Of upper air,
stranger would never have supposed him
self within one short mile of this unparal-
leled and tremendous fall of water.
The sun had not yet descended behind
the gentle summit of Lundy's farm. The
cattle had not yet returned to their even
ing pasture, nor the wild bee to its hive in
the lightning scathed pine tree but the
green pasture was occupied by armed war
riors, and the faint hum Of the insect crea
ton was drowned in the shrill tones of the
fife, and the louder rattle Of the battle
drum. They were the valiant troops of my
own sovereign, arrayed in that enchanting
scarlet and white, and the dear white and
blue cross Of Saint George Haunted proud
ly in each silken banner and there were
gay banners born aloft, with the embazon.
ed names Of many strong hold secured in
Spain, where their gallant supporters had
hardly earned their crowns of laurel, when
they lent their proud name to adorn the
living page Of history.
The noise OF the loud Niagara was lost
amidst the incessant rafting of musketry
and the frequent lhunderings of battery
of cannon which crowned the gentle emf.
hence already mentioned; and the svery
column of spray was obscured in the dense
sui phurous vapor which the awakening
evening breeze rolled onward through the
western woods.
AS yet, no living enemy had appeared
and the fury of the assailauts seemed to be
wreaked on an unotfending and defenceless
grove of oaks which lay northward from the
centre of the farm. But ere long more
formidable foes came for there issued ou,
of that oaken grove two compact columns
of armed men. arrayed in dark blue uni
forms, with many gaily striped, and stat
spangled banner f1ultering in the breeze
and notwithstanding the murderous and
successive volleys of grape and muSke,rv
poured in against them by the British
troops, these new corners, and they were
Americans, boldly rushed forward to the
very centre of their position. Long doubt
full and bloody was the struggle ! The sur
sunk red and fiery through the smoke o
battle guns and when the last faint rays
ofthe evening twilight meowed the spen
dor Of the golden west, still the battle rag
ed, and various were the successes ant
hopes OF the contendng combatants. VIC
tory never lowered more doubtfully over
well fought field; both armies claimed her
but in fairness she belonged to neither.
might with much propriety be termed ,wha
it really was. drawn battle.
1t was the lone hour of midnight, an
the scene had again changed; the pal
moon hung her slvery crescent far owe
the eastern wilderness; while, ever an
anon, her gentle face was yelled benin
the fieecy clouds which were waited aon
by the freshened breeze across the blu
vault OF heaven as if it were too paint
sight for her to behold the carnage tina
bestrewed the balte-iield of Lundy's Lane
The loud believing of cannon, and tn
sharper rafting OF musketry were hear
no more. Lundy's farm was no longer tn
scene ofhurried movements rapid advances
desperate charges, and quick retreats, fo
the contending armies were nowhere to b
seen. The affrighted herds had neye
returned to their wonted pasture, but bot
glade and upland were plentitully tenante
with the wounded, and the dying and tn
dead. There was also profusion of bro
ken and useless arms along the skirts
the forest, and in the direction OF the sun
nit of the open plain where few fe
pieces had been planted, and which sti
remained on the ground. Some of the
were however, disabled; some turned,
it were, pointing in the direction of tho
who had deserted them; while othe
remained shotted, and ready to pour for
destruction upon whoever might approat
them; but the late contending parties we
gone. 1t seemed as if both armies, equal
weary of the conflict, had simultaneous