The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-01

afoa OFT Sandy-HooL, between the heights of New
erslnk and Staten-lsland And who, in callinn
to mind this event, and rejecting that but yeser
day. alter lapse OF sixty-two years, a proud
steamer was sent 10 this very city, then doomed to
the late OF Carthage, now theainalienable ally oil
her former enemy, will deny that the growth of
events maturing nations, is a wondrous charac-
terlsuc OF the age a token that in measure as il
learns to ameorate its condition, humanity is de-
stlned to cover the earth like the forest tree and
that we do not, mayhap, sufficiently regard these
ntlmaonS of a mighty future.
The details of war were rapidly advancing in
the city, on which the eyes of the nation were
intensely fixed. Lead being scarce, the jealous
burghers gave the troops their window-weobts
Tor bullets. OF these, one house alone contrib
uted twelve hundred and another one thousand
pounds weight; aud doubt not, had bow-strinqs
been IN request, our patriotic counlrymen would
have fastened, like the Carthaeinians of old, to Of
Ter up their longest resses III the service of free
dom. AS the crisis drew near, the unseen anxiety
of the commander-in-chief became redoubled be-
meath his clear eye and serene brow. He was ev-
cry where, knowing no reposc, the indefateable
guardian of the spirit of liberty.
Already was the army in posse sion of that
memorable address, so ervently breathed by the
great commander, while awaiting the attack:
The time is now near at hand, which must
probably determine whether Americans are to be
ireemen or slaves; whether they have any prop
erty they can call their own; whether their houses
and farms are to be piaged and destroyed, and
they confined to state ofwretchedness from which
no human Efforts will proball y deliver them. The
!ate of unborn mi Ions will now depend, under
God, on the courage and conduct of this army
We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die !!
AT this uncture General Greene unhappiy
fell sick of fever, and the important station on
Long-lsland was entrusted TO General Sullivan.
1t is impossible to compare the aims and prospects
of the rival forces at this PERIOD without feeling
how daring was the gallantry of the Americans, in
venturing so learlessIy upon the unequal contest
The long expected hour of attack arrived on the
twenty-second of August, when intelligence was
received of the landing of the British on Long.
Island. The report of their signal repulse at Fort
Moultre, by the Americans under General Lee
reached our camp on the preceding night, and
was urged by WASHINGTON as an incentive to as
proud exerons on the coming occasion.
BY the twenty -sixth, the British troops extend
ed from the coast between Gravesend and Utrecht,
to Flatbush and FlatIands Colonel Hands regi-
ment retiring before them. General Sullivan was
superseded in his command on the Island by Cen
era Putnam, and matters rapidly approached
denouement. peterborough
On reaching the encampment, of which he was
so hastily placed in command, General Putnam
found the American position secured BY an inner
and an outer line of entertainments The former
was protected by strong position upon an elnin-
ence, near the .Wallabout bay, now called Fort
Greene. The only approach TO it was across an
isthmus, formed on one side by the bay and con-
tbo 9TH, 49,
ming in from Gowanus Cove, with an impossible
marsh on either side of it. This neck of land had
teen skilfully taken advantage Of by Gen' Greene,
and was perfectly defended by the entertainments
in It's rear The enemy were expected in three
directions; along the coast; by the Flatbush
road; and by the road which led from Fatbush to
Bedford. To face them in these quarters, an out
er line of works had been organized chain of
picquets extending from Yellow-Hooll round to
tlatbuSh, were stationed from eminence to emn-
ence, to give timely warning of their approach i
and the avenues were guarded by temporary breast
works, defending the main passes Thus far,
General Putnam adopted the defensive measures
Of General Greene, and these precautions proved
successful, in the points they were designed to pro-
ect.
From an attack of the enemy's ships at the Mar
rows, the American rear was also guarded by ef-
lclent batteries, at Red Hook, and on Governors
Island. General Sullivan had in charge the whole
inc of outer works, and was joined by Colonel
Hand, on his withdrawal from the coast, at the
anding of the British, and by Colonels Williams
md Miles, with their respective regiments.
Such was the position Of the Americans; their
numbers not exceeding eight thousand eight hum
lred men. Their adversares, after landing OH the
wenty parted in three divisions. The right
wing, under Lord CORVALLIS and Earl Percy, ex-
ended, on the twenty-sixh instant, from Flat
,ush towards Fatands, about two miles in the
ear. The centre, composed Of the Hessians I'M
Ter General de Hester, was posted at Flatbush,
md the left wing, on the coast was commanded
" General Grant. The centre was about four,
nd the right and left wings nearly six miles dis
ant each from the American camp. A chain of
hills, called the Heights of Gowa-
us, and extending eastward to the extremity Of
he Island, lay between the two armies.
The commander-in-chief passed the whole day
# the twefty -sixth at Brooklyn, preparing for
he expected assault. On the eve of this the first
'itched battle of the war, his heart was full of
nxiety. Consoled by the conviction that every
hing in his power had been done to strengthen
he American forces, he relied now upon Provi-
cnce, upon the justice of the cause, and upon
heir bravery. Towards the close of the day, he
eturned to New York.