Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-04-16

!
bloody one on the night plain.
have never been oppressed with sense
Of fear; indeed, | may say, have ever borne
the character of brave man but frankly
confess, that heartily wished for daylight,
that might see where was going and |
believe il is true universally that men will
fight better by daylight than 10y night, al
though the smoke be so dense as TO hide all
objects from view as efIcciually as if il were
night. There is something about nigh, that
do not understand.
But to my story. After standing about
half an hour, our muskeis were taken from
us, and spades, pickaxcs, distributed. We
were then marched TO what was called the
neck for the purpose Of erecting fort
This point was fully within reach ofthc en-
emy's guns, hence dark night was chosen
for the work, and the s,rictest silence en-
joined. Arrived on the ground, we found
an abundance of dry cedar rails, and with
these we proceeded TO build huge fires TO
supply the lack Of daylight. Whether this
originated with the soldiers, or officers
know not; il is certain that it was not for
hidden by the latter. When they were well
on fire, and all around us was illuminated,
we began TO break ground. But we were
very uncerimonIously interrupted by ,hun-
dering volley of cannon balls from the enc
my. II had not occurred TO our sapient of
fcers that the same light that was service
able to us, would be sc TO the enemy's artil-
lery. But so it was. Orders were then
given to put out the fires. Ii was done
with great promptness ; cannon ball now
and then aiding us in scattering the rails.
| have in my latter days heard great
deal about the stimulants of industry, but
give il as the result Of my observation, that
nothing is equal to cannon ball for this.
Men will work when cannon balls are whiz-
zing around them in way difficult TO des-
cribe. The rails on this occasion flew as if
the power of gravitation were for the occa-
sion totally suspended.
/ recollect another occasion when the
same timulus worked admirably. 1t was at
the battle Of the White Plains. We were
in trench, and about ten rods in advance
was stone wall. When it appeared that
the enemy were about TO advance to storm
our lines IA brisk fire ofcannon balls being
sent to clear the way,) party were sent out
TO throw down the wall. that il might not
prove a shelter to the advancing foe. |
never saw stones handled as those were. !
am clear in the opinion that cannon balls
arc the greatest possible stimulants to in
dustry. But forget my narrative.
When the lights were cxtinguisned, we
were drawn off behind small descent
where, by lying down, we were out Of reach
of the cnemy's balls. We had Just begun
TO realize that the whistling Of balls was
not so destructive, after all and TO make
ourselves merry at the enemy's waste of
ammunition, when n cross fire that swept
the bottom of the hill was opened upon us.
The first shot took effect, and killed four
men in my vicinity. Orders were given to
retreat, and the ground was soon cleared,
without further loss. We gained the camp,
and listened, with no small degree of com
posurc, to the sound oft tie enemy's artillery.
1t is surprising, the difference in the sound
OF piece when you are, or are not, within
range. In the one case the sound is pleas
ant enough; in the other il is by no means
the most agreeable music in the world. The
British continued TO plough up the said
Neck until broad daylight showed them
what they were about. In fact, il did pre-
sent the appearance of ploughed land 'My
Stars" said honest Job Eaton, E" if it has
not cost the hing nigh on tew hundred dol
lars TO plough that ere piece; I'd ploughed
il with my oxen for FIVE"
We were so much more courageous by
daylight, that we went down to the Neck for
ball, and there were picked up nine humid
red and sixty, Of various sizes. Occasion
ally field pieces were discharged at us, but
without effect.
During the winter we lay on Dorchester
Heights; | cannot say that was as com
Portable and coniented as might have been
in my fathers house. was, however, in
dulged with frequent visits home, and often 4
received from thence tokens Of remcm-
brance and regard. Still barrack is not
ones fathers house, and our troops were
becoming more OF soldiers and less of citi-
zens. The distinction between mine and
thine became less distinctly marked, and
growing loosness Of morals in other respects
led me TO look with less enthusiasm on
soldiers life.
Still our company was in the main cor
rect IN their department, the instructions Of
Dir. Forbes having sunk deep into our