The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-08


already cleaned in the eye of Clinton who led
I the van.
Shortly after daylight, the Hessans at Flat
bush opened q moderate cannonade upon General
Sullivan. who, with a strong detachment, had adj
vanced on the direct road from Brooklyn thither
and now occupied the breast-works thrown up by
General Greene, for the defence of this important
pass. Colones Miles and Williams were strong
| " posted on the Bedford road. AT half-past eight
Count Donop was detached to attack the HILL by
General De Hester, who soon followed with the
centre of the army.
With levelled pieces and eyes fixed on the en-
envy, the Americans stood firm on their vantage
ground, nerved for the assault, and prepared to
enact second drama of Bunker Hill. From be-
hind breast-worL and tree, soldier and riheman
looked down upon the ascending foe, with feel
ing of conscious security when 10 report of
artillery, in the rear of their left flew with its own
velocity along the line. A second volley reveal
ed to them,. with fearful truth, that the enemy
had turned their left flank, and placed them beween
two fires. Horror, dismay, confusion, ensued !
The advancing Hessians were no longer faced
by the whole band stationed to oppose them; and
vain the efforts of General Sullivan to rally the dis
persing contnentals, who fastened to regain the
camp, while there yet was time 1t was, alas, too
late! AS regiment after regiment emerged from
the wood, they encountered the bayonets of the
British, and all retreat was cut of. Driven back
into the forest after desperate efforts to ceave their
way through the close ranks of the enemy, they
were met by the Hessans, part of whom were
at the same time detached toward Bedford, in
which quarter the cannon of Clinton announced
that he also was attacking the American rear
The British pushed their line beyond the Flatbush
road, and when our brave troops found their only
outlet was through the enemy, skirmsh after
skirmish ensued, in which they displayed signal
bravery. Many forced their way through The
camp some escaped into the woods, and many
were slain. Colonel Parry was shot thro' the head
while encouraging his men.
| leave the readerto imagine the disastrous con-
sequences of this surprise to the Americans, when,
hemmed in by the surprising numbers, and CO.
operating wings of the British, they ineva-
bic death or capture, on every side Here, strik-
ing again through the wood, and lured by an en-
ticing path, which promised safety they rushed from
its shelter upon the drawn sabres of the enemy !;
there, retiring to its recesses before superior
force, they fell upon the lcvellcd muskets of the
Hessians; bullets and balls sought victims in every
direction; and many brave soldier sank to die
beneath the tall forest tree offering up with his
parting breath, prayer for his country, consecra-
ted by his life blood
Against the hottest Of the enemv'S fire, General
Sullivan, on the heights above Flatbush, made
brave resistance for three hours Here the slaugh-
ter was thickest on the side of the assalans Fair
ly covered b. their entertainment, the Americans
poured many a deadly voey upon the approaching
foe. The old MN, already mentioned, well re-
members seeing pit wherein large numbers Of
the Hessians, who fell here, were bured and from
L al, Al
mander Of these foreign mercenares he had been
offered golden substitute for every missing man.
Leaving Generals Clinton and Percy to inter-
cept the Americans in this quarter, Lord Corn
wallis proceeded toward the scene of General
Grants engagement with Lord Stirling. We left
this gallant officer bravely opposing a superior
force He continued the resistance, until eleven
o'clock, when, hearing sharp firing in the dircc-
ton of Brooklyn, it flashed upon him that the Brit
iSh were getting between him and the American
lines Discovering the position Of Lord Corvallis
he instantly saw, that unless they iorded the creek
near the Yellow Mills, the troops under him must
all become prisoners. The reader will see that
he had some distance to gain, before this could be
effected. fastening back, he found the enemy
much stronger than he anticipated; and, that his |
main body might escape, he determined in per-
son to attack Lord CORVALLIS who was posted
at house near the upper mill. This movement
he performed with the utmost gaantry, leading
half of Smallwoods regiment five or six several |
times to the charge, and nearly dislodging the }
British commander, who, but for the arrival off
large reinforcemenls, would have been driven from
his station. This band of four hundred. compos-
ed say the British accounts, of youths, the flower
of the best families in Maryland, sustained severe
loss. But the object was attained, and the rcgi-
ments, whose retreat it was designed to favor effect
ed their escape over marsh and creek with the loss
of single man drowned. In his official report,
Lord Howe speaks of numbers who persisted in /
crossing the inle'. But this, am convinced, is |
Incorrect The sefdevoted heroes of this exploit
were surrounded and made prisoners of war.
We may readily conceive with what feelings
their brethren in the camp beheld the undeserved
i'll fortune of the troops engaged in the action
General Putnam a warrior Of the true stamp con-
strained to remain within the Notifications, and
so little prepared for the events OF the day, as to be
only able, where the enemy appeared, to detach /
troops to meet them, saw with dismay the mannu-
vre which made them master of the field. His
efforts had all been directed to General Grants
For the defence in front, he relied on
General Sullivan to provide, and greatwas his sur
prise on seeing the enemy turn that officers flank
As the engagement between Lord Stirling and