Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-01

The old pine trees with terrific violence Al
times the snow fell perpendicular dnwnwards
r-then j, beat horizontally into our faces with
furious impeiuosily; and again II was whirled
wildly on high oddying around and around,
and sweeping away on the whistling tempest
lar into the gloom. The tramp OF the NEIL
The low orders of the ofiiccrs---ihe occasional
rattle OF a muskoi were almost lost in the shrill
soice OF the gale, or the deep sullen roar of
the tortured forest. Even those sounds at
ength ceased, and we continued the march in
profound silence. the storm increasing as we
drew nearer the out-posts Of the enemy. The
redoubled violence OF the gale, though it add
ID TO the sufferings of our brave continen,als
Aeysn hailed with JOY as il decreased the
oi.aaces oil our discovery, and made us once
more hope high for successful surprise
Nor were these sufferings light. Through
The dreadful night nothing but the lofty patri-
otism OF freeman could have sustained them
Half clothed-many without shoes, whole
companies without blankets, they yet pa ssed
bravely on against the storm, though drenched
to the skin, shyering at every blast, and too
often marking their footsteps with blood Old
as am now, the recollection is still vivid in
my mind God forbid that such suflerngs
should ever have to be endured again
The dawn at last came, but the storm still
ragged The trees were borne down with
sleet, and the slush was ankle deep in the
roads. The fields we passed were covered
with wet and spungy snow and the half buried
houses looked bleak and desolate in the un-
certain morning light 1t has been my LOT 10
witness few such forbidding scenes. At this
instant a shot was heard in front and mes
senger dashed furlously up TO announce that
the ouiposis of the British were being driven
in.
Forward forward" cried Washington
himself, galloping up TO the head OF the col
umn, push on, my brave fellows--on."
The men started like hunters at the cry Of
the pack as their Generals voice was second
ed BY hasiy fire from the rihemen in the van,
and forgetting every thing bu, the foe, march
cd rapidly, with silent eagerness, toward the
sound of the conflict. As they emerged from
the wood the scene burst upon them.
The town lay short distance ahead, just
observable through the twilight, and seeming
ly buried in repose The streets were wholly
deserted, and as yet the alarm had not reach
ed the main body of the enemy. A single
horseman was seen fleeing moment through
the mist-he was soon lost behind cump of
irees--and then re-appeared, dashing wildly
Stwn the main Street of the village. | had
no doubt he was messenger from the out
posts for a Reinforcement; and if suffered to
rally once we knew all hope was gone. To
the forces he had left we now therefore turned
our attention.
The first charge of our gallant continentals
had driven the ouiposls in like the shock of an
avalanche. Just aroused from sleep, and la
ken completely by surprise, they did not at first
pretend 10 make a stand, but retreated rapidly
and in disorder, before our vanguard. A few
moments, however, had sufficed TO recall their
Keeling faculties, and perceving the insight
cant force opposed TO them, they halted, hesit-
ated rallied, poured in heavy fire. and even
advanced cheering TO the onset. But at this
moment our main body emerged from the wood,
and when my eyes first fell upon the Hessian
grenadiers, they were beginning again TO
staoger.
"On--on-pnsh on, continentals of the -"
shouted the officer in command.
The men with admirable discipline still
forbore their shouts and steadily pressed on
against the now flying outposts. In another
instant the lIessians were in full retreat upon
the town.
"By heaven" calculated an abide -camp at
my side. as a rolling fire Of musketry was all
at once heard at the distance of half a mile
across the village, there goes Sullivan's brig
ade-the days our own"
"Charge the artillery with a detachment
from the eastern regiment" shouted the Gen
eral as the battery OF the enemy was seen
little 10 our right.
The men levellod their bayonets, marched
steadily up 10 the very mouth Of the cannon,
and before the artillerisis could bring their
pieces to bear, carried them with a cheer
Just then the surprised enemy was seen en-
ds,zr~gfng 10 form ~ the main street ahead,
and the rapidly increasing fire on the side Of
Sullivan, told that the day IN that quarter, was
hercely maintained. A few minutes OF indie
cison would ruin all.
press on--press on there" shouted our
COmmander-in-chiei, Galloping 10 the front,
and waving his sword aloh, "chaTge them
before they can lorm-lollow me-
The effect was electric. Gallant as had
been their conduct before, our brave troops
now seemed 10 be carried away with perfect
enthusiasm. The men burst into a cheer at
the sight of their Commanders daring, aud
dashing rapidly into the town, carried every
Thing before them like hurricane The half
formed Hessians opened desultory fire, fell
in before our impetuous attack, wavered, broke,
and ia minutes were flying pell neil through
the iOwn--while our troops, with admirable
discipline, stil maintaining their ranks, press
ed steadily Up the street, driving the foe be-
fore them They had scarcely gone hun
bred yards, before ibe banners Of Sullivans
brigade were seen floating through the mist
ahead cheer burst from our men--it was
answered back from our approaching com
rades. aud perceivlng themselves henned IN
on all sides, and that further retreat was i'm
possible, the whole regiment We had routed
laid down their arms. The instant victory
was ours aud tite foe had surrendered, every
,unmanlx CIVILIZATION disapuezred from 4 ,e conn