North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-08-19

The torlorR hope Of one hundred and fifty
fmen SNw1th uniosded pieces and bayonets
liked, while farther on q smaller group OF
shsdowy Gofms could be seen through the
obScurity, accou,red wilb axes, To cut
/ through the abat.is. Each man had .
piece OF white paper in his hat 10 disiin-
gnlsh hlm from the foe in the approaching
melee. The pause however, which Afford
ed this prospect was but momentary The
general had already reconnoi,red the APP
pfoachcs 10 the sti silent promontory,
ard waving his sword on high, he gave
the order. In another instant the dark
massive column was moving steadily TO the
attack.
! IL was thrilling moment, during which
that devoted band crossed rapidly over the
marsh. As yet the enemy had not dScov-
cred them. Even the hearts OF the oldest
veterans trembed with the eagerness Of
that moment OF suspense. Already had
The foremost OF The pioneers reached the
abaltls, and the quick, rapid blows OF their
axes rung upon the night, when suddenly
d shout Of alarm broke from the fort, the
gun OF the sentry flashed through the
gloom, and in an instant all was uproar
and confusion within the astonished iorli-
hcatons. Not a moment was TO be lost.
Advance advance !" shouted Wayne,
as he pressed rapidly on towards the abat-
It's followed in death-like silence by his in
domitabie troops.
To arms % came borne on the night
breeze from the fort-",o arms-to arms,
and then followed tie quick roll OF the
drum. In an instant the enemy were at
their posts, and as the gallant continent
ais still maintained their silent but steady
march, fire, such as only desperation
could produce, burst from every embra-
sure OF the fort. The ncessant rattle of
the musketry, the roar of the artillery, the
crashing OF The grape-shot. and the lurid
light flung over the scene by the explosion
of the shells, and the streams OF fire pour
ing from the fort, formed picture which
no pen can describe. Yet amid it all, the |
daring assailants steadily advanced, though
not trigger had been pulled in their ranks. |
Faithful TO the commands oitheir general,
though trembling in every limb with ca
gerness, they kept up their silent march,
amid that fiery tempest, as if impeled by
some godlike power. On-on--on they
pressed. The whirlwind of fire from the
tort ceased not; yet still they dashed
along, charging at the point of the bayon-
ct over abatlis and bulwarks, until the en-
envy, borne back by their impetuous onset,
quailed before them. The works were
forced. Then, and not till then, was the
death-like silence broken. A sound rung
out from the victorious troops over all the
thunder Of the battle 1t was the watch
word OF success. II was heard by the he ad
OF the column behind, it passed down their
line, was caught by the rear, and wild
shout, making the very welkin tremble,
rung out as they dashed TO the attack.
The contest was short, but terrific
Over bulwark, battery, and PROSTATE foes,
the gallant Continentals headed by Wayne,
pressed on, and driving all before them, {
met the column of their little army, with
an enthusiastic cheer, in the very centre {
Of the enemy's works. In another mo- {
ment the starry flag of America waved {
over the battlements. i
The enthusiasm of the victors cannot S
be described. But though the contest had /
been SO bloody, not man of the enemy t
ell, after resistance had ceased. The I,
were disarmed, guard placed r
over them, and sentries posted on all the C
positions around the works. '
The morning gun announced TO the Brit S
sh feet in the river that Steny Point was a
low.-C.