The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-04-15

Kill 10. 1871. IA ss .c 1.
aided. General Ripley with fresh troops
now arrived, anG relieved General Scott.
while the latter with his exhausted brig
AIDE, formed a reserve in the rear
The hritish artillery had taken post on
an emlaence at the head of I.undy,'s Lane.
and were pouring forth most deadly fire
on the AsRericans. General Brown, the
commander Of the Americai, forces. feel
ing the terrible havoc made blythe ene-,
my's cannon, concluded that it was neces-
sary 10, dislodge them, or;retrea,. II was
| a dreadful duty. The troops that were
to march up Landy's Lane might well
say their prayers and make their wills
before moving. 1t was certain death to
every second man of the forlorn hope.
As the commanding General rode along
the foot of the hill, in thoughtful mood,
he saw the brave Colonel Miller advance
ing at the heal Of his newly raised regi-.
ment for, further orders. He rode up
to him. Twill you advance and capture
tina, ballery?' said the General Il will
try, sir, said the modest Colonel. The
General rode on. and the regiment gal
lanllv wheeled and moved up Lundy's
Lane. s4
AT every rod the artillery on the height
sent its messengers of death through the
dense column; but sstiIl there was no
fliaching. The voice of the noble Miller,
as he waved his sword before the bloody
gap, was heard uttered the short and ex-
pressive orders, '.Steady men--close
orders-march!' Around him the flower
Of his regiment fell like the withered
leaves Of autumn; but he needed not his
loss; he was ordered to take the battery
on the hill, and he intended to do it. He
advanced, therefore, cooily and steadily
to his object. Amidst tremendous blaze
Of artillery. and at the point Of the bayo-
net he carried the height. l have never
heard Of its equak except at the siege of
San Sebastian. 1t was superior in te-
merity TO Bonaparte's attack upon Gil
braltar, at Toulon. because Miller had
no covering for his troops in case OF
retreat. II was. dead march to glory
yea, at every step the rear rank
trod upon the dead and the dying: and
the groans of suffering humanity mingled
in with the hoarse rattle of the drum.
When the conqueror, with his remnant
of regiment, lrod upon the heights at
the head of Lundy's Lane, and turned the
cannon upon the astonished enemy, Il
death struggle ensued between the Ame-
rcan and British armies. "These guns
will decide the battle; they must be re-
gained, or the army Of Britain will be
cut to pieces, and, if regained, the Ame-
rcans will be conquered" Such were
the thoughts Of each General. Now
came the iron grippe of war. A terrible con-
flct ragged upon the height, and, when The
morning sun rose upon the Bridgewaler,
1000 soldiers, friends and foes, lay sleep
ing in CORY death upon the hill side in
L5lndy's Lane. Surely, the battle Of
Bridgewater will never be forgotten by
the patriot. the historian, or the poet; and,
while the lau,els of Scott and "A Ripley
are green and unfading. let Us not forget
thai the gallant Miller is alive. and tl,at
his country owes him debt of gratitude
which she can never repay. She, how
ever. can say with her children when
asked to aid him, as the hero said at
Brldgewater to his commander when
called upon to render him service, II will
try. sir. LET HER rRy. for the sake of
her honor; and may the day never dawn
when the hero of Lundy's Lane shall be
forgotten by. an American citizen. We
glory in the services of the brave. May
the lanrei circle the victor's brow in life,
and at las, hang up broken column over
a dea,hless tomb! Reader, the hero of
Lundy's Lane is beside you! d.