Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-08-24
A ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION.

A ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION.
The night had already settled down
gloomily and forbidding on the evening Of
the 18th of July, 1873, when the advanc-
ing column Of little army whose uniform
betokened it TO be Americans, emerged
from thick wood on the shore of the Hud-
son, and in an instant the whole shadowy
prospect disclosed to them along the bank
orthe river opened to the view. Far away
lay Verplanl's Point, now buried in mass
OF shadow, while on the other side Of the
river, dark, gloomy and frowning, rose up
the craggy heights of Stony Point. Wash
cd on three sides by the HUDSON and pro-
tected on tho other, except along a narrow
morass, the fort was deemed one Of the
most impregnable on The river, and its cap
ture regarded as almost impossible. Yet
to achieve that gallant purpose this little
army was on its march.
A turn in the road soon hid them from
tic river, and after 4 silent march of some
minutes duration they arrived within mile
and n half Of the enemy's lines, and, halt
ing at the command Of their officer, formed
into columns for the attack. Beginning a.
gum luCll HiuIClIS lllCS SOOn lCdCIlcu tlG
mnrshy ground at the base Of the hill.
''Ilist," said the low voice of the Gener-
al, from the front, 'we are nigh enough
now-halt."
The order passed in a whisper down the
line, and the column paused on the edge
of tho morass. 1t was a moment Of sus-
pense and peril. Every man felt that in
few minutes the fate Of their hazardous
enterprise would be determined, aud that
they would either be cold in death, or the
American flag waving in triumph over the
dark pcomontory ahead now scarcely dis
cernabIc. through the thick gloom of mid
night. Yet not a lip quiycrcd nor a cheek
bIanched in that crisis. About 80 PAGES
in front the column halted, the Iorlorn hope
Of 800 meu, with unIoadcd pieces and bay
onets fixed, while further on similar
group Of shadowy forms could be seen
through the obscurity, accoutred with axes
to cut through the abattis,
Each man had piece of white paper IN
his hat, to distinguish him from the foe in
the approaching struggle. The pause, how
ever, winch afforded this prospect was but
momentarv. The General had already re-
connoucred the approaches TO the still ST.
lent promontory; and waving his hand on
high, he gave the order. In another instant
the dark massive column was moving stea-
div to the attack.
1t was thrilling moment, during which
the devoted band had crossed rapidly over
the marsh. As yet, the enemy had not
discovered them. Even the hearts Of the
oldest veterans trembIed with the cagerncss
Of that moment of suspense. Already had
the foremost Of the pioneers reached the
abatts, and the quick rapid blows of their
axes rung upon the night, when suddenly
a shout of alarm burst from the fort, tho
GUN the sentry flashed through the gloom,
and in an instant all was uproar and con-
fusion within the ostonished fertilization.
Not moment was TO be lost.
"Adyance advanced" shouted Wayne,
rs he pressed rapidly on towards the abat-
tie, followed in dealh-like silence by the
iudomitabc troops.
$50 arms - came borne along the night
breeze from the tort-"to arms, to arms"
and then followed the quick roll of the
drum In an instant the enemy were at
their posts, and as the gallant continentals
still maintained their steady and silent
march, 4 fire, such only as desperation
could produce, burst from every embrasurc
of the fort The incesSant rattle Of the
mu,kctry the roar of artillery, the crash
Ing Of grape shot, and the lurid light flung
over the scene by tho explosion of shells,
and The streams of fire pouring from the
fort formed picture which no pen can
describe Yet, amid it all, tho daring as
sailants steadily advanced, though not a
trigger had been pulled in :her ranks
Faithful to the command of their general,
though trembling in every limb with ca
gerness, they kept up their silent march
amid that fiery tempest, rs if impelled by
some godhkc power. On-on they passed.
The whjrlwind Of fire from the fort ceased
not, We, they dashed along, charged at the
point Of the bayouet, over abattis and bui-
wark, until the enemy, borne back by their
impetuous onset, Quailed before them
The works were forced. Then, and not
till then, was the dcath-likc silence broken.
\ sound rang out from the victorious
troops over all the thunder Of the battle
Ii was heard by the head of the column be-
hind, it passed down their line, was caught
up BY the rear, and wild shout making
the very wekIn iremblc, rang out as obey
dashed on TO the attack.
The contest was short, but terrific. -