The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-12-14

support arms IOrWaru-marcH! nIuCUIHcIy Soh'u
not have moved with more compactness than that
gallant regiment followed the fearless suide off
their leader Supported by the T,ocnty third the
dark mass moved up the hill like one bodY,-the
lurid light glittering and pickering their bayo
nets, as the combined fire of the enemys artillery
and infantry opened murd rously upon them
They hinched not--they faltered not the stern
deep voices of the officers, the deadly cannon
shot cut yawnng chasms through them, ao ne was
heard. Close up steady men-steady. With in
hundred yards Of the summit the loud Hale " as
70 owed by a volley--sharp and instantaneous,
clap of thunder. Another moment rushing under
the white sm oke, short furious struggle with the
bayonet, and the artillery swept like
chaff from their guns. Another fierce struggle
the enemy's line forced down tho side of the
hill and victory ours-the position entirely
in han ds--their pieces turned and playing
upon them in their retreat. Ii was bought at
cruel picc-few of the officers remained that were
not killed wounded. The whole tide Of the
battle now turned to tins point The result of the
| conflict depended entirely upon the ability of the
victorius party to retain it. Major II indman
ordered up and posted his force the side of the
captured cannon, while tho American line cores
pondingly advanced.
stung with modification, the brave general
! Drummond concentrated his forces, reake by
desperate CHARGE the position. The interval amid
the darkness alone filled by the Of the
cataract and the groans of tho wounded. He ad-
vanced with strong rein forcements, ou,hanking
each side of the American line. We only
able, in the murky darkness, to ascertain their ap-
proach by their heavy tread. 'They halted within
| twenty PAGES and prepared for the rush. Directed
by the blaze, our men returned il with deadly eff
feet, and after desperate struggle the dense col
umn recoiled. Another interval of darkness and
silence, and again a most furious and desperate
charge was made by the British, throwing the
whole weight of their attack upon the American
centre, The gallant Ttocnty;trst, which posed
it, received them with undaunted frmness--w while
the fire from our lines was sdreadfully effective "
Hindman's artillery served with the most perfect
GOODNESS and effect. Staggering, they again recol-
ed. During this second attack, Gen Scott in per>
son, his shattered brigade consolidated into a
single battalion, made two determined charges up,
on the right and Left flank of the enemy, and in
these he received the scars which his counirymen
now on his manly 'front.' Our men were now
almost worn down with fatigue, dying with thirst,
for which they could gain no relief The British,
with fresh achievements their recruited
and rested-afer an interval Of another hour IN AIDE
tHeT lDIIu anu HHdi eHOrt 10 regain Inc pOsltlOn
They advanced-delivered their fire as before
and although it was returned with the same deadly
feet, they stendIy pressed forward The Ttoenty-
first again sustained the shock and both lines were
soon engaged in "a conflict, obstinate and dreadful
beyond description The right and left of the
American line fell back for moment, but were
Immediately rallied by their officers $50 desper-
ate did the battle now become HAT many battaons
on both sides were forced back the men engaged
in indiscflminate melee, fought hand to hand, and
with muskets clubbed and $50 Eterrif the
conflict where the cannon were stationed, that
Major Hlndman had to engage them his guns
and gun carriages, and finally spike OF his
pieces, under the apprehension that they would
fall into the hands of the enemy. Gen. Ripley
at length made most desperate and determined
charge upon both of the enemy's fanks--rhey was
vered-recoIl ed-gave way-and the centre soon
following, they renguished the fight and made a
final The annals of warfare on this CONT
nent have never shown more desperate 6ghting.-
Bayonets repeatedly crossed and after tho
action, many Of the men were found mutually
transfxed The British force engaged was about
five thousand men--the American, thirty five hun
dred: the combined loss in killed and wounded
seventeen hundred and twenty-five, officers and
men.
in the afternoon, and did not terminate till mid
night We mingled said the Major, and
so great the confusion in the darkness, that as l
sitting with the group Of ofic ers in the earlier
part of the night, horseback, British soldier
came up us, and recovering his musket, under
the supposition that he addressing ofhs
own officers said, Colonel Gordon will be much
obliged, sir, if you will march up he three hun
| died men in the road to his assistance immediate
| ly las he is very hard pressed. called him near
err, and pressing his musket down my hols-
| tiers, made HIM prisoner. What have done sir,
! said the astonished man, 'what have done?' and
to COW iuce British officers, he supposed, of his
LOYALTY, EXCLAIMED, 'Hurrah FOR the King, aud
damn the Yankees AS he was marched to the
rear, the poor fellow cut down by grapeshot
In another part OF the field American Aid pull
led up suddenly body OF men under full
march. In reply to his demand 'What regiment
is that' he was answered, 'The Queens Royal
R,nSars' With great presence of mind he replied