Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1841-11-18

not without cause, and that II may live in
their breasts, when they too, like US, have
dwelt with fondness upon her loud roar
for long years, and looked upon her az
an enduring memento Of the galantry Of
that handful, thu little band Of "Rifes'
which on the plains OF 'Orleans," stood
the representatives Of Na,hchez. In q
few brief words, we shall trace her histo-
ry, the facts OF which are undoubted: she
was, as will DO seen by the inscription
which marks her time worn front, one o!
the pieces Surrendered at Saratoga on
the 18th October, l777" by the conven-
ton between Gen. Gates and Burgoyne:
she remained in possession Of the Amerr
leans during the Revolution, and doubts
less did good service, and for years after,
she still remained one Of the trophies oil
the important event recorded by the in.
scription, until on the breaking out Of the
late war she being placed again in active
duty on the frontier, was among the artil.
lery surrendered by Hull at Detroit, re.
turning for time to her first owners, in
whose possession she continued until the
battle of the Thames, where she was cap
tured with battery Of six other pieces OF
the same description, by the gaIlan, Har-
rison, and again for time she sang the
song Of Liberty, lending her deep bass to,
the din of battle and sending her messen
gers Of death thick amongst the enemy's
ranks; until shortly alter the resignation
Of General Harrison, she again passed
from the hands Of the Americans in some
nnimportant affair on the frontier: she
next made her appearance on the plains
Of Orleans amid the ranks oil the hostile
myriads whose SPLENDID appearance,
complete equipment, and that high carac-
ter for gallantry which had covered them
with glory in the Peninsula War: and
under the command of the chosen of him,
the greatest Captain Of the age, Engands
proudest and most successful champion on
The sands OF India, and every field Of Eu.
rope, told Of furious fight.
The glorious 9th arose, damp foggy,
md most discouraging in its very appear
lnce, some short distance above the city
II New Orleans was seen a crazy barge
illed 10 the hull with armed men, some
# whom were Juggling at the oar with
very nerve strained, while those who
ould not be thus employed, sent their
sud shouts abroad upon the air, fired by
hat wild excitement caused by the thun.
er tone! of the distant battle, which had
lready, with the opening dawn begun.
IN the slight mast OF the crazy craft
'as seen one Of the band, with eye intent,
10 catch the flash of furious ,
ray and hallooing to the rowers, "pulI :
oys, pull! or we'll be TOO late--we must ;
e there to assist in the whipping" for the ,
rophetic feelings for his own daring and
allant spirit, he felt confidence which ,
mt its strength in this trying moment 10 :
u, he knew not defeat, he dreamed not
disaster, lin his own words, they must
e well fogged," and history tails they
ere Hard rowing and wild excitement
urried them on to the scene, their gal>
mt leader Col Wilkins with that prompt.
ess which still chaNacterizes him, al.ho'
&c has taken from him the vigor which
len nerved him, and lent its strength ,
nd promptitude to his every thong ht,
mpcd ashore called for his orders, ask
lg where he could be of most service :
to the right bank, the troops under Nor
an are retreating." were the words given
! reply and on the instant the old craft,
) il gifted with new vigor, crossed the
Iver, where they met Morgan in full! re.
'eat, and irremeniable disorder their
curse was pursued on foot, at full speed,
} the deserted battery, which the British ,
ad Immediately possessed themselves Of ,
'hen Morgan's line broke they arrived
n time TO fire some few guns at the re.
reating British, who observing the dis.
of the troops on the left bank,
cared being cut off. The guns Of the
artery were found spiked, and could no,
{ course be found to be OF any service up
n their retreat. The gallant bearing of
his little band won high sncomiums from
he hero Of the day, who had observed
heir prompt movement OH the right bank,
nd who in sending them there, complied
nth the wish expressed by their leader,
0 be placed "where danger was" AS
memento Of their gallanlry Gen. Jack.
on presented the city Of Natchez with
Old Saratoga" which again fell into the
lands Of our armies on this occasion.
Well might she, inanimate though she
eiel bereavement for the loss Of the gal
ant Harrison, who had rescued her at the
Thames we'll might she feel the loss of
i'm who never knew defeat" and when
n the day OF mourning" which but a
ew months since called forth the sons
f this republic TO testify their sorrow for
heir country's loss, deeper tone SEEM
d to ring in tho loud echo which burst
pom our ear, while tongue Of eIoquence,
old Of the high bearing, the gallant bra.
cry, and that concentration Of virtues
ohes, light. which lent its beauty to a
ong life Of usefulness, Of honor, and high
st worth.
,.,:1,,o.. of .~,o.,,