The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-21
AN OLD SOLDIERS STORY,
BY AN EYE WITNESS

BY AN EYE WITNESS.
A few days since stopped at the public house IN
Colraine and while my horse was feeding, sat down
in The bar-room, and heard sensible old man relate
the substance of the enclosed account
During the revolutionary there point
of land the Jersey side OF the Hudson and not far
distant from New York, which the of
bloody conflict There were about three hundred
acres next TO the river, from which the wood and
timber had been cleared off and at the back of this
was forest. On the cear red point large number of
fat cattle destined to supply the American army
placed. Four or five miles distant in New Jersey,
there three thousand light infantry, under
mand of Lafayette. | was one Of that detachment.
Our business was to that the cattle were not ia
ken 10y the enemy. One morning intelligence
brought into the camp that several vessels approach
ed and that large body OF British soldiers were land
ing. My regiment ordered Immediately for the
point. Rufus Putnam, nephew Of old General,
was Colonel, and he well stocked with the Put
nam meltle. He was "a brave officer indeed. / coud
never discern that he was not just cool and self
possessed when gong into battle, as when sitting in
his tent. We made hurried march, and upon APP
proaching the edge of the woods, the Colonel
dered the adjuant to go forward and where
the troops were and what their number. The
Adjutan soon returned and reported they form
ing on shore In three columns, containing about one
thousand each. Then (sad the Colonel) ride back
to the camp quickly possible and tell Lafayette to
come on" When the Adjutant had gone, Colonel
Putnam rode up to my captain, who Daniel
Shay, OF insurrection memory and sa ID, Well. Cap
tam Shay, shall we be playing with them unit! the
General comes I" Yes" replied Captain Shay
OrIers given to advance to the open
land upon the point. We stood face to face with
our foes. Firing very soon commenced The
non from the shipping in the river poured forth their
volleys, and the small arms did fatal execution
COL Putnam rode back and forth in from the regi-
ment as calm as a man at home, though the balls
were whstlihg about HIM in every direction We
worked very fast, and, for one regiment, made
siderable noise. The corporal at my right hand re-
ceiyed two halls through the body and fell dying |
was young, and dying man at my feet, bleeding and
gasPing, might perhaps cause my color to fade lit
tie Capt Shay stepped forwarl. George" said
he never mind it; will take his place" and he
was good as his word he took the corporaFs gun
and used it. Shay was the best captain | ever
served under He was bold and kind will give him
his due, though he has been unworthy since for
stood shoulder to shoulder that day of peril
was loading my gun the 22d time, when General
Lafayette with the main body of the light infantry,
issued from the wood. Never shall forget the feel
ing Of that moment Wellington was hardly more
pleased to see Butcher in the Battle of Waterloo
than we to see our brother in arms. The main body
formed at once upon our lett Lafayette rode for
ward. He was elegant officer-and never did he
fill my eye entirely as at that moment-thoHgh
stripping In appearance, in action he a
and had CORVALLIS seen him as we then saw him, he
would not have called him the boy AS he APP
preached, Col. Putnam, said he how dare you fire
before | arrived"
Oh said the Colonel | thought would be play
ing with them little
Lafayette, at that moment seemed full of energy
and ire-turning towards the line, and with a loud
and distinct voice, marked by his French accent-he
said We fire no the whoe line charge bayonets rush
on and drive them where the depH drope the hogs !''
he effect of his presence and his words were as
tonshing. Every heart beat quick and full. We did
rush on and such a scene of carnage my eyes
saw. At first the British force charged to meet us
but they could not stand against US, and fled from the
shore; we followed them and drove them into the
water; Of the three thousand about ff cen hundred
got aboard Of the vessels-the rest were slain, and
most of them at the point Of the bayohet.
have described to you the most painfully interest
! ing and horrld scene which had witnessed. |
never enjoyed killing fought because thought
it my duty"