Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-23

had abated its fury; and the murky clouds were
beginning to sunder and course in broken fragments
through the heavens and the stars, those celestial
sentnels, supposed by some to guide and govern
tne destiny OF man, and the irresistible charmers
OF the philosophic mind were occasionally seen, in
all their sparkling beauty, and appeared to derive
additional brlIliancy from the surrounding darkness.
INC scene was well suited to the conemplative and
su6llmated soul of Pike. 1t was a moment for calm
and solemn reflection and musing; and he seemed
to realize all its peculiar and inspiring influences.
lie would speak for some time IN glowing and
elevated strain of moralizing-then pause a while
and appear TO be wrapped in profound thought
and then pour forth another continuous strain of
Just sentiment and sublime eloquence, seldom e.
qualled The occasional interruptions from the
WIND, which, at brief intervals, rose and fell and
sent us moaning voice through the bending tree
tops, was circumstances rather in correspondence
and harmony with the others; and, instead of d.
!nlnshlng seemed to lend additional interest and
interest to the scene He dwet on the relative dr-
ties OF man as member of society, in different
situations, at considerable length; and all his re-
marks were pertinent and well applied and many
oil them torcbc and thrilling. Abstraction from
sell, or dlslnterestedness, public spirit and chiv-
alious patriotism, were his favorite themes; and he
spoke with peculiar force and feeling of the duty
OF dying Tor ones country, in defence of Just and
righteous cause-and Of the rewards, that must be
- Us Nv iOi al suCIl, UeyOnu lne grave. lie re-
TERED with enthusiasm to the glorious examples of
tne Royal Gustavus Adolphus, and of Generals
wore and Desaix who had fallen ON the field OF
battle In the embrace of victory-regarding theirs
as an envlabc fate; and expressing fervent hope
that such might be his. He repeated some poetcal
efflslons tasteful and appropriate to the OCCASION
iihDued with patriotic sentiment and rich in sub
lime and patriotic thought. And thus were spent
four or five hours of that eventful night. When
Daylight appeared, no enemy was to be seen. A
lreconnoerng party was sent out, but soon return
ca without bringing any intelligence of him. The
line OF march was formed in short time after and
we moved in circituous route ON our return, with
view to ascertain the position the enemy then
held; but the main army was not to be discovered
by our scouts. body Of troops sent out to inter-
cept us was met about midday, and a sharp con-
iilct ensued, out did not continue long; the Brit.
lsh being forced to yield the ground, with the loss
OF several men in killed, wounded and prisoners
we learned, afterward, that a much greater de-
strucon of life, on the part of the enemy had oc-
cured IN the night battle than was apprehended by
us at the time; and further that serious difficult
ty had arisen between the officers of the newly ar.
rived troops, and those who had beeh on the sta
ton some time, about seniority and the right tc
command. They had separated in consequence
and refused to cooperate The Indians, too, hat
become dissatisfied. And these were some of the
reasons why we did not find, in the morning, for
mldable army around us, ready and eager for the
combat"