Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-23
LIFE OF GEN. zEBULoN MoNTGoM
cry PIKE.


OF the last war, and for part of that period was
member of the Generals military family. The
publication of history of the war of 1912, by Sir
Edward Haynes, British officer came under the
observation of Mr. Holton, and false statements,
duplicating Gen. Pike, impelled Mr. II. to under
take the task of writing the Generals life. Mr..
Hoton intends to publish it about year hence l.
Ed Watch
We rejoice TO learn, that gentleman competent
to the task, Amos Hoton, Esq, has undertaken TO
furnish the public with biographical memoir of
the accomplished and gallant Pike, who expired in
the arms OF victory at York; in Upper Canada du :
ring the last war with England The country has
yet to be made acquainted with the peculiar traits
OF character, the chivarous spirit the abilities for
command, the high-soued patriotism, and the COM
prohenslve grasp of mind, of this once excellent
officer and good man. 1t is strange that such shi-
nlng qualities should have been allowed to remain
so long IN comparative obscurity-that some friend
~ hand should not ere this, have elevated to their
proper standard, his noble deeds and character and
have paid the proper tribute to his renown 10
Major lloton, the task is grateful one. He serv-
ed, during the last war, for some time with Gen.
flke, and has seen him in variety of scenes and
situations in the domestic circle, where the urban
lty OF his manners and the blandness of his smile.
lent Joy and gladness to each heart; and in the
tiles Of the sternest SOUL The following is an ex.
tract from the work. which Major Holton will COM
plete, as soon as he can finish the collection of ma
terlos Tor that purpose which, we are informed are
by no means easy of access; and he would be
obliged to any one, who may be in possession of
any important facts TO furnish them to him, direct
ed to his address, Delaware, Ohio. But to the ex.
tract which possesses thrilling interest Column
GUS Ono, Democratic Monthly Magazine.
81 can never forget while memory holds her
mental seat solemn and impressive, if not appal
ling scene, that occurred in last attempt to dis
lodge the foe from his fortified position, in Odel.
town, Canada, near the close of the first camnaon
and hope | may be excused for giving slight
sketch OF It here. The expedition, consisting of
some TOUR hundred men, was commanded and led
by Col. Pike. 1t was in the last days of the month
OF November, which, in that hyperborean region,
are usual y cold and boisterous The weather bav
ing been Tor day or two comparatively moderate.
suddenly changed, soon after we left our camp Mt
Chanplain for the point of destination; and while
on our march, the angry and drifting clouds rolled
together and filled the concave above with dense
dark mass, portending wind and tempest 1t was
the intention of the commander to approach as near
the enemy by evening as practicable, without haz-
ardlng discovery-and when night drew her black
pail over the EARTH to bvouac at the best place that
could be conveniently found until the earliest dawn
then, a bold and vigorous attack was to be made
upoh pOSlllOH Vi SlumDerlnn and
carried by coup de main. Many causes COM
bined to interpose obstacles, and prevent the COM
Pete success OF the enterprise; causes, unseen and
beyond the reach Of human foresight, and AGAINST
which, consequently, no human skill or wisdom, or
prudence, could guard. Unknown to Col. Pike,
the enemy had been reinforced that day and the
preceding evening, by troops from Isle au Noix and
the Three Rivers; and Major Mayhem, the For
sythe OF the British army, with his embodied mill.
tia, well disciplined for such guerrilla warfare and
his three hundred Indians was near by and. as ey-
er, alert and active. BY nightfall n regular storm
had ensued, which ragged through the first half of
the night, and more. Our guides had lost their
way IN the turmoil of the elements, the darkened
atmosphere, and by the binding seet and rain.
which were forced upon them irresistably by a flu
rious wind. No shelter could be found to protect
Col. Pike and his company from the violence of the
storm, or other place, where they could expect any
considerable mitigation of its severity. One was
hnaly hXed upon, hollow, wherein to spend the
night. The enemy, by some MEANS obtained in
tellgence of our situation, and resolved upon a
night assault lie possessed many positive advan-
tages over us. The country was much diversified
by hills and dales and large part of it was dense
ly covered with woods. These were perfectly ia
millar to most of the enemy, but unknown to Col.
Pike, or his command except partially and througb
the representation Of others. The enemy besides
were four or five to one of us in numerical force
and could, II repElscd, retreat to known place OF
safety. Such were the fearful odds against which
| Col Pike had to contend.
The enemy's plan was to surround our force, and
! commence an attack at several points simultane.
ousy, and by such an arrangement cut off all re.
| treat, and thereby compel a surrender The attack
was made accordingly, and scene ensued which
| dehes description. Our command stood in solid
column, or formed hollow square, or charged up
on the foe agreeaby to orders, and as occasion re
CURED; The darkness of the night was more un
favorable to the enemy than TO us. He was placed
upon higher ground and when heavy cloud was
drifted past and dim light emitted from the stars
through the intervening haze, became ready mari
for our best shots; and the bayonets of Col Pixies
command taught lesson that night TO the surroun
ding foe, which he little expected to learn from
such quarter. When his ranks were broken, ant
forced to give ground in hurried retreat, it wal
dlhcut to rally and form them again and the sep
alaled parts OF the same corps would meet, and, il
the noise and confusion of the moment, fire upoI
each other, unable to distinguish the hailing word
IN the deaiening roar of winds and woods. Gu
own troops suffered some from the same causes
They were enjoined, imperatvey, to keep in clos
order and condensed. Difficult as such an orde
was, under the circumstances for strict and uniform
observance, it was, nevertheless generally obeyed
Yet some young officers, of impusive Temperament,
ana excited by the contest rushed unestrainedl,
with their commands upon the foe, and drove him
! with precipitation, some distance from the mail
body and had occasion to rue their temerty. TIT
hight lasted about two hours; and many realize,
there, Tor the first time the dangers and horrors
| nocturnal engagement in such night as tina
was The firlng ceased, and the enemy withdrew
and all was again quiet but the elements. The at
} TACK was renewed an hour or SO AFTER and contin
ued about three-fourths Of an hour; but with M
better success than beiore and again the foe with
drew. It was now past midnight, and Col Pike
alter waiting some time for another demonstration
OF1praI L..
posted, and the residue of his command to seel
what repose they could obtain upon their arms. un
I'll morning. Even the fit(ul slumbers of such
situation were grateful and refreshing to the wea
RED and exhausted soldier. Col. Pike made no at
tempt to sleep that night After the hum and cas-
ual talk OF the little encampment had died ava,
into silence Col Pike, with one or two iavorite sub
ordlnates, drew up to halfsmohered fire, III,
smoke of which, edying about in circles for few
minutes, rose gradually in spiral columns from III,
hollow, until stricken iorcibly and blown off by IN,
upper current which had been blowing gale, Blu