The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-06-16
StOrming of Stony Point
A RoMANcE or rHE REvoLurIc

ROMANCE THE REVOLUTIONS.
The night had already settled down gloomy and
forebodng, tho evening of the 9th of July, l77s,
when the advancing column of little army whose
uniform beokened it to be- American, emerged from
n thick wood on the shore Of the Hudson and in an
instant the dim shndowy prospect disclosed to thom
along the banks Of the river opened to the sight Far
away lay Verplanks point, now buried in a mass of
shadow, while on the river, dark, gloomy and frown-
ing up to the crasgy heights of Stony Point -
Washed three sides Of the Hudson and protected
the other, except along road by morass,
the fort deemed one Of the most impregnable on
the river; and its capture regarded almost impossible.
Yet to achieve that gallant purpose this little army
upon its march.
turn in the road md hem from the river. and az
ter silent march of some minutes Duration they ar
rived within three miles and half Of the enemy's
line, and hating at the command Of their officer,
formed into colemns for the attack. Beginning again
their march, they reached the marshy ground at
the base of the hill.
Hist said the low vo,e ofthe General from front,
I'VE nigh enough-tIalt'
The order passed in whisper down the line, and
the column paused on the edge Of the 1t
a moment of suspense and peril Every felt that
in few minutes the fate oCheir hazardous enterprise
would be determined and that they would either be
cold in death, the American flag IN triumph wave
tho dark promontory ahead, now scarcely dis
cernible through the thick gloom Of the midnight
Yet not lip quivered, a check blanched at that
crisis About twenty PAGES in the front column, had
halted the fororn hope OF one hundred and fv men,
with uuloaded pieces and bay ixed while rarth
,,Cs hal C,r k,
through the obscurty. Each man had a piece of
white paper in his hat to distinguish h,m from the foe
in the approaching melee The pause was momen-
tary. The General had already reconnoered the ap-
proaches TO tho still silent promontory, and waving
his sword on high, he gave the order. In an other
instant, the dark massive columns moving stead
lily to the attack.
1t was thrilling moment, during which that de-
voted band rushed rapidly the marsh, As yet
the enemy had not discovered them Even the hearts
of the oldest trembed with the eagerncss of
that moment of suspense. Already had the foremost
of the pioneer rushed the abatts. and the quick rap
id blows of their rung upon the night, when sud-
denly the shout of alarm broke from the FORT the gun
of sentry flashed through the gloom, and in in
slant all uprour and confusion within the aston
isAed fortfcaton. Not moment was 10 be lost.
Advance! advanced shouted Wayne, he press
ed rapidly onward to the abattis followed in death
like silence by his indomitable troops
ITO arms!' came born on the night breeze from
the fort-'to arms-to arms, and then followed
the quick roll Of the drum. In instant, the enemy
were at their posts, and the gallant contnentas still
maintained their silent but steady march, fire, such
as only desperation could produce, burst from every
embrasure of the fort. The ncessent rattle Of mus
kerry, the crashing of the grapeshot, and Iurd light
hung over the by the explosion of the shells,
and streams Of fire pouring from the fort, formed
picture which no pen can describe. . ...
Yet amid it all the daring assalants steadily advanc-
ed, not trigger had been pulled in their ranks -
Faithful to the command of their General, though
trembling in every limb with eagerness they kept up
their silent march, amid the 6rery tempest. as if i'm
PEELED by some god-like power On-on--on they
pressed. The whirlwnd of fire from the fort ceased
not, yet still they dashed along charging at the point
Of the bayonet over the abattis and bulwarks until
the enemy, borne back by their imPetuous onset
quailed before them. The works were forced. Then
not till then was their death-ike silence broken
A sound rung out from the victorious troops over all
the thunder of the battle-H was the watchword of
success 1t was heard by the head of the column
behind il was passed down their line, caught
up by the rear and wild shout, making the very
welkin trembe, rang out as they dashed TO the at
tack. -.t. .. ...
The contest was short but terrific Over bulwarks,
battery, md PROSTATE foes the gallant coniinentals