Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-07-23
From Noah's Weekly Messenger

their first days, as shrewd Incompatible truckers,
and common consent was pretty near rl9ht al
that time. Whether the Yankees are a match for
opposition now, we leave 20 older and wiser hoads
to determine. We gained Independence by
sheer force Of arms. Now and then fortune did
favor our side with little extraordinary @
won't or circumstance. but not very frequently
1t was fight twenty times where II was manduvre
successfully The English, always on the
look out for squalls and yankee tricks" not
unfrequcntiy deceived themselves IN the most IL
dicrous manner.
In the month of May, 1914, Sir James lco,
with fleet Of vessels TO the number OF thlrt' en-,
of various sizes, appeared oil the mouth Of the
Gonessce, threatening TO nnnlhilate Rochester,
and destroy every improvement and person in the
vicinity. Great alarm was created by this
Messengers were despatched at once throughout
tho country for aid. Tho people were aroused
like tho fiery cross of Rhoderick Dhu tho SUM
mons sped, and what think ye was the result! In
Rochester there were then ust thirty-threc peo-
pie capable Of bearing arms, and about half a
dozen came in to hel them. Truly formidable
army to repel an English fleet, md oppose clev-
er offshot Of British forces. The first thing the
little band of Americans did 10 throw up q
breast work, rudo and slight the deep ho-
low, beside the Lower Falls. This brcnst-work
was called Fort Bender. They then hurried down
tho junction of the Genessee and lake Onta-
rio, because there the enemy declared they would
several small boys, TO remove the women and
children into tho woods in tho British should
land for the provisions, and the destruction of the
bridge at Rochester.
The Rochester forces commanded by
Francis Brown and Elisha Ely, who acted as ca p
tains. Isaac w. Stone was appointed ma ior.-
The Americans were elegantly accoutered in va
rious garments, Of shapes and makes almost an
tedcuvian. No two dressed alike
Certainly they all had firearms; but thoy wore
not fashioned in the same style. The discipline
OF these troops was as curious as their costume
and equipments. But if they displayed awk-
ward front to the warlIko eye, thoy also exhibit
cd sagacty and courage-two qualities quite as
much needed pretty uniform and good tao
tics. The enemy watched the shore proceedings
with considerable interest. They beheld, as the J
supposed, numerous bodies of militia marching to
head quarters, and preparing TO give them q warm
reception. To deceive tho English tho forty
men marched and countermarched necessarily
through the woods. from point to point, in such u
manner as to convince tho soldiers III tho vessels
that tho whole country was q ronsed and preparing
for action. The English thought it was high
time to be cautious, and therefore sent an officer
with flag of truce to the shore. One of the
militia captains, with ten of tho best looking and
most soldier like men, were sent to the officer
They carried their upright might be
consisten with their plan Of being ready for ac-
ton, by keeping hold of the Triggers.
Tho British officer astonishcd. IIo looked
all kinds Of things, uttorablo and unute rabe and
with swelling crest said:
'sSir, do you receive flag of truce Il n d c r
arm and with cooked triggers 2I''
"Excuse me, beg" said tho American captain,
"wo not soldiers, only backwoodsmon, and
know moro about telling timber and following the
plough than of military tactics; saying which the
American to rcctify his first error, ordered his
mon to ground arms!
of octIn holt ho Rr;t,
He looked indignant-then susplcous-tho
little terrliied--and at last delivered brief mes
sage in haste, and incontinenty sought tho fleet
again. He declared that tho ignorance of tactics
was fcgned to draw tho commodore into some
snare, and informed those who sent him that some
"Yankee trick" was under process of develop
mcnt.
The British wanted tho spoils, but they were
too suspicious to attempt landing, if by making
a compromise they could secure part of them
Accordingly another officer, with another flag of
truce, was sent TO parley. Captain Francis Brown
was this time deputed to receive the officer
Brown took guard with him.
The British officer looked very suspiciously up
on Brown and upon the guard. He conversod
with the utmost caution, and walked as If no
pcctcd either TO find trap door, springing
mine beneath his feet. After spending short
time in conversation, tho officer suddenly Giscov-
cred that tho width and clumsy aspect of Captain
Browns garments betokoned something not ex-
acty right. He thought that Brown a reg
ulnr officer of tho American army, and that his
rcgimentals were masked, for some s,ratagom, by
clumsy and hastily mado ovorclothsa. Impressed
with this idea, the Briton suddenly grasped
Browns pan.aloons by tho knee. exclaimed half
loosely, What pity such excellent cloth should
be spoiled by a bunging tailor
Brown smelt out the object of the officers
movement, and quick wiited, he carelessly re-
Piled
"Oh! was this morning prevented from dress
distinguished visitors"
Tho officer thon made proposition that if the
provisions and stores which might be in and about
Rochester were delivered up, Sir james leo
would spare the settlements around.