The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-09-10
SIORMING OF STONY POINT.
A Romance of the Revolution.

the lsh of July, l776, when the advancing
column of little army, whose uniform be-
lokend II TO be the American, emerged
from ithick wood on the shore of the Hud-
son, ad IN an instant the whole dim and
shadoly prospect, disclosed TO them along
The bak oil the river, opened to the sight,
Far a'ay lay Verplank's Point, now buried
In mss OF shadow, while on the other side
OF Inc river, dark, gloomy, and frowning,
rose u the craggy heights of Stony Point.
"ashd on three sides by the Hudson, and
proteced on the other, except along a mar
row rod, by morass, the fort was deemed
one ofthe most impregnable upon the river;
and IFS capture almost impossible. Vel TO
achieve this gallant purpose, this little army
was nov upon its march.
A turn in the road soon hid them from
The rlv'r and after silent march for some
minutes duration, they arrived within mile
and half of the enemy's lines, and hallng
at the oommand of their officer, formed into
columns for the attack. Beginning again
their march, they soon reached the marshy
groundat the base of the hill.
''His!" said the low voice OF the Gene
raj, from the front 'we are nigh enough,
now, H4LT.n
The order had passed in whisper down
theillne, and the column paused on the edge
OF the norass. 1t was moment of sus
Pense aad peril. Every man felt that in
few mHutes the fate of their hazardous en-
terprise would be determined, and that they
would either be cold in death, or the Ameri-
can Flag waving in triumph over the dark
promontory ahead, now scarcely discernable
through the thick gloom of midnight. Yet
not lip qnivered, not a cheek blanched in
that crisis About twenty PAGES in front of
the column, had halted the forlorn hope of
one hundred and fifty men with unloaded
pieces and bayoneis fixed, while further, a
small groupof shadowy forms could be seen
through the obscuriiy, accoutered with axes
to cut through the abattis. Each man had
a piece of white paper in his hat to distin-
gush him from the foe in the approaching
melee. The pause, however, which afford
ed the prospect was but momentary. The
General bad already reconnoilered the ap-
proaches TO the still silent promontory, and
waving his sword on high he gave the order.
In another instant the dark massive column
was moving steadily TO the attack.
1t was thrilling moment, during which
that devoted band crossed rapidly over the
marsh As yet The enemy had not discover
Grams trem5feu WIN me ugrtuess NUr Tuat
moment OF suspense. Already had the fore
most pioneers reached the abattis,-and the
quick, rapid blow of their axes rung upon
the night, when suddenly shout oil alarm
broke from the fort, the gun of sentry
flashed through the gloom, and in an instant
all was uproar and confusion within the as
tonished ratification. Not moment was
to be lost.
advance! ADVANCED shouted Wayne, as
he passed rapidly on towards the abattls, fol-
lowed in death-like silence by his indomita'
bic troops.
$40 arms!" came borne on the nigh
breeze from the fort-''to arms-to arms,
and then followed quick roll of the drum
IN an instant the enemy were at their posts
and as the gallant continentals still maintain
ed their silent but steady march, a fire, sucl
as only desperation could produce, burs
/ from every embrasure of the fort. The in
cessant rattle of the musketry, the roar o
the artillery, the crashing of grape shot, ant
the lurid light flung over the scene by The
explosion of the shells, and the stream
! fire pouring from the fort, formed pIctur,
which no pen can describe. Yet amid
all, the daring assailants steadily advanced
though not trigger had been pulled Il
their ranks. Faithful 10 the command c
their General, though trembling in ever
limb with eagerness they kept up their s
lent march, amid the fiery tempest, as
impelled by some godlike power. Ono
ON they passed. The whirlwind of fir
from the fort ceased not; vel still the
dashed along, charging at the point of tn
baVOnet, over abaltiS and bulwark, until tn
enemy surprised by they impetuous onse
quailed before them. The works wer
forced. Then, and not till then, was tn
death-like silence broken. A sound run
out from the victorious troops over all tn
battle. Ii was the walch-word of success
Ii was heard by the head of the column be
hind, it was passed down their line, W;
caught by the rear, and wild shout. mai
ing the welkin tremble, rung out as the
dashed to the attack.
The contest was short but terrific. OV'
bulwark, battery, and PROSTATE foe, the ga
liant continentals, headed by Wayne, passe
on, and driving all before them, met til
column Of their little army, with an enthus
aslic cheer, in the very centre of the emf
my's works. In another moment, the star
f flag of America waved triumphantly ov'
the battlements.
!, The enthusiasm of the victors cannot
! described. But though the contest b;
! been so bloody, not man OF the enemy ie
after the resistance ceased. The Prlsone
/ were disarmed, guard placed over the'
v and sentres posted on all the commando
positions around the works. The mornll
gun announced to the British feet, in 4