Litchfield enquirer., 1846-06-25
e PETAPH:
From NoaRs Ne,c York Weekly Messenger
THE FORGOTTEN GRAVE.
STORMING OF FORT MONT
GOMERY.

STORMING OF FORT MONT
GOMERY.
A summer or two ago, was on a visit in
Orange county for few days. and impro-
we'd my limited time in stroiling over the
ground made glorious in our revolutionary
annals. One fine afternoon, near the close
of the day, I stood by the ruins of Fort
Montgomery, thinking of that bloody assault
made by Sir Henry Clinton. in 4777, when
the fort was stormed and the garrison put to
the sword-at least such portions as were
unable to escape in the darkness ofthe night.
had seated myself on a small pile Of stones
that seemed to have been heaped UP for
some special purpose--for what knew not.
A countryman came along and saluted me
and we entered into conversation relating TO
events that had occurred around us.
"You are sitting on the grave of one of
the red coat officers now," said the country
man.
started Involuntary.
"Nhose grave?"
"Waal, cant exactly say. He wasn't a
Britisher, but a furriner for all that. They
telPd me was Polisher"
IA Pole! An, yes" I said," ~ recollect
now. This then is the grave of Count
Grabouski ?"
"Waal, that mought be his name. Inev-
er heerd it afore, as recollects."
And was it for this thought /, that the
young Polish nobleman sought fame and re-
nown? 70 leave his native land, enter into
the fight against those who had never inJu-
red him or his country! And here to fall I!
to lie in forgotten grave !--forgolton, for
those who passed by where he lay knew not
even his name, only that he was one o.:
those against the liberties fer which their
fathers battled! Poor Grabouski! If you
had fallen like your countryman, Pulaski,
on the side of freedom, or served US like nos
ciusko, your name would have been rem
embered with Joy and gratitude.
When Burgoyne left Canada on his ia
nous expedition, with an army that was
to "sirikc terror" into the Americans, it was
expected that at Albany (of course he was
to get THEREBY he should be Joined by large
dets chmen, of troops from the city of New
| York, under the command of Sir Henry
| Clinton; and that the next move would be to
penetrate through the New England States,
to Boston. The plan was certainly good
one, but it was really among the 'impossi-
bili,ies" as TO being carried out.
In September, l777, Burgoyne found
Gates in the way. barring further progress;
and things began to look SO bad in the VI
cinity of Saratoga, The extreme point to
which he penetrated, that he considered 1t
rather doubtful if he should be allowed to
retreat in quiet, to say nothing of advan'
cling. He despatched messenger 10 New
York, who managed to get through the
country without being suspected. with yer.
bal instructions to Sir Henry Clinton, that
unless he came up the Hudson to his aid
he was fearful that even his retreat would
be dangerous one.
Sir Henry, early in October embarked
three thousand men on board feet OF tram
sports, protected by two or three frigates and
a sloop of war, under the command OF COM
modore Hotham, and proceeded up the
North River, on voyage rendered memora-
BILE in our history for the burning and de-
yastation committed by the enemy.
Forts Clinton and Montgomery lie on the
opposi,e sides of Porolen's Creek, that runs
INTO the Hudson. The garrisons were not
numerous. for an attack from such force as
that of Sir Henry CLIFTON was not expected
Governor George Clinton, and his brother
General James Clinton, THE father of De.
witty were in command of the forts. The
first intimation they had of the approach OF
the enemy was on the 9Th of October, from
a countryman, who; seeing the ships and
transports coming up the Hudson some
miles below, Immediately mounted his hoF6e
and riding over the mountains through
bv-natb. carried the news TO Governor Gin
ton at Fort Montgomery.
| cd afnFhnrV /.
media,ely dispatched to Poughkeepse fol
more troops; but this fellow stopped purpose
" BY the way, never going to Poughkee psie
al all, and the Rext day joined the enemy
a. il was afterwards asceTtained. In the
meantime party of about thirty men were
sent over the Dunderbergh Mountains to
recounoitre. A mile or so from the fort they
UNEXPECTEDLY met the advance Of the inva.
ding forces, fired few shots, and retreated
back to the tort with the intelligence. Gov
ernor Clinton Immediately detached body
of men with a field piece, tO make stand
on the Orangetown road.
Sir Henry Clinton vided his army into
two columns-One of which, under his i'm
meditae command was to cross the creek
and attack Fort Montgomery; and the Other
under the command of Lieut.. Col. Camp
bell, was to attack Fort Clinton. The toll
ing up the Dunderbergh mountains rs not
very easy matter, and the British officers in
many instances had 10 dismount and make
their way on foot-among the rest Sir Hen
nv himself who was rather inclined to cor.
pulency, and not particularly fond Of walk
ing.
aRather fainting business this, Gracious
XII; worse than your Polish mountains will
such hard names"
"Yaas, your excellenza-vera bad noun
tain. this: but we have more higher In Pc
lands
Count Grabouski was a Young Pole;
/. volunteer aid TO Sir Henry Clinton in thi
expedition. 1have heard, bat DO not know ii