Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-06-24
3WhOle No. SS7.

orders To your duty, brother ofiiceIsJ
to your duty.
Soon after Putnam on horseback came
rushing down the hill to the lines, where
he dismounted and tied the horse to an
apple tree that stood in the rear OF the
breastwork. He came forward as fast
as his lame leg would let him, and pass
ing along the lines, said -
"Now, my boys, the enemy are adj
vancing. They think you'll run at the
appearance Of first charge, because
they are disciplined, and you are not
Now know you-you can pick out
squirrels head, if not his eye, at the
right distance. Is a mans head less
than a squirrels : Don't fire till give
the word, and then look straight at The
ohiie Of their eyes, Be particular and
remember the officers. Strike up, there,
you drummer and ifer, as if the walls Of
Jericho were to fall before the rams horn
of Israel"
The drum and fife did strike up good
old tune, which seemed 10 tickle all ears
along the lines and in the redoubt, the
drummers and ffers caught it up, the
soldier farmers heard it, and three start
ling cheers rose up from the whole band
Of patriots on the hill, sending an echo
abroad that for moment stopped the
RANKS Of the British on their way TO the
heights.
"What does that sound mean ?" said
General Howe to his aid, Capt. Sher-
win, as they advanced at the head Of tire
British troops.
"Really, I am a. loss TO say, sir"
was the reply.
Bah what did they know Of II. II
was the glorious tune Of YANKEE
DOODLE EsiO perpetua.
And now onward they come--the ligh,
infantry companies advancing along the
shore OF Mystic river-the grenadiers
making a deploy to the right of the re.
doubt, after filing around the road which
formed the circuit Of the hill, willis, the
forty third, thir,y-eighth, ,ffy-second and
fifth battalions, advanced in the position
designa in the orders Of Howe.
In these movements it happened that
the battalion of the fifth regiment, to-
ge,her with a portion of the light infantry
company of the twenty-third. or Royal
Welch Fusileers, "a company from
ref giment which had particularly distin-
uished itself in the battle Of Minden,
many wears before,) advanced quietly
tow ard the lines. Their gorgeous nui-
forms gli,ering in the sun, gave them a
beautiful appearance as they advanced
Nd the hill Here it was that Howe,
led on the attack. On they
come
Glorious moment !-gforious to those
defending their soil Orders had been
strictly given not to fire until forty yards
only were between them and their enemy
"A distance where the whites OF their
ewes" could be fully seen. In the
mean time the bands Of the British regi-
me nts played their merriest conquering
tunes, whilst the Americans listened with
eager ears, awaiting only the moment,
with guns resting on the bieastwork, tho
orders to fire.
Putnam lenned over the centre Of the
watching every movement.
From timo to time his eye glanced along
the line of muske,s lying upon the top of
the rough entrencbmen,, behind which
was resting body Of men with their I'M
gers upon the triggers, taking aim, yet
awaiting the word Of command to fre.
Nearer and nearer come the enemy
Their music does not the less seem 10
play, MOI their martial appearance to fall
ter but yet they are advancing to meet
with-pEArH II was indeed beauti-
ful sight to behold, from the humble re-
doubt and lines Of the Americans, the
advance Of such splendid troops. Their
march, seemed as il on parade.
Remember my instructions men,"
rang the voice Of Putnam you sha'i
soon have the order 10 fire os ouPlease.
I, was indeed instantaneous there
was a light curl Of smoke from the re-
doubt and ere the report had reached
tho breas,work, the voice Of Putnam ex-
claimed 10 tone Of thunder, "TIRE J"
In a second there rang along the lines
n continuous roar Of musketry resem-
bling a distant cannopadc. Each man
loaded and fred as fast as possible until
the smoke entirely concealed tho enemy.
II -.a.u..o.s Of me m nd off1cera