The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-06-26
Vol. 10. No, 40, Whole No. 5l7,

fog lay on tho lake, botting even tho shores
from view, but as the sun rose, it lifted and
rolled gently away before the morning breeze
revealing the whole British fleet within few
miles of them. In few moments cloud
ofcanvass was moving slowly down upon
them, presenting beautiful appearance in
the rising sun. Arnold's galley, together with
the Washington and four gondolas, were so
disabled that they had fhllen nstern during tho
night, while the rest ofthe fleet, now barely
discernibe in the distance, was crowding all
sail for Grown Point. On these disabled
vessels the whole force oftho enemy now adj
vanced. At the first broadside, the Wash
ington shamofully struck, and Arnold in his
riddled galley, with only four gondolas, was
left to meet the shock alone. To fight SEEM
ed utterly useless, nay, madness itself, but
he had never yet learned tho word surrender,
and so gathered his iow bouts around him
and opened tue battle. A ship of eighteen
guns, TWO schooners, one Of fourteen and u
mother Of twelve, making III ali forty four
guns poured at once their concentrated and
destructive fire upon his single vessel. Shat
tered so dreadfully from It's former engage
mcnt, and enveoped in such destructive
fire, that poor galley seemed hardly worth a
hope. But its brave commander cast n look
Of stern defiance on his foe as the first broad
side Numbered over the water, then pointing
his own guns, closed fcrcely in with him.
Nothing could exceed the excitement Of the
conflict at this moment That single galley,
too crippled 10 fly and too proud TO suren-
der, envelopeG byher foes, keeping her flag
flying amid the smoke and carnage, was one
of the sublimest sights the eye ever rested
upon. Beneath those heavy and concentra-
ted broadsdcs she trcmblcd from stern 10
stern, and roeled and rocked on the wnter
but when the smoke lifted, there still floated
the flag, and beneath its folds stood Arnold,
the impersonation of calm courage and hero
ic daring. The planks were splitting about
him, and the splintcrs ol'the shivered timbers
flying through the air on every side, yet he
still maintained the fight. linus hour after
hour he struggled in this unequal contest,un-
I'll ut length other boats ofthc enemy arrived,
and advanced to the attack. With Sercn Ue8-
sells around him. hcmming him in and pouring
in broadside after broadsdc, ne still disdain-
ed 10 surrender. In the very centre of this
fleet covering him with cloud Of canvass,
aud drawing their circle offrc near and near
or every moment,he stood like n tiger at bay.
For four terrible hours he had continued this
unequal combat, and now a perfect wrcrk,he
saw his vessel must inevitably be lost. But
scoruing to fall into the hands of the enemy,
he put forth one of those great and desperate
efforts for which he was remarkable, and
breaking tiercely through the ships, run his
galley and four gondoas ashore in small
creek and set fire TO them. He then ordered
the marines 10 leap overheard, musket in
hand, and wade to the beach, and there fire
on the small boats if they veutured to APP
proach. For hilnselfhc remained all alone
aboard his burning galley, with his flags fly
ing over his head. developed in smoke, he
stood and watched the fierce flames rs they
gained on the vessel, until they had advanc-
ed too far to be eXtingushed and then sprung
into the water ard joined his men on shore,
There never was n more gallant achievement
performed than this, or n nobler exhibition
of courage and daring. A more thrilling
subject for the painter cannot be conceived
than that galley presents amid the broadsides
of her foes or wrapped in flames with her
flags flying and Arnold on her slippery deck,
while the guns of the enemy are still thun-
doring on her mangled form. With smile
ofproud defiance on his lip rs he gazes off
OH the baflled enemy, and his brow knit like
ironin stern resolve, he presents n picture on
which it grieves us no should ever have cast
such Il dreadful shadow. One third of the
entire number he had on board his vessel had
fallen, showing how severely he had suffered.
The country rung with his praises and his
brilliant achievements were in every mans
mouth.