The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-30

possession. Here the bold rlf1enen were
compelled 10 half, for the main part ofhi:
column still fingered behind, founderine
through the drifts. His position atthis mo
ment was dreadiully trying 10 brave man
Daylight had not yet dawned, and nothing
had been heard from Montgomery, and the
snow kept falling in an overwhelming show
Grand blowing luriously in the soldiers faces
AS amid the gloom and tempest, he stood
and listened, bright flashes would open in The
darkness on every side, followed by the rat
lie ofnusketry and roar ofcannon, and death
cry OF his followers while he could Lot see
a step forward. and all was uncertainty and
terror. Involved in this mystery, ignorant oil
the fate of his comrades, the men began TO be
terrified, and it was only by the repeated
promises of a glorious victory that Morgan
kept Them frm.-He ran back TO the barrier
and shouted through the storm 10 those be-
hind TO hurry up. Reinforced at length by
two companies, and the morning beginning
10 dawn, he made last desperate effort.
Close by was secoRd barrier protected by
a battery which would open on his column
the moment he turned an angle in the street.
But borne up by that lofty courage which
despises death, he hurried on his men, and
with terrible voice that was heard above
The roar Of muskety, summoned them to the
assault. Pressing after that fierce she ut,
with ansN ering shouts they rushed TO the
charge-they turned a corner of the street
they met front to front an English detach-
ment, just salying from the battery TO repel
the attack. The commanding officer called
out to the Americans to lay down their arms.
Morgan seizipg musket, shot him dead in
his footsteps, and again shouted Forward,
my brave fellows!' With levelled bayonets
they swept onward, when the English fled
BEHIND their battery and closed the barrier
Then occurred most desperate and hand 10
hand fight. Swept by destructive fire in
front, and still more deadly fire from the
houses on each side of the street, where they
were packed, the soldiers pressing close after
their intrepid leader, staggered up to the very
mouths of the cannon. Some of them pla-
cling ladders against The barrier. clined up,
but the bayonets glisrening from below de
| tered them from leaping down. Unable
longer to stand the calling fine which cut
| them down like grass, they fed into the hons-
es for Shelter until at length Morgan stood
almost alone before the barrier, while few
with him were covtr.d with snow, and
scarcely able 10 hold their wet and dripping
muskets in their benumbed hands. Looking
! coolly around him he saw the streets nearly
deserted OF his followers, and he shouted to
them 10 return, and strove by his words, and
more than all BY his personal daring, to re-
vive their courage. Vain effort; human
resolution could go no further and his brave
heart sunk within him when he orr cred the
retreat TO be sounded. But his troops, thor
oughy dishearteped, would not venture out
again into the deadly FIRE. even to retreat, and
Morgan soon found himself surrounded by
the enemy. Gathering his few remaining
troops about him. he resolved TO cut his
way through the ranks, but their overwhel-
ming and rapidly increasing numbers con-
WINGED him it would be hopeless effort, and
he was compelled 20 surrender. The storm
still ragged, and all along the way where those
two columns had passed were strewn corpses,
many Of them now became mere hilocks of
snow. The rapidly falling flakes had blotted
out the stain of blood, and already wrapped
a shroud around the brave dead. But the
noblest form of all was that of Mont gomery.
Young Burr had lifted the body on his shout
ders, and endeavored to bear il off, but was
compelled to abandon it to the enemy.
HIS CHARACTER.
OF chivalric courage and that magnanimity
Of heart which ever wins the affections of
soldier, he was beloved BY his friends and
ancc was striking in the extreme. Superbly
formed, handsome. and full Of enthusiasm
and daring, he was perfect specimen of a
military leader. HIS eye was dark and lus
trinus, and on ordinary occasions beamed
with benevolence and feeling, but in the ex-
element OF battle flashed with terrible bril-
liancy. He was inclined to be dreamy and
reiective,a and spoke but i'tle unless aroused.
and then his words fell like burning Goals on
the hearts of these who heard him. Not
stain sullid his character, and his heart was
true atevery sentiment of virtue. and the very
seat of honor.-He was but thirty-nine years
of age when he fell on this disastrous field. |
Had he lived, he would have stood first a.
mong our military leaders, and as true pat |
riot and statesman.
Many have blamed him for hazarding an
attack on Quebec with so small force, but |
what else could have been done.-To have |
abandoned the project after all the expense |
and labor II had cost without an effort, would |
have subjected him TO still severer condem |
nation. Both his reputation and the honor |
OF his country forbade this. TO keep his |
men together. ravaged by the small pox and |
encamped in open fields of snow. was impos- |
sible. There remained, therefore. but one |
alternatve-to attempt to carry the city by |
assault. 1t Jailed. Had il been successful, |
it would have been regarded most brilliant
exploit, not only in its execution, but in its |
conception. But for the sudden fall of the |
two leaders, Arnold and Montgomery, the |
fate of the day might have been different. |
The Truth is Montgomery was required to do |
what could not be accomplished with the limi- |
ted means at his disposal, and failed, not. |
through lack of courage, or skill, OF perse
verance, but from want of sufficient force |
He did all that a brave man and noble officer |
could do, and he fell 10 the effort His bright |
and promising career suddenly closed in
darkness, and freedom incurred another of
her champions fallen.
LAWS OF VERMONT.