Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-11

was up, HooolhS the "HoIe ground. The
brave fellows paused moment, as this new
and unexpected obstacle crossed their path,
but. at the stern forward of their leaders.
they boldly plunged in, and without drum
or bugle note TO cheer their steady courage,
moved IN dead silence straight. on the pail
sades. The noise had now alarmed the senti-
nels, and the rapid discharge Of their muskets
through the gloom, was followed by lights,
moving swiftly about upon the ramparts, and
hurried shouts OF 10 arms to arms :" and
the fierce roll of drums, rousng up the garri-
son from It's dream of security The next mo-
ment that dark rock was one mass of flame,
as the artillery and musketry opened along
its sides, shedding lurid light on the coun-
! tenances Of the men below, and Adrance !
ddrdnce p rung in startling accents along the
ranks
1.-The ramparts were alive with soldiers, and
amid shouts and hurried words of command,
the fiery torrent from the summit kept rolling
on those devoted men. The water around them
was'driven into spray by the grape shot and
balls that fell in an incessant shower, while
the kissing, bursting shells, traversing the air
in every direction, added inconceivable terror
10 the scene. Yet those forlorn hopes toiled
vigorously on, and heaved away at the ahat-
It's TO open gap for the column, that, with
out returning shot, stood and crumbled under
the fire, waiting with fixed bayonets to rush
to the assault. At the head of one of these
was Wayne, chatting like lion in the tolls, at
the obstacles that arrested his progress The
forlorn- hope in front of him worked steadily
on in the very blaze of the batteries, and the
rapid blows of their axes were heard in the
intervals of the thunder of artillery that shook
the midnight air, while one after another drop
ped dead in his footsteps, till out of the twenty
that started, only three stood up unframed
Yet still their axes fell steadily and strong un-
til an opening was made, through which the
columns could pass, and the shout of Wayne
was heard above the din and tumut, summon.
ing, his followers on.-With fixed bayonets
they marched sternly through the portals
made at such noble sacrifice, and pressed fu
rousy forward-through the morass-ovel
every obstacle-up to the very mouths of the
cannon, and up the rocky activity, they storm
ed on, crushing everything in their passage
Towering at the head of his shattered column
pointing still onward and upward with hi:
glittering blade, and sending his thrilling shou
back over his followers, Wayne stood steadily
up the height, till at length, struck in the heaC
by musket ball, he fell backward amid the
ldllhS' INSTANTLY llSIuS OIl Ouc kIlGe, lie CIlet
out-'' March on! Garry me into the fort
for I will die at the head of my column p
And those heroes put their brave arms arounC
him and bore him onward.-Not shot was
fired, but taking the rapid volleys on their I'm
shrinking breasts, their bayonets glittering il
the flash of the enemy's guns, they kept OF
over the living and dead, shifting down tn,
veteran ranks that threw themselves in vail
valor before them, till they reached the centr
+ of the fort, where they met the other column
which, over the same obstacle, had achieved
the same triumph. At the sight of each other
one loud shout shook the heights and rolleC
down the bleeding line-was again sent bach
till the heavens rung with the wild huzZas
and then the flag of freedom went up ant
Haunted proudly away on the midnight air
The thick volumes of smoke that lay arount
, that rock slowly lifted up the Hudson, 1h'
stars appeared once more in the sky, and al
was over. The lordly river went sweeping
by as it had done during the deadly strife tina
cast such baIeful light on its bosom, AM
darkness and death-like silence shrouded tn,
shores. Mournfully and slow those forlorl
hopes and their brave companions who hat
fallen in the assault, were brought up from
their CORY beds and conveyed to the grave
"Wayne's wound proved not to be severe
the ball having only grazed the skull for two
inches, and he lived to wear the laurels
grateful nation placed on his brow. The
country rung with his name, and Congress
presented him with Il gold medal. The whole
plan of the assault was most skilfuIly laid
and the bearing of Wayne throughout gallan
in the extreme. He chose the post of DANCE
at the head of his column, and led his mel
where even the bravest m; ght shrink to follow
icaIly demanded to be carried forward, that h,
might die in the arms of victory, or be lef
where the last stand was made. His troop!
were worthy of such leader, and more gal
liant officers never led men into batt!e'