Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-11
From the Y. Q. Delta
REVOLUTIONARY VALOR.

Whilst engaged in adniring and eulogizing
the recent deeds of bravery of our gallant
Generals and soldiers in Mexico, it may not
be out of place, or inappropriate to the times,
to revive the remembrance of some Of those
achievements which distinguished our revolu-
tionary contest, and gave to our national gal
axy 50 many bright and illustrous names. In
Headley's lively work of Washington and his
Generals, we find the following spirited and
vigorous description of one of the most bril-
liant victories in the War of independence -
sToRMING OF STONY POINT.
&c But the most brilliant action of Wavne's
life, and one of the most Illustrative of his
character, was the storming of Stony Point.
Washington, at Wavne's request, had organi-
zed corps of light infantry, and put him over
it, with directions to take this stronghold
This fortress was apparently impregnab!e to
any storming party; for, situated on hill, it
was washed by the Hudson On two sides,
while on the other lay marsh which every
tide overfowed Besides these natural defen-
ces, a double row of dbattis surrounded the
entire hill, and on the top were high ramparts
bristling with cannon. Six hundred veteran
troops garrisoned this rock; sufficient, one
would think, to defend it against five times
the number But it was no common obstacle
that could deter Wayne when once his mind
was made up, and he determined, formidable
as it was, to execute the task assigned him or
perish in the attempt 1t is said that while
conversing with Washington on the proposed
expedition, he remarked General, if you
will only plan it, will storm HI
"He carefully reconnoitered the ground,
and having ascertained the exact position of
things, formed his plan of attack On the 9Th
of July, 1879, he started from Sandy Beach,
fourteen miles distant. and at eight in the even
ing arrived within mile and half of the
fortress. It was now twilight; and the mild
summer evening with its cooling breeze stole
over the water-the stars came out one by one
on the sky, and the tranquil river flowed by
in majestic silence, and all was sweet and
peaceful While nature was thus reposng in
beauty around him, Wayne, with his strong
soul wrought up to the task before him, stood
in the gathering shades of the evening, and
gazed long and anxiously in the direction OF
the fort
cover hills, across morasses. and along the
broken shores of the Hudson, he had led his
little army noiseessly. in Indian file, and now
waited for the deepening night to lock his en-
emes in slumber Still undiscovered by the
garrison, he began to reconnoitre the works
more closely, and at half-past eleven put his
columns in motion. He divided his army into
two portions, one of which was to enter the
fortress on the right, and the other on the left
In advance of each went a forlorn-hope OF
twenty men. to remove the piles of rubbish
that were stretched in double rows around the
rock, and placed just where the batteries could
NOW down the assailants fastest. Behind
these forlorn hopes marched two companies OF
a hundred and fifty men each. Wayne knew
that every thing must rest on the bayonet, and
so he ordered the load of every musket of those
two companies to be drawn, while the frs!
man who should take his from his shoulder OIL
utter a word without orders, or attempt to re-
treat, was to be put to death by the officer
nearest him. Silently these devoted bands
submitted to the desperate measures, and fix
ing piece of white paper in their caps to dis
tinguish them from the enemys calamity mo-
we'd fol ward at the low word of command. Al
midnight the two columns, headed BY their
forlorn-hopes, came in sight of the fortress
along whose dark rampaFts the sentinel wa;
lazily treading his accustomed round, while
the deep 'All's WELL fell family on The lis
tening ear. Grim and still the huge blacf
rock doomed up against the sky, soon to shake
with it's own thunder, and stand blazing vol
cano in the midnight heavens. Noiseless ant
swift the fearless patriots kept on their way
when 10 as they came to the marsh the!
saw only smooth sheet OF wateF-the tld