Litchfield enquirer., 1847-01-21
MfSceIIaMp.
ST0RMENG OF STONY
POINT,
A Romance of the Revolution.

and shadowy prospect, disclosed TO them
along the bank Of the river opened to the
sight. Far away lay Verplank's point,
now buried in a mass OF shadow, while
on the river, dark and frowning, rose up
the craggy heights of Stony Point
Washed on three sides by the Hudson,
and protected on the other, except along
u narrow road, by morass, the fort was
deemed one of the most impregnable on
the river-and its capture was regarded
as almost impossible. Yet to achieve
that gallant purpose, this little army was
now on its march.
A turn in the road, soon hid them from
the river, and aftera silent march ofsome
minutes duration they arrived within
three miles and half Of the encmy's
line, and halting at the command of their
officer, formed into columns for the at
tack. Reginning again their march,
they reached the marshy ground at the
base OF the hill.
'Hst!' said the low voice Of the gene
raj from the front, we are nigh enough
Halt =
The order passed in whisper down
the line, and the column paused on the
edge Of the morass. 1t was moment
of suspense and peril. Every man felt
that in few maments the fate of their
haZ ardous enterprise would be deter
mined, ard they would either be cold in
death, OF the American flag wave in tri-
umph over the dark promontory ahead,
now scarcely discernable through the
thick gloom of midnight. Yet not lip
quivcrcd nor blunchcd at that crisis
About twenty PAGES in the front column,
had halted the forlorn hope Of ore hun
dred and fifty men, with unoaded pieces
and bayonels fixed, While farther on,
small group of shadowy forms could be
seen through the obsculity, accouiercd
with axes, to cut TIN rough the abalts -
Each man had piece of white paper in
his hat to distinguish him from the toe in
the approaching melee. The pause was
momcntary. The General had already
recommended the approaches TO the still
silent promontory, and waving his sword
on high, he gave the order. In another
instant, the dark massive column was
moving steady to the attack.
1t was thrilling moment, during
which that devoted band rushed rapidly
over the marsh. AS yet the enemy had
not discovered them. Even tho hearts of
the oldest veterans trcmbled with the
cagcrncss OF the mon chi Of suspense
Already had The foremost Of the pioneers
reached the abattis, and the quick, rapid
blows of their axes rung upon the nigh.
when suddenly the shout of alarm broke
from the fort, the gun Of sentry flashed
through the gloom, and in an instant all
was uproar and confu sion within the as
,onished fertilization. Not moment
was to be lost
advance advance = shouted Wayne
as he pressed rapidly EDWARDS towards
the abattis followed in dcath-like silence
by his indomitaole troops.
TO arms y came borne on the night
breeze from the fort-'to arms-to arms
and then followed the quick roll of the
drum. Imam instant the enemy were a
their posts, and the gallant continental:
still maintained their silent and steady
march-a fire such only as desperation
could produce, burst from every embra
sure of the fort. The incessant rattle 0
the musketry and the gra1e shot, anc
lurid light hung over the scene by tht
explosion of the shells, and streams of fir
pouring from the fort, formed picture
no pen can describe. Yet amid it all the
2 daring assailants steadily advanced ant
not a trigger had been pulled in thei
ranks. Faithful to the command of the
! General, though trembling in every limt
, with eagerness, they kept up their silen
I march amid the frey tempest, as if i'm
PEELED by some godlike power. On-ol
! on they pressed. The whirlwind o
! fire from the fort ceased not still the,
: dashed along charging at the point o
E the bayonet, over the abattis and bull
| warks until the enemy, borne back b.
s the impetuous onset, quailed before them
The works were forced. Then, not til
then, was the death-like silence broken
A sound rung out from the victoriou
a troops over all the thunder of battle
IA II was the watchword of success. 1t wa
S heard by the head Of the column benin
/ it passed down their line, was caught u
=, by the rear and a wild shout making til
n very welkin trcmble, rang out as the
10 dashed to the attack.
y The contest was short, but terrific
m Over bulwarks, battery, and prostrat
re foes, the gallant continentals, headed b
:" Wayne, pressed on, and driving all befor