The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-23
Miscellaneous.
From the st. Adams Messenger.
"Reminiscences of Plattsburgh
Battle. ui... .1h...


,-----. ..|#...I FL.
II was known 10 the surrounding country
that the fleet of Macdonough lay of Platts-'
burpb, and that an attack was anticipated,
not merely on the land forces at that post,
which were understood to be deficient in
numbers but on the fleet. The whole ad-
Joining country was electrified, and every
FilIage and Hamlet poured forth its ready
Volunteers, who repaired at once to the
scene ofaction. ...t ;....r...-. ..f. -a
On Sabbath morning, Sept. 18th, 1914
while the naval force of the British were ell
countering Marlborough, and both he fleets
we're pouring into each other the entire meas
Ire and power of their respective ordnance,
The Village Of ST. Adams, on The Opposite
shore of the Lake, WINS the scene ofan Incl
dent sufficiently interesting 10 deserve pres
ovation. .s-... ...... b, 81. ...-
Although we were looking every hour for
the onset of the enemy, we were taken with
surprise by the effect of his first broad-side.
The conclusion was so violent that the walls
four dwellings,, distant some twenty miles,
were literally shaken; windows ratified, aud
the crockery in our cupboa:ds was clinking,
ms if under the power of mn earthquake
The answering peal WINS not delayed and
ere long, the continuous and protracted roar
left no doubt that hostile fleets and armies
were CIllHsuuHS NbC WdNG utu
the earth with blood This might have been
at nine o'clock in the morning. The day
was mild and still, and presently might be
seen groups of villagers at every corner pale
aud ANXIOUS, yet, mainly hopeful: though all
were iremulous with apprehension--for all
hadrends, or neighbors, or near relatives
VINO we're probably engaged in the deadly
strife Some were in pursui, of telescopes,
with which they hoped TO descry something
from the surrounding hills. Others were
seeking means, which were scanty, for eros
sing TO tome of the islands near the scene of
Carnage,iD the vague hope of rendering some
service. AZ bali past ten The Courthouse
bell was ringing for public worship. For
some time oseetned doubtful whether it
would be needed. BY degrees, however,the
anxious oiterers were seen bending their
steps in that direction: }4E .Erf 80
The congregation consisted mainly of wo-
men and children, with a few grey-heuded
men, whom age had unified for the SCENTED
field" aud of invalids who would gladly have
shared the perls ofbatIle with their country
men. Some were seated--some were stand
iOg-some were pacing the aisles in restless
anxiety; while others,iu the porch, were dis
cussng the import of each successive volley,
as 1t was borne on the mir, and reverberated
among the hills. AT last the clergyman of
the parish made his appearance-uot howev-
er with the customary courtesy with which,
on his approach TO our temporary place of
worship, he usually greeted such of his par
dShioners rs were in IL position to receive and
answer his morning salutalioi--his step was
Que Of unwonted staieliness-there was pal
lOr on his face, but there was no craven fear,
for its lines were firm. He made his way d.
rectly to the place used as II substitute for n
pulpit, aud, Instead of seating binselfin his
usual manner, previous to the commence
dnent of public worship, without explanation
or comment, forthwith lifted his hands in
supplicaory form, and said, "Lct us pray."
Words are inadequate to portray the elo-
qnence of that prayer. or the moral grandeur
OF that hour, and that occasion. The moth
erS and the wives, whose sons and husbands
might at that moment have been shedding
their blood, in defence of their country and
1nelr hresides were present. Each success
Slve swell, as it came loader from the battle,
might be the dea,h-pea of father-or broth
er! Make haste unto us, o God: Thou art
our he'P and our Deliverer. o God, be not
iar from us: . our God, make haste for our
Ne'p, were words no less in unison with tile
sWehiig emotions of our own hearts, than
WIN inc deep and solemn tones of the sup
Pllan1s voice. And louder and still louder
game the roar of the battle as our wrestling
JACOB imporluned the favor of the God OF bat
lies on the defenders of our children, aud
our hresides, and our affairs Not few in
'hat assembly would have interposed their
own own bodies to have defended the invaluable
lile of,he good, the gallant marlborough
AS the tone Ofeach petition grew more deep
ana earnest, and innportnnate, the thunder of
our cannon, in still swelling peals. seemed
70 reverberate n response, ill the very earth
"aI sustained us grew trenulous. ,sni@t"H
The prayer was ended- neither pslm nor
sermo'n were appropria,e--the beuedjc,ion
was received-and. minister and people dis
persed at once, in different directions some
no doubt still 10 supplicate the favor of God.
in secret on our brave defenders, Will. 9th,
ers assembled tlluIasijacent hills, TO tiscover,ir
possible, sotne intiinations ofthe progress of
the still raging hattie. s.ca7 0'tl' --i.i..Ha
The Rev. Willard Preston, d. d., subse-
quen,y President of the Unworthy of Yer
mont, aud now a resident of Savannah, in
'he state of Georgia, was the officiating cler-
gymaD, on that memorable occasion. laI il-
.- Nh ,vU UyEH ac,s .H j. T.. c. 4
St. Albana Nov 1919 u ir.n.flH. gigFuHrE