The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-09

! their own batteries on the right.
! In the darkness, their approach could be per-
ceiyed only by their heavy tread. mutual and
destructive fire, desperate struggle, and the
dense assailing column recoiled. Another interval
OF darkness and silence, and again followed most
furious and determined charge. They were re-
ceived with undaunted frmness-the fire from
lines =" dreadfully effective" " Hindmans artil-
lery served with most perfect GOODNESS and effect"
Staggering, they again recoed.
During this second attack General Scott, in per-
son, MS shattered brigade now consolidated into
single battalion, made two determined charges
upon the Hanks OF the enemy receiving the wounds
which caused him to be borne from the field. Our
men were now almost exhausted by fatigue and
thirst. The enemy, ON the other hand, with new
reiniorcements their men refreshed and recruited,
after another long interval, made their third and
final effort "They advanced, delivered their fire
as before, and, although il was returned with the
| same deadly effect, steadily pressed forward"
GO The conflict now became obstinate and dreadful
beyond description" The right and left of the
American line fell back but were Immediately raj.
lied by their officers, and " SO terrific the con-
ilct where the cannon were stationed, that Major
Hndman had To engage them over his guns and
gun carriages, and finally to spike two of his
pieces, under the apprehension that they would
fall into the hands OF the enemy" At length a
most desperate and determined charge was made
by the Americans; the enemy wavered, recoiled,
gave way and, rclnquishing the fight, made a
final retreat. Amid the darkness, the position of
the antagonists was continually changing.
nv ohc WHllc DOugluSS was Slt-
ting on horseback in group composed of Colonel
wood and several other officers, British soldier
came up to him, and, recovering his musket, under
the supposition that he was addressing of his
own officers, said, Colonel Gordon will be much
obliged. sir, if you will march up the three hundred
men in the road to his assistance Immediately as
he is hard pressed" Lieutenant Douglass seized
the mans muske, pressed it down hia. holsters
making him prisoner. The astonished man ex-
claimed, What have done, sir Hurrah for the
kingn As he was marched to the rear he was cut
down by a grape-shot.
General Brown was informed that the enemy
formed new line, and were advancingi in great force
Riding forward toward the advancing line with his
staff to ascertain whether they friends or foes
Captain Spencer, one of his aids put spurs to his
horse, and, approaching them, demanded in loud
and clear voice, What regiment is that?'' ssThe
royal Scots, sir, was the prompt reply Throwing
themselves immediately in the rear of the Ameri.
can line, the officers awaited the terrible result
With their arms ready, and cannon fully prepared,
the American fire was reserved until the enemy
were but six yards distant 90 Most awful were its
effects" The field was covered with the slain, the
few survivors making precipitate retreat.
While this scene was enacted in one part of the
field, " Colonel Jesup made himself visible i'm an.
other to his own army, in blaze of fire. carrying
all before him, burdened with prisoners, among
whom were General Rial and several other Off
GERS But we are not writing history of the bat.
tie; these incidents sufficient to show its char
acter. 1t was entirely victorious to the American
arms. 1t commenced at six O'Clock in the after
noon and lasted until midnight. The American
force was $500, the British about 5 900 men, The
combined 4nd loss IN killed, wounded, and missing,
l,722, officers and men. Their object attained,
the American army again fell back to Fort Erie
where, few days after, the British with a great
accession of force, followed, and, erecting Works
ABOUT nan mile III front, commenced regular
siege
General Brown in themean time had been Obliged
TO retire from the command of the army by his
wounds and General Gaines had taken his place.
Inc ire OF shot and shells was kept up both sides
with great vigor for several days, when the enemy
on the night OF the 14th of August, attempted Ia
carry the works by Storm The Americans were
prepared for them, and awaited their annroach
with eagerness, Lieutenant Douglass commandino
battery called the Douglass battery" on the
side nearest the water, upon which were mo,mfeCf
two elghteens, this occasion loaded 10 the muzzl
with grape and canister. About midnight the
heavy tramp of disciplined troops was heard an
preaching. Awaiting their sufficiently near OF
proach, the Americans opened their fire upon them
and by It's glare discovered the force (of about two
thousand) advancing in columns to three separate
points of attack. The enemy was again and again
repulsed, and again came on with the create,
bravery to the attack.
At length Lieut.. Colonel Drummond with his
column succeeded in getting possession of a has
ton, putting Its defenders to death Several charges
were made to recover the baston from the intes;or
OF the works, but unsuccessfully when of sudden
the bastlon, the victors and the vanuuished were
by the explosion OF a magazine, blown into eterni
ty together This ended the conflict the enemy
retiring, leaving six hundred killed, wounded and
prisoners on the ground. Lieut. Douglass was bre-
vetted, TOR gallant conduct in this engagement To-
captalncy. The famous sortie of Fort Erie i'm
which the enemy's works and batteries were can
tured and blown up, on the 18th of the following
month, closed the campaign. In this affair the gaf
liant leaders of the three columns simultaneously
iell-Coonel Gibson, General Davis and the bosom
friend OF Captain Douglass, the accomplished Col
Wood.
Returning to West Point, Captain Dous},ss
joined the academic staff as professor of matbe
mates, fertilization and civil engineering where
he remained until 1881, when he resigned his com
mission, took charge of the Morris canal and CON
structed its inclined planes. Subsequently. as
President OF the Greenwood Cemetery, and its chief
protector, his time was occupied in LAYING ont thai
lovely place of rcpose for the dead-a beautiful and
lasting monument of his taste and feeling In
1910 he was made President of Kenyon ColleSe in
Ohio, where he simultaneously received from Yale
College and Geneva College, the degree of IL d.
He returned TO New York in lS43, and al the So
cltation OF the citizens of Albany and Quebec laid
out cemeteries in those cities, and about two wears
since received the appointment of professor of
mathematics and natural philosophy in the College
OF Geneva. In social life he Was a polished gentle
man, pure, sincere and true, while his delightful
conversational powers made all around him graft
he'd listeners TO the overowings of his richly stored
mind. His belief in Christianity was firm and un-
dying, and he often adverted with delight in hrs
last illness TO its consultations He has gone in the
meridian Of his mental powers. The angel of
death has bcckoned him away from us 10 that
bourne whose sands arc marked by no returning
footprint. Sorrowfully and sadly we sigh fare
well.
The noble bridge across the susquehanna riverat
Tawanda caught fire on the 3lst ult, and one span
- a A