Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-08-29
Nj is c E l. l. A N Y.
THE BATTLE OF I'LATTSRURGs,
BY MRS. l.. G. ABELL.

mr. lin Oh september, lSl4, was eventful
and important day in the annals of the past and as
scenes and events OF memory they can never be OBJ
liberated from my mind. They present dark but
distinct picture in the image chamber of the heart
which cannot grow dim with years.
IL was bright Sabbath in September, one of
those rlch soft, mellow days, that begin to wear the
sober tnts Of autumn, that my young heart was sad
with the scenes and the sounds of toar.
Our home was on the border OF the lake. inst n
cross from Palisburg, and for many long months
the event Of battle had been the theme of conversa
lion by the lresde-among men as they met in
Their daily haunts, or as friends by the waysde.
Preparations were going rapidly forward draft
ing-enslIng all things wore the
aspect OF some Impending evil, which threw a kind
OF gloom over the feelings in whibh all sympahzed
We lived within less than a DAYS march of the
enemy's ground, and all was conjecture, and alarm.
suspense and agitation.
oilen were we surprised with runors of the near
approach OF the "Brltish"-that they had crossed
me lines, were marching down upon us, &C., which
kept The inhabitants In very unsettled and uneasy
condition. But SO many false alarms had a tenden-
cy at length of iulling them into state of compar
alive quiet land alayng their apprehensions so much
that people resumed their accustomed ayocations
win degree OF cOmposure. But at last the event
burst upon us with all lis dreaded realities of blood
shed and war!
The scene was sufficiently distant TO prevent an
prehensons OF immediate danger, yet we knew our
future security hung on the result, and every eve
was strained, and every heart beat with deep anx-
lety for the sequel.
1t was peaceful Sabbath morning. the sin had
risen with its accustomed spendor, and nature wore
tne hushed stiffness peculiar to the sacred day but
alas 1t was strange Sabbath with man The
ooonhihg SOUND OF guns came across the water in
such quick and rapid succession, that they shook
the earth like heavy and deep toned thunder.
L he engagement lasted two hours and twenty
minutes and we knew that the work OF death was
gong on at every new report. Such Sabbath NAV
this land never see again! 1t was not a '.day of
rest, or OF worship, hut ever to be remembered
with sorrow and dread. A few gathered in the
morning, OF aged men, women, and children, in
lonely group for worship but, as the excitement
increased, every man fled the village and in short
almost every one had climbed to some heipht ON the
hills, or in the seeple of the church. to read in tho
progress OF events our consequent destiny When
the British ship struck their coors and pictorv was
lhe cry, there was great rejoicing in the sure and
delightful feeling Of safety, far more than in that of
success.
Men and boys had nearly all crossed over The
iake TO witness the scene from the hills about the
viilage, and were spectators of the bloody affray-
one OF my brothers went aboard one Of the van
qushed ships soon after the action ceased The
deck was strewed with the dead and diving weller
ing IN gore. The gallant Downe who had com
nanded the British forces, lay on large iron chest
Just as ne was slain. pictory was the theme and
the cry OF the conquerore; but grief and dismav
were the feelings of the vanquished
The officers who fell in these encounters. both
oy land and water, were buried SIDE by side in the
graveyard at flatts6urg. Monuments have been G.
rected to all Friends and foes sleep as ouetlv as
IT they never had collision here on earth.
Commodore Downle, though slain in the invasion
OF our countyasthe officer Of highest rank lis aced
IN the centre; and tablet erected to his memory
bears the following inscription
Sacred to the memory Of George Downie. Esq.
postcaptaln IN The British navy, who ploriousIy
ieh on BOARD his B. M. ship Confidence, while lead
ing the vessels under his command TO the attack ~
the American fotia ,at a lcbor IN Cumberland r.,
oil PIattsburg, on the lth of September, 1914. 10
marx the spot where the remains ola gallant officer
ana sincere friend were honorably inferred. this
stone has been erected by his alectonae sister in
law, Mary Downie.
when peace was declared and after some months.
''e vessels were all taken to the head Of the Lake
at Whitehall 1'""0
circumstances of travellingjust at that time gave
me an opportunity In the impossible season oTcHiId
MOOD, 10 see from the tall masts the British and A.
nercan 9ags floating lazily in the breeze, the con-
queieu Lion looking just as fierce and terrible as
" "e ndu DOt Oeen captive among Americans We
were invited on board and saw the various imple
ments OF deadly warfare. They were making prc-
paratlons to sink them in the Lake, which was af
teTwards done for preservation. and the soldiers
were rolling cannon balls into their holds as weights
Commodore M'Donough was present--a man of
middle Stature, but these was nothing in his looks
OF manner mat indicated aught of the exciting
scenes through which he had passed
II is said that, after the enemy's feet hove in
sight, the men of his ship were assembled ON the
quarter deck, when he kneeed down. and, in hum
ole ana iervent prayer, commended himself. his
men, and the cause in which they were engaged
TO the "God Of battles," and arose from that POS