Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-10-31

tional at Newport, from the circum
stances that the windows of tht
town were encrusted with salt, de
posted by the sea-water borne in
land by the tempest,) separated tn,
fleets, and neither gained any obvi
Gus advantage. Meantime it be
came necessary for our army to eros
over to The island where the enemy
were stationed. At this crisis Gene
raj Sullivan availed himself Of the
energetic aid OF Captain Talbot, tC
collect and prepare in as brief a time
as possible, sufficient number o
boats to insure the safe and rapid de.
barkation'of the troops. lnvigora.
ted by the respite from toll and suf
fering he had enjoyed, and his patri.
otic sentiment revived by a solourn
with those most near and dear tc
him, as well as by the daily specta-
Gle of privation and anxiety exhibi-
ted by his neighbors and kindred
We can readily imagine the zest with
which he mounted his horse and rode,
day and night, beside dispatching ex-
presses over an area of fifty miles
around the country, for ship bull.
ders, smiths, and carpenters, in pur-
suance of this design. In an incred-
ible short time, eighty-six f1at-bot-
tom boats, each fitted 10 carry 100
men, were in readiness. They were
calked by candle-light in an open field;
and so weary had the indelaligable
overseer Of the enterprise become,
that he enjoyed refreshing sleep un-
der one of the boats, notwithStan-
ding the clank Of hammers above
his head. The emharkation COM
menced on Sunday, the 9th Of Au-
gust. The light corps to which
Major Talbot was attached, march,
ed directly down tile island toward
Newport, until within cannon-shot Of
the British lines. Colonel Laurens
then directed him to proceed alone
and reconnoiter. Arrived in sight of
the enemy's outposts,he decried three
artillery men, in a garden gathering
He instantly sprung his
horse over the wall, and threatened
them with instant death if they stir
red. Not doubling that he was a
British officer, they apologised for
their absence from the Tort, and de-
livered up their hangers. The Ma
ior coolly drove them along the road
before him, and sent them to his COM
officer as prisoners of war.
The excellent prospects Of our army,
however, was destined soon to be de-
stroyed, as already hinied, for, on
the same day, from the top OF Col.
Weaver's house, the British fleet
was visible in the offing; they stood
Tor Newport, and anchored outside
The harbor; but when on the follow
ng day, the French fleet went 10 at
tack them, they slipped their cables
and haStened 10 sea. Count d'Es-
taing gave chase, but the gale en-
sued, and he eventually returned
and on the 221 sailed for
Boston, TO convey two Of their ships
hat had been disabled in the encoun-
Ter. Deprived Of his cooperation.
md hourly expecting the return Of
he British feet with reinforcement,
General Sullivan saw no alternative
put a seasonable retreat; and al
hough this was at last most judi
;iously affected, a severe action pre-
,eded, in which the bravery and 1
kill Of our troops have scarcely re-
,eived from the annalist the deserv-
ID need Of praise. Gen. Lafayette,
IN his last visit 10 this country, de-
;lared his opinion that it was the
,est fought battle during the war;
lie was an eye witness, having ar
lived on the field from Boston, whith-
IT he had hastened to induce Count
I'Estaing to return TO the assistance
# Rhode Island. If he had done so,
here is every probability that the
British would have all been taken
prisoners. The testimony of Col.
who had volunteered his
eTvires as aid-de-camp to Gen. Sui
ivan, is TO the same effect. His ac-
cunt of the action is graphic and
Impressive. He was sent at day
freak to Col. WiggIesworth, Of the
on Quaker or Windmill
Hill, with orders TO withdraw his
roops. In so dong, Trumbull de-
cribes himself as moving up long
,radual ACTIVITY, in the very line of
ire; first round shot or two dropped
lear and bounded on; then he met
Jol. Townsend, with his arm of; Oext
;apt. Walker bade him farewell as
10 was carried by in a dying state;
nd a moment after, shower of
rape fell around him like hail On
the scene of action, the gal
ant Colonel shouted to the envoy,
Don't speak, know your errand."
Do you see those troops crossing
o your rear7' asked Trumbull in re-
'ly. "Yes. they are Americans. y
No Sir thor, ore CarnoanS. mark |