New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-10-18

&c The Americans until tie 20th OF the same
month a violent storm yet traditional at New
mort from the circumstances that the windows oil
The town were encrpsteG with salt deposited BY
the sea-water borne inland by the tenpest sepa-
rated the fleets, and neither gained any obvious
advantage. Meantime, it became necessary Tor
our army to cross over to the island where the
enemy were Stationed. At this crisis Genea
Sullivan availcd himself Of the energetic AID OF
Captain Talbot to collect and prepare IN as bret
time as possible, sufficient number OF boats 10
insure the safe and rapid debarkatl0n OF the
troops lnvigorated b. the respite from toll and
suffering he had enjoyed, and his patriotic senti
ments revived by a sOOurn with those most near
and dear TO HIM as We'll rs by the daily spectacle
of priyation and anxiety exhibited BY ms hel5"
bors and l,indred-W-e can readily imagine me
Zrst with which he mounted his horse aud foae'
day and night. beside dspatchn9 expresses over
an area OF fifty miles around the country Tor snip
builders smiths, and carpenters, III pursuance u
this design In an incredibly short t1nei cl9ltS-
six Aat.b0ftGm boats each fitted to carry IoV men
were in readiness They were calked by candle
light in an open field and 50 weary had Vhe ln'c
fatgable overseer oil the enterprise become I'i'l
he enioyed q refreshing sleep under one Oh the
hoots Notwithstanding the cIank OF hammers
above his head The emba-katlon commenced on
Sunday the 9th OF August. The light corps 60
Which Major Talbot was attached lharcheu VI! III
rectlv down the island toward Newport, uhtI
within cannonshot OF the British lines Colohei
Iaurens then directed him to proceed alone aII''
rpconnoiter. Arrived in sight Of the enemy S out
posts he declicd three artillery men, Iii garden
gathering vegetables He instantly spIang MS
Horse over the wall, and threatened them WIN
instant death If they stirred. Not doubling that
he was British officer they aPolo9lzed Tor the!f
absence from the fort, and delivered up their
hangers. The Major coolly drove them along the
road before him and sent them to his commaHn'
Inc officer ms prisoners Of war @lhe excellent
prospects OF our army. however. was destilcu so"
to be destroyed, as already limited lof' On thc
same dav from the top OF Col w caYer ho4'e'
the British fleet was visible in the ohnS they
stood for Newport and anchored outside the mar
Dor; but when. on the following day the trehch
feet went to attack them, they shipped tllelr ca
bles and fastened to sea. Count u EstalnS gave
chase but the gale ensued ana he eNentlluiY re
turned crippled and on the 22d sailed or boston,
to conyey two Of their ships that had been Dis
abled in the encounter Deprived OF his coopcra-
ton and hourly expecting the return OF the BRUSH
fleet with reIniOrcements. Gen. sullivan sa" no
alternative but seasonable retreat amt although
this was at last most udlclOusly effected, severe
action preceded iii which the bravery and SIKH oil
our troops have scarcely received IRON the anna
list the deserved need OF praise. Gen La tY'
cite on his last visit to this country declared MS
opinion that 1t was the best fought battle during
the war. HI eyewitness, having arrived
on the field from Boston, whittier he had fastened
ance OF Rhode Island If he had done so, there
is every probability that the British would have
all been taken prisoners. The testimony OF Coi
Trumbul who had volunteered his services as
aid camp to Sen Sullivan, IS to the same Ell
feet His account of the action is graphic and mn
pressve. He was sent at daybrcak to Col W lg
ellsworth of the rca. guard, on Quaker or W md
mill Hill, with orders to withdraw lus troops III
so doing Tgmbu describes himself as moving
up long. gradual activity, III the very Inc OF
fire first round shot TWO dropped near and
bounded on: then he met Col Townsend, with his
arm off; next Capt w aker babe nm farewell
as he was carried by in dying state ana q mo.
ment after shower OF grape Tell around nm IKE
hail. On reaching the scene OF action, the gallant
Colonel shouted to the envoy, Don't speak,
know your Grand Do you see those troops
crossing TO YOUR rear 2? asked Trmbull Ill reply
eyes they are Americans. NO, sir, thcy are
Germans mark, their dress is blue and yellow,
not buff. They are coming to intercept your re
treat. Retire instantly and the order was re-
luctanty obeyed.
The action OF this memorable day was com
menced by Major Talbot The British had pulc
sued Gen Sullivan to Buttss HILL at the north OF
the island. Lieut. Col Laurens, With ms GeVacl
ment, took charge of the rear They naIted at
Redwoods house; and when the British army
drew near Major Talbot, in obedience to orders
met and checked them. During the retreat when
was conducted with admirable tact, coolilesS, anu
daring. the light corps made every possible stand
barriers until supported by the mann army When
the action became general. The commanding OF
fcer III his dispatches to Congress- emPhaCCuIiS
mentions the important services rcnuoleu I'.o
country, in this instance by Mayor IaDot' III ms
speedy provision OF the means OF transportation
for the troops, and the gallant defense he mann
tanned as ain officer OF the light corps, Ill the sue
and orderly retreat from the island
His subsequent services. both military ana ma
val, are fully described by MIR. Tuckerman' until
his retirement from public duty, in 1901, The
volume closes with discriminating sketch OF
HIS PERSONAL CHARACTER
In person. Commodore Talbot was tall and
graceful in features determined, but attractive
His conversation was spirited and genial. a few
of the troops of friends that enjoyed his mt
macy. vet recall the mingled hardlhood and fascl-
nation OF his appearance; and Their remembrance
is confirmed hv the portrait belonging to his de-
scendants in Kentucky, and painted by Benjamin
West, in liquidation OF debt incurred III the ar
fists DAYS OF privaton; and therefore, an inter
estng rs well an authentic memorial. Ills
whcat-helds at Johnstown were celebrated Tor
their richness and extent; and the same energy
displayed in battle aud agriculture, he seems to
have carried into social lite, which was the chief
resource of his declining years.
The natural heroism OF Commodore Talbot is
sufficiently illustrated by his revolutionary career
While attached to the army and navy His social
character was distinguished by remarkable can
dor, high and quick sense OF honor, and rare
union OF clear Judgment with strong feeling. Al
though impulsive by temperament his will was
linn aud consistent With very restricted early
advantages, lie educated himself through the judi
cious culture and noble direction OF the gifts he
had received from nature, and the habit ofimproy-
ing every occasion that presented itself to enlarge
his knowledge, He was an accomplished gentle
man, with dignity of manners that stamped him
for a leader; and yet with frank urbanity of
spirit that endeared him as a companion. He was
thirteen times wounded, and carried five bullets
IN his body In private life, the elegant hospital
| ity he exercised the ardor OF his personal attach
ments, the winning grace and seltrespect OF his
manners, his acquaintance with life in all its
..!.....s 49,. ..I.,,.