Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-08-28
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
From the Philadelphia Casket-l
The Storming of stony Point.
4 ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION


A ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION.
The night had already settled down gloomy and
foreboding on the evening Of the 18th of July, l779
when the advancing column Of little army, whose
uniform betokened ii TO be American, emerged from
thick wood on the shore of the Hudson, and In an
instant the whole dim and shadowy prospect disclos
ed to them along the bank Of the river opened to the
sight Far away lay VerpIank's Point, now buried
in mass of shadow, while on the other side OF the
river dark, gloomy, and rowning. rose up the crag
gy heights of Stony Point. Washed on three sides
By the Hudson, and protected on the other, except
along narrow road, by morass, the tort was deem
ed of the most mpregnable on the river; and Its
capture regarded most impossible. Yettc achieve
that gallant purpose this little army was now upon
its march.
a turn in the road soon hid them from the river,
and after silent march OF some minutes duration,
they arrived within mile and half OF the enemy s
lines, and hating at the command OF their officer,
formed into columns for the attack. Beginning
again their march, they soon reached the marshy
ground at the base Of the hill.
"Histi" said the low voice OF the General from
5he front; &c We are nigh enough now-Halt!"
The order was passed in whisper down the line,
and the column paused on the edge of the morasS.
It moment of suspense and peril. Every man
felt that in few minutes the fate OF their hazardous
enterprise would be determined and that they would
be either cold in DEATH or the American flag waving
in triumph over the dark promontory ahead, now
scarcely discernable through the thick gloom OF
midnight Yet not lip quivered nor cheek
blanched in that crisis About twenty PAGES In front
of the column had halted the fororn hope of one
hundred and 6fy men, with unloaded pieces and bay
onets fixed while farther on smaller group OF
shadowy forms could be seen through the obscurIty,
accoutered with axes to cut through the abattis.
Each had piece of white paper IN his hat TO
distinguish him from the foe in the approaching me
lee The pause, however, which afforded this pros
pect was but momentary. The General had already
reconnoitered the approaches 10 the still silent prom
nontory, and waving his sword on high, he gave the
order In another instant, the dark, massive column
was moving steadily TO The attack.
II was thrilling moment, during which that de-
voted band had passed rapidly over the marsh. AS
vet the enemy had not discovered them-the hearts
of the oldest veterans trembled with the eagerness
of that moment Of suspense Already had the fore
most of the pioneers reached the abattiS, and the
quick rapid blows Of their axes rung upon the night
when suddenly shout of alarm broke from the fort
the gun of a sentry flashed through the gloom, and
in instant all uproar and confusion within the
astonshed fertilization. Not moment was then to
be lost.
{" Advance advanced" shouted Wayne, as he pass
ed rapidly on towards the abas, followed in death
like silence by the indomitab.e troops.
'sTo arms" came borne on the nigh breeze from
the fort-' to arms TO arms!'' and then followed the
quick roll of the drum. In an instant the enemy
were at their posts and the gallant contineaals
still maintained their silent but steady march, fire
such only desperation could produce, burst from
the musketry the roar Of artillery, the crashing
the grape shot, and the urid light flung the
by the explosion of the Shells and The streams o.
fire pouring from the fort formed picture which
pen describe. Yet, amid it ALL the daring as
sailants steadily advanced, though not trigger haC
been pulled in their ranks. Faithful to the com
mands o. their general, though trembling in every
limb with eagerness they kept up their silent march
amid the fiery tempest, as if impeed by some god
like power. On, on, on they pressed. The whirl
wind of fire from the fort ceased not yet still they
dashed along, charged at the point of the bayonet
over abattis and bulwark, until the enemy, borne
back by their impeuous onset, quailed before them
The works were forced. Then, and not till then
was the death-lilxe silence broken. sound rang
out from the victorious troops all the thunder
behind it passed down their line, caught up by
the rear, and wild shout, making the very welkiI
tremble, rung ont as they dashed on to the attack
The contest was short, but terrific Over bulwark
battery, and PROSTATE foes the gallant continentas
headed by Wayne, pressed on, driving all befor,
them, met the column of their little army, with al
enthusiastic cheer in the very centre of the enemy
works. In another moment the starry flag of Ameri
ca waved triumphanty over the battlements.
The enthusiasm of the yictors cannot be described
But though the contest had been so bloody, not
of the enemy fell after resistance ceased. The pris
oners were disarmed, guard placed over them, an,
sentries posted on all the commanding position
around the works The morning gun announced Il
the British fleet in the river that Stony POINT WA
WON.