Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-04-15
miscellaneous.
Storming of Stony Point by
General Wayne.

Ne afaner dor;Og tho Revolution snore often
secured the public commentator Of Washing
ton than General Wayne At the battle of
Monmouth, in his Official account to Congress,
he said "The catalogue of officers who have
distinguished themselves in this day transaction
is too long to admit of particuIarizing individu.
als-al the artillery, both officers and men,
were distinguished in most remarkable manner.
| cannot, however, forbear mentioning Gen.
Wayne, whose good conduct and bravery
through the whole action deserves particular
commendation." July, l776 Washington, in
person, reconnoitred Stony Point and determined
to carry it by tn, bayonet. This, it is well
known, was strong fort, protected on one side
by the Hudson, and considered by the enemy as
impregnable against the Americans. The gar
rison contained 543 men, who were all taken
prisoners, including 63 killed. The Americans
had fifteen killed, and eighty-three wounded.-
Wayne received musket ball in the head as he
was entering the fort, which he supposed NOR.
tai. Raising his voice he said "carry me on,
my brave men, and let me die at the head Of
the column"
AS soon as this bold measure was settled in
the mind of Washington, Wayne was the man
to carry it into execution. The details of the
plan were of course left to him, under general
instructions from the commander. r.in-chef--
WAYNE paraded his men fourteen miles from
the fort. at dark, and ordered any man to march
in front who was not ready to take his life in
his hand and follow him.
Up to that moment not man had suspicion
what the movement was to be-aud every one
kept his post. The order was march and per.
feet sllence-a loud word in the ranks was Or
dered to be punished with instant death. In
this order the detachment was marched up in
sight of the fort, in midnight darkness Wayne
then marched through the ranks and explained
what was to be done. His rewards for men on
this occasion were as follows To the first man
who entered the fort $500; the second $400
the third $500; and the fourth Scotland a
promise (which was afterwards readily confirm
ed by Washington to divide among his officers
and men the value of all the property found in
the tort-and further, that any officer or man
who might perform any particular act of bravery
his name should be announced to the Command
erin Chief. The men knew their commander
: He had long before been by his soldiers ia
miIiarly commissioned as Mad Anthony. Th,
fort was reached at ten O'Clock at NIGHT, after
severe march through bad roads, over hig
mountains, and through narrow de6es. MucI
of the ma ch was necessarily performed in singl
file. Half past IL o'clock was the hour and til
moment to advance. The whole band in SO
emn silence moved forward, $50 volunteers, tn
e van of the right led on with unloaded muske
is and fixed bayonets, under Lieut.. COL Fleury.-
These we're preceded by twenty picked mel
headed by brave officer to remove all obstruc
y tons, The van of the left, led on by Major ST.
art, consisted of one hundred volunteers, pr
y ceeded by the same precautions and in the sam
J. order at twelve o'clock the assault was to b
it gin, on the right and left at the same momen
,s Neither The deep morass in front nor the form
dable entrenchments of the British, appeart
ID in the least degree to chill the ardor
10 the assailants, who advanced under the mo
incessant and tremendous fire Of musketry al
y. cannon loaded with grape, forcing their way