The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-07-27

Datile now turneu 10 Dls pOluf. Inc feSnit ol
the conflict depended entirely upon the ability
of the victorious party to retain it. Major
llindman was ordered up, and posted his for
Cos Mt the side If the captured cannon, while
the American line correspondingly advanced.
Stung with modification. Gen. Drummond con-
centrled his forces. TO .retako by a desperate
charge the position. The interval amid the
darkness vas alone filled by the roar Of the
catarac's, and the groans of tho wounded
He advanced with strong reinforccinents, out
danking each side OF tho American line. We
were only able, in tho murky darkness, tn as
certain their approach by their heavy 'ead.-
"They halted within twenty PAGES, ponred in
rapid Iirc and prepared for the iush." Di-
rectcd by the blaze. onr men returned it with
deadly effect. and, after desperate struggle
tho d';rsc column rccoled. Another interval
OF darknrss and silence. and again a most
furious and desnerpte charge was made by the
British throw ng tho whole weight If heii
attacs upon the Ampr'ran center. The gal
liant Twenty-frss. which comp sed it recrv-
ing them with nmlantcd frmress. while the
fire from our lines wore dreadfully cffec'ive
Hindmin's artillery being served with the
most perfect coolnes and effect. Staggering
they again recciled. Durinv this second ut.
tack, Gen. Scott IN person. hi shattered brig.
ade now consolidated into n single battal n
made two determined charges upon the
right and lei, flank of tho enemy, and IL,
these he received the scars which his country
men now SEQ upon his manly front. Our men
were now almost worn down with fatigue dy-
ing with thirst for which they could gain NJ
relief The British, with fresh rcinforcements
their men recruited and, after the interval OF
another hour, made their third and final ef-
fort To regain the position. They advanced
delivered their fire as before. and although il
was returned with the same deadly effect
steadily pressed forward. The Twenty
FIRST again sustained the shock, and both
lines were soon engaged in conflict,
obstinate and dreadful beyond description
The right and left of the American line fell
hack for n moment, out were Immediately
rallied by their officers. $50 desperate did The
battle now become, That many battalions on
both sides were forced back" the men. engaged
in indiscriminate melee. fought hand to hard
and with mnskcts clnbed; and so terrific was
the conflict where the cannon were stationed
that Major Hindman had to engage them over
his guns and gnn-cnrriages. and finally 10 spike
two of his pieces, under the apprehension that
thev would fall into the hands of the enemy"
At length most desperate and determined
charge was made upon both of the enemy's
flnnks; thcy were. recoiled. gave way. and. the
center soon following. they relinquished the
fight and made final retreat.
The annals of warfare on the continent
have never shown more desperate fighting -
Bayonets wore repeatedly crossed, and after
The action mnnv of the men were found
mutually iransfixcd. The British, E,rco en-
cared was nbnut 900 mon; thc American
il,i-iy fve hnndrci; the combined loss in killed
Il Io1 II
two officers and mcn The halle commenc
Cd st hafprst fur o'clock in the af
tcrroon. ard did not ,erminntn Till mid
nign. were so mingled said the Major.
and So great he confusion in tho darkness
that rs was s'tirg with group If Ulcers in
the early part of tho night. on horseback. a
British soldier came up to MS. and recovering
his mnsket. undcr the suppositlon that he was
Addressing ono Of his nwr officers, said. "Col.
Gordon will be much obliged, sir, if YOU will
march up the three hundred men in the road
to his assistance Immediately, as he is very
hard pressed" called him nearer. and press
ing his musket down over his holsters made him
prisoner. "What have done, sri" said the as
tonished man, "what have donel' and to con-
vince British officer. as he supposed, of mis-
loyalty. exclaimed, ''Hurrah for tie King. and
damn the Yankeesl' As he was marched TO
tho rear. the poor fellow was cut down by n
grape shot. In anothcr part of the field.
Captain Spencer. who was soon after killed.
pulled up suddenly on body of men in full
march In reply to his demand. ''What iegi-
ment is thatr he was answered "The Royal
Scott" With great presence Of mind, he re-
piled. ''Haltl Roval SCOTS. till further orders"
and then turning his horses head eallnped
from their dangerous proximity. 1t was a
horrid conflict. and humanity sighs over tho
slaughter of the brave mon who fell in il.
But here we are at tho grave yard, with its
dropping willows and flowing locnsts. No
armed men now disturb its calmness and ro-
pose: no pondcrous artillery wheels rndcly cut
its consccraied mounds: no savage cxccratiol,
no moan of anguish. break now upon its hal.
lowed silence. The long grass and blossoming
heather waive now green alike over the graves
of friend and enemy.
Sec from this point how gently and grace
filv nndulaics the battle field: the woo;,s
bowing 70 the evening brcezcs a. the soft sun
lght roprs through their branches show not
the gashcs If rude cannon shot: the plain. load
ell and bending with the velloy harvest. bc-
travs NJ human gore: you hill. scathrd, scorch-
cd AID hlack"ned WITH cannon fame the very
rcs'inv-pac of the deadly battery, show 70
relic of the .icrre death struggle. IA covered
with the fragrant clover and wild blue-bel
tie h"e in monotonnus hum banqurts over IL.
Nrugh mars the serenity Of nature as she
smiles upon us. Yet. burned in common fu-
neral pyrc. the ashes Of those brave men. Of
friend and foe. there miugle IL the bosom
whence they issued. The Nirious conflicf over,
t''ev lave lain down in quiet, and like young
children, sleep gently in the lap of thar com
mon mother who shelters with like protection
the little ficldmousc from its gambols and
iurbaned Sultan sinking amid his PROSTATE
millions. Shades of my gallant countrymen.
Shades Of their daring foes. farcwclll Never
had warriors a more glorious death couch
the eternal Catarac,s roar your requiem I"
JUDGE SPRAGuE's DECISION IN REGARD TO A
WIfNEss WHO WAS AN ArHErst.--ihe case was
being tried in Boston before the United States
District Court an impOrtant patent suit when