Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-04-15
THE STORY TELLER.
Storming of Stony Point by
General Wayne.

often secured the public commendation OF
Washington than Gen. Wayne. AT the battle of
Monmouth, in his official account TO congress,
he said THE catalogue of officers who have
distinguished themselves in this days transac-
liOns, is too long to admit of particuarizing in
iiYiduais-all the artillery, both officers and
men, were distinguished in a most remarkable
manner. l cannot forbear mentioning Gen.
Wayne, whose good conduct and bravery
through the whole action deserves particular
commendation.' July, 1776, Washington, in
person, reconnoitred Stony Point, and deter
mined to carry it by the bayonet. This, it is
well known, was strong fort, protected on one
side by the Hudson, and considered by the en-
emy as impregnable against the Americans
The garrison contained 543 men, who were
all taken prisoners, including 63 killed. The
Americans had fifteen killed, and eighty-three
wounded. Wayne received musket hall in
the head as he was entering the fort, which he
supposed mortal. 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 commanders n-chief.-
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 suspi-
cion of what the movement was to be-and ev-
cry one kept his post. The order was march,
and perfect silence-a loud word in the ranks
was ordered 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 $l00; the third $500; and the fourth
scotland promise (Which was afterwards
readily confirmed by Washington 10 divide
among his officers and men, the value of all the
any officer or men, who might perform any
particular act of bravery, his name shonld be
announced TO the commander-in-chef The
men knew their commander. He had long
before been by his soldiers familiary COM
missioned as Mad Anthony. The fort was
reached at ten o'clock at night, after severe
march through bad roads, over high mountains,
and through narrow defes. Much Of the
march was necessarily performed in single file.
Half past eleven O'Clock was the hour and the
moment to advance. The whole band in sol
emn silence moved forward, one hundred and
fifty volunteers, the van of the right led on with
unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, under
Lieut.. Col. Fleury-these were proceeded by
twenty picked men, headed by brave officer
to remove all distractions. The van of the
left, led on by Maj. Stuart, consisted of one
hundred volunteers, preceded by the same
precautions and in the same order; at twelve
O'Clock the assault was to begin, on the right
and left at the same moment. Neither the
deep morass in front nor the formidable en-
trenchments of the British, appeared in the
least degree TO chill the ardor of the assailants,
who advanced under the most incessant and
tremendous fire of musketry and cannon load
ed with grape, forcing their way at the point
of their bayonet, and without firing single
gun.
When Wayne fell, momentary halt en-
uod ho a1.I A. Il
fire OF the British cannon, whose lightning
alone, IN the darkness of the night, enabled the
Americans to distinguish friends from foes
At this critical moment, voice rose from the
ranks, Remember Ledyard = Qhe comman-
der of fort Griswold, who was murdered by the
British after his surrender,) at which the col
umns again instantly advanced, and carried ev.
e.ything before them. Col. Fleury rushed VI
and struck the English flag in the fort, when tht
firing of the enemy ceased. An implorine
sound was now heard from the vanqushed Il
the victors, Remember you are Americans !!
These words tnrned the American bayonet to
wards heaven, and every man was spared WHIT
ceased to resist. The British probably expec
ted no quarter, as, on a previous occasion, Il
which allusion is made above they granted tn,
Americans no quarter. AS before observed
Gen. Wayne fell at the head of the first col
umn. Fortunately, his wound only PROSTATE,
him, and he was so far recovered from th
blow as to be able to write to Washington a
soon as the fort surrendered:
Stony POINT, 2 o'clock, A. NJ.
July 16, 1779.
Dear General: The American flag wave
heleI Yours truly,
ANTHONY WAYNE.
The following day, Wayne had so far re
covered as to give Washington full and clea
account of the battle. Full justice was done
all his officers and men. Washington at one
despatched Wayne's letter to congress, an
wrote as follows: 'T5 the enconiums
(Wayne) has deservedly bestowed upon hi
officers and men, it becomes my duty to ado
that his own conduct, throughout the who
of this arduous enterprise, merits the warme.
appreciation of congress- IN a critical mi
ment of the assault, he receiv ed flesh woun
in the head with a musket-bal. but copt;r
ued leading on his men with unshaken firm
ness.'
Every officer who was in this engagement