The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-07-23
BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE.


carol, the hum of insects, and the waving of
the breeze that now so gently greets our ear.
At yonder white house, said the Major, as
General Scott, making forward movement
with his brigade in the afternoon of the 25th
of July, 1914, came in view of it, we saw the
courtyard filled with British officers, their
horses held by orderlies and servants in atten-
dance. As soon as we became visible to
them, their bug!es sounded to saddle, and in
a few moments they were mounted, and dis
appeared through the woods at full gallop,
twenty bugles ringing the alarm from differ
ent parts of the forest. All vanished as if
swallowed by The earth, save an 'eleganrs
veteran officer, who reined up just out of
musket shot, and took leisurely survey of
our numbers. Having apparently satisfied
himself of our force, he raised the plumed hat
from his head, and bowing gracefully to our
cortege, put spurs to his horse, and disap-
peared with the rest. From the occupants of
the house we gathered that we were about a
mile distant from strong body of the enemy,
posted in the rising ground just beyond the
woods in our front General Scott, turning
to me, said, "Be kind enough, Sir, to return
to Major-General Brown; inform him that
have fallen in with the enemy's advance,
posted in force at 'Lundys Lone,' and that in
one half hour, shall have joined battle"
"Order up Ripley aouh the second brigade
direct Porter TO get his uozalnteers innmeciatezy
u71der arms, was the brief reply of the
Major-General to my message, and the aids
were instantly in their saddles, conveying the
orders. As l galloped back through the
woods, the cannon shot, screaming by me,
tearing the trees and sending the rail fences
IN the air in their course, warned me that the
contest had begun. But we are on the battle
ground. There, upon that sloping hill, par
allel with the road, and through the grave
yard towards the Niagara, was drawn up the
British line under General Rail, in force
three times greater than our brigade, his right
covered with apowerful battery of nine pieces
OF artillery, two Of them brass twenty-fours.
The Eleremb and Twenty-second regiments
first leaving the wood, deployed upon the
open ground with the GOODNESS and regularity
OF reXieW, Tag ap9r 7r gAfffof the enemys line and
from the batteries, which completely COM
manded the position, opening upon them with
tremendous effect. Iowson, having hurried
up with his guns on the left, in vain endeav-
+oJo IL
fire of their battery. The destruction on our
side was very great. The two regiments
fought with consummate bravery. Severely
cut up, their ammunition exhausted, and their
officers nearly all of them killed and wounded,
they were withdrawn from action, the few
officers remaining unhurt throwing themselves
into the Ninth, which now came into action,
led by the gallant Colonel Leavenworth.
The brunt of the battle now came upon
them, and they alone sustained it for some
time, fighting with unfinching bravery, until
the fire of the enemy. At this jupcture,
General Scott galloped up with the intention
of charging the hill; but finding them so
much weakened, altered his intention, entreat-
ing them to hold their ground until the rein
forcements, which were Fastening up, under
Maior-General Brown, should come to their
assistance. A momentary cessation Of the
action ensued, while additional forces hurried
to the aid of each army; Ripley's brigade
Hindman's artillery, and Porters volunteers
on the part of the Americans; and strong
reinforcement under General Drummond, tc
that of the British. Hindman's artillery were
attached to that of Towson, and soon made
themselves heard. Porter's brigade displayed
on the left, while Ripley formed on the skirts
of the wood to the right of SCOTS brigade
The engagement was soon renewed, witt
augmented vigor; General Drummond taking
command in person, with his fresh troops In
the front line of the enemy. Colonel Jesup
who had at the commencement Of the actor
been posted on the right, succeeded, after /;
gallant contest, in turning the left flank of the
enemy, and came in upon his reserve, "Bur
dened with prisoners, making himself visible
to his own army, amid the darkness, in
blaze of fire. completely destroying all befor,
him. The fight ragged for some time will
great fury, but it became apparent, uselessl,
to the Americans, if the enemy retained pos
session of the battery, manifestly the key o
the position.
Twas standing at the side of Colonel Mil
ler, said the Major, when General Brown rod
up and inquired, whether he could storm tn
battery with his regiment, while Geners
Ripley supported him with the younger reg
r ment, the Twerity-ttird. Miller, amid tn
5 uproar and confusion, deliberately surveye
the position, then quietly turning with infinit
GOODNESS replied, "PUt try SIR" 1 think l Sc
o him now, as drawing up his giant figure to il
full height, he turned to his regiment, drille