The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-10-19
I'll lisfrlla II y.
McDonough's Victory on Lake Cham
plain.


During the summer of 1914, the En-
glish at the northern, and the Americans
at the southern end of the Lake had
been busy in building ships to contest
the supremacy Of this sheet of water,
whose head picrces so deep into the bo-
som of New York. The latter had at
length assembled fotilla, consisting of
four vessels-the largest carrying 26
guns-and ten gallcys, the whole under
command of Nc McDonough After some
skirmishing, the little fleet, which early
in the season lay in Otter Creek, was
got into the Lake, and steered for Platts-
burgh Bay, TO assist Macomb in his de.
fence of the town This bay opens to
the southwark, and instead Of piercing
the main land at right angels, runs north
nearly parallel with the lake itself \
narrow tongue Of land divides it from
the main water. the extreme point of
which is called Cumberland Head Just
within its mouth, and nearly opposite
whore the turbulent Saranac empties in.
to it, McDonough anchored his vessels
on the I'd Of September. Between lin
aud the main land was Il large shoal and
an island, which ciieetually blocked the
approach of vessels on that side
The English feet sent to attack him,
consisted also of four vessels-.the larg,
ct mouutiig 36 guns-and IS galleys.
The American force, all told, was ii yes.
; /; mounting So guns. and carrying $50
me4. while ti.at OF the English was ! 7
vessels. mounting 9G guns, and carrying
coo u.eu. The largest, the Confance,
had the gun dccl; OF a frigate, and by
her -upcricr SIC and strength, and 50
.ong tweuty-iours, was considered a
match for any two vessels in NcDo.
nough's squadron Capt. Downie who
commanded the British fleet, joined his
guu-hoais at the Isle Ia Motto On the
o'h Of September, where he lay at an.
chor til the llth in the meantime.
Provost, whose batteries were all cree
ted, remained silent behind his works.
awaiting the arrival of the feet before he
should commence his fire
During these slccpless days and nights
of agitation, young MeDonough lay
calmly watching the approach of bis su-
perior foe, while Macomb was strainine
every nerve to complete his defencos.
Fearless, frank, and social, the young
General moved among his soldiers with
such animation and confidence, that they
caught his spirit. and like the Green
Mountain Boys aud yeomanry of New
York and Saratoga, resolved to defend
their homes to the last
At length, on Sunday morning, Sept.
| lth, just as the sun rose over the east
ern mountains, the American guard
boat on tho watch, was seen rowing
swiftly into the harbor. 1t reported
the enemy in sight The drums imme-
diately beat to quarters, and every YES
sci was cleared for action. The prepa-
rations being completed, young McDo-
nough summoned his officers around
him, and there, on the deck of the Sara
toga, read the prayers Of the ritual be-
fore entering into battle and that voice,
which soon after rang like clarion
amid the carnage, sent heayenward, in
earnest tones Stir up thy strength
o Lord, and come and help us; for thou
givest not always the battle to the
strong, but canst save by many or by
few" 1t was a solemn, thrilling sight
and one never before witnessed on yes
sci of war cleared for action. A young
commander, who had the courage thus
to brave the derision and sneers which
such an act was sure to provoke, would
fight his vessel while there was plank
left to stand on. OF the deeds of dar
ing done on that day of great achieve
ments, none eyinced SO bold and firm q
heart as this act of religious worship.
Al s o'clock, the crews of the differ
ent vessels could sec, over the tongue oi
land that divided the bay from the lake