Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-10-06
nlisrellal1eorls.
Maedonough's Victory on Lake Champlain

the southern portion OF the lake, had beer
busy in building ships to contest the su
premacy of this sheet of water, whose
| head pierces so deep into the bosom O.
New York. The latter had at length as
sembled flotilla consisting of four yes
| sels-the largest carrying twenty six guns
and ten galleys, the whole under the com
mand of Macdonough. After some skir
mishing. this little fleet, which early in the
second season lay in Otter Greek, was got
into the lake and steered for Plattsburgt
| Bay, to assist Macomb in his defense o.
the town This bay opens to the south
ward, and instead of piercing the mair
land at right angles, runs north, nearly
parallel with the lake itself A narrow
tongue of land divides it from the main
water, the extreme point of which is call
ed Cumberland Head just within its
mouth, and nearly opposite where the tur
bulent Saranac empties into it, Macdon
ough anchored his vessels, Oh the I'd o.
September. Between him and the mair
land was large shoal and an island which
effectually blocked the approach of vessels
on that side
The English feet sent to attack him
consisted also of four vessels. the largest
mounting 80 guns, and l3 galleys. The
American force all told, was Ia vessels
mounting sc guns and carrying $50 men
while that of the English was II vessels
mounting GO guns and carrying 1000 men
The largest, the Confance, had the gun
deck of a frigate, and by her superior size
and strength, and her 30long twenty -fours
was considered match for any two yes
sells in Macdonough's squadron. Capt
Downie, who commanded the British feet
joined his gun boats at the Isle of Motto
on the Sth of September, where he lay at
anchor till the llth, in the mean time,
Provost, whose batteries were all erected
remained silent behind his works, waiting
the arrival of the fleet before he should
commence his fire
During those sleepless nights and days
of agitation, young Macdonough lay calm
ly watching the approach of his superior
foe, while Macomb was strainng every
nerve to complete his defenses, fearless,
frank, and social, the young General NOV
ed among his soldiers with such anima-
tion and confidence, that they caught his
spirit, and like the Green Mountain Boys
and yeomanry of New York and Sarato-
ga, resolved to defend their homes to the
last.
At length, on Sunday morning, Sep
tember lth, just as the sun rose over the
eastern mountains, the American guard
boat, on the watch: was seen rowing swift
ly into the harbor. 1t reported the enemy
in sight. The drums Immediately beat
to quarters, and every vessel was. cleared
for action. The preparations being COM
pleted, young Macdonough summoned his
officers around him, and there on the deck
of the Saratoga, read the prayers of the
ritual before entering into battle, aud that
voice, which soon after rung like clarion
in the carnage, sent heavenward, in ear
nest toues, 'stir up thy strength. 0 Lord,
and come and help us, for thou givest not
always the battle to the strong, but canst
save by many or by few" It was sol
emn and thrilling spectacle, and one nev-
er witnessed on a vessel 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 pro
woke, would fight his vessel while there
was plank left to stand on. OF the
deeds of daring done on that day of great
achievements, none eviDced so bold and
firm heart as this actor of this religious
worship.
At eight o'clock the crews of the diff
ferent vessels could see. over the tongue
of land that divided the bay from the lake
the topsails of the enemy moving steadily
down They had also been seen from
shore, and every eminence was covered
with anxious spectators The house Of
God was deserted, and the light of that
bright Sabbath morning, with its early
stiffness, flooded scene at once pictur
esque and terrible. On one side was the
hostile squadron, coming down to the sound
of music-on the other, stood the armies
on the shore in order of battle, with their
! banners fying-between, lay Macdon
ough's silent little feet at anchor. while
the hills around were black with specta
tors. gazing on the strange and fearful
panorama.
As the British approached, Macdonougf
showed his signal, suppressed seaneea cal
on creyy man to do his duty" As vesse
after vessel traced the letters, loud cheer.
rent the air.
The English vessels under easy sail
swept one after another round Cumber
land Head, and hauling up to the wizd
waited the approach of the galleys
As Macdonough lay anchored with hi:
vessels in line north and south-his gal
leys on their sweeps forming second line
in the rear-the English feet as it doub
led the head, was compelled to approach
with bows on. The Eagle was farthest W
the bay, the Saratoga second, Ticon1ero
ga third, and Preble fourth The impres
sive silence which rested on the American
fleet was at last broken by the Eagle
which opened her broadsides. Startled
by the sound, cock on board the Sara
toga, which had escaped from the coon
flew up on to gun slide and crowed. A
loud laugh and three hearty cheers ack
nowledged the favorable omen, and spreae
confidence through the ship Macdon
ough. seeing the enemy were at too grea
distance to be reached by his guns re
served fire, and watched the Conianc'
standing boldly on till she came in range
| He then sighted long twenty-four him