Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-02-19
From tile Utica Observer.
THE SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.
BY AN EYEWITNESS.

We recently had the pleasure of perusng let
ter written by the venerable Samuel Cody, of Yer
non Centre, in this county, now in his ninety third
year, in which he describes many of the incidents
connected with the surrender of Burgoyne, on the
18TH of October, 1777, of which he was an eye
witness. The writing is even and regular--"plain
print and the lines compact that sixty two
are written upon page of common letter paper.
Congress had ordered the deficiencies in the con-
tinental regiments to be made up by drafts But
says the venerable patriot,
my father said he would take the place of one,
and should that of another. This vas in the
spring of 1777 and our term of service was to ex-
plre the 10th. of January 1878. We were placed
in Capt. Keeps company, Col. Shepherds regi-
ment, and Gen'l. Glovers brigade. We marched
to Claverback, on the Hudson, where we endured
the greatest suferings from disease, want of pro-
visions, clothing, &c. We soon learned that Gen
Schuyler was retreatng before the British. We
were ordered northward, and joined Gen. Schuy-
Ter near Saratoga. The Indians picked off our
sentries at night and great dissatisfaction existed
until Gen. Gates took command, when new spir-
its were instied into our soldiers, our rations be-
came ample and good, with gill of New England
rum to each man per day. Gates says: "My BOYS,
we will now go back and meet them-no more re-
treating" 'Amen." said every heart We re-
crossed the sprout (stream) and met the British
near Stlllwater-tod them by Notifications
they could come no further. Here they were
strongly fortified, but must have known they were
in bad situation. l suppose they thought OF
Bennington, and that the Green Mountain bows
would be at their backs. Soon they choose to risk
a battle, and attack the right wing of our armv.-
This was bloody halliday until dark at night,
and our forces lay on the ground ready for the
events of the morning. The British returned tc
their quarters, rested awhile, and then attacked
US again on the same ground. Here, as in the
former engagement, Arnold had command of the
fighting forces. He did not lack skill or COURAGE
in this battle, and l would ''G1vE THE d. HI,
DUE" The enemy fell back, and we took some
prisoners and several pieces of artillery. We Ia,
upon our arms that night, and were so near the
British that we could hear the Hessians reliey,
their guards. A great noise was kept up in the
camp all night. AT daylight we marched for thei
camp, but when we got where they were, they
were not there, except the wounded, sick, and doc
tors to attend them, where they were quartered
IN large tents We pursued the main body, pass
ing dead horses, the wrecks Of wagons and othe
things burned on their retreat, and came up will
} them at Saratoga, upon high hill north of Sara
toga creek, where they had planted their artillery
|, They comphmented us with balls and shells FL
i perhaps two hours, without benefit to themselva
or detrlment to US, except to one poor fellow VIII
was killed. We were under steep hin. and
saw the balls and shells pass over rs. hut We L.
. as easy and quiet as chickens under hem wing,