Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-02-10
The Surrender of Burgoyne.


We recently had The pleasure of perusing
letter written by the venerable Samuel
Cody, Of Vernon Centre, in this county, now
10 his ninety-tbird year, in which he de-
scribes many of the incidents connected with
the surrender Of Burgoyne, on the 18th OF
October, 1777, of which he was an eye wit
ness. The writing is even and regular
plain as print'-and the lines SO compact
that sixtv.two of them are written upon a
page Of common letter paper. Congress
had ordered the Deficiencies in the Cont
mental regiments to be made up BY drafts,
but says the venerable patriot:
"My father said he would take the place
of one, ard | should that of another This
was in the spring Of l777, and our term OF
service was TO expire OH the 10Th of JaDu-
ary, 1778. We were placed in Captain
Keeps Company, Col. Shepherds Regiment,
and Gen. Gover's Brigade. We marched
to Claverack, on the Hudson, where we ell
dured the greatest sufferings from disease,
want Of provisions, clothing, &c. We soon
learned that Gen. Schuyler was retreaing
before the British. We were ordered north
ward, and joined Gen. Schuyler near Sara
toga. The Indians picked off our sentries
at night, and great dissatisfaction existed
until Gen. Gates took command, when new
spirits were ins.iled into our soldiers, our
rations became ample and good, with gill
of New England rum each man per day.
Gates says: My boys, we will now 60 back
and meet ihem-no more retreating.' =
Amen said every heart. We re-crossed
the sprout (stream) and met the British near
water-told them by our Notifications
they could come no further. Here they were
strongly fortified, but must have known they
were in bad situation. suppose they
thought of Bennington, and that the Green
Mountain boys would be at their backs
Soon they chose to risk battle, and at
tackled The right wing Of our army. This
was bloody half day. until dark at night,
and our forces lay upon the ground, ready
for the event of The morning.
The British returned to their quarters,
rested awhile, end then attacked again OH the
same ground. Here, as in the former en-
gagemeni, Arnold had command of the
fighting forces. lie did not lack skill or
courage in this battle, and | would 'giUe The
ID his due The enemy fell back, and we
took some prisoners and several pieces OF
artillery. We lay upon our arms that night,
and were SO near The British that we could
hear The Hessians relieve their guards. A
great noise was kept up in the camp all
night. Al daylight we marched for their
camp, but when we got where they were,
they were not there, except wounded, sick,
ana doctors, to tend them, where they were
qartered 10 large tents. We pursued The
main body, passing dead horses. the wrecks
OF wagons and other things burned on their
retreat, and came up with them at Saratoga,
upon high bill north Of Saratoga Creek
where they had planted their artillery
They comPimented US with balls aud shells
for perhaps Two hours, without benefit to
themselves or detriment to us, except 10 one
poor fellow, who was killed. We were un
der steep bill, and Isaw the balls and shell.
pass over us, but we lay as easy and quiet as
chickens under a hens wings. We forti
fed hill on the opposite side of the creek
nearly as high 90 that occupied by The Brit