Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-04-19
lYOU1.HFuL SOLDIERS.

In looking over some of the old papers con-
tanning accounts ct the progress OF the war in
1872, we found notice of a company Of boys
who took aa active part in the defence at Platts-
burg. But few of them, we understand, were
over the age Of sixteen, They are referred to
in.one Of Gen. Macomb's dispatches, dated at
Plattsburg, September 18th, 1914. The Gen..
was SO pteased with their gallant bearing that
he prouised them each rifle, which promise
Congress- afterwards redeemed for him. Gen.
Macomb said: nJ
Finding on examining the returns Of the gar
rison that our force did not exceed 1900 effect
i've men for duty, and well Informed that the en-
envy had as many thousands, called upon Gen.
Mooers, of the New York militia, and arranged
with him plans for bringing forth the militia en-
p,dsse The inhabitants of the village fled with
their families, except few worthy citizens and
some boys, who formed themselves into party,
received rifles, and ,cere exceedingly useful By
the 4th of the month Gen. Mooers collected 700
men,"
In giving further details of The repulse of the
enemy's large force under Sir Geo. Provost, Gen.
Macomb said:
From the 18th to the II th, the enemy was
employed in getting ON his battering train. and
erecting his batteries and approaches, and con-
stantly skirmishing at the bridges and fonds. BY
this time the militia of New York and the VOL
unteers of Vermont were pouring in from all
quarters. advised Gen. Mooers to keep his
force along the Saranac to prevent the enemy's
crossing the river and to send strong body in
his rear to harrass him day and night, and keep
him in continual alarm.
1.-THE militia behaved with great spirit after
the first day, and the volunteers of Vermont
were exceedingly serviceable. Our regular
troops, notwithstanding the constant skirm-
shing and repeated endeavors of the enemy
TO cross the river, kept at work day and night
Strengthening their defences, and evidenced
a determination to hold out to the last extremi-
ty."
The enemy's loss during the siege of Platts-
burg, amounted to about $500 in killed, wound
ed, prisoners and deserters. COL Wellington
was among the killed
To enable the reader to understand the ac-
count, it is proper to state that the river Sara
nae divides the town of Plattsburg. The Brit
ish occupied the western portion in the form
Of crescent. The Americans as they retreat
ed from the west side, took up the bridges, and
maintained their position in the other part of the
town.
The following is the resolution of Congress
authorizing the delivery of Rifles promised to
Capt. Atkins volunteers lboys] at the siege of
Plattsburg:
"Resolred, dc, That the President of the u.
States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause
to be delivered to Martin J. Aitkin, Azariah T..
FIagg, Ira A. Wood Gustavus A. Bird, James
Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Henry X. Aver,
st. John B. l.. Skinner, Frederick p. Allen, Hi
ram Walworth, Ethan Everist, Amos Soper,
James Patten, Bartemus Brooks, Smith Bate
man, Melancton w. Travis and Flavel Williams,
each one rifle, promised them by Gen. Macomb
while commanding the Champlain department,
for their gaiiantry and patriotic services as vol
nnteer corps during the seigc of Plattsburg in
September, one thousand eight hundred and
fourteen, on each of which said rifles there shall
be plate containing an appropriate inscrp-
ton.
Approved May 20, 1926"
- lEychnnna No nor