Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-06-30

| Wltn thc 'tn regiment, tne Elst ana Zotn 10
Sacl G is lar ',or, and Col Clark succeeded to
the command in Burlington. During the
winter Commodore McDonough had relieved
Lieut.. Sidney Smith in command the Naval
| force on the Lake.
The first time the fleet venturcd out of
its port at Vergcnnes in the spring Lieut..
Smith. who had crossed the line with two
soops, the Eagle and Growler, was compelled
to surrender to the enemy near Ash Island,
and the Commodore returned to port to make
an addition to his fleet.
Early in the Summer reports were frequent
that the enemy intended to attack Burlington.
Several alarms in the night took place, by the
beating of that hateful long roll when men
are sleeping and resting in darkness, for the
next days labors One cold night in June
the troops were reused from their quiet slum-
bers. by that same long roll, upon a report
that the British had landed at Colchester
Point, and were marching in force to the at
tack. At that time the clearing extended no
further than the north line of the barracks
all beyond was thick forrest to the Stephen
Russell farm. now Mr. Fletchcr's. Colonel
Clark was quartcred in town. and Col Me-
Cobb, of Volunteers from Maine, was the
senior officer in camp cantonmcnt To him
Lieut.. Churchill reported that his battery
was harnessed and ready for action and he
was told in reply to "let it remain where it
is" Surprised at this, he inquired of the
Colonel whether he had examined the road
and ground beyond the camp over which the
enemy was supposed to be approaching to
which he answered that he had not The
suggested that his battery, Aanked and sup
ported by infantry, should take position at
the point of the ledge Just beyond Russcl's
house [now standingl and then, If driven from
that, retire to the cminencc this side
From either of these positions his fire would
entlade the road long distance. This was
not assented to, no movement was made, and
all the troops stood shivering, from cold, or
fright, where they paraded. The writer does
not mean to insinuate that there was any fear
manifested but the bravest and strongest
men, when turned out from their warm sleep
in the dark of night, by the long roll, or other
unexpected terrific noise, wW feel chiHy if
not put in motion. Then, after while, came
along, on his white charger, stecd that was
never known to break out of his dignifed
walk in common time according to Baron
Steuben's tactics. the veteran Col. Clarke,
also ofrcvolutionary memory, whose presence,
calm manner, and encouraging words keep
c-o-o-l, oft repeated as he passed along the
lines, inspired all with the belief that we had
been under arms for the purpose only of gal
lantly defeating another nights peaceful sleep.
The Lieutenant's three light guns were con-
sidcred very potent and powerful, at least
IN the opinion of the volunteer Colonel, who
directed that the battery should be placed on
the crest of the bank to fire at and bring to
every vessel passing up or down the lake"
notwithstanding Its then supposed hcelrc
miles of width, since reduced somehow to
/ niao.
The camp was not favorable for "A strong
military position without extensive covering
works on the heights back of it. then as now,
occupied by the college and other buildings,
and no means We're taken to fortfy it. Yet
Lieutenant Churchill thought it cxpedicnt
for appearances, convenience. and to give ad-
ditonal confidence to his men, who were in
experienced in the use of heavy guns, to make
a parapet on the bank of the lake, which is
about one hundred feet higher than the water;
and for that purpose he applied to the COM
manding officer for authority and means to
prosecute the work, which were promptly
given by Col. Clark, and an offer ofa fatigue
party of hundred men the nen morning, to
assist. The fatigue party was declined be-
cause the ground was not marked out, and
when it was done, he commenced the work
and completed it with his own company, not
over serenty;fre strong having to haul the
sods for the slopes and top of the parapet
from the then open ground between where the
academy now is and Pearl street, and from
Mr.. Weeks's at the Falls. This parapet, the
lines of which are now (ls54) almost entire,
had centre part one hundred yards in length,
with flank on the right, of twenty, and one
on the left, of twenty five yards, eighteen feet
broad, six feet high inside and three feet out
side and about eight thousand square feet Of
sods were used in its construction. (See note
at the end)
While this work was in progress Comodore
McDonough had augmented his fleet and
, sailed out into the lake, but violent gale
injured his vessels so that he came into the
bay at Burlington to repair damages hIs
vessels were anchored for that purpose, north
e ~. IA. a. 4 4
which was at the foot of South street, ant
, extending close in shore, in front of Churchill
| parapct and many of his guns were neccssa
, rily sent ashore. Seven of those guns. heav,
, II FOUNDERS, Lieutenant Churchill, Will
. consent of the Commodore, and with mucl
e labor, hauled up the hill and placed il
/. his battery. lie had received five Is FOUNDER
b., from Albany, and procured from Ticonderog
d an old French III pouhder, which wa
d mounted by II Mr., Barnham, whose shop wa
a near the College Green, thus making Bat
y tpg Of thirteen hcary guns, \ compan
= of Col. McCobb's regiment, which had bee
If designed for artillery service, commanded b
Is Captain Holden. was ordered to assist in til
IF service of this battery.
10 Early in July, Brigadier General Parker
d and then Major General Hampton, arrived
d Burlington and took command of the troop
,e The forces then here were two companies
,s dragons, Halls and Buffers Churchill
;. company of artillery; the ith infantry, Co
~ Purdy; the llth, Col. Clark the Goth, Co
h Smith the 30th, Col. FAsset the 3Ist Go
McCobb,
q, In the latter part of july the British eau
~ up the lake to Pittsburgh, and burnt II
,d Barracks On the Saranac, which had bee
-. vacated by the troors in March. and son