Washington sentinel., 1854-03-12

YoUTHrUL SoLDIERs-In looking over some
Of the old papers, containing accounts of the
progress of the war of 1872, we found notice
of a con,paay of boys who took an active part
in the defence Of Plattsburg. But few of them,
we understand, were over the age of sixteen.
They are referred TO in one Of General Ma
combs dispatches, dated at Plattsburg, Sep
tember 18th, 1914. The generalwas SO pleased
with their gallant bearing that he promised
them each rife, which promise Congress
afterwards redeemed for him. General Ma
comb said: -
''Finding on examining the returns of the
garrison that our force did not exceed fifteen
hundred effective men for duty, and well in.
formed that the enemy had as many thousands,
| called on General Mooers, of the New York
militia, and arranged with him plans for bring
ing forth the militia en- masSe The inhabitants
of the village fled with their families, except a
few worthy citizens and some boys, who formed
themselves into party, received rifles, and
oere erceedingly useful. By the 4th of the
month General Mooers collected seven hundred
men,"
In giving further details Of the repulse OF the
enemy's large force under Sir George Provost,
General Macomb said:
SFrom the 7th to the 18th, the enemy was
employed in getting on his battering tram, and
erecting his batteries and approaches, and con-
stantly skirmishing at the bridges and fords.
By this time the militia of New York and the
volunteers of Vermont were pouring in from
all quarters l advised General Mooers to
keep his force along the Saranac to prevent
the enemys crossing the river, and to send q
strong body in his rear to harrass him day and
night, and keep him in continual alarm.
.'The militia behaved with great spirit after
the first day, and the volunteers of Vermont
were exceedly serviceable. Our Irregular troops,
Notwithstanding the constant skirmishing and
repeated endeavors of the enemy to cross the
river, kept at work day and night Strengthening
their defences, and evinced determination to
hold out to the last extremity"
The enemy's loss during the siege of Platts-
burg, amounted to about $500 in killed,
wounded, prisoners, and deserters. Colonel
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
British occupied the western portion, in the
form of a crescent. The Americans, as they
retreated 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
Captain Atkins volunteers [boysl at the seige
Of Plattsburg
{" Resolccd, dc, That the President Of the
United States be, and he is hereby, authorized
to cause to be delivered to Martin j. Aitkin,
Azariah G. Flagg, Ira A. Wood, Gustavus A.
Bird, James Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Henry
X. Averill, St. John B. L. Skinner, Frederick
P. Allen, Hiram Walworth, Ethan Everist
Amos Soper, James Patten, Bartemus Brooks,
Smith Bateman, Melancton w Travis, and
Flavel Williams, each one rifle, promised them
by General Maconb, while commanding the
Champlain department, for their gallantry and
patriotic services asa volunteer corps during
the siege Of Plattsburg, in September, one
thousand eight hundred and fourteen, on each
of which said rifles there shall be q plate con-
tanning an appropriate inscription.
"Approved May 20, 1876" Exchange.