Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-11-30

CHAPTER VII.
|, WIS but few DAYS subsequent to
these events that Col. Gansevoort had the
modification to find his slightly garrison
ed fort invested by lorco of seventeen
hundred men, composed Of British regu
lars. ,ovaiists and Indians His repeated
calls for reirforcements from the regular
army had met, thus far, with nothing bu
promises. and unless some efeciual aid
should arrive, there was every reason 10
believe that in few weeks ct lar'hest he
would be compelled to capitu'ate. Col.
ST. Lnger, Sir. Johnson, and the renewed
Indian chieftain, Brant, were among his
bcsiegars-names which ysie themselves
calculated TO inspire terror among has
undisciplnei troops. ThoY did not, how
ever. deter the gallant Gen. Herkimer
from making noble effort for tho relief OF
the garrison. BY earnest appeals TO the
patriotism of his fellow citizens, that gal
liant officer succeeded in raising m army
of about eight hundred men, among whom
wero manv of the first citizens OF Tryon
county. With these he FASTENED forward
by rapid marches, and pausinS few
miles ftom the fort, despatched couriers
to notify the commaniant OF his 4 aPProach
The discharge Of artillery from The works
was TO announce The arrival of messengers,
and 10 be signal for his advance, al which
! time also Col. Gansevoort, by n sorfic
froai the fort, was expected 20 assist in
making good the en.r.,""a OF his ally
such was the well concerted scheme Q. 90
sagacious and valiant Herkimer. But
some accident having delayed the arrival
of his embassy at the fO.t several hours
longer than was anticipated, his officers
and men become impatient OF delay, and
demanded to be led forward. Herkimer
declined to advance until the anxiously
expected signal was heard, but CALLED by
the importuniies and taunls Of his officers
who did rot hesitate openly TO denounce
him as coward. he gave The fatal order
10 march. The ambuscade, the surprise
aud the bloody battle which ensued in tho
forests of Oriskany, are among the most
memorable events OF history. On this
field the indomitable courage OF lIerkimer
and pusilianimv his traducer RS were both
exemplifed. The latter ied a; almost the
first onset, while their leader although Sc
vere'y wounded upon the field issuing his
orders, and cal My smoking his mcerSchaum
amidst the most sangulnary battle OF the
Re, olulon. Although the result of this
engagement was one in which it is diff
cult 10 decide the question Of victory, yet
the r,ain object of tho expedition was de-
ieated. no portion OF HeykimerS forces
reached the garrison, and Col. Gansevoort
remained in more hopeless condition than
before. He had fulfilled oil that was re-
quired on his part. The Sortic of Col
Wilo;t, who gained and held possession
Of Sir John Johnson's camp long enough
TO transfer seven wagon loads OF spoil, each
thrice told, to the fort, was q brilliant ex-
plot. for which Congress voted him the
nations thanks and sword.
But there are some miner incidents oil
which it is necessary ~ speak. Capt.
Wells had effected his object of joining
the loyalists a; Fort Siaawix, and it was
there that he first learned from Waldon
the flight Of Ellen. Deeply ncensed at
her conduct, and onraged beyond measure
at Dudley, he Immediately applied to his
commanding oilicer for permission to des-
patch flag 10 Col. Gansevoori, reques-
ting safe conduct for his daughter 10 the
British camp. This was granted and ii
was only on the third morning after Ell
lens arrival at Fort Stanwix that she was
| thus summoned 10 Join her father. lad
it not been for Waldon she would not have
hesitated u momei,, TO yield obedience TO
the parental authority, hut her dread OF
her suitor had become so greet MS to be
quite insupe perable. She returned 4 re-
spectful and dutiful answer, in which she
dwelt at length upon her recent perls and
her present safety, adding that she lell
unable 10 bear any new excitement OF
alarm, and begging to be allowed to re-
main i'll quie. in her-present abode. 'lf,
she ingeniously concluded, If your for
ces are rcpused, shall certainly be safer
here than in trave ling camp, but if. q.
you so confidently predict, you will be i'll
possession Of the fort within three days
you will then also be in possession OF your
aleclionale daughter Ellen
But although thus baffled Cor the time,
Capt. Wells, as will be seen was not dis
posed to intermit his efforts.
Dude ey in The mean time had found nc
small favor in the eyes of C)l. Gansevoorl
to whom, as indeed TO the whole garrison
the affairs of Fort Lee had become Known.
In the famous attack of Col. Willett on
the British camp he bore conspicuous
part, and received the highest ecomiums
from that officer, and his reputation for
coolness and courage soon became such,
that when any deed of unusual daring was
contemplated, his name was among the
Fl rsi 10 be mentioned in connection with
II. He had received Lieutenant's com
mission, with the promise of speedy promo.
lion, while his worthy and valiant com.
rade. Rogers, had also been raised to the
rank of sergeant. But in the mean time
tho prospects of the garrison grew daily
more gloomy, and Col. Willetto and Dad
ley undertook the perilous task Of making
their escape from the fort, travelling thir
ty miles through the forest on foot, and
makinga final desperate efft rt to rally the
MALTA to Tryon county. where each of
them were we'll known and were highly
popular They succeeded in reaching
Fort Dayton, where 10 their joyful sur