Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-01

uer the command OF General Mower, and like
wise of some volunteers from Vermont, under
General Strong. The inhabitants, except al few
who joined in the defense, removed with Their
families and effects and Provost advanced with
slow and cautious marches. II was ascertained
that the enemy's columns would approach the
town by two different roads. General Mower
with 700 militia, advanced several miles upon
the Beskmantown road, and several detachments
of the regulars marched upon the Lake road
with orders to skirmish with the enemy, hedge
up tho road, destroy bridges, ard retard their
progress that more time might be had for the
completion of the works.
Major Wool* was among the gallant young
officers who headed these detaehments, and as
sisted at the entry of Sir George, upon this oc-
casion.
Gen. Macomb, finding that the cnomy were
crowding into town from all directions, ordered
his troops to abandon the north side of the Sar-
anac, and, having accomplished that, to take up
the planking of the bridge and form breast
work, and defend the passes. This order was
executed; but still the enemy seemed extremely
anxious to force passage, and, for this pur-
pose they took shelter in buildings near the
bridge, and kept upa calling fire upon our
troops. To remedy this difficulty, General Ma
comb ordered the buildings to be ct'on fire with
hot shot. This afforded our men relief for the
time being, but the enemy seemed unwilling to
abandon the idea of crossing the Saranac while
they remained in town.
For the next three days the enemy employed
most of their time in entrenching and forming
their batteries. 1t was expected that our hotil-
Ia, then lying in the Bay, and commanded by
Commodore McDonough, would bo attacked by
that of the enemy, and our works assaulted, at
the same time; and, as was expected, the one
my feet, on the morning of the 1lth, was seen
approaching the town, and soon bore down and
engaged ours lying at anchor in the Bay. AT
the same moment, the enemy opened his batter
les upon our works.
Three attempts were Immediately made to
cross the Saranac, for the purpose of storming
the works One attempt was made ut the vii
lage BRIDGE another at a bridge in the rear ol
the village; and third at what was called the
Upper Ford, about three miles from the works
At the two first they were repulsed by the regular
troops atsthe Ford by the brave volunteers
and militia, where they suffered severely in killed
wounded and prisoners. A considerable body
passed the stream, but were either killed, taken
prisoners or driven back A whole company Of
the 10th regiment were here destroyed =
three lieutcnants and twenty-se men made
prisoners-the Captaint and the rest killed.
These detachments were said to be composed Of
the flower of the British army. The maneu-
vres of tho day brought the writer of this arti-
Gle in close contact with the column at the Ford
who were finer looking troops than we had seen
during the war.
The cannonading continued until sunset,
when, the batteries of the enemy being silcnced
1t ceased. As soon as daylight disappeared, tht
enemy made hasty preparations to evacuate the
place. and at 2 O'Clock, on the morning of the
18th, they finally left town, leaving their
wounded under the care of a surgeon, with a
note requesting the humane attention of the
Commanding General. Large quantities of pro
visions and munitions of war were destroyed lol
want OF means to convey them away. A larg,
portion of the latter was found secreted.
30 preeipitate and noisoless was their retreat
that they had actually advanced eight milc'
on their way, before it was known that they
had left. They were pursued several miles, b.
finding them so far in advance, and the travelling
rendered difficult in consequence of falling rain
further pursuit was abandoned. The pursuin,
squadrons returned to camp, collecting the srag
glsrs by the way side, and conducting them tt
head. quarters.
On entering the evacuated village, in tn
morning, although a death-likc stiffness pre-
vailed, yet the ravages of war were to be seel
on every side The streets were strcwn witt
shots of every description. The buildings
such as had not been burned to the ground, wer
rent with shot, and especially those near til
crossing, were completely riddled while tn
dead bodies Of men and horses were to be see
lying in different parts Of the street. Some O
the former, had that had been slightly inferred
been disinterred by dogs and swine, and par
TALLY dcvoured. In the distance, we discovcre
an immense pile Of scaling ladders, intende
for scaling our works, which forcibly reminde
US that the old saying, nothing was ever mad
in vain" was incorrect.
1t was thought that Sir George lost, on tn
occasion, more than 1000 men, while the Amc,
leans lost but 1913, in killed wounded and mis-
ing.
Tho naval action, which lasted over tw
hours was fought in fnll view of both armie
and probably afforded the most sublime an
thrilling sight ever witnessed from the banks
Lake Champlain. 1t was thought to be one
the most sanguinary conflicts that came off d,
ring the war, and was terminated by the gu
render of the British fleet. Their commando
Com. Downie, fell early in the action. III
British fleet was superior to the American, bo
in men and guns.
On the 18th, the officers who fell in the cor
bat, on both sides, were buried with militia
honors. The volunteers and militia soon retir
! to their several occupations, leaving Macon
, and his little band of Spartans in quiet poss,
sion of the town.
; 1t is an old adage that, I" fortune favors t
, brave" ana not aware that the defenders
: Plattsburgh have ever laid any special claim
bravery yet when we see them, q mere handi
of raw troops, taking stand, against an arr
of $4,000 well-disciplinsd troops, many of who