Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-08-07


piece Of white paper, to distinguish
him from tho enemy, and Wayne gave
special directions 10 the officers that they
should kill the first man who spoke or
acted without orders. This arranged the
TWO columns, one headed by Col. De
Fleury. A small reserve followed, head.
ed by Wayne in person.
With the utmost caution the Amer.
leans felt their way towards the cause.
way. 1t was about eleven o'clock nt
night, very dark, and our forlon hope
were not discov until near the wal ls.
Then several senlnes fired their mus.
kets, and the cry "To arms TO arms p
rang with startling emphasis upon the
midnight air, and in an instant the gar.
rison was all in commo,ion. Drums
rolled-lhe loud voices Of the officers
called the men 10 their guns, and lights
flashed from hundred cmbrasures.-
The tide being up, the morass was food.
cd nearly waist deep, but OF the cry Of
"Forwurd !" the patriots plunged in and
waded towards the ABATis. Then the
axes Of the forlorn hope began to tell
upon the timbers and the ditch began 10
fill up with the rubbish.
At this moment the fort opened fire.
From cannon and small arms q storm
of shot came down upon the patriot
ranks. The whole fortress wos shected
with fire, and the air sloweI with sui.
phurus light. But without one answer.
ing volley the Americans pushed on
The forlorn hope opened the palisades
at fearful loss-aIl but three were kill.
ed Wayne rushed to the front cheer.
ing on his men and crying Forward -
The bayonet the bayoncl! until struck
by muskct ball, he fell severely woun.
ded. His men gathered around, but
rising upon one knee, the gallant man
>houIei- March on Garry me into
the fort, for will die at the head Of my
column !"
He was carried on amid the storm o
battle, the fire and smoke, the dead anf
dying the clash and tumull, until he wal
laid down in the centre of the FORT
Here the conflict was terribly fierce
Bayoncts were plunged, muskets club
bed, swords rang and struck spark
from each other, while shouts and cheers
groans and exullations rent the air.--
Amid the din an American officer spran,
10 the flag staff, and by the lurid sar
Of battle the colors Of Wages battalion
were seen ascending the British 1ag.stall
and Stony Point surrendered 10 the ex
ullinS patriots.
The Americans loss was not very sc
we're fifteen killed, and eighty .lhre
wounded. The British loss was sixty
three killed, Gall by the bayoncO an
! five hundred and forty three men an
0 officers taken prisoners. Military store
10 the amount Of one hundred and fort
dollars, were captured. The sum wa
afterwards divided among the officer
and privates concerned in the great vic
= torv. A gold medal was presentc
: to Wayne, and silver ones 10 Dc Flcur
> and Major Stewart.
The capture of Stony Point was tn
d greatest act of Wayne's life. 1t was a
. . enterprise taught with the greatest daI
q y ger, but conceived and carried out
- - triumph. The troops received tho COZ
', gralulalions Of the whole country, it
u their gallant conduct aud liberal bou'
: lies from Congress.
. Anthony Wayne died at militia
y post called Presque Isle, on Lake Fri
: : in December, 170G, and at his own r
y quest his body was buried under I,
10 flagstaff of the fortress.