Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-04

! NhSiAir WV VI lIlIte NO1IeNS as
they approached, and then retreated and formed
IN The wood, on Lord Strings left By this
liine his Lordship was reinforced by Kichline'.
rifleinen' part OF whom he placed along hedge
at the foot of the hill and part of the wood
General Grant threw his light troops in the ad.
vance and posted them in an orchard and be.
hind hedges, extending in front of the Ameri-
cans about one hundred and fifty yards distant
1t was now broad daylight. rattling fire
commenced between the British light troons and
the Ameri can rifemen, which continued for
about two hours when the former retired to
their main body. In the mean time, Strings
position had been strengthened by the arrival
OF Captain Carpenter with two feld-pieces
These We're placed on the side of the hill. so rs
to command the road and the approach for some
hundred yards. General Grant likewise brought
up his artillery within three hundred Yards and
termed his bfigades on opposite hills, about six
hundred yards distant There was occasional
cannonading on both sides, but neither party
sought general action.
Lord Stirring object was merely to hold the
| enemy in check; and the instructions of Gem
erai Grant, as We have shown, were not to nress
an attack until aware that Sir Henry Clinton
was on the left flank of the Americans.
During this time, De Hester had commenced
his part of the plan by opening a cannonade
from his camp at Flatbush upon the recoubt at
the pass of the wooded hills, where Hand and
his ritemen were stationed. On hearing ,his.
General Sullivan, Who was within the lines,
rode forth to Colonel Hands post TO reconnoitre,
De Heister, however, according TO the plan of
operations, did not advance upon Flatbush, but
kept up brisk fire from his artillery on the
redoubt in front of the pass. which replied as
! briskly. At the same time, a cannonade from
British ship upon the battery at Red Hook
contributed to distract the attention of the
Americans
In the mean time terror reigned in New York.
The goHeying of musletry and the booming of
cannon at early dawn had told of the fighting
that had commenced. AS the morning advanced
and platoon firing and the occasional discharge
of ticld-piece We're heard in different direc-
tions, the terror increased. Washington was
still in doubt whether this was but a part of a
general attack, in which the city was TO be in
cluded. Five ships of the line were endeavor-
IL to beat up the bay. We're they TO cannon
ace the city, or to land troops above it Fortu-
nately, strong head-wind baftled their efforts
but one vessel of inferior force gotup tar enough
to open the fire already mentioned upon the fort
at Red Hook
Seeing no likelihood of an immediate attack
upon the city, Washington hastened over TO
Brooklyn in his barge, and galloped up to the
works. He arrived there in time to witness the
pafaStroubp IHlf oh, oil
enemy had been concerted
The laundering of artillery in the direction
of Bedford had given notice that Sir Henry had
turned the left Of the Americans De Heister
Immediately ordered Colonel Count Donop to
advance with his Hessian regiment and storm
the redoubt, while he followed with his whole
division. Sullivan did not remain to defend
the redoubt. Sir Henry's cannon had apprised
him Of the fatal truth that his flank was turned
and he in darger of being surrounded He or
dered a retreat to the lines, but it was already
too late. Scarce had he descended from the
height and emerged into the plain, when he was
met by the British light infantry and dragons.
and driven back into he woods By this time
De Heister aud his Hessians had come up, and
now commenced scene Of confusion, conster-
nation and slaughter, in which the troops under
Williams and Miles were involved. Hemmcd
in and entrapped between the British and Hes
slams, and driven from ole to the other the
Americans fought for time brayely, or rather
desperately. Some were cut down and trampled
by the cavalry, others bavoneted without mercy
by the Bessiaus. Some rallied in groups and
made brief stand with their rifles from rocks
or behind trees. The whole pass was scene
of carnage, resounding with the clash of arms,
the tramp of horses, the volleyug Of firearms,
and the cries of the combatants, with now and
then the dreary braying of the trumpet. We
give the words of one who mingled in the fight,
and whom we have heard speak with horror of
the sanguinary fury with which the Hessians
piled the bayonet. At length some of the
Americans, by desperate effort, cut their way
through the host of foes, and effected a retreat
to the lines, fighting as they went Others took
refuge among the woods and Businesses OF the
hills but great part were either killed or taken
prisoners. Among the latter was Gen. Sullivan.
Washington, as We have observed, arrived in
time to witness this catastrophe, but was unable
10 prevent 1t. He had heard the din of the bat
tie in the woods, and seen the smoke rising from
among the trees; but deep column of the en-
emy was descending from the hills on the left ;
his choicest troops were all IN action, and he
had none but militia to man his works. His
solicitude was now awakened for the safety of
Lord Stirling and his corps, who had been all
the morning exchanging cannonades with Gen
Grant The forbearance of the latter in not
advancing, though SO superior in force, had been
misinterpreted by the Americans. According
to Col. Haslets statement, the Delawares and
Marylanders, drawn up on the side of the hill,
" stood upward of four hours, with firm and
determined counteRance, III close array, their
colors flying, the enemy's artillery playing on
them all the while, not daring 10 adrance and at
tdcI, them, though six times their number, and
nearly surrounding them"
Washington saw the danger to which these
brave fellows Were exposed, though they could
not. Stationed on a hill within the lines, he