Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-09
MISCELLANY.
THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.
From Iving's Life of Washington


About nine clock in the evening of the e6ih,
Sir Henry Clinton began his march from Flat
lanes with the Vanguard, composed of light
infantry. Lord Percy followed with the gren-
adiers, artillery and light Dragons, forming
the center. Lord CORVALLIS brought up the
rear-guard with the heavy ordnance. General
Howe accompanied this division.
1t was silent march, without beat Of drum
or sound of trumpet, under guidance of Long
Island tory, along by-rcads trayersing a swamp
by narrow cause-way, and so across the coun-
try to the Jamaica road About two hours be-
fore daybreak, they arrived within half mile
Of the pass through the Bedford Hills, and
halted to prepare for an attack, At this juno
ture they captured an American patrol, aud
learned, 10 their surprise, that the Bedford pass
wa unoccupied In fact, the " hole road be-
yond Bedford, leading ~ Jamaica, had been
left ungarded, except by some light volunteer
troops. Colonels Williams and Miles, who
were stationed 10 the len OF Colonel Hand,
among the wooded hills, had been Instructed
TO send out parties occasionally to patrol the
road, but no troops had been stationed at the
Bedford pass. The road and pass may not
have been included in General Greene plan Of
defense, or may have been thought too far ont
neglect OF lhem. however, prmeuIa;aI. ''~--
Sir Henry Clinton Immediately detached
battalion of ligh,-infanlry TO secure the pass
and, advancing with the corps At tie fret break
Of day, possessed himself of the nights. lie
was now within three miles of Bedford, and
his march had been undiscovered. Having
passed the nights, therefore, he hailed his d.
vision for the soldiers To take some refresh
meni, preparatory 10 the mornings hosiilites.
There we will leave them, while we noie
how the other divisions performed their part of
the plan.
Abou, midnight General Grant moved from
Gravesend Bay with the leit wing, composed
of two briaades AMI regiment of regulars. IA
battalion Of New-York loyaisis. and ten field
pieces He proceeded along the road leading
past the Narrows and Gowanus Cove, toward
the righ, Of the American works. A picket
guard Of Pennsylvania and New-York militia,
under Colonel Atlee, retired before him fight
ing to position on the skirts Of the wooden
hills.
In the mean time, scouts had brought in word
to the American lines that the enemy were APP
preaching in force upon the right General
| Putnam Instantly ordered Lord Stirling 10 has
ion with the two regiments neares, at hand
and hold them in cheek. These were Hasleis
Delaware and Smalwoods Maryland regiments;
The latter the macaronis. in scarlet and buff,
who had ouishone, in camp, their yeoman iel-
low-soldiers in h1mespnn. They turned out
with great alacriiy, and Stirling Iushed for
ward with them on the road toward the Mar
rows. BY the time he had passed Gowanus
i Cove daylight began TO appear. Here, on a
rising ground, he mel Colonel Alice with his
Pennsylvania Provincials, and learned that the
enemy were near. Indeed, their front began
to appear in the uncertain twilight. Stirling
ordered Atlee to place himself 10 ambush ia
an orchard on the lefi Of the road, and await
their coming up, while he formed the Delaware
and Maryland regiment along a ridge from The
road, up to piece Of woods on the top Of the
hill.
Atlee gave the enemy two or three volley'
as they approached, and then reIealed anC
formed in the wood on Lord Strings left. By
this time his lurdship was re enforced by Kich
lines rihemen, part Of whom he placed along
a hedge at the foot ofihe hill, and part in from
of the wood General Grant threw his ligh
troops in the advance, and posted them in al
orchard and behind hodges. extending in from
of the Americans, and about one hundred a II
fifty yards distant.
|, was now broad daylight A ra,tling fir
commenced between the British light troop
and the American riAemen, which continues
for about two hours, when the former retire.
to their main body. In the mean time Stir
linc's position had been strengthened by the ar
rival OF Captain Carpenter with two ield-pieces
These were placed on The side of The hill, G.
as to command the road aud the approach 70
some hundred yards. General Grant, likewise
brought up his artillery within three hundre
yards, and formed his brigades on oppost
hills, about six hundred yards distant. Their
was occasional cannonading on both sides, bu
neither party sought general aciiop.
Lord Siiring's object was merely TO hol
the enemy in check and the instructions Q
General Grant. as we have shown, were no, I
press an antack until aware that Sir Henr
, Clinton was on the leh flank Of the Am1rcans
During this time, De Hester had commene
his part of the plan by opening cannonad
from his camp at Flatbush. upon the redoubl