Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-07-31

Auo sunny Tolht CeieOrauon, which called togetn-
er some eight or ten thousand citizens, mainly from
Rockland county, on the 10Th of July, TO commemo
rate the storming of the Point, soon after midnight
seventy eight years previously we hope is to inaugu
rate many other celebrations of like character, all
over the land. There are it is true, in the history
OF the war, not many achievements so striking as
thls-wblch was one of the most brilliant achieve
mens OF ancient or modern warfare The fort was
strongly defended by nature and art, and it would
seem 10 us almost fool hardy but for what know
OF the man who planned the enterprise, and of the
man who executed it. The British had six hundred
skllltul and brave in the FORT and the Americans
undertook to take and hold it with less than three
hundred. When Washington asked Wayne-then
but thirty four years old-if he would command the
expedition which be had planned, the answer of Mad
Anthony, more laconc than .reverent, was: Yes
I'll storm hell itself. if you will only lay the plan" :"
He had confidence in the Skill of his general 1t was
on the 18th of July, 1879, that Wayne started from
Sandy Beach, over twelve or fourteen miles above,
and came by rugged and most impossible route TO
the scene of his abors AT half past eleven the fol.
lowing night he prepared for the attack. Everything
around was as still night and death. Every charge
had been withdrawn from the guns of the men picked
lor the occasion. Neutrality-suspicious. letter TO Wayne
IS worth reading many times-instructed his chosen
othcer not to make the attack at early morn.
ing, when foe might be most exp ected, and as was
the custom, but during the first slumber, and
after midnight as was practicable. Between II and
IL Wayne was on the line of the morass waiting for
the recedlng tide, and as it some of his had
to wade for two or three feet in the water How he
passed the sentinels is very we'll told in the address
of Judge Parker:
who, though his skin was black had as good heart
| as anybody. He was in the habit of coming to the
fort to sell berries to the officers and men, who were
always anxious 10 see him. They wanted him. to
come oflener, and he said he could not unless he
came in the night; he had to hoe corn all day for
his master. They were obliged to give him the coun
tersign and he promised 10 come, and he did come.
Laughter. But with him came two honest looking
men, 10 be sure, dressed as plain farmers. They
passed the sentiDels and gave the countersign and
soon the two senries were seized and bound by two
stout men, and thus ii surprise was effected"
After that, the foron hope of twenty men entered
the fort, but not until the alarm had been given
within and fierce and bloody was the resistance
that of the twenty men who first entered seventeen
either killed wounded The forlorn hope
the first TO expose themselves to the deadly fire
of the enemy, without being able to return it-stll
they marched on Wayne waS first struck by a
n.usket ball, and thought he was mortally wounded
He told his aids he wished 10 be taken to the fort 10
die al the head of his column He among the
first who entered the fort, and was spared to
his country in many future encounters. When they
came TO count the killed and wounded, they found
that, while they had lost but fifteen killed and eighty
three wounded, there fifty three of the British
killed, and over five hundred men taken prisoners
We like to see bravery and humanity 60 hand in
hand. The speaker alluded to spoke in eulogy of
the brilliant achievement by which the place was
thus captured. Medals presented to Wayne
| and Coils. De Fleury and Poser. Wayne announced
his victory to Gen. Washington in these brief words
SToNEY POINT, July Is, TIT,
2 o'clock, A. M.
Dear General The fort and prisoners, with Col.
Jackson are ours. Our officers and men behaved
| like men who were determined to be free
Yours most respectfully,
ANTHONY WAYNE.
~ Y E1press.