New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-07-13
DR., Daggett in Action.

OF Napthali Daggett, New Haven divine, who
was also d Yale College Professor IN revolutionary
times We have tue following story IN pr. sprsgaaes
On the evening Of the 4th Of July, N79, force Of
TWENTY-FIVE hundred men, which had previously sailed
from New York, landed in the South part Of West
Haven, parish Of New Haven, about five miles from
the center Of tho town. College was, Of course bro-
Ken up, and the Students with many Of the inhab
tants prepared to flee the morrow into the neigh
boring country. TO give more time for preparation,
and especially for the removal of goods, volunteer
company Of about hundred students was formed
against such force, but simply Of retarding or d
ycrting its march, In common with Others Of the
students, was one Of the number; and well re-
member the surprise we felt the next morning, July
enemy, to see Dr. Daggett riding furiously by US on
his old black mare with his long fowingpiece in his
hand, ready for action. We knew the old gentleman
had studied the matter thoroughly and satisfied his
own mind as to the right and proprety of fighting it
out; but we were not quite prepared to see him come
forth in so gallant style to carry his principles into
practice.
Giving him hearty cheer as he passed, we turned
down toward West Haven at the foot OF the Milford
Hills while he assembled little to the west and took
his station in copse Of wood, where he seemed to
be accommodating the enemy, like one who was de-
termined to bide his time. As we passed on toward
the south, ne met an advanced guard OF the British,
and taking our stand at line of fence, we fired upon
them several times and then chased them the length
Of three or four fields as they retreaed until sud-
denly found ourselves involved with the main body,
and in danger Of being surrounded. 1t was now our
turn to run, and we did, for our lives Passing by
Dr. Daggett in his station on the hill, we retreated
rapidly across West Bridge which instantly taken
down by persons who stood ready for the purpose to
prevent the enemy from entering the town by that
road. In the mean time, DR.. Daggett, as we heard
the story afterwards stood his ground manfuy while
the British columns advanced along the foot OF the
HILL determined to have the battle to himself as we
had left him in the lurch land using his fowlngp1ece
now and then to excellent effect, occasion offered,
under the cover Of the bushes. But this could not
last long. A detachment was sent up the hillside to
look into the matter; and the commanding officer
coming suddenly to his great SURPRISE on single in
dividual in black coat, blazing away in this style,
cried out What are you doing there you old fool,
firing on his Asjesty's troops 2" Exercising the
rights Of war;" says the old gentleman. The very
audacity Of the reply, and the mixture of drolery it
contained, seemed to amuse the officer.
g If Ilet you go this time, you rascal says he,
g will you ever fire again Oh the the troops Of His
Majesty z"
& Nothing more likely" said the old gentleman in
his dry way. This was too much for flesh and blood
to bear and it is wonder they did not put bullet
through him on the spot However, they dragged him
down to the head Of the column and, as they were
necessitated by the destruction of West Bridge, to
turn their two miles farther north, to the next
bridge above they placed him at their head and
PEELED him to lead the way. I had gone into the
meadows, in the meantime, on the opposite side of
the river half mile distant and kept pace with the
march as they advanced toward the north 1t was, I
think, the hottest day ever knew. The stoutest
men were almost melted with the heat. In this way
they drove the old gentleman before them at midday
under the burning sun, round through Westve
about five miles into the town, prickng him forward
with their bayonets when his strength failed and
when he was ready to sink to the ground from utter
exhaustion. Thus they marched himinto New Haven,
shooting down one and another Of the unoffending
inhabitants they passed through the streets and
keeping him in utter uncertainty whether they had
not been reserving him for the fate. When they
very few tories in the place. who had come forward
to welcome the troops, and at his request was finally
dismissed. His life was for some time in danger
from extreme exhaustion, and from the wounds he
received. He did, however, his strength
as to preach regularly in the chapel part of the
next year, but his death was no doubt fastened by
his sufferings on that occasion. He died about six
teen months after.