Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-11-18

of the enemy. So unexpected was the meet
ing that a rapid volley was discharged into
their ranks before they were scarcely aware of
the danger. They were Immediately formed
in order of battle to repel the attack of the
enemy. A desperate contest ensued. Rogers
was wounded, and the command devolved on
Stark. Darkness was now coming on, and
some proposed retreat, when Stark, who
knew that their safety depended upon keeping
their situation until the darkness would cover
their retreat, declared that he would shoot the
first man who attempted to fly. Fighting in
the thickest of the battle, bullet struck the
lock of his gun and shattered it to pieces. At
that moment a Frenchman, not many yards
from where he stood, staggered back with a
| shot through his body, when Stark sprang for
ward and seized the gun from his relaxed
grasp. Desperately and obstinately the con-
fiict continued, with the snow four feet on the
ground, and a January night rapidly approach
ing Darkness having settled on the scene,
the enemy ceased firing, and Stark ordered a
retreat. All night the fatigued and wounded
company continued their course, and when
morning came, halted on Lake George, it be-
ing utterly impossible for the wounded to pro-
| ceed farther. The nearest fort was forty miles
distant, and Stark volunteered to go for aid.
| ssNothing can show more strikingly the pro-
digious energy of the man, than this expedi-
ton. Wearied as he was, and not having had
any sleep the night before, he set ont and ac-
complished the forty miles, on snow shoes, by
evening. Without waiting to rest himself,
and too noble to send others in his stead, nc
| Immediately started back, and travelling all
night, reached his companions next morning.
| Hastily placing his wounded in sleds, he set
out again, and, in his anxiety to relieve their
| sufferings, pushed on with such rapidity that
| he reached the fort again that night Few
| men of our day could stand such prodigious
strain on their physical energies as this. AT
ter having marched and fought all one day,
then retreated all night, he travelled on foot,
without stopping to rest, hundred and flrenfy
miles in less than forty hours"
When the war of the Revolution broke out,
and news was brought to him of the battles OF
| Concord and Lexington, within ten minutes
| time he was in the saddle Fastening to Boston.
| In the Battle of Bunker Hill he was present
and fought courageously was with Washing
ton at Trenton and in the Battle of Benning-
ton won for himself undying glory. When.
on this occasion, the enemy first appeared be-
fore him, he pointed them out to his soldiers,
saving, ssSee there, men !! there are the red,
coats Before night they are ours, or Molly
| Stark's widow The battle was one of the
most desperately contested of the whole war
CHI he
part of the engagement, but with his sword IL
his hand he continued to pass through hi:
ranks on foot, cheering on his men, and direct
ing the progress of the battle. The victory tt
the Americans was most decisive and glorious
After the war, Stark retired into private life
and lived to the good old age of ninety-four
and long enough to see the mighty growti
and increasing greatness of the country whose
| independence he had helped to form.