, 1858-10-01

yourself Besides it is mode Of attack which
think you more competent to succeed in than some
others Of my officers, whose services, however,
| shall be more likely to need in conjunction
with my own. After all, the duty order you
on is q sort Of forlorn hope" .r ...
Enough, Colonel; will do my best not to
abuse the confidence you are so kind as to place
in me. But bark! think heard the challenge
Of the sentry"
"You are mistaken II is only the voice Of one
Of our own men sent forward to reconnoitre
Where is Captain TrOopS" a
"Here, Colonel" said an officer stepping for.
ward. .r.r a. l....
al have ordered Sergeant Genning with a de-
tachment to get possession Of the shipping at
the wharf," said the colonel. ifts3 % .5.s-
81 was about to ask that duty for myself" said
the captain.
"Very well, so be it. Sergeant, shall have
to countermand your order, and that is not a
very good beginning. However, still keep your
detachment Of men, and proceed against the enc
my's depot Of stores"
"As you please, colonel, said tile sergeant
The colonel now divided his forces into three
other divisions and then commenced to advance
upon the enemy's quarters. It was important
that the first attack should be made upon the
sentries before discovered, and for this reason,
the colonel, after having dispatched Troop, by
circuitous route, in the direction Of the wharves,
crept cautiously with his remaining force, upon
Ia
the unsuspcious camp. So well managed was
this advance, that the enemy had not the least
suspicion Of danger, until aroused from sleep by
the shouts Of their sentry, the clash of arms and
the discharge of musketry. At the same time
the schooner commenced brisk fire with round
and grape shot The little fortress began to pour
forth its men, and in many cases the contest be-
came hand to hand fight The Americans
charged with bayonets upon the barracks, and
for considerable time the struggle was main-
tanned with spirit on both sides, until at last,
owing to the superior yigor and determination Of
the attacking forces the British began to show
symptoms Of giving up the contest.
In the meantime, bOn-ires began to make their
appearance in various places, showing that Ser
gcant Genningss detachment were leaving traces
Of their footsteps wherever they went Barracks
containing corn, oats, and large quantities Of
other grain were fircd, till at length they came
to the. store that contained provisions for the
British army. This place the sergeant found
defended by resOlute body Of troops, who
seemed to think that Il men would not fight in
such cause, they were scarcely worth the pow
der that it would take to kill them. But not
withstanding their stubbonness, nothing daunt
cd, Sergeant Gennings ordered his mcn to the at
tack; and 50 at 1t they went, pell-Ineil, the
doughty sergeant at their head 1t was des-
pcrately contested combat, you may be sure,
and our sergeant was not little astonished
when he found himself about to be repulsed.s
Forward men!" he shouted at the top Of his
voice, seeing that some of them fell back. ave
must take this post or never see our homes
againI" -
And with these words he presented his mus
ket and once more charged at the head Of his
men. But he was not astonished at this repulse
this time, for he was met at the breach by man
as powerful as himself who, perhaps, more ex-
pert in the uses Of weapons and the arts Of war,
was enabled, by very dcxtcrous blow, to fen
our sergeant 10 the ground There was a shout
among the British, when they saw the leader Of
the Americans down; but there have been in
stances Of growing before you get out Of the
wood, or never hence the saying; and 50 we
think 1t must have been with the foe at that
time, for as two Of their number sprang forward
to seize the body Of the fallen man, they were
met BY three Of the militia, two Of whom, Aring
their pieces, severely wounded the two English
soldiers while the third, catching the fallen SER
geant by the heels, proceeded to drag him from
the reach Of the enemy. In doing this, how
ever, some portion Of his body came in contact
with a sharp stick, which must have had the
effect to bring him suddenly to his senses, for he
jumped up, and giving the soldier violent kick,
wanted to know "what the -" he was about; !;
and only an explanation Of the affair succeeded
in cooling the sergeant's ire. The blow had only
in effect stunned him, and in a moment more he
was as sound q man as ever. The attack was
now renewed with. II possible, more fury than
before; and sometimes, amid the darkness, Il was
difficult to distinguish friend from foe, so closely
were they intermingled. Still neither party was
willing to give up-the Yankees were deter
mined not to, and this feeling carried to extreme,
made the scene the most severely contested Of
any in the expedition.
Sergeant Gennings now gave orders that the
place should be carried at the charge Of the bay