The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-08-11
MISCELLANEOUS
An Incident of the Last War.

Allow me to relate an incident of the
last war with Great Britain, on the Can.
ada border, which develops true heroism
on the part of young officer then in his
teens, but now worthy and distinguished
citizen of the State of New York. d The
facts were long ago related TO me by an
old soldier, who saw and participated in
the enterprise. .-.
In August, 1918, the American army,
under MajOr-General Hampton, broke up
their encampment at Burlington, and
crossed Lake Champlain, in bateara, to
the Cumberland Head, on their march to
Montreal, expecting to encounter the
British army on their way. There were
four elite corps, of two hundred men each,
severally under Colonel Smelling, Colonel
Wool, Colonel Mcneil, and Colonel Ham,
iton. They arrived at Cumberland Point,
at twelve o'clock at night.
1t was arranged that Colonels Smelling
and Wool should proceed down the lake,
in 6ateaua, and that two corps, under
Colonels Mcneil and Hamilton, should
march down by land and attack the Brit
ish army on the Canada shsre. Colonels
Smelling and Wool arrived first, and sue.
ceeded in driving in the British outposts
to the main body, and occupying their
places. .rtasaIlt
After marching about twenty miles,
Colonel McNeil's command, on coming
out of the woods about sunrise, and ses-
ing the detachment Of Colonels Smelling
and Wool, mistook them for the British
army. Lieutenant Aaron Ward being in
command of the advance guards of about
fifty men, halted till the Colonel in com.
mand should come up and give orders.
Colonel Mcneil soon came up and ordered
Lieutenant Ward to gain the first feuce,
parallel to the road where the troops ap-
peared. and there to commence the at.
tack, if near enough but otherwise to
advance to the second fence. He advanced
to the second fence, and formed his COM
pany, when flag was presented, and the
adverse corps proved to be the first de-
tachment, under Colonels Smelling and
Wool. :i 3'A'.'-.+ '' a. i' ''
Colonel Snelling's corps soon after EN-.
barked in their boats, leaving the residue
under Colonel Mcneil In the course of
an hour the whole British army were oh.
served advancing, in order Of battle.
Lieutenant Ward was ordered to advance
with his company. 4,r1nlrr.
The road was five rods wide, and the
enemy three-qusrters Of mile ahead.
Lieutenant Ward, then about seventeen
years of age, and on bis FIRST campaign,
steadily advanced without finching, and
received three discharges from the enemy,
without returning shot; and while re-
loading for the fourth vellsy, Lieutenant
Ward ordered his company to fire, and
Immediately after blazing away he charged
bayonets on the enemy. Their advanced
guard of regulars, under Captain Myers,
was Immediately routed, and retreated to
their main body, pursued by Lieutenant
Wards company leaving several killed on
the field, which was instantly occupied by
the Americans. This skirmish concen.
trated the whole American army, and the
British army retreated in disorder. CO.
lionel, afterwards General John Mcneil
at the close Of the war, held civil ap.
pointment for several years, in the reye-
nue. service. Lieutenant, now General
Aaron Ward, of New York. after serving
faithfully during the war, has since, for
twelve years, represented Westchestcr dis
trict in Congress. A man Of consumate
skill and bearing in the field, lie was a
useful and faithful representative of the
people on the acor of Congress, and
merits well Of his country Boston four
nal. s. If..