Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-11

and coming up to windward. This was
sneedily done and the town in flames,
sending up an immense column of smoke
visible for many miles around, and dis
tinctly seen by the tribes on Ba coast,
thirty miles distant.
During our stay, and while firing the
town. the natives were collecting (as we
had been led by the guides to expect)
for an assault, planned with Judgment
and executed with courage and skill
Just as we were preparing to leave, 1t
was reported that the enemy were con-
centrated on the right of the town, in the
ravine where we entered. The LIST d.
vision, were ordered to take possession OF
the path and hold ii, the I'd to form and
follow the Ist, the carbineers and marines
called in and ordered to close up as quick
ly as possible, the carbineers to take the
central position again, and the marines
cover the rear. The heat from the burn
ING town was now intense, compelling
our prompt departure. The order was
hardly issued to move forward, when the
first division became assailed, and COM
menced the engagement, the second and
the marines marching up rapidly to their
support. The tom-tom," or native
drum, commenced beating furiously, and
the whole rarine through which we were
obliged to pass appeared alive with war
riors. Having concentrated in full force
they commenced violent assault upon
our front, flank and rear, with tumult
of yells and screams, a heavy discharge
of firearms, stones thrown from slings,
short, heavy clubs, hurled with great
force, and fight of arrows. They APP
preached quite near Us, moving with sur
prsing agility, and making horrible grim
aces, which their large mouths and white
teeth enabled them to do after the mos
ferocious and disgusting manner Oul
men returned the assault with a steady
and rapid discharge of their rifles, anC
after a severe action of twenty or thirty
, minutes, repulsed them, with heavy
loss on their side in killed and wounded
We gained the cleared ground somt
distance below where we entered tn
town, and near the place where we hal
: our long halt, without further molesta
+. ton, except a desultory fire kept up o.
both sides. Our route by the lower roa
/ lay along the edge of the ravine just pass
ed, and after leading over a small slop
: of cleared ground, across the next ravinf
The natives had Te-assembled here, evi
IDENTIFY with the intention of hanging o
our rear, and at every ravine renewin
the assault. Thus awaiting themselve
o of their local knowledge of the paSse
n and the superior advantages they affort
: ed them to harrass Us during our return
: and endeavor to secure at least one bod
# for their horrible feast, an end we wei
h assured they would leave DO effort Vi
: tried to attain. Had they succeeded,
I. would have removed a part of their di
" grace in losing their town and sufferir
# defeat, and impaired the full measure
#. our success in the eyes of the natives.
: To battle their designs, it became ne
IT. essary to make another flank moveme
4 to our right, and gain the summit of t
ID mountain opposite the town, from when
h. we could pursue our way to the vess
or along the ridge of the eastern spur, viii
= extended in q succession of undulatio
: to the harbor, availing ourselves of
excellent positions for defence, and whe
- an attack from the natives would result
70 their certain defeat and slaughter. I
- order was given to push forward, but
fore gaining any distance, two of {
mr. strongest men and one of our wound
Il tainted and fell from exhaustion;
-, carbineers slung their pieces again, a
M bore them up the ascent in their arms.
: This movement was greeted by the
j tives with derisive shouts, under the i
!, preston that they were killed or serio
ly wounded. Before reaching the t
~ several of the men sunk down from
- haustion, and others declared their i
10 bility to proceed further; a halt was
cordingly called, and taking to the deta
"a ed rocks and trees as covers, the grea
D. part Of the men threw themselves on
~ ground to rest. Mr.. Bartlett. howe,
49, gained the summit with part of the f
IA division, and reporting no natives in 81.
we had a long and refreshing rest. Y
.ta liam II. Thompson, the steward of
wild Wave accompanied US as a vol
-; teer, and to him we were under great
legations during the whole of the exp,