Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-02-24

terribly IN the blaze OF the burn
ing sun. Many of them were our own
kith and kin. Truly it was q splendid
sight! but yet not unattended with sor-
rowful emotions. When they came in
front of the Presbyterian Church, they
formed hollow square; and the estimable
pastor, who had just given out the morn
ing hymn, descended from the pulpit, and
accompanied by the leading members of
the congregation, was led by the officers
into the centre of the hollow square, and
after presenting to the Throne of Grace
a fervcnt prayer for Divine protection,
and the success of the American arms, he
delivered to the soldiers most eloquent
and soul-stirring exhortation with what
effect, our readers can judge, when they
are told, that that pastor was the Rev.
DR.. Lyman Beecher. The troops then
re formed, and the music struck up live
ly march, and they were soon far out OF
8 yht on their Northern expedition. l
mention these facts, not simply because
they are fresh in my memory, but to show
the reader what kind of men composed
the army of Gen. Pike. They were sons
o. devout parents, had pious and adec
tionate brothers and sisters, and were
themselves carefully and religiously cdu-
Gated. Poor fellows cut of their whole
number only forty lived to return.
1t was in April, 1878, when Gen. Pike
commenced his march against York in
Upper Canada. He soon advanced in
front Of the fort, without opposition. A
large body OF British Troops were sta.
toned in the town to defend it. Finding
that no fire was opened from the fort. the
American forces came to a dead halt
Some of the officers suspected treachery
and advised small party only to go for
ward at first, and reeonnoitre. But Gen.
Pike, from the natural bravery and i'm
petuosity of his character, directed the
main body of his troops to make deter.
mined attack upon the fort. This he led
In person, heading the van of his brave
little army. When within few rods oil
the fort, the enemy sudde lily sprung o
mine, the explosion of which was trench
dous beyond description. Huge frag-
ments of rock. and her deadly missiles,
were hurled with destructive effect in the
face of the startled van. Unfortunately
a ponderouS stone struck the brave Gen
.eral on the head, and killed him instantly;
and with him fell not less than 800 of his
followers. For moment, the survivors
were staggered but when they saw their
beloved general fall, their grief gave way
to one loud deafening cry that seemed to
rend the very heavens and that cry was,
+" Vengeance on the treacherous red coat
towards y Col. barrow, young and
intrepid officer from Connecticut, rallied
them almost instantly, and placing him
self at their head, led them to the attack
No power could withstand the ferceness
of that terrible onslaught. In less than
half an hour, not Briton's arm was seen
to raise a weapon. The whole British
army was swept down, as flock of goats
might be hHrled by an Alpine torrent,
from their munition of rocks. Vain was
their superiority of numbers-vain the
thoughts of defending their fresides and
their homes-the Understanding peals
of Vengeance and the quick repeated
blows of thousand stalwart arms rem
dered resistance unavaijing. York soon
Surrended to the victorious Americans.
Thus fell the lalnented Pike and his
noble spirit, exulting in victory flew, on
wings Of Light to join those of Warren,
Montgomery and Mercer, in that far-of
land Of Eternal Glory, where no foeman
shall e'er again modest, and where peace
and harmony reign forever and ever
Thus. when the Christian warrior dies,
his sun goeth not out in darkness, but
only setteth for season, that it may rise
with renovated splendor. and illumine the
mysterious arches of an undivided Eter
nity.