Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-07-07

Cd them 10 arms upon opposite sides.
Home they were now sworn enen miles, and
ready atany favorable moment to draw the
bloody knife upon each other in mortal
combat. .. d.. OIL. .
II happened in the year i74s that Capt
Hobbs was ordered from Number -Four,
now Cbarlestown, n. H., to Fort Shirley,
IN Heath, Msss,s with. company Of about
iorty men, aud AiS route led him through
tho SoutbernSnlrtof Vermont, or, rather,
uiat territory which altorw ards became.so.
Parties of Indians were supposed TO he
lurking in the vicinity, which rendered
care aud circumspection necessary; buff
two days this company neither encounter-
cd the enemy, nor discovered any signs
which indicated their proximity. On the
2B,h Of juno, after march ofseveral miles
over rough couftfy, the partywere seat
ed onthe banlSsof little stream, making
q meal from the contents of their packs.
There seemed TO be no occasion TO appre-
hendN an attack, and they were feeling
meaairably setnte. Soldier like, they were
specniatin9doti the events Of the times as
.cannected with their condition and calling,
~ tt5esnimsntlcr had takoa measures TO
avoid surprise, having stationed a rear
guard along his trail, to give notice Of any
approaching foe. While the party were at
their meal this guard was driven in, and
reported large body of French and Indi-
ans on their track The fact was that Sack
EFT, with his murderous band, was at the
time of the setting out of this party only a
few miles north, on the Connecticut.
Learning of this fact he pushed forward
with the intention of nterrupting the
march, but had unwittingly fallen in The
rear
Upon learning that the enemy were ap-
preaching, and that an engagement was i'll
evtable, the scouts began to prepare for
the event. As natural result little ex-
element prevailed among them, but the
GOODNESS of the commander led the men to
also act with coOlness. No time was lost in
getting ready for the encounter. The men
were formed for action in line, from
which their fire would have full effect upon
TIM enemy as they came round the point of
steep ledge. Each man was posted be-
hind a tree, rock, or some other cover, and
instructed to fire at the signal of a whistle
from the commander. Each, too, was to
aim Mt the individual enemy directly in
front of him, which arrangement would ex-
pose line of the foe to the effect o the fire,
and reduce the chances of several shots be-
ing lost on one.
Take good aim, boys" said Hobbs.
"Don't waste your powder Keep your
positions, and load and fire from your con-
cealment.
The enemy had obtained glimpse the
guard as they fled before them, aud sup
posed the whole party were seek ing safety
by the use Of their legs. Hence they rush
ed on exultingly, expecting soon TO over
take the fugtives and give them a shower
Of lead. Soon they passed around the point
of the steep ledge, and were strnging
along, single file, directly in front of Capt.
Hobbs line Of concealed scouts. At the
right time shrill whistle was heard, which
was responded to by the report of forty
muskets, aimed with care and GOODNESS at
us nany oltue encu.If o-' - -tii-tHsrru of oniy
a few rods. The effect of this fire was tre-
mendous. It was not only learfully fatal
fire, but it astonished and confused the enc
my, many of whom turned to make aquick
retreat. But the voice of Sackett was soon
heard urging his men TO rush on, and drive
the "white Iascals' from their ambush,
vet it was some time before the disconcert-
ed warriors could gather courage to obey
the order, 10y which time the "whitc rascal
had again loaded their muskets.
"Rush on! rush onr' cried Sackett;
"drive them Out!'
a few heads poked out from conceal
ment to obey this command, and again
general fire from behind the rocks and trees
opposite told feariully on them, causing
them to again seek the protection of am
bush. Hobbs party remained in conceal
ment, as much as possible, and whenever
the enemy exposed themselves to follow
M the attack their well directed shots did
good execution.
The scouts were sometimes obliged to
change their positions, to keep the enemy
in range, who improved such opportunities
to fire upon them, but these chances were
comparatively few.
In this manner the contest was contn-
ued for some hours; but the assailants
were obliged to use the laboring oar, Hobbs
men acting very coolly on the defensive.
Whenever one of the enemy showed his
head, he was almost sure to get it periorat-
ed. This they often did, not only to get a
sight at some of the English, but to gather
up and conceal their own dead; for ii was
an item in Indian warfare never to leave a
fallen warrior within sight Of an enemy.
To avoid doing this the Indians will often
run greater risks, and expose themselves
to more danger, than for the accomplish
ment Of any other object. During this fight
many fell while attempting to remove the
body of fallen comrade from view
Sackett often called upon Hobbs in So
norious tones, to surrender, declaring that
the whole party should he tomahawked il
he refused to do so. "Come ON, Sackett ~
: said Hobbs, "perform your threat we are
all waiting"
Then Sackett boasted OF his superior
mately have to yield.
"If you have got the most men," retort-
ed Hobbs, "now is your time, for I'm
thinking yon will not have the most long
Maddened by this retort, Sackctt sought
to drive his men to make decisive charge
upon the enemy; but they had grown wise
by experience, and learned their heads
we're safest while ont of sight.
Finally, finding the battle was going
against him, Sackelt ordered a retreat, and
left Hobbs and his brave party in posses
siou of the field.
The number OF Sacketts men is moi
known, but 1t was supposed to have been
| nnnrlv fnnr times Ihal of lhn Enulish LII.