Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-02-18

In the American Portrait Gallery it is
said that the soldiers nnder Sir George
Provost were the flower of Wellington S
army, and that the men under Captain
Downie were the best of Nelson's marines.
The design of the British was to get the
command of the lake, and then penetrate
into the interior of the State of New York.
Their superior numbers and the facilities
of approach, by land and lake, were so
favorable that they were flushed with the
hope of certain victory. The land forces
of Sir George Provost We're from ten to
twelve thousand while General Macombe,
at Plattsburgh, had but fifteen hundred
regulars, who were joined by a considera-
BILE number of volunteers from the States
of New York and Vermont.
The plan of the British commanders was
to unite a land and a water attack. The
fleet on the lake was to support the army
on the shore.
The British squadron was commanded
by Captain Downie, and the American by
Captain Macdonough. Great anxiety was
felt as Sir George Provost was seen APP
preaching with his land forces as their
fleet came in sight. 1t was feared that the
British fleet, so superior to ours, would
conquer, and then the superior land force
of Sir George Provost would force the en-
trenchment of General Macdonough, take
Plattsburgh, and then invade the heart
of the State
The battle on the Lake was fought in the
sight of the two hostile armies, and they
felt that the success on the land depended
on the success of the fleet on the Lake. and
so it proved Not only the two armies,
but the inhabitants of the adjoining towns
lining the shores, watched with deepest
anxiety the engagement; for the battle was
to determine whether they would be driven
from their homes in want, or remain in
their homes in peace and safety. Not only
the shores, but the projecting points of
land and neighbCring hills We're filled with
anxious spectators.
just us the sun arose over the eastern
hills on the Sabbath morning, September
11th, 1914, the guard-boat rounded into
the harbor, and informed Macdonough
that the British fleet, in the distance, was
approaching for battle. As the enemy
hove in sight, the vessels were cleared for
action; then Macdonough assembled his
men on the quarter deck of the Saratoga,
the flagship. when he kneeled down, and
in humble fervent prayers, commended
himself, his men, and his cause to the God
rose from the posture with serenity and
calmness on his brow which showed that
he had received comfort and assurance
from above"
One writer said it was Il solemn and
thrilling spectacle. one probably never be
; fore witnessed on ship cleared for action
: As the British fleet was approaching, the
commander asked the man at the mast
head what q he saw?' Il see on theil
flag ship, what appear to he men al
prayer Downie replied, = that is no goot
omen for u.s. Was this remark prophet
ic. as he early fell ut his post in the deadly
: conflict?
On the one side WAS the hostile fleet
coming down ut the sound of music. Or
the other side stood the armies on land il
the order of battle with their banners fly
ING; and between them Macdonough'
fleet lay at anchor. awaiting the coming
conflict. The English fleet under easy
sail. came on, rounding the Cumberland
point prepared for battle.
As the battle commenced, the great ef
fort of the enemy appeared to be to disable
and conquer the Saratoga; therefore, they
opened again and again their broadSides
and poured on our flagship their iron hail
Soon after the battle begun, Il hen-cool
was shot away, and one of the fowls flew
into the rigging, and crowed with his shril
clarion voice The sailors taking it rs
good omen. sent up cheer after cheer a
they " fought like brave men. long an,
well" Twice was the Saratoga on fire bl
the hot shots from tie enemy. Though
crippled. and a Slaughter house. rs on
said-though Macdonough was knocke,
, down-and the cry was heard, our com
, mander is killed; yet soon he arose, ant
was at his post.
f Again in akhort time afterwards, the CT,
WIS heard, he is killed" and every eyt
was turned toward Macdonough as he Ia,
, between two guns covered with his blood
But soon he revived, and limping to hi
. gun. continued to sight it carefully an,
hull the enemy. Both the British ant
American tlag-ships were terribly shatter
ed In their broadsidcs their firing wa
: so rapid that ut II distance, they wer
a thought to be on fire.
Though the Saratoga was so shattered
Macdonough ordered her to be kedge,
around. and poured such a broadside int
f the British ag-ship. that it left her in
. sinking condition. All the other ships ant
| gun-boats of each squadron fought bravel
= and terribly for two hours and twent,
|
f ed, and one of the most important AM
= eventful victories of the war was gained
The battle of Plattsburgh was fought ol
the shore while the battle was raging ol
a the Lake. No sooner than the flag of tn
British squadron WAS struck, and the sur
= render made. and the victory won, thai
Sir George Provost, who was prepared fO
! an assault on Plattsburgh, made a hast
retreat, abandoning Il large proportion 0
n his military stores, and hurried from til
, battlefield of his wounded fallen and un
! buried dead No further invasion wa
:. made in those parts after that signal vic
: tory, for the boasted power of the BIRTHS
I on Lake Champlain, and on its beautifU
and romantic borders, was not only weak
ened but lost This victory was announ(
ed to the war department by Macdonoug
n on the day it was gained, in the followin
: brief, pioas. and modest communication ::
t SEPTEMBER. II. 1914.
n - The Almighty has been pleased t
: grant us a signal victory on Lake Chan
n plain,n and then closed his communicate
a by mentioning the vessels taken.
e On the Sabbath the invading fleet con
t menced their last and lost battle. Th
: lost battle of offensive warfare is only or
|, of many lost battles began on the Sabbat
: which history records.
d l might refer to many in our own nation
a as we'll as to many lost battles in oth'
n nations, teaching us that God has regal
e to His Sabbath even in times of wa
e Great praise was given to Macdonough
n his management Of the flotilla before an
: in the engagement. 1t was said at Il
1t time that the calm, desperate bravery wit
J which the battle was fought, could hardl
IS be eXcelled.
: At the close of the action, Sir Geors
1t Provost sent line and asked him how
d gained the victory? Macdonough takir
e care of the wounded. had not time to co
d respond with the enemy on land; but
% the same communication wrote, g Hal
|, fighting" Not only great praise. and n
1, merous civic honorS, but valuable and n