Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-19

It's retreat, but hurried home to rouse
the militia to hasten to the aid Of Stark,
who was to furnish a different example.
He believed and declared that the
Give general officers who gave up
IicCnderoga" should be cashiered.
Ii such towards went unpunished, he
said it was, in his opinion ''the sad
doom ot'these .States-the end as come. >
He moved the whole western part of the
State with his appeal to hasten to the
aid of the gallant Stark. Marching
with the Berkshire militia, he reached
camp OF the morning Of the 10th of
August, before daylight, in pouring
thunderstorm. Though drenched to
the skin he Immediately sought an
interview with the general Still
snar5ing under the disgrace of Ticon-
deroga, he said bluntly: Gen Stark,
the berkshire militia have often been
summoned to the field without being
allowed to fight; now, if you don't
give them a chance this time, they
viii never turn out again" Stark, a
hero himself, loved to hear the ring OF
the true metal, and, delighted at the
gallant bearing Of the young clergyman,
smllingly replied : 'Do you want to
march now, while it is dark and rain
ing p NO" replied Allen, "no-
not just at this moment "WeIl,
then,' replied Stark, eff the Lord will
give US sunshine and [ do not give you
fighting, | will never ask you to come
out again
The Lord did give them sunshine,
and the morning drum reused him up
to as beautiful a day as ever blessed
the world. The troops took up their
march along the banks of tranquil
stream. During the forenoon, while
the several columns, were marching to
separate positions, the militia remarked
to Mr., Allen: "We will do our own
fighting to day "Yes,'' replied the
latter, eve shall have a good time at
the enemy, but we are not quite ready
yet-we must first join in prayer" =
and there, under the bright August sky,
with uncovered head, he lifted up his
earnest prayer that God would give
them victory, When they came in
sight of the 1tessians and just before
the attack commenced, he advanced
alone in front. in his CLERICAL gown,
and, mounting a stump, called out in
a loud voice to them to surrender and
save the efusion Of blood, and promis-
ing them generous treatment. The
only response be got was vollev Of
musketry. The bullets whisteled
around him, one passing through his
bat He did not wait for another
volIey, but, descending leisurely, return
ed to the ranks. He took his place
amid some Of his Pensioners and be-
side his own brother. After the batrle
commenced, knowing that he was a
better marksman than his brother, he
said: "Joe, you load and I'll fire ;"
and so they fought, side by side, Gods
own battle, on that warm August day.
At the final charge he led the militia,
striding swiftly in advance, and was
one of the first over the breastworks,
and hears, with joy and deyout thank
fulness, the shout Of victory roll over
the heights
But no sooner was the battle over
than the soldiers became the devoted
minister Of Christ and gave all his at
tention to the wounded Among the
Hessian steods straying over the fields
without a master was one belonging to a
surgeon, loaded with panr iers of wine.
While others were roaming the fields
for plumber, he siezed these and began
to distribute them to the wounded and
fainting around him. He moved like
an angel of mercy over the CORY field,
administering aid to friends and foes
alike. To the dying militiaman he
gave words of exhortation and consola-
ton, pointing him to the Savior of all.
All that night and the next day he
hung round the couches of the suf-
ererS, praying with some and comfort
ing others with cheering words.
On Saturday he mounted his horse
and rode home forty or fifty miles to
his parish to preach on Sunday. The
victory created the most intense excit-
ment, and the part the young clergy
man took in it was on every tongue in
the parish. One good, staid member
OF the chursh, on hearing that he had
fought like common soldier, asked
him if it we're true. His pastor re-
piled: 'Yes-it was close hot bat
tie, and it became every lover Of his
country TO lend a helping hand"
"Well. but" said the good man, s'DIr.
Allen, did you kill anybody - :'No,"
he 'epied, Il don't Anoe0 that I killed
any one, but I happened to notice a
flash at regular intervals behind a GER
tain bush, and every time I saw that
flash one of our men fell. [ took aim
at the bush and fired. I don't know
that I killed any body, but I put out
that fash" All! at the outest Of that