Litchfield enquirer., 1876-08-24


 iamin Talmadge,a native of Setauket, ed- ucated at Yale College, graduating in l773. At.the very commencement of the Revolution he entered into the struggle with heart and soul, and earned. by his skill and bravery, Colonel's commission and separate command. With his troop of dragoons he harrassed the enemy at every opportunity, and was considered by Washington as one of the ablest of his officers. The inhabitants of Long Island though cut off from furnishing active help to their comrades in arms, were yet true to the cause, and any movement of the British forces was reported at once to Washington, who declared that during the war he had more accurate and relia- bie information from Long Island than from any other part of the country. The interest felt bY Col. Talmadge in his na- tive town, caused him to feel deep anx- iety in all events in its neighborhood; and it was not long after the fact that the
 British were erecting Q fort upon Smiths Point, which was to be depot of supplies for Suffolk County, was brought up to his knowledge that he resolved to act upon it. He communicated the intelligence to Washington, and requested permission to cross the Sound with his forces, and take and destroy the fort. The great risk at- tending the enterprise caused the Oom- to hesitate in giving his consent, and it was not until after repeat ed application had been made by Col. Talmadge, who had learned that the for tress had been completed and the guns were about to be mounted, that the nec- essarY leave was obtained, and he hasten ed at once to prepare for the enterprise. Col. Talmadge was at that time stationed at Fairfield, Conn. ; and on the night of the 11th of November, 17S0, he embarked in boats for Long Island, having with him a force of less than 100 men. About five
 hours after starting. they landed at Q place then known by the name of Old Mans, but now bearing the Scriptural name of Mt. Sinai. At 10 o'clock at night they continued their march across the Is- land. Astorm of wind and rain that sud- denly arose caused them to halt and re- turn to their boats, where they remained until the storm abated, and again took up their line of march, and at o'clock in the morning found themselves at what is known as the Indian Crossing. about two miles from Fort St. George. Here they halted; the plan of attack was agreed up- on. The band divided into three parts, of which Col. Talmadge commanded one, while tho other two were placed under the leadership of men well-known to the Colonel as having all the fire and spirit the occasion demanded. A man named Booth, who was at that time living next the fort, had furnished a sketch of the
 works and had acted as their guide. A triangular space which formed an excava. tion of the spot, we should judge contain ing nearly three acres of ground. was en- closed by at srong stockade. The base of the triangle was nearly parallel to the shore of the bay. At the N. w. corner was the fort, which was 90 feet on one side, and surrounded by deep ditch, and above it ;sharpened pickets projected at an angle of 45 O. At each of the other angles was stronge barricaded house. The houses and the fort were connected with Q strong stockade.1 sa,Yl..-f
 The fort was to have been furnished with six guns, but only two were mounted at the time. At daybreak they begun the attack. The assault was commenced by the party led by the Colonel on the side next the Bay, while the other parties acted simultaneously against the other sides. The advance was perceived by Q sentinel on guard, who gave the alarm and fired, but was immediately prostrated by the thrust from bayonet. A breach was soon made in the stockade at three different points, and the parties entered the enclosed space almost simultaneously shouting the war-cry of Washington and glory. Leading his men through the pa- rade ground, he attacked the fort, and the onset was so fierce that it was carried in less than ten minutes, the British flag lowered, and the place surrendered. Af. ter the surrender, as the party were stand ing in the parade, they were fired at from one of the barricaded hOuses.- Immedi- ately an attack was made upon them, and, after great effort, the barricade was forced and the troops poured into the house. Then ensued scene of slaughter. By firing, after the fort had surrendered, they had forfeited all protection as pris- oners, and many were thrown headlong from the second story windows; and it is but too probable that the larger part of them would have been killed had not Col. Talmadge ordered the slaughter to cease. It was now sunrlse. The buildings, with an immense quantity. of stores, were de- stroyed: vessels lying at the landing were burned. Taking their prisoners, who were compelled to carry bundles of dry goods. they started on their return. Here another plan was laid It had been known that at Coram there was stored a large quantity of hay and provisions for the use of the British troops, and these it was determined to destroy 3e !0 sIsi
 Taking ten or tW elYe men and mounting them on horses taken at the fort. he start. ed for Coram, having placed the rest of the troops with the I prisoners under the of Capt. Edger, withlIorders to kO krsr, wNlo nk Hal It must have been 8 rapid ride, for in an hour and half they had reached the magazine of supplies at Coram, and hay ing made vigorous charge upon the guard, the whole was set on fire and con- stunned, and the party set ont for the place of rendezvous at Middle Island. The line of march Nas again resumed. and at o'clock in the afternoon the company em- parked in their boats for Connecticut. and by midnight had reached the point from whence they started. So successful an enterprise could not fail of it's reWard, and never, since the time that praise was first welcome to human ears, or grat- itude to human hearts, could there be any higher glory than the thanks of the Amer. lcan Congress and the praises of Washing ton. s.5-. ,.,sg -., ...,..,l.s sst, .y4s r..l
 In the affairs of this world 8 hundred years is long step towards oblivion, and few of the present. genera. ton are aware that within sight of this village was the scenes of this gallant ex- ploit. But little now remains to mark the spot. The stockade and bafricaded houses have disappeared; the ditch and embark mont of tlrs fort are nearly .leveled, though it's outlines can still be traced,
 The period of the Revolution is our he- roic age. The IIiad was not. written till long after the fall of Troy; the Eneid was not composed till centuries after the events it commemorates.. But when the time shall come for the Iliad and Eneid of how glorious will be the subject of the poet of the future. And when TO- nance and poetry shall mite to color these events of the past with their bright est hues, we trust that the brave actions of Long Island men ons Long Island shores will find their true position and a historian and poet worthy of their deeds. For it may be said of our native l. |. .-.e