Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-08-24

prise.
AS midday approached the Americans
were massed to receive orders; the To-
cality was large field the entrance to
which was by sliding bars and tall posts
peculiar to the vicinity. Stark leaped to
the topmost rail, steadied himself by the
tall post, and harangued his troops in the
well known sentences Now, my men,
yonder are the Hessians; they were
bought for seven pounds ten-pence
man. Are you worth more? Prove it.
| Tonight the American flag floats over
| yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps a
widowW Throwing knapsacks, jackets
and all baggage in heaps, and placing a
guard over them, the force started. Col.
| Herrick's Rangers, with the Bennington
militia, 300 strong, were sent to make a
detour to Baum's right; Col. Nichols,
with $50 men, was sent to the rear of the
enemy's left-the two forces, when
joined, to make an attack; 200 men under
Col. Stickney and Col. Hobart, including
| part of the Berkshire militia, were sent
against the Tory works. with directions
| to keep concealed in a corn-field near by
and await the opening of the action at
Baum's hill. Foreseeing that there would
be close work with the Tories, who were
in citizens dress, like his own force,
Stark gave directions to the attacking
party that corn-husk in the hat-band
should be the badge of his own men. A
guard under Sergeant was posted near
the bridge to prevent communication be-
tween the two wings of the enemy dur
ing the movements of the flanking par
ties, and the disposal of the forces was
complete.
AS cover to his designs, Stark now
moved forward his reserve, and employed
the time in marching slowly around hill in
full view of the enemy. This seemed topper
plex Baum, as his servant, Henry Archie.
laus, afterward said: "He scanned the
movement with f1eld-glass, and directed
his artillery to fire on the column" This
cannonade did no great harm, and the
ruse was continued, with variety of
movements, for nearly three hours. At
length, about three o'clock, the flanking
parties had reached their coveted posi-
tion and communicated with each other.
| Nichols was the first to open fire. The
Indians retired before the advancing line,
and, panic. struck, fled to the redoubt,
reporting that the forest was full of Yam
KEGS. Seeing the column closing with
| tightening coil around the hill, the saw
ages dashed through the opening between
the two detachments in single file,
and, yelling like demons, made their es-
cape, leaving few of their number dead
or prisoners. AS the line pressed up to
musket range, Baum opened fire of
small-arms, and brought one of the can
non forward to the angle left exposed by
the flight of his savage allies. The ac-
ton became hot on both sides, but the
assailants, being sheltered by trees and
brush, received little injury from the
Hessian fire, delivered breast-high, with
out aim. New developments and attacks
now rapidly ensued in every quarter; the
discharge of musketry was rapid, con-
tinuous and obstinately maintained for
nearly an hour, when an explosion oc-
CURED in the redoubt that shook the hill
by its violence, sending binding smoke
and flying fragments among the combat
ants. Appalled, at the detonation, there
was momentary lull among both par
ties. The tumbril, or ammunition cart,
of the Hessians had exploded. Compre-
hending instantly the accident, the Amer
leans, with a cheer along the whole line,
made dash for the parapet. No troops
could withstand such a tide; it poured in
at every angle with an impetuosity that
| defied resistance.
Muskets dubbed were opposed to bay.
onets; saber and pike came into full
play. Baum was driven back, unable to
use his artillery, and all discipline in both
forces seemed lost, except where the
German commander and few steady
Hessians charged with saber when una
BILE to load muskets. Part of Fraser's
marksmen rushed over the parapet and,
| leaving few of their number dead and
wounded, escaped. Baum was mortally
wounded by a shot, and the force around
him, panic struck, fled down the hill to
the south, where Stark's forces were ad-
vancing to meet them.
The action on the plain below, with
the Tories under Pfister and the Cana
dians in the log houses, was but the san
culinary counterpart of the scene at the
redoubt. At the first discharge from
Nichols column the concealed troops
rushed through the corn, receiving three
volleys, which they did not deign to re.
turn until they emerged from their cover
upon field of flax at the foot of the
breastwork. Here girdlcd, decayed trees
| gave them partial shelter, and behind
while others sought the cover of the
rank flax and corn. A rapid and con-
tlnuous fire now commenced on both
sides. A small platoon of Hessians in
the breastWorks delivered at rapid in
tervals their fire, without aim, giving
way at each discharge to the Tories,
who, with handkerchiefs tied as turbans,
appeared, alternating their volleys rapid
ly with the regulars. AT the explosion
in the large redoubt up the stream a
| charge was made, with a whOop and
hurrah, on the Tories. 1t was now corn
husk against turban IN desperate death,
| grapple. Musket stocks supplied the
place of bayonets on both sides The
enemy was pushed back; Pfister fell,
mortally wounded, and the remnant
around him called for quarter. The Ca
nadians, seeing the capture of the two
strongholds, surrendered with the Chas-
seurs, who, hemmed in, made little or no
resistance. The first fight was won.
A hasty disposal was made of the
prisoners. The Tories, numbering about
100, were tied by pairs to a leading rope,
with horse attached; the remaining
captives, about 450, were permitted the
honors of war, being marched in close
ranks with strong flank guard to Ben.
nington. Here they were quartered in
the church.
1t was now nearly six o'clock. Stark
and Warner fastened to the redOubt.
Baum, attended by his faithful servant
Henry and a Hessian surgeon, was being
removed from the field. Looking around
! at the fearful work made in the redoubt,
Stark remarked that the Americans had
fought like hell.hounds. "Truly," said
Baum, "they fought more like hell
hounds than soldiers" Baum and Pfster
were taken to the same house, mile
distant, in Shaftesbury, where both died
the following day.-H w. HerTiek, in
Harper's Magazine for September.
Postal -0ards