New-York tribune., 1877-09-20


fatal check in 1717, was celebrated by gathering OF
over 10000 people the battlefield, where tho re-
mains OF the American entrrnchinenis, laid out
by Kosciusko, and behind which Leonards and
Poors brigades fought, are yet visible. Battery
b OF the Tontn Brigade and Its supporting
company the Third-a separate company OF Cohoes-ar
rived on the field and went into camp Tuesday nisnt
and, in pursuance OF orders OF MajGen Carr, OF the
Third Division they fired salute OF 100 guns at sunrise
early hour people began to arrive from every d
recton scattering into groups to view points OF H.
terest which had been marked by the committee
OF Arrangements Citizens OF Saratoga Springs Balson
and schuyleryle arrived in procession, headed Dy
bands at 10 o'clock, and proceeded to Canal Station
where Tenth Brigade, National Guard landed from
canal boats and formed under direction OF Gen. W. D..
French, Chief Marshal and Aids. Maj.-Gen Carr aud
Staff and Brig Cen Alden and Sta. Military and fire
companies from saltwater and Mecnanicsve also ar
rived at this point.
At 1890, the hour when, according to his
torlans tie battle began in 1777 the process
sion passed the stand facing the Nelson House,
the headquarters OF Gems MOreau and Poor in 177I,
whore the officers Of the day. with the speakers and In
vted guests were assembled Among those on the stand
were Lieut. Gov Dorsheimer, with Gen. Chas Hughes
Gen c. c. Tracy aud Col. c. q. sodewick. OF the Gov
errors staff; the Hon Geo G.. Scott, President OF the
Day; the Hon. Marlin Townsend. Postmaster gilbert
Robinson jr of Troy; Jas. s. Smart Henry g. BurelSh
"a relative OF Col Bureigh Poor) OF the New-amp'hire
Brigade; Commissioner Brennan OF New-York; Judge
Yates of Schenectady j. NJ. Francis aud Thos H. Carroll
Of Troy; Judge W. Crane the Hon. c. 8. Lester, the
Hon George W Chapman, the Hon. George West, the
Hon George W Nel son and the Hon. Edward Edwards,
OF Saratoga with numerous clergymen OF the county and
vicinity.
After the procession passed. the exercises began with
PRAYER by the Rev. DR.. stryker The opening address
was made 10y the Hon. George q. Scott
The Hon. Martin L. Townsend said the valleys OF the
Hudson and Champlan for centuries tile scenes of
and bloodshed before the white man settled tins
realm first between the tribes Of Indians; then French
civil zatIon Joined with savage barbarsrn for years In
de uging these fair valleys in blood, and finally Great
Britain led the untamed savage to do the work
Of cruelty and blood along these beautiful slopes and
htops Bat TIE sound Of the war-whOop has ceased aul
the arls peace have been most successful " cultivated
among u.s. Tue speaker closed by describing second
war with Engandher aid and comfort given durngth,
late struggle Tor National existence But the Treaty OF
Wa.hington and the payment by England OF tue a"aiu
made under il. removed all causes OF contention
A p0em by Prof James Russell Lowell was then read
and Ileut-Gov Dorshemor mado u brief and humorous
speech.
The exercises closed with the historical Grafton by
John Austin Stevens. Mr.. stevens SAID:
To appear before you on this interesting occasion COM
memoriiive Of an important event in the annals OF the
state and country is to me- not only signal honor and
graceful task bu a fiji al duv. Proud to be chos to
recile the Incidents Of the cmpa'gn which culminatei
i'm re surrender OF the first British to the infant
Rcrub c, it sou ee OF still gcraer pride 70 me- That
am lhus permitted TO link my own name in the cham
of history with that OF my grandfather, Ebenczer
Stevens, who, on this field century ago directed; as
Major Commandant Of the Artillery OF the rtEern D.
par rnent the operations OF that arm OF the service
which IN great measure contributed to and secured
the final success OF the American army.
The around on winch We stand is memorable. Before
the discovery OF this continen this territory at whose
southern auclc gathered, was the bati heid
OF the Indian tribes. whose trails lay upon ITS boun
dlrcs and fro the days Of European settlement has
been the dehlfeab ground Of theiFcnc aud Dutch the
French and Engl sh and the cOlOnists and English by
turns. Here the fate of American empire has been r..
peaedy sealed Not because Of It's mlchlcss beauty OF
h and dale ts mlrrOred lakes and crystal streams IT'S
nvIgoratng atmosphere and perfect skes.n0r yet be-
cause o asnrrd forests and fertile tel1-was this
old territory of Saratoga and KayaderOssers tn Object
rivalry and contention. Us possession was OF suprem
military importance. The Mohawk pours into the liud
son s suuthernmOst lim its borders are protected
by their waters, while series of declyties descending
from the mountain range OF Luzefne ana hayaueros
seras aud terminating IN groups OF Isolated hills present
an admirable strategic point Toe discovery OF Lake
Champlan. in 1909, by the brave Frcnchman whose
n me il bears and the sailing up the Hudsf by Henry
Hudson as far "a the mouth OF the Mohawk the same
CANADIAN and NewYork coonsts, which lasted for more
than "A century ana a halI
Describing the battle at Bemis Heights, September
49, l777, Mr. stevens said:
Tie American force was about 5000. and Bnrgoyne
stated his to aoout $500 The mode OF fighting Of tie
Americans than equaled til discrepancy. The
eI of action such that, al bOuEh the cOmbatants
changed ground dozen times In tie course OF tue day.
the contest terminated with each body In It's original po-
ston The British here were formed ON an elnlnence In
a thn nine wood. having before 1t Freemau's farm,
obopg field stretching from the GENRE towards its right
the ground front sopng gently down To the verge OF
Hi, ied which bordered on the opposite side BY
close wood, which was held by the Americans
The saugunary scene lay in the cleared ground be
tween the emnece occupied by the enemy and the wood
inst dcscrb d. The fire OF the American marksmen from
The wood deadly to be withstood by the British
i'm line and when they gave way ana broke tue Amer
cans making for their centre pursued mem no. 70 tne emf
and charging IN turn drove the Americans Dack INTO the
wood whence dreadful fire would again force them to
fall back and In thus manner dd the Dattle nctlae,
like tie OF stormy sea- with alternate adyatSe
for four hours without one % honds Of b Anercn ae
az every clarge, bat they couid neither turn the
vented the last and the want OF match the frst ~ the
nstock was invariably carried OIL, ana the rapdty OF
slaughter OF the artillery was rearKiDie he captain
and wcnty-siX men, ont OF fOrty-elght Delhg Killed or
wounded such is Wllklnsons concise ana picturesque
account this action which he considered one OF the
longest warnest ard most obstinate Dattes iought IN
,nerican ride over the British bayonet which
Burgoyne confidently relied In hls report TO
congress- Cares accorded the glory OF the action entirely
to the vaor Of the rile Tegme@ts nus ana copS Tb gnt m
fantry under the command OF Col Morgan Inc BRUSH
the Americans fought aud s one present mas recorded
found to their dismay that they were not that contep
tibe enemy they had been hitherto lmagea incapable
OF standings regular engagement ana Wiling only to
fight behind strong and powerful works -.,-,,--
saISers iSht While Burgoyne led his men person,
exposing himself with great bravery, directing the move
,,ner i'm the field until the evening when Gen. Learned
was ordered out The battle was fought by the general
cor
and sustained more by individual courage tnan military
dcinne as is shown by the loss OF the militia IN COM
uarison with that OF the regular troops. The loss
~ tho Americans killed. wounded AMI missing was 32l
That of the British Coca disparity more remarkable as
the ground did not admit OF the use OF artillery by the
amaricans Botn sides claimed the victory In realty
II was draw bate. The British held the strong posi-
tion Fraser had occupied IN the morning which, how
az Gates had 10 desire of dspung, as his army
acting ON defensive: The Americans, on the other
arcled out from their camp, met the enemy
more than half way, and after infcting upon them
stunning blow, returned to their entrenchment' Far
Al IA "A advantage
eject ON he morals Of the two armies. The patriots had
met The main body Of the invading army equal terms
~ lie rue Invaders had learned TO their bitter cost the
errors OF warfare in which their discipline Of little
avail.