Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-07-23

stony Point, a strong fort on the
Hudson river, was stormed and taken,
,lurino the war of the Revolution, by
twelve hundred men, under the com
mand of Gen. Wayne, a brave Pennsyl-
yania soldier. Twelve O'Clock was the
time for the actual charge to begin. 10
reach the Point within assaulting dis
lance it. was necessary to cross the IN
reryening marsh as qnickly as possible.
Here there WAS an unexpected op-
stacle in the overflow Of the tide, and
twenty minutes were lost-valuabie
time Just then, but fortunately not fatai
loss. As the two columns ne2red the
enemy, Murfree and his North Carroll
mans by previous instructions, took
position directly in front of the British
works, and opened rapid and centln-
uous fire, for the purpose Of drawing at
tention 10 themselves, while the storm
ing parties moved on silently on the
right and left. This ruse contributed
largely TO the nights success. I'M
mediately there is hot work in pro-
gress. The hoped-for surprise is out OF
the question, for the enemy's pickets
have given the alarm. In ten minutes
every man of the garrison is mp, COM
pletelv dressed, and at his proper STA
ton. If the fort is to be taken now,
only hard fighting can do it. Mean
while a mighty courage and resolution
seem TO urge on the American infantry
with an irresistible momentum. The
yalient Wayne, determined 10 share
the perils as well as the glories OF the
enterprise, leads the right column
spear in hand. Not man falters. Al
they approach the two formidable lines
of abatis which stretched across the
PORT in front of the main works, the
fire from the enemy's musketry De
comes tremendous and incessant.
Although on account of the darkness
much of its effect is lost, men neverthe
less here and there begin TO fall in tn
ranks of the light infantry. Lieut.
Colonel Hay, of Pennsylvania, "bravel-
fighting at the head of his battalion,
i wounded in the thigh. Captain
Ezra Seldcn, of Lyme, handsome
Young officer, fresh from Yale College
at the opening of the war, but now
veteran of four campaigns, and belong
ing TO Colonel STAIRS First Connection
receives a well nigh fatal wound in tn
side. Though weak from loss OF bloo
he makes his way into the fort.
shot breaks the standard of Neigs' reg
iment, but Ensign IchabOd Spence
tears the colors off, winds them rOun
his arm, and keeps charging on On
of twenty of one of the advance parties
seventeen are either killed or wounded
But on, on, the two columns go. Tn
aScent.is rocky, even precipiteus. !
takes time TO open passage throug
the distractions, and men continue
fall. At the second abatis, Wayne re
ceiyes flesh wound III the head
Thinking it fatal at the moment, h
GAll~ Oh HIS Wv II '~+
born and Archer. to carry him along
that he may die in the tort. In nv
minutes more the work is done. Th
head OF the right column reaches tn
sally-port of the main fort first, an
the head man in it is De Fleury. "Tn
forts our Own,'' he shouts and the
strikes the enemy's cOlors with his ow
hands. Right after him, spreadin
along and climbing over the parape
follow the forlorn hope and the mai
column. Lieutenant Knox is the se'
ond man in. Sergeant Baker, of vi
yinia, wounded four times during Il
assault, Is the third. Sergeant Spence
from the same State. is the fourtl
with two wounds. Wounded twi'
also is Sergeant Dunlap, of Pennsylvi
mia. the fifth man over the works. III
rest came swarming in. On the otht
side the left column appears at nearl
the same time. The forts our own
resounds from every quarter. III
Americans dash in among the astol
ished British, and ply the bayon
with terrible energy, driving them in
The corners of the work, and compelin
their instant surrender.