The daily gazette., 1880-07-29
"reminiscences Of the War Of 1912
BY B. T. NJ.

There is no truth more solemn
than that which is found in the
maxim, that History does not re-
wise her record until error, prejudice
and falsehood have had their run"
1t is painful to think of the fact that
but few get justice done them at any
time. Some are over-rated, some
are under-rated, and not few en-
tirely neglected. We are happy to
hear that a society is about being
formed in this city to collect the
minute history of the revolutionary
and the last war, and to give it to
the public for digestion and rehec-
ton, in doing honor to the en-
lightened and the brave. A thou
sand little gems are scattered
through our history, which, if strung
together, or properly set with taste,
would throw a luster over the
country hitherto unknown. Among
these we will mention a brilliant
affair, achieved by a few spirited
young men on the night of the
twenty-seventh of November, 1872,
opposite Black Rock. The details
Of this exploit have never been given
by those who have pretended to
write the history of the war Of 1872.
In all probability this neglect
arose from the cloud that rested,
and still rests, over General
Smythe's fame, who at that tine
commanded that department of our
Northern army; but the fact is GER
tain that small band of sailors and
soldiers did, at the hour of midnight,
make a descent upon the enemy's
stronghold, take their commanding
officer prisoner, spike their guns,
and burn their barracks. There
were twelve naval officers in this ex-
plot nine of whom were killed or
wounded that night, and but few Of
them remain to demand justice from
their countrymen, who are always
willing to render it when convinced
that the meritorious have been
neglected by accident or overlooked
by design.
On the morning of the 9th of Novem-
Der, 1872, instructions were given by
Gen. Smythe to the several naval officers
embraced in the expedition, to select
certain number of batteaux, and to muf-
fie the oars, etc., preparatory 10 an at
tack upon the enemy's frontier, opposite
Black Rock. The orders were no
sooner communicated than they were
promptly obeyed to the letter. 1t is i'm
possible to depict the anxious faces and
unusual hustle of preparation that day.
AT about half past eleven at night
directions were issued for all hands to
assemble in an old shed, fragile super
structure, which stood on the margin OF
the creek, and near its confluence with
the lake.
On hearing the summons all immedi-
ately repaired to the place appointed,
where they beheld General Smythe, the
most prominent parsonage in the assem-
bly,, he having taken an elevated posi-
ton. He was surrounded by about one
hundred and fifty officers and men. The
general, with great gravity of counten-
ance, blended with an unusual impressi-
veness of manner, exhorted all to do
their duty-portraying in glowing colors
the dangers and difficulties to be en-
the extreme urgency of in
slant action, and the glory that would
follows. The naval commander then
addressed few brief words of encour-
aeement to the officers designated to
the boats, as well as to their
respective crews. The meeting ter
minated. Every repaired with alacrity
TO his station. Never did men seem
more eager to engage the enemy, not
their aversion to the ele-
ment they had to pass to reach their
foe.
When the word was passed, call
ready" the boats proceeded in regular
about a mile and half
along shore, so as to weather the SOUTH
ern extremity of the island, and gain,
at the same time, sufficient way to
counteract the effect of the current, in |
reaching the intended point of attack.
II was a lovely night, not cloud per-
ceptible in the armament, but so in
tensely cold that cloaks were by no
means uncomfortable, Notwithstanding
the additional hamper OF pistols, mus
kets and boarding-pikes. There was
not ripple to be seen on the water,
and everything around them was pla-
cid and serene as the surface on which
thew moved. When the party had
gained the starting point, the boats
grad ually edged away, just stemming
the stream.
The moment they had reached the
middle of the lake, the moon, which
was maiestically waning in the west,
either disclosed to the enemy shadows
nlaving in her beams, or the progress
sive sound of the dipping oar alarmed
their fears. The nearest sentinel call
ed ont. "Who goes there ?" no reply
was ciyen. But the order was, "Si-
lence | silence reserve your fire and
mil away" The strokes were now re-
ppewed new with redoubled energy; another
instant and the question of'Who goes
there t po was repeated along the whole
line of outposts, followed by a brisk,
r1 rnnping fire. The drums commenced
beating, and a martial force stood
ready pe to encounter their assailants
the moment they touched the British
sail All hands sprang simultaneously in
to the water, giving at the same time,
three cheers. pouring volley OF mus