The daily gazette., 1880-07-29

lowed by rush with pistols and
boarding-pikes. The foe was panic
struck, believing that the general, with
his legions, was comming to plant his
immortal standard upon their soil.-
The enemy was soon repelled from his
position. Our sailors and soldiers then
rushed toward the fort or breastwork,
where they disl6dgee the enemy, spiked
their cannon and set fire to the bar
racks.
Our men drove party to their
barns, and destroyed their horses and
cattle, the execution of which occupied
but brief space of time, being as in
Simultaneous as decisive. Sailors, when
acting as volunteers on rowing expedi-
tions, are unwilling to be controlled by
military regulations, consequently do
not observe the precision ne cessary to
concerted movements. They know,
Notwithstanding, how to reach and
subdue an enemy, and that by the
shortest method. Sailing masters
Watts and Sisson predicted that they
would never return. Watts, poor fell
low was discovered stretched upon
the ground, mortally wounded. He
called Midshipman, now Capt. Steph-
ems Holdup, and requested his assist
ance, but while in the act of fulfilling
the request, he was wounded, conse-
quently obliged to abandon Watts to
his fate.
Lieutenant Wragg received the point
OF bayonet in his body from an Amer
lean soldier, by mistake, but his extreme
corpulence shielded him from any SER
ious effects. Midshipman .Brailsford
was also wounded in the leg. Sailing
master Sisson was shot by musket ball
near the groin, ,and expired three days sub
sequent to the action, Midshipman John
II. Graham of the city of New York was
wounded in the leg while entering the
burning barracks to seize prisoners, and
would have perished but for the timely
assistance of a noble hearted sailor, who
at the hazard of his life threw young
Graham on his shoulder and took him
to the boat. The British commanding
officer at the fort was MORALLY wounded
and taken prisoner. He was conveyed
to the American camp, and excited the
sympathies of the whole army.
All the American officers and soldiers
who were not slain effected retreat, ex-
cepting a few soldiers under Captain
King. The next morning General
Smythe embarked his disposable force,
with the apparent design of fulfilling
bis high destinies, set forth in his proc
lamation; but, after some maneuvering,
he issued his order for disembarklng.
The whole army felt disgraced. They
raved at first, and then curses loud and
deep followed, as they returned to win
ter quarters. General Smythe never
again Joined the army; but afterward
attempted to build his fame on literary
labors, and made flourish of trumpets
that he had discovered key to unlock
the mysteries Of the Apocalyps; but
this was justly ridiculed out of the
world, and his literary and military glo-
ries sleep together.
1t would only be an act of justice in
our government to award just meas
ure of patronage to these brave men,
who with such small force achieved SO
gallant deed, under such unfavorable
circumstances if any OF them are iiv-
ing but if they are gone beyond the
reach of patronage or praise, just re
membrance of what they have done for
their country, belongs to the inheritance
they have lett to their children or kin
dred,