The daily gazette., 1881-08-19
From Forney's Progress.
Wayne at stony Point.

In my recent sketch of General An
thony Wayne there was single ref
erence to his great achievement, his
night capture Of Stony Point, on the
10th of July, 1779, since which time
have received the following description
of the gold medal presented to him by
the Congress of the United States. On
the 10th of July, Eve days before the
great event itself, an interview took
place betN cen General Washington
and Gen. Wayne, in which they dis.
cussed the project, and IN the course
of the discussion Wayne avowed his
willingness to undertake the perilous
work and remsrked to Washington !:
General, if YOU will only plan it,
will storm HE'LL" The account of
the capture was one of the most thrill
ing in history. The loss of the Ameri.
cans fell far short of the hazard of the
enterprise the killed and wounded
did not exceed one hundred. The
enemy's loss IN killed and wounded
amounted to six hundred and seven
men. Wayne's own escape was fairly
miraculous. Struck on the head by a
musket-ball he fell, but Immediately
rising on one knee he exclaimed !:
"MARcH ON CARRY ME INTO THE
FORT, FOR SHOULD THE WOUND BE
MORTAL SHALL DIE AT THE HEAD OF
THE COLUMN p He was overwhelmed
with praise. Washington, Lee, Lafay-
cite and others joined Congress in
their compliments to the distinguished
Pennsylvauia hero, and the celebrated
DR.. Benjamin Rush wrote to him from
Philadelphia the following character
istic letter
PHILADELPHIA, August 8, 1779.
MY DEAR SIR. There was but one
thing wanting In your late successful at
tack upon Stony Point to complete your
happiness, and that is, the wound you
received should have affected your hear
ing, for l fear you will be stormed,
through those organs, with your own
praises. Our streets, for many days,
rang with nothing butt the name of Gen.
Wayne. You are remem bered constant
ly, next to our great and good Washing
ton, over our claret and Madeira. You
have established the national character
Of our country; you have taught our en-
emies that bravery, humanity, and mag
nanimity are the national virtues of the
Americans,
Accept, my dear sir, of my share OF
gratitude for the honer and services you
have done our cause and country. Mrs.
Rush joins In the Offering, and when our
little ones are able to repeat your name
we shall not fail to tell them. In recount
Ing the exploits of our American heroes,
how much they are indebted to you for
their freedom and happiness.
Adiau dear friand and ha aaanrad of
the sincere affection OF
Yours, most sincerely,
BENJAMIN RUSH.
GENERAL WAYNE.
MEDAL PRESENTED By CONGRESS TO
GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE.
Deviee.-An Indian Queen crowned,
quiver on her back, and wearing O
short apron Of feathers; mantle hangs
from her waist behind; the upper end of
the mantle appears as IL passed through
the girdle Of her apron, and hangs grace
fully by her left side. she Is presenting,
with her right hand, a wreath to Gener-
al Wayne, who receives 1t graceful "
Ia her left hand the q ueen is holding up
q laurel crown towards the General. On
her left, and at her feet, an alligator is
stretched out.
She stands on bow; q shield, with
the American stripes, rests against the
alligator.
Legend.-"Antonio Wayne. Duci
Exacitus. Cervitia Americana"
Reverse device.-A fort with two tur-
,, rets, on the top of hill; the British
flag flying; q troop in single or Indian
die, advancing In the front and rear up
the hill; numbers lying at the bottom.
Troops advancing In front at dis
tance, on the edge Of the river; another
party to the right of the first. A piece
OF artillery posted ON the plain, SO as to
bear upon the fort; ammunition on the
ground; six vessels In the river.
Legend d-"Stony Point Expugnatum
Exeque-xv. JUL, MDCCLXXIX."-
From DR.. James Mace's Description OF
American Medals,