Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-15

about to cross the frontier, great excitement
prevailed throughout the threatened States of
| Vermont and New York. Governor Chitten-
den of Vermont promptly issued an address
10 the militia to come forward for the de-
fence OF the State General Samuel Strong
Of Nergcnncs, without waiting for orders
volunteered his services, and called upon his
fellow citizens to march to the battlefield un.
der his command, call that was nobly re-
sponded to. For two or three weeks volun-
tcets poured into Plat,sburrh until the mum
Der was believed to be sufficient to hold the
enemy in check, and ultimately TO conquer
| Commodore MacDonough was no less
prompt in getting his fleet ready for action
lie was religious man, and believed in the
efficacy of prayer. Before going into battle
he called his officers and men around him
and knceliDg upon the deck offered an earn
est supplication to the Almighty for aid in
that perilous moment. The scene was in
tensely impressive. His position was skill
fully chosen at the entrance of Plattsburgh
bay. He anchored the Saratoga with springs
on her cables, and waited the coming of the
enemy In the meantime Sir George had ap-
pearcd before the town, and was ready TO
commence battle On the 18th day of Sep
TENDER Commodore Downie, with his fleet,
appeared round Cumberland Head and at
once the Confiance moved upon the Saratoga
A heavy Cannonading was opened on both
sides, and almost simultaneously the battle
commenced on the land. The first broadside
of the Confiance proved very destructive to
the Saratoga, cutting up her rigging and spars
and disabling forty OF her crew. As the Lin
net passed her she also delivered broadsidc,
the only effect of which was to demolsh a
hcn.coop, thereby releasing young game
cock, who Immediately capped his wings
and crowed dcfantly. TO the sailors this was
an omen of victory, and won for chanticlcer
a round of cheers.
The fight continued between the Saratoga
and tho Confiancc until both wern mutually
crippled when Marlborough displayed his
superior scamanship and by the aid of
stream anchor and hawsers brought his
starboard guns Ohe larboard guns being
useless) to bear upon the Contance. A fire
was then poured in upon her so destructive
that she soon surrendered. The rest of the
fleet, much cut up and with no prospect of
success or escape, pulled down their colors
In token of submission, and the battle ceased.
The American loss was fifty-two men killed
and fifty-cipht wounded. The British loss
was upward Of two hundred, including
among the killed, their gallant commander.
| On both sides it was well fought battle
The Saratoga bore the brunt Of the contest.
| Twice she was set on fire by the hot shot OF
the Contiance, and twice Marlborough was
knocked scnscless upon deck by spntcrs,
but soon recovered. When the officers of
| the captured vessels came on beard the Sara
toga TO deliver up their swords, the noble
commander refused to receive them, saying,
| "Genlemen, your gallant conduct makes
you worthy to wear your weapons return
them 10 their scabbards; :" and the officers
of Tie two nations were soon seen
walking the deck together in friend
ly conversation. The remains of Commo-
dure Dowuic, with thOs. of fifteen officers,
rest in the burial ground at Plattshurgh
On the land the battle showed entire de-
termination on both sides but 50 soon as Sir
George learned the fate Of the fleet on which
so much depended, he saw that for him re-
trca, was the better part OF valor, and at
once pushed with vigor for Canada. leaving
large quantities Of military stores behind.
To him it was an ingorious campaign.
For his splendid service the government
presented Commodore MacDonouGh with II
gold medal and he everywhere received
marked attention. The State of Vermont
presented him with an estate upon Cumber-
land Head, which overloOks the scene Of the
engagement. Other officers received tokens
Of appreciation from their respective States
or from municipal bodies. The State of New
York presented to Gen. Strong an elegant
sword in gold scabbard, upon which was
engraved commemorative inscription. AT
ter the death of the Generals son,
by whom it was inherited, it was pre-
scented by the widow of the latter to the State
of Vermont, and may be seen in the State
House AT Montpelier. Lieut. Cassin showed
high courage during the battle, and his gal
liant conduct was afterwards recognized A
fort at the mouth of Otter Creek bears his
name. Commodore MacDonough was the son
OF Major MacDonough, an officer of dstnc-
ton in the Revolution. lie was born in New
Castle county, Delaware, Dec. %, 1882, and
died at sea Nov. 16, 1926. His fame as a
commander and patriot will be rs enduring
as the record of his exploits