Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-04-18
.sTAUNToN SPECTATOR AND GENERAL.ADvERTIsER :

mountain yonder-Mount Defance-from
which they could send plunging shot into
the fort, the general saw that he must lose
his army or evacuate the post. He chose
the latter way, and at midnight on July
SO we left the fort as silently as possible,
the bulk of the garrison crossing over to
Mount Independence, yonder, and march
ing rapidly toward Skenesborough, now
Whitehall. At the same time about two
hundred bateaux, laden with baggage, am
munition and stores, guarded by armed
galleys, were sent up the lake toward the
same place. We were pursued in Vermont
by the British, overtaken among the hills
at Hubbardton, where we were compelled
to fight, and were dispersed. The flotilla
was also pursued and was destroyed. Many
of st. Clair's men finally Joined General
Schuyler at Fort Edward. My brother
was slightly wounded in his leg at Hub
bardton, and bullet took off one of my
fingers, as you see, and made hole in my
drumhead."
"You say you saw General Burgoyne
surrender his sword to General Gates ?"
81 did, and felt very happy" said the
old man.
"Did that surrender take place when the
British army laid down their weapons on
the fiat at Saratoga, near the river?'
asked.
"No," said the guide. 'eWhen the arms
were all laid down, General Burgoyne and
his principal officers rode toward General
Gates headquarters. They were met by
Gates and his staff at the head of his camp,
where the officers of both armies were in
troduced to each other. Burgoyne wore
rich coat of scarlet and gold. Gates wore a
modest blue frock coat. The whole party
then went to headquarters and dined.-l
After dinner the American troops were
drawn up in two lines, between which the
British army passed, escorted by cavalry
with the American flag, and band of
music playing Yankee Doodle Then the
two generals came out of Gates's marquee
and faced the halted procession, when
Burgoyne stepped back pace and present.
ed his sword to Gates before the two ar
mics. Gates bowed, took the sword and
| Immediately handed it back to Burgoyne.
Then the British army filed off and started
for Boston to embark for home. was a
drummer in the escorting band, and stood
not more than three rods from the generals
Burgoyne was large, stately man; Gates,
who was about the same age, was smaller
and less dignifed in appearance and man.
ner.''
! The sun was now passing behind the
great hill on which the British planted
their menacing cannon, and named Ine en-.
inencs in consequence "Mount Defiance"
As the aged cicerone sat leaning against a
ruined wall I made pencil sketch of his
form and features, under which, with
trembling hand, he wtote his name:s and
age.
As we walked slowly together toward the
Pavilion in the evening twilight inquired
of my venerable instructor if he was in the
military service of our country after the
surrender of Burgoyne.
sFor WHILE" he answered. 81 enlist
ed as private in company of which my
brother was captain, and was stationed in
Eastern Massachusetts. We went with
General Sullivan to Rhode Island to drive
the British away, and were in the battle on
Quaker Hill. My father, an aged man,
dying in the spring of '79, I left the army
and went back to Vermont to manage our
little farm for my mother. Misfortune over
took US and we lost the land. 1 had marri-
ed, but had no children. My wife died,
and have been alone in the world ever
since, laboring with my hands for daily
bread. The good Lord is kind to me, for
l have never been seriously sick in my life.
l believe he will take care of me to the end,
which cannot be far off. i"
BENSON J. LOSING, LII. D.