The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-07-03
MAD ANTHONY'S CHARGE.

Close beside the River Hudson stood q fortress
large and strong;
But the foemen-the dread British, held that fort
and held it long;
Patriots in vain might storm it-there it stood so
grim and tall:
Piled behind the sullen breastwork lay the DOW
der and the ball
1t was in time Of trouble, and our nation was
pressed sore
Clothed in boodshed, through the country. stalked
the cruel tyrant War,
Leaving many mark Of anguish leaving many
bitter trace,
In the pain and in the sorrow seen on every anx.
ious face.
Husbands, fathers, sons and brothers; these had
perished in the fight L
Battling for their God and country, for our FREQ:
dom and the right
But there still were tr,lsty patriots, who were yet
within the field
They had shed their blood already, they would
rather die than yield.
There was one among the soldiers who had loneed
the fort to gain:
He had never yet been vanauished-brave, hend
strong Anthony Wayne.
Washington his chieftaiu, questioned whether he
the fort could take.
And he answered: General, listen. I'd storm
He'll for freedoms sake!''
Twas in summer. and the broiling sun was beat
ing fiercely down
Gu tho tents pitched in TIE meadow on the breast
work huge and brown.
By the ramparts of the fortress with his rifle at
his side,
Stood the watchful English picket, and the dis
tant tents he eyed
mist
clesped in his hand,
Seated on his veteran charger Gen. Wayne rung
out command
From the huts and tents surrounding, with the
rifle, pistol, sword,
Clust ring round their dauntless leader came the
ready, anxious horde
Fix your bayonets-empty rifles, Fire not a
shot today;
By the steel upon our n,uskets we must conquer
In this fray'
With their bayonets fixed and steady, swords and
barrels cleaning bright.
Stood they waiting fer the sgnal-eager to com
nlence the fight.
Some were veterans Of the army, they for years
had followed war;
Others were but just recruited they had never
fought before.
Looking at the upturned faces. Wayne cried. LET
our motto be,
IL kuc OHo WHO nSfklS IOT IFecuuul. SiCu Will give
the victory!"
Belched the cannons fire and thunder, burst the
shells to left and right:
Through the smoke and din Of battle, charged the
heroes in their might;
And the groans OF dying comrades heard they
yet they passed them by,
Though their hearts grew faint within them, as
they left them there to diet
Suddenly rife bullet. whistrg from the British
hold,
Struck the general in the forehead, handlong fell
the leader bold;
From the lips grown paleso quickly issued forth &
leeule moan
On the hill the deadly cannons doomed their on
swer to his groan
With their faces stern and anxious, gathered
round his trusty men;
He, by sturdy arms supported, staggered to his
feet again.
1T is nothin. but flesh wound 'tis no time tt
faltcr now
Stony Point must yet be taken, orl die to keepmy
VOW"
Forward through the din Of battle. on their shoul
ders bore they him.
Each man grasping tight his nusket, charging
still with glorious vim!
Though the cannons roared the louder, and the
bullets ratified fast,
Not one ever stopped or faltered while their Life
and strength might last.
All! what scenes Of death and suffering. and Of
agoniZing pain,
Ahl what lives to Freedom given, for they dice
that she might reign
Patriots, falling from the bullets. left their life
blood, warm and rcd,
On the soil which they had fought for while theiI
comrades onward sped.
British checks grew pale with terror as their foe
men nearer came;
They had raised demon in them. those vert
wild who once were tame,
Right before the fearfulcann on. in their fury
charged our nlen
Sprung they bravely OIL the ramparts-backwart
fell the tyrants then
Over all the fallen corpses brave old Anthony was
borne,
With his blood still downward trickling and his
clothing pierced and torn
High upon the trampled breastwork were the
mangled bodies Piled
Now our men were the red coats, for despair
had made them wild.
few moments fiercest fighting, and the bloody
deed was done:
Many patriots were dying but tho victory was
won.
Though their wounds were gaping, bleeding, YET
they showed they co"ld he free
ITO the one who fights for freedom God will give
the victory
Yes beside the River Hudson, stands that fortres.
there today,
And its walls are as defiant as when captured il
that fray.
Since the day that it was taken. we have held il
as our OWN,
Though old Anthony, who took it, lies beneath the
sod alone
Honor be to those bravo soldiers who gave III
their lives SO true,
That the blessed light Of freedom might shine al
our country through.
Honor be to that brave general who through
valor won the fray,
at the capture Of the ~'rt!ess which tell you o
today
Alex N. Easton, Summit, n j.