The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-05-01

the vicinity of the Hudson, to which
the eyes Of millions were now turne,
as the theatre of approaching events
on which hung, perhaps the great
issue of the American revolution. AL
though both parties seemed to look
upon the matter at stake as one OF
immense magnitude. yet far different
we're the views and feelings which al
this time pervaded the two opposing
armies. The British, by their sue
cesses, and confident in that strength
before which every obstacle had thus
far given way, were looking down
with little other than absolute con
tempt on the American forces in their
'front.' believing them wholly incapable
either from numbers or courage of
Opposing any serious resistance to
their march, when they chose to move
ionward. And here thus lay their
proud and infatuated chief for weeks,
dreaming of coronets, frittering away
the time in feasting with his officers
and indulging himself and them in all
the follies which characterized their
gay and licentious camp. On the other
hand the Americans deeply sensible
! to the consequences of suffering their
enemy's to effect their contemplated
junction at albany, were vigiact, active
and determined. Though firmly re
solved to dispute the way of the in
vader to the death when they must,
they yet preferred for a while, the
policy of embarrassing and impeding
him. rather than openly exposing
themselves to his attacks Whole
brigades were therefore employed in
the work of destroying the bridges.
blocking up the roads with fallen
trees, and putting every possible OBJ
struction in the way Of his advance, so
that the delay, where he now lay at
Fort Ann, might be protracted till a
sufficient force could be gathered to
meet him with more reasonable
hope of success.
And every hour that hope waxed
stronger and stronger. Every day
brought fresh accessions of strength
to their selfdevoted bands. and every
gale waited to their gladdened ears
the sound of the warlike preparations
of an aroused and indignant people
gathering from afar to the rescue and
they began to breathe more freely
while they thought, AS with trembling
soicitude they still did. of the fearful |
meeting that must now soon follow.
AT the time which we have selected |
for opening the scene that forms the |
next connecting link in the chain of |
our tale although the road had been |
at length opened, and few detach
ments thrown forward to the Hudson, |
the main part of the British army still
lay at Fort Ann, where their long lines
of tents marked at intervals, by the
colors Of the different regiments flying
from their slender fagstatfs, were now
seen stretching, city OF canvas. over
the plain. A little apart from this
imposing array stood small number
of dwelling houses of different sizes,
scattered along on both
sides of the road towards the SOUTH
over the largest of which hoated the /.
broad British flag, proclaimng it the
head quarters of the commander in.
chief. The next in size and commodi- /
BUSINESS, among these various struct {
Ires, all now occupied by the gen |
'ral officers and other favored person s
ages OF the army. was a large,
ow farm house, which the unterming- {
ing devices of the British and Han ,
,verian flags. conspicuously displayed ,
rom the roof denoted to be quarters :
If General Redesel, suite, and we'll !
Known family. This last building e
eemed now to be the principal point
# attraction. Gayly dressed officers
md ladies were seen entering the doors
II standing inside at the open win J.
lows: while the sounds of the familiar !.
greetings, lively sallies, and merry !.
aughter of the assembled company, !
sufficiently indicated the connivlal :
haracter of the scene ~ be en- "
cted within. Let us enter. Around Z
long and richly furnished table, in y
he principal apartment were just :
Gated those who deemed themselves ="
he elite of that boastful army. Its
glorious chief, the weak and wise,
ain glorious and energetic Burgoyne, g
coupled the post of honor at the head, 4
nd the fair hostess the amiable, -
earned, and vivacious Countess of "
'eidesel, the foot of the table; while =
the sides, were ranged, according !,
} the prevailing notions of prece -
ence, the variousl y ranked individ- Y,
ais composing the rest of the com -
any. among whom, with other officers e. e.
less note, were Generals Reidesel ~
I'D Frazier, Major Ackland and his
evoted wife, together with several >,
mericans, including the elated Es 81 81
lire Haviand and his beautiful pi
iughter. The latter who sorely
,ainst her inclinations had been pre-
Tiled on, or rather constrained. by az
n father to attend him to the enter Gu
inment, was seated by the side of la
ady Ackland. to whom she seemed tn
to cling as sort of shield la
-ainst the free glances she was com In
led to encounter from the eyes of /.
ose whom it was there counted trea-
n to repulse.
The repast proceeded with the con-
ant bandying compliments, jokes
ID repartee, among the merry and
dissatisfied lordlings who assumed
e right of engrosing the converse
IN. Course after Course came and
ssed in rapid succession, till a
tticient variety of viands and other
bstantial escuents had been served
warrant the Introduction of the
Inter delicacies of the dessert. But
II there seemed to be a saving of
petite, a looking for home eynected