The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-01-06

undertook to reduce The city Winter
had now iairly come upon then-the
ground was covered with snow, AMI
Montgomery was compelled to place
his guns on blocks OF ice Not being
heavy enough TO make an impression
on solid walls, their fire was OF little
consequence. In the meantime. tn.
troops suffered terribly from the frost
and exposure. The heavens were con-
stantly darkencd with snow, which
piled up around the American camp il
huge drifts. Through these the nliscr-
ably clad troops would founder, and
with benumbed limbs and stiffened
fingers place themselves in order OF
battle.
The diminished columns were mere
black specks amid the smooth white
mass that covered the earth. 1t was
impossible to keep any troops long III
the open fields, exposed to such biting
cold, and Montgomery began to look
anXiously about him for some way oil
escape from the perils that every mo-
ment tllickened around his little army.
To add to the horrors Of his position,
the smallpox broke out in the camp,
and it increased so fast that despair be-
gan to seize the troops, and it AS cvi-
dent that even the power OF Mont
gomery could not keep them together
much longer.
In this position OF affairs he saw
clearly that he must carry the city by
assault, or abandon the design OF TAX
ing it altogether. Accordingly, a coun-
Gil OF war was called, and the assault
proposed. Both men and officers were
in favor OF it, desperate as the alterna-
tive seemed, and Montgomery resolved
TO divide the army into four columns
and make an attack on the city at four
different points.
Two attacks against the upper town
were the ieints to distract attention
while Montgomery and Arnold should
conduct the two real ones against the
lower town. Meanwhile the enemy
had, through his spies, obtained intel
ligencc OF the intended assault, and
stood prepared TO meet the enemy at
every point. He double-sllotted his
guns, posted sentries to give timely no.
tice OF the approach of the Joe.
1t was on the last day OF December.
before daylight, that this gallant band
put itself in battle array. 1t was in
tensey cold driving tempest OF snow
blocked up the path which Montgom-
cry intended to take and ierccly blew
in the mems faces as they commenced
their march with their general at their
head. 1t was between three and four
o'clock OF that ill-starred morning that
the tall form OF Montgomery was seen
in the van Of his division, rounding the
loot OF the dark and stern promontory
that rose above him.
Notwithstanding the intense cold,
and the perlous enterprise upon which
they we're engaged. his men felt in high
spirits, for they had every confidence
in his genius and valor, and were will
ing to follow wherever he might di-
rect. Huge masses OF ice, driitcd up by
tl1e tide, lay directly in their path, and
these they were compelled to move with
their hands; the snowdriits were piled
around them and over these they had
TO make their way, while the pitilcss
storm was pelting against them.
avalanchcs OF SNOW, blown by the
tempest from the heights OF Cape Da-
mond overhead, came drifting down,
falling on the men. But not murnur.
escaped them; springng again to
their ieet as they fell, they cutched
their nuskets tighter, and rcsuming
their places in the ranks, marched on
after their gallant leader. Occasionally,
from the lrowning heights above, rock
cts and huge hrc-balls fell among
them.
At last the promontory was passed,
and the first barrier appeared in sight
Stopping Tor moment to restore ord n
to his ranks, Montgomery pointed with
his sword to the barrier. and with a
cheer dashed forward, followed by his
men. Elc was the first to reach it. but
in a! few seconds his comrades were be-
side him, and it was Immediately car
ricd.
The second barrier lay before them,
dimly seen through the faint light and
the drifting snow; Montgomery paused
10 gather strength His soldiers eager
for the order to push Tor the pickcts
and palisades beyond. 1t was soon
given and Montgomery. still foremost
sprang ahead OF his men. He seized
the palisades and pickets with lis
hands and commenced pulling them
down. His men pressed forward, i'm
itating his example
Montgomery heart tlirobbed til,
multuously with pride; he believed his
hour OF triumph had come, Tor tht
strongest fortress on the continent wa:
now within his grasp and everything
promised speedy and glorious victory
He pressed exultantly on over the tai
len pickets, and gained rising groun'
about thirty Yards from the barrier