Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-04-26

early In the morning Of October 2, q
man came salloping up the shore with
q warning. saying that the river was
black with boats little way down.
Some OF us climbed to the barracks
roof, from which we could see and
count them. There were 40. with two
gunboats. Canaonading began before
the town was fairly awake. First a
big ball went over the house-tops.
hitting q cupola on q church roof and
Sending bell and timbers with q crash
into somebody's dooryard. Then all
over the village hens began to cackle
and children to vail, People came run
ming out Of doors half dressed. A
woman, gathering chips in her door
yard, dropped them, lifted her dress
above her head, and ran for the house.
Unable to see her way, she went around
in wide circle for minute or two,
while the soldiers were laughing.
Another ball hit a big water-tank on
top of the lead works. 1t hurled brok-
en- slaves and big slop of water upon
the house-tops, and rolled a great
iron hoop over roofs into the street be-
low, where it rolled on, chasing group
of men. who ran for their lives before
1t. The attack was an odd sort of
comedy all through, for nobody was
hurt, and all were frightened save those
otus who were amused. Our cannon
gave quick reply, and soon the British
stopped firing and drew near. We
knew that they would try to force a
landing, and were ready for them.
We drove them back, when they put
Of. and that was the end Of it.
Next came the fight on the ice in
February-a thing not highly credit
able to us, albeit we were then but
handful and they were many. But
D'ri and had no cause for shame OF
our part in it. We wallowed to our
waists in the snow, and it was red
enough in front of us. But the others
gave way there on the edge of the
river, and we had to follow. We knew
when it was time to run; We were
never in the rear rank even then. We
made off with the others, although
saber's point had raked me in the tenn
pie, and the blood had frozen on me,
and was a sight to scare a trooper.
Everybody ran that day, and the Brit
ish took the village, holding it only "a
hours. For our part in it D'ri got the
rank Of corporal and I was raised
from lieutenant to captain. We made
our way to Sackett's harbor, where I
went into the hospital for month.
Then came CALLING time of idleness.
In June we went with Gen. Brown
-D'ri and and Thurst Miles and
Seth Alexander and half dozen
others-down> the river to the scene of
our first fighting at Ogdensburg, camps
ing we'll back in the woods. 1t was the
evening of the 9th of June that the
general sent for me. He was at the
mansion of Mr.. Parish, where he had
been dining. He was sitting in his
dress-suit. His dark side-whiskers
and hair were brushed carefully for
ward. His handsome face turned to-
ward me with kindly look.
BELL" said he, II wish to send you
on very important business. You
have all the qualities of good scout.
You know the woods. You have cour-
age and skill and tact. I wish you to
start Immediately, go along the river
to Morristown, then cut over into the
Black river country and deliver this
letter to the Comte de Chaumont, at
the Chateau LIE Ray, in Leraysville. If
you see any signs of the enemy, send
a report to me at once. shall, be here
three days. Take Alexander, DIN, and
Miles with you; they are all good men.
When your letter is delivered, report
at the harbor as soon as possible"
I was on the road with my party in
half an hour. We were all good horse
men. D'ri knew the shortest way out
of the woods in any part of the north
country. Thurst had travelled the
forest from Albany to Sackett's har-
Dor, and was the best hunter that ever
trod a trail in my time. The night was
dark, but we rode at a gallop until we
had left the town far behind us. We
were at Morristown before midnight,
pounding on the door of the Red Tav-
ern. The landlord stuck his head out
Of an upper window peering down At
us by the light Of candle.
Everything quiet?" asked.
Everything. quiet said he
Crossed the river yesterday. Folks go
back n forth bout the same way as
ever. Wife s in Elizabethtown now,
visiting"
= We asked about the west roads and
went on our way. Long before day.
light we were climbing the steep road
at Rosie to the inn of the Travellers
Rest-a tavern famous in it's time, that
stood half up the hill, with a store, q
smithy, and few houses grouped about
it. We came up at a silent walk on a
road cushioned with sawdust. D'ri
raped on the door until thought he
had reused the whole village. At last
a man came to the upper window.
He, too, inspected us with a candle.
Then he opened the door and gave us
a hearty welcome. We put up our
horses for a bite, and came into the
bar.
Anything new" I inquired.
''They say the British are camped
this side of the river. north of u.s."
said he, with a big tribe of 1njuns.
Some Of their cavalry, came within
three miles of us to-day. Everybody
scairt t DEATH" r - 49,
He began to set out a row of glasses.
What IL ye hev?'' he inquired.
Guess I II tip a little blue ruin int
me-" said D'ri, with shiver; as 4
col, night"
Seth and, called for the same.