The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-09-07
CHAPTER VI.

We had been four months in Ogdens-
burg. waiting vainly for some provo
cation 10 fight Our own drilling was
the only sign of war we could see on
either side of the river. At first many
moved out Of the village, but the mill
was kept running, and after a little
while they began TO come back. The
farms on each side OF the river looked
as peaceful as they ever looked. The
command had grown rapidly. Thurst
Miles Of my own neighborhood had
come to enlist shortly after Dri and
enlisted. and was now in my company.
In September, Gen. Brown was
ordered to the western frontier, and
Capt. Forsyth came TO command us.
Early in the morning OF October 2, a
man came galloping up the shore with
a warning. saying that the river was
black with boats a 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. Cannonading began before
the town was fairly awake. First a
hitting a cupola on a church roof and
sending bell and timbers with q crash
Ito 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 a wide circle for a minute or two,
while the soldiers were laughing.
Another ball hit a big water-tank on
top OF the lead works. II hurled brok-
en- slaves and big slop Of water upon
the house-tops. and rolled great
iron hoop over roofs into the street be-
low. where Il rolled on, chasing a group
of men. who ran for their lives before
IL. The attack was an odd sort OF a
comedy all through, for nobody was
hurt, and all were frightened save those
OF MS who we're 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
OFF. and that was the end Of Il.
Next came the fight on the ice In
February thing not highly credit
able to US, albeit we were then but a
handful and they were many. But
D'ri and had no cause for shame OF
our part in T.. We wallowed 10 our
waists in the SLOW, and II 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 on 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 20 scare a trooper.
Everybody ran tina, day, and the Brit
ish took the village, holding II only "a
hours. For our part in II D'ri got the
rank of a corporal and ! was raised
from lieutenant "a captain. We made
our way TO Sackett's harbor, where
went into the hospital for a month.
Then came a CALLING time Of idleness.
In June we went with Gen. Brown
-D'ri and l and Thurst Miles and
Seth Alexander and a half dozen
others-down the river to the scene OF
our first fighting at Ogdensburg, camp
ing well back in the woods. II was the
evening of the 27th 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 a kindly look.
Bell" said he, Il wish to send you
on very important business. You
have all the qualities of a good scout.
You know the woods. You have cour-
age and skill and tact. | wish you 10
start Immediately. go along the river
to Morristown. then cut over into the
Black river country and deliver this
letter to the COpte de ChauLncnt at