The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-03-11
Capt Forsyth came to command us.
EarlY in the morning of October Q a

q warning, saying that the river was
black with boats little way down.
Some OF us climbed to the barracks
root, from which we could see and
count them. There were 40 with two
gunboats Cannonading began before
the town was fairly awake. First q
big ball went over the house-tops.
hitting cupola on church roof and
sending bell and timbers with a crash
into somebody's dooryard. Then all
over the village hens began to cackle
and children to wall. People came rum
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 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 great
iron hoop over roofs into the street be-
low, where it rolled On. chasing group
| OF men, who ran for their lives before
comedy all through. for nobody was
hurt. and all were fright ened save those
of us 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 We're ready for them.
-, We drove them back, when they put
off. 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 a
handful and they were many. But
D'ri and had no cause for shame Of
our part in il. 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 a
| 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 l was raised
from lieutenant to captain. We made
our way to Sackett's harbor. where I
went into the hospital for a month.
Then came CALLING time of dleness.
In June we went with Gen. Brown
-Dri and and Thurst Miles ana
Seth Alexander and half dozen
othcrs-down the river 10 the scene OF
our first fighting at Ogdensburg camp
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 sidc-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 a good scout.
You know the woods. You have cour-
age and skill and tact. l 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 Leraysvile. II
you see any signs Of the enemy send
report to me ut 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 larbor as soon as possible"
l 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 Sackctts har-
bor and was the best hunter that ever
trOd trail in my time. The night was
dark, but we rode at a gallop until we
had left the town far behind u.s. We
were at Morrstown 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 store a
smithy, and few houses grouped about
it. We came up at a silent walk on
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
n hearty welcome. We put up our
horses for n 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 big tribe of Iniuns.
Some Of their cavalry came within
three miles of us to-day. Everybody
scairt T. death"
He began to set out row of glasses
What II We hcv?" he inquired.
Guess | ii Tip a little blue ruin int
me" said D'ri, with Il SILVER; as a
coli night
Seth and called for the same.