The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-21
Continued From Page one)

-On Oct 20, Col. Greene knew that ne
was soon 10 be attacked That day word
came 10 him that four battalions OF Hes
sian troops were proceeding against him.
In the evening Col. Simms OF virginia
with a body OF men arrived, and brought
him the information. Col Smms, who
was on his way 10 reinforce Fort MlHIn,
asked that he be permitted to remain
and assist IN the defence OF Fort Mer-
Ger.
AT first the request was granted; but
during the night Col Greene decided to
withdraw his consent, because he dld
not see his right 10 change the plans or
the commandef-in-chief Therefore, on
the morning OF oct. 20, he Informed Col.
6imms OF his decision, and about noon OF
that day, Just as the Hessian soldiers
under command OF Count Donop, appear
ed I'm front OF the fort. Col. Simms men
filed out OF the fort on the river side and
proceeded TO the boats that were 10 trans
port them across the river.
These departing soldiers Indicated to
the count that the Americans were evacu-
atng the fort, so he decided at once TO
attack them A demand OF surrender was
made I'm an insolent manner by a drum
mer who fell when his companions
marched 10 attack the fort: but the de-
mand was refused. with the Information
that no quarter would be asked, just as
none would be offered The advance OF
the Hession troops began at once Find
ang the outer works of the fort unpro-
tected, the soldiers decided that the fort
had been evacuated. and with cheers OF
Victoria they made wild rush for the
next wall.
''Then the American troops fired Volley
after volley followed, at such short range
that the Hessians were fairly moved
down. First staggered by tho CALLING fire,
the men stopped and then broke and re-
treated. Their advance with shouts OF
Victoria was turned into a rout. For
forty minutes the fierce battle waged.
Then the enemy had retired and the brave
defenders OF the fort stopped and cared
for tho dead and wounded OF their op-
ponents.
-Four hundred brave men. sons OF
Rhode Island, had repulsed three times as
many Hessian troops. The Americans
lost some thirty men, while the Hessians
lost more than four hundred; and among
the number was their commander. who
was taken a prisoner. but died a few days
later The battle had been won, and won
with such decisive results that great en-
couragement was given 20 the American
troops everywhere.
How much importance was given to
this victory may be surmised when IL IN
remembered that Gen. Washington wrote
20 Col Greene n personal letter OF con-
graduation. and that congress month
later voted him n silver sword. which was
presented 10 his son I'm 1855, he having
been killed five years before.
Let us look for a few minutes at the
gentleman and soldier who commanded
the Rhode Islanders He came OF fam
lily of pure English blood That family
had settled in Rhode Island early I'm its
history and had been known for it's pub
lie spirit and ability. lie was a patriot
10y birth. His father had held prominent
places In the official life OF the colony.
and he was possessed OF liberal means
when the call 10 military duty came.
Il was only natural for this young man
20 respond He had been I'm command Of
the Rhode islanders who had participated
IN the disastrous attack on Quebec and
he had been a prisoner on Canadian soil
for nine months. He had been parolled
in August Of 1776. but had not been .x-
changed, and while under parole he was
made commander OF the Rhode Island
troops.
''It was not until nearly eleven months
later. however, that he was exchanged
and permitted TO join his command The
october following saw him the victor here
at Red Bank. That winter he passed at
Valley Forge and was sent 10 Rhode
Island to assist I'm the defense OF the ISL
ana, In l1Sl, he was killed near F1shkiu
on the Hudson, by a band OF Tories who
murdered him during the night
Col Greene was a man OF exceptional
character He had been trained carefully.
and before the beginning of the war had
represented his native town In the Colo
NAL assembly. His personality was such
that he won friends wherever he might
bes While prisoner al Quebec he won
the admiration OF the British Carleton
who Notwithstanding his own strict dis
clpline, was so much pleased with Greene
that he gave him many privileges.
After the battle OF Red Bank when |
the Count Donop died, In spite OF that
officers harshness. he gave him a sol
dler's burial. and thereby won for himself
the respect and honor OF the dead officers
men and companions.
He was always Thoughtful and became
one OF the best loved OF Gen Washing
tons friends. IL was upon such a leader
that the commanding officer implicitly re- |
lied. lie was to his men a leader whom
they could trust and the Rhode Island
men who saved the day at Red Bank
knew him as loyal son OF a loyal colony
I'VE are here today because here bravo
men sacrificed their lives that other men
might enjoy a liberty which they them
selves longed for: because here men
proved that there is In the heart some |
thing better than selfishness. something
deeper than greed; because men recog-