Norwich bulletin., 1921-06-22
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
WAYNE AT STONY POINT.

Among the many exploits of gaIlantry and prowess which shed luster on the fame of our Revolutionary army, the storming of the font at stony Point has always been considered one of the most brilliant To General Wayne, who con- manded the light infantry of the army, the execution of the plan was entrusted. Secrecy was deemed so much more es- sential to success than numbers that it was thought inadvisable to add to the force already on the lines. One brigade was ordered to commence it's march, so as to reach the scene of action in time to cover the troops engaged in the attack, in case of any unlocked for disaster and Major Lee of the light dragons. who had been eminently useful in obtaining the in telligence which led to the enterprise, was associated with General Wayne, as far as cavalry could be employed in such a service.
 The night of the 18th of July, 1779, was fixed for the assault and it being expected that the garrison would be more on their guard towards daylight, 12 o'clock was the chosen hour.
 Stony Point is a commanding hill pro- jecting far into the Hudson, which wash es three-fourths of it's base. The remain ing fourth is in great measure covered by a deep marsh, commencing near the river on the upper side and continuing into it below. Over this marsh there is one crossing place. But at its junction with the river is a sandy beach passabie at low tide.
 On the summit of this hill was erected the fort, which was furnished with a sufficient number of heavy pieces of | ordnance Several breastworks and strong batteries were advanced in front of the principal work, and about half way down the hill were two rows of abbatis. The batteries were calculated to command the beach and the crossing place of the marsh and to rake and en- filade any column which might be ad- vancing from either of these points to- wards the fort In addition to these de lenses, several vessels of war were sta | toned in the river so as, in consider able degree, to command the ground at the foot of the hill
 ! The fort was garrisoned by about 500 men under the command of Lieutenant l Colonel Johnson. At noon of the day | preceding the night of the attack the l light infantry commenced their march | from Sandy Beach, a distance of IA miles from Stony Point, and passing ] through an excessively rugged and mountainous country, arrived about in l the afternoon mile and half from the
 fort, where the dispositions for the as l sault were made.
 It was intended to attack the works or the right and left Hanks at the same in stant. The regiments of Febiger and oi Meggs, with Major Hulrs detachment
 formed the right column. and Butler: regiment, with two companies, under Major Murfee, formed the left. One
 hundred and fifty volunteers, led by
 Lieutenant Feury and Major Posey, con
 stituted the van of the right, and 10t
 volunteers, under Major Stewart. com
 passed the van of the left
 At 11.3O o'clock the two columns
 moved on to the charge the van of eacl
 with unloaded muskets and fixed bayo
 nets. They were each preceded by a for
 lorn hope of 20 men, the one commanded
 by Lieutenant Gibbon and the other b,
 Lieutenant Knox.
 | Proper measures having been taken U
 secure every individual on the route wht
 could give intelligence of their approach l the Americans reached the marsh undis covered. At 20 minutes after 1a the as . saut commenced Both columns rushe'
 forward under tremendous fire of mus
 ketry and grapeshet Surmounting ever obstacle. they entered the works at th | point of the baypnet, and without havin discharged 8 single piece obtained com
 plete possession of the post. The human ity displayed by the conquefors was no less conspicuous nor less honorable tha their courage. Not a single individus suffered after resistance had ceased. l All the troops engaged in this perilou
 service manifested degree of ardor an
 impetuosity which pToved them to b , capable of the most difficult enterprise. and all distnguisiae ed themselves who's situation enabled them to dc 50. Colonel Fleury was the hrst to ente
 the fort and strike the British standard
 Major Posey mounted the works almos at the same instant and was first to giy T 1 the Watchword. The forts our own, I The loss sustained by the Americans wa
 by no means proportiened to the appal
 ent danger of the enterprise. The ir . trepidity, joined with humanity it 0 noblest companion, displayed on this 0, n casion by the Pennsylvania hero and hi
 brave followers cannot be too highly es
 teemed nor too frequently commemorate
 (Tomorrow: The Husemann Letter.