The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume], September 07, 1882, Image 1

About The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918

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MhMMeii'ssss&eaasEttS!
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SOL MILLER, PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR. )
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF DONIPHAN COUNTY. Our Motto: "Talk for Home, Fight for Home, Patronize Home."
SUBSCRIPTION, $2.00 PER YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
VOLUME XXVI-NUMBER 13. J
TROY, KANSAS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1882.
WHOLE NUMBER, 1,313.
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111111999
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BONO OF THE KATYDID.
BI HI UOS. ft. . UABIOSG.
ma ImUtn of fioiuwtr, Tve lgbily fctrsl "7 mc.
And noted wrD tbeottVriag of thy melody to stai God.
Kail three new moon have waxed and aned
Since firat thy merry note Ml en my luitcniag ear.
Three nuom ags. and tboa wert young: .
Thy quick and vigrou cry. " Katy-did,
lUng out from dewy eve till mom.
Hat what I AUrf thy race will not attest,
lor some say -Katy-didn't.
Trail denizen, thy song " been oonUe-tongued
TW first layoftiy J"th wulfc.MB;,
"Katy-dWIXahiili" Bntwbat. Uwi'itimfMl
And tlroagb the night of fkw when rioru "t.
And the loud thoiidfT-peaiatart led tb aknlking thief.
And tirnied to ffr the evidence of gnflt.
tiUU thou, perauteat wltnew. didrt never falter
la thy aocttiatto. " Ky-dd.
1 i f"
Coot; tattler to the alara, and an) riad hosta
That sigbuy IW to thy aung.
Come toll ua what Katydid-
Yet thou art danib. No! there again tbuu mngst:
"Ksty-dldt Xaty-did!"
What of the myt ie maiden t
TrU ua, tboa elfin tattler to the star.
Myriad boat have listened from the dewy giai
Uatexs on the aky, maiden in the milking fold,
UaplsM wight, 'midst tangled wOdwood,
And atroUmg Wer 'neath tbe barrel muun.
Hare listened to the signal or tby auug.
Wb-a winw dinpntant of thy race,
Bold in UU minurily, if not mow ju
!m and, amid tbe concord of Un thousand tongne.
"KatydidaY 1 Kbodslntl JUty-tUto!"
And yet On wilt not tU I
Then, keep the aceretoftby race.
Perhap, In olden age, when the wotkt waa yoang.
Ere guilt and woe bad found a lodgment in the Earth,
When tanty undeflled waa virtoe cyaoaare.
AmkUt the fragrant abeavea, wandering with merry reapers,
When the full, round harvest moon
Hang high in the bine heavens,
A maiden loitered to hear the boneyed word
Uf tore-aick awain, a row on tow be ottered ,
And, whrnhiabatI brrath, jlowiac with joancUtlriM,
And fragrant with health, waa ft-lt njf lwr rwy cbe-k.
And the wild bluod fpOouri with efcrtne apet-d
At talUmanla touch or naif-afcy hand.
That maiden Rleauer vl-Ul her balmy bw
1'ore aa the a-waabd coral to love'e bumras kltw j
Then, 'midst the dark -jtwo foliaraof tbewhiaumnirtrrea,
Thr aneetral atockproKrnitr bAeld the maiden'a bitto h.
And. tattlm eltoa a ye are, atraiffhtway ery leaflet had
a tongue.
And raaz wttn one acourd, "Katy-did! Kaiy-did! Katy
did r
The loaidfii (leaner aVan- looked to the ailent Urm,
When pity nrued aome of tbv race, and, when
The myriad tongue crird, "Katy-dtd ! Katy-did ! "
Tbeyaay, "Katy-didott Katylidn't! She didn't!
And thaa, from age to age. when the fall, round harrrwt-
moon
roura her bright flad of gbrtT o'er the iwwnw n field.
And batbtia the dintabt hUU in mellow light.
So that the tery lambkina that repo"" on tbeiranft flre
Kay be tiaubered. that wild refrain got up
wn fiowrring bedee and euaried qartrna, .
"Katy-did! Katy-did I Katy-didnt! Katy-did!"
Kow, I have cueoaed the arandah Mug on :
Good night !
Tbla la a nfght of bittwneaa 1
The Antamn rain rwM pattetinc on my eaartucaU;
The dead leavea fall o cirtling eddiea at my feet
The night-wind cotoe and go, wailln a dirge to me and
thee.
All apeak of death ! 1'our denizen of Summer, fare-lheo.
welll
Tboa art my fellow-mortal. A tingle leaf, withered and
aere
Iy Winter' breath, will make thy cerement.
And what am 1 mora than tboa T Hy life i beta jn:
ily aanda are running fast , death id the lot of butb,
TbWrtoldameogttthyrarcL Since tintt 1 beard thy wing.
Strong men bare died, and the great deep
llatu awallowed np the mighty worka of man ;
The 3 ottng and btwutif al hai e periabrd 1
The grare bath bidden from the bring
The full blown promise of the bre that wa.
I torn and look into the Ktarleaa night, and weep.
And mingle with tby faint, low cry, my own deep Bob
That all most aa away.
Spring cornea, and Sommer comes and fadrn ;
And aober Automn treatls upon the dying flowt-ra.
And aigha a requiem to the hopes that j-rriih and decay
la the tone heart of him who weares tbia aong to tbe.
gfetotical Sketch.
IIIMTOHY OF THE
I
HT COL. WJI. r. CUICH
(From 2Xaoa3nipUo;thaKanwi State llUtoriralSorit-ty.I 1
When th iiti j of ttif attack, upon Fort Sum- 1
terby the HeWN, m Airtl, 1m'1, aiIrl by mail
and telcsrailj, rf-icl.cl tbu State am! Tvrritt
ries iu order a to Iht ir fAfihtu-H fur rt--?i iw-j
it, oii common impulse iu rrv Ival Jic-art j
proinptiil tin rfsnlvo that, cost I:at it mitit
of blood and trraMirr, tbe ftiioii in tint be pro- ,
Bcrved." rromnt1 bv flits rrdutitMi, hr f.tnn- 1
cr left bis plortbe iiiecbautc lit- Fbftji, the tner
cbant bis cotiu tin K-nHrtii. tb lawjer bis Ricf,
aud tb miuiaterbU tuttv, i-acb eagerly oflertug
bis ser ices in the Lour of bis conutrj a danger.
Of tbe alwveiueutimieil calling' ere tbe mn
viho composed tb 2d Kansas, one if tbo lw'st
rogtmeuts ciuidovi-d daring tbe lung and Montly
war ubicb follow etl,
Tlio iil KauaaH Iufnotry ru not called into
tboMTvicc; but, impelled by patriotism, the
men who madtt it tip rualied logcthrrat Law
rence, tu May, 1HGI, auJ, by ieRisteut effirt, w
enred their acceptaucr into the rvice of tjie
Uuitexl States. Marchiog to Wyandotte, when
that city wan threatened Iiy the ltebehi of Jack
ton Connty, Mo., the 2d was ordered to Kansaa
City, aud marched into Missouri prepared to do
battle for their Statu aud Nation, while yet
militia. At Kaiuuu City, they were regularly
xuuMerud into service. Rebellion in Missouri
van headed by Claiborne K. Jackson, (lying be
fore tbo impctuna and invincible Gen. Lj on;
and the Kanua troop were ordered by that
General toxoid him in the purs nit. Kagerly the
2d, furnishing their own transportation, obeyed
the order, and funned a junction with Lyon at
(rand River, and thence marched to the vicini
ty of Springfield. Ordered by the General, the
2d marched, in company with Iowa troop- and
regular.-, to Korwytb, and after a bkirnmh, cap
t tired that Rebel post, and destroyed large iinp
pHcft there accumulated. A junction of the
forces of Lyon and Sigel being effected near
Springfield, tbe 2d, a a part of the army of
Gen. Lyon, marched to meet the ReWl army
under Heu. McCullongh, and to crush htm before
be wan joined by Price and Jackon. They met
him at Dug Springs, where a Tight ensued, re
sulting 111 the defeat and retreat of McCuIlough.
With Lyon's army, the 2d returned to Spring
field, to obtain Hnnplies, aud await the action
of the enemy. The nnited armies of McCuI
lough and Price, comprising tbe Rebel forces of
Texas, Arkanxas, Missouri, and part of Louisi
ana, concentrated aud marclied to and encamped
at ViUon8 Creek, ten miles from Springfield,
awaiting the opportunity to crush their coun
try's defender. Tbe Union army, innch their
inferior in numWrs, but kept well in hand by
the skillful and sleepless Lon, watched the
concentrating forces of tbe rebellion with patri
otic self-reliance, and a determination to destroy
their forces, and Rave the Went from their de
stroyiug presence. Among the most vigilant
and eflective was the 2d, which, night after
night, slept in line, with arms at their hide, and
day after day stood or sat in Hue, ready to oltey
order, and to do, and, if need be, die" for their
country. Thus, for a week, the a nines watched
each other. Th night of the 9th of August was
simnltaneoualy, but unkuown to each other,
fixed upon by the rival cominaudrrs an the time
to atrike a blow which should destroy each the
other. A threatening storm deterred the Rebel,
but gave to the Federal his inucb-desired chauce
to take bis opponent by surprise. The silent
resolution of the brae and idolized Lyon was
manifest in his braving tho torm, and 'moving
upon a by-path leading by a tedious march
through woods aud brush, and a broken, rocky
road. With but an hour's rest, be brought his
army, just at break of day, into the ery camp
of bis unsnspcting foe. Aroused from his slum
bers by the rapid return of a routed picket, tbe
Reliel was fully awakened by tbe roaring of
Lyon's cannon, a few hundred yanls from his
headquarters. Iu the order of "march, tho 2d
was assigned the post of tbe reserve, and conse
fpieutly marched in thr rear. The anny in mo
tion, th General and staff came past, as if in
review of that force upon which be dejteuded to
save bis department from the presence of the
foe be hated, and to gam for himself glory and
renown. My position in the extreme rear gave
rue the opportunity of receiving the honor and
benefit of a brief talk with the General, who
complimented the 2d, r.non which he depended
to do wrll its part iu crushing the cnemv, of
whom lie always spoke in terms of patriotic
bate. Tbe hour, the storm, tbe importance of
tbemovement to country and self, and the firm,
frank words and maimers of the commander,
left nueffaceahle impressions, nd inspired all to
do their duty with patience and desperation.
The Rebel awoke to retreat, then to re-organire,
aUl, depending ujhmi munVrs, to do battle.
Returning to the lines from which tltev had
retreated, they met ir advance, aud "drove
them bark, but to jleld again themselves. Tbe
armies formed upon opposite sides of a hill,
'JlIoody Hill and met aud met again, as gain
ing or losing the momentary advantage con
ferred by numbers, or arms, or reinforcements.
From daylight tilt the sun had reached the
meridian, the contending forces thus swayed
back and forth, and tbe scale would seem bal
anced, or to turn with the weight of a grain of
rjd. To the left, tbe battalion of regulars con
tend with regiments of Ileitis, aud are defeated.
Sigel, who bail moved npou another road, to
? jri" tIie f" in tuo """"fcf al14 WnOW "nns
u -, ant UP" whom wr had great bopes,
"Mhntt. Lyon is dead. Deitzlerand Mitchell
amlUI"W W l " of ranV"
the C U rtniw tb" rromnlf cold iu death;
"rwnTiUiUar,'c,,,wrtr,U ambulanees arc full
Umn. 1;amlan becmies still. What does
the i5 " blading and ton., still
aiHl wlere i, sicef?- l;JUy a,re romInK l'ar''
hue ami close nTVt.C'VMi: ,r,rs to form in
their StS5P i??? ",,U The KcU1'
ing into Suy'jfifv ,s- The latter, breai'
nank, and putting to flight aU
whom he saw, thought the day to be won, and
jiennittcd bis troops to scatter. Seeing this,
the Kebels rallied and returned to the tight,
capturing SigePs artillery. Again the battle
rages. With Sigel's captured Hag as a mask,
tbe Rebels bring np Sigel's captured gnus almost
to our very lines, and, while receiving our mis
taken greeting of cheers, given to the supposed
Sigel, open upon ns with shot and shell. Con
vinced at last, we ojieu again our fire, aud with
skillful artillery aud brave and desperate in
fantry, we meet aud tnm back theiroverwhelm
ing assault. Again all is still, save and except
an occasional shot, and the order is received
from the befuddled Sturges, "Retire, when you
can do so with safety.1 Others were obeyfug
the order, and, left alone, the advance lines
now became tue rear. 1 nesr, too, 01 necessity,
obeyed, although, truthfully aud ointedIy, the
remark came to me from the Hues, "What are
we retreating for, as we have whipped every-
lUJUg lucre is ucre 1 imtiijj; ic(uiii.iru iv icau
the field in safety, by the previous retreat of
tbe Keltels, the union army returned to bpnng
field. Although in the rear, the Union army
was so small tuat tue 2d was in signt or all tue
abote described movements, and uuderJira
while waiting in reserve; and from their stand
point conld see the mill, as it received Its im
mense grist of regiments, and turned them out,
dead, wounded and retreating, with the assur
ance that their turn would come. And come it
did. In due time, when the fortunes of tbe day
seemed to require a last desperate charge. Gen.
Lyon ordered: "The 2d Kansas to the front;"
aud putting himself at the head of the column,
to show it the proper iosition upon our right,
then the most exposed, he ran into an ambus
cade, and fell dead by the enemy's tire. 'The
same fire wounded our Col. R. 11. Mitchell, en
tirely disabling him, and killed and wounded a
number of the men of the companies upon th
extreme right, causiug temporary coufusion.
ICallied again by onicers and men, who, skilled
in drill and discipline, and inspired by an intel
ligent patriotism, knew that "in union there is
strength, the lines were soon reformed, and
under a well-directed fire, the enemy were root
ed, aud the 2d took its place in line. While
this woeuieut was being executed, a company
of the command was ordered to protect the rear
and tbo ambulance train, wh'ch was threatened
by a battalion of Texas Rangers. This duty
performed, they returned to the command, .and
assisted in the future fortunes of the regiment.
Wbeu the last charge of the Kebels was niadc,
and w hich took place soon after the union of the
regiment, the 2d held tho main positiou, which
was the object of attack. With lincsfonned
upon, and just ltchiud, the crest of the hill, oni
cers and men all in place, aud their position the
concentrating poiut for many straggling com
mrnds and men, the obi 2d held tbe enemy at
bay; and, keeping their lines unbroken, al
though the enemy came within fifteen yards,
they pnned more than a match for Southern
skill and chivalric endurance, and when the
Robels had left, the 2d was still in line. Under
the proidciice of God, safe themselves, they
were the saviors of the day. The Uuioii army
returned to Springfield. A council of war de
cided to fall back u)on Roll a, aud in this march
the endurance and discipline of the command
was manifest and commendable. An order from
Gen. Fremont having been obtained, the 2d re
turned to Kansas, to recruit their broken and
shattered ranks. En route to their homes, the
2d took the cars at Hannibal, to make a detour
from Shelbiua to Paris, Missouri, tinder orders
to seize the gold and silver of the bank at that
place. Through the too free use of Alcohol, the
expedition proved a failure. The officer in com
mand of tbe troops associated in the movement
having failed in the object of the expedition,
and being in a condition to sacrifice tbe entire
command, at tho request of the line, a certain
field ofiirer assumed command, although of in
ferior rauk, aud placing whom he would nnder
a nest, marched the army by a dank road, and
escaped ambuscade and destruction, and arrived
safely at Sbellrina. There, surra unded by the
Rebel forces of Green, the 2d and their associ
ates repulsed ami held at bay five times tlieir
liumlH-r, until the arrival of cars, upon which
they proteded npou their march to Kansas. The
Rebels holding the city of St. Joseph, the 2d
came iion them in the night, and routed them,
and held that i-t until the arrival of a prraia
neut garriMiu. Then, taking Uiat, tbe 2d start
ed for Leavenworth, mid at latan attacked and
tiNneried a rebel fore. Iher, proceeding upon
their march, they arrived t tno city of Leav-
.enworth, aiid went into catnp; ami, among
irie:i, iney totii on ju-coutiemeuts, ami tai.i
aVtr their anus, and tested for the first time iu
three wtks. The forces of Price capturing
Ijexiugtou and threatening Kai.&as, tho2d was
sent to Wyai.dotte, for its difeuse. Then they
rested aga'in, iijum friendly soil. The retreat of
Price relieved tbo State from danger, and the
2d returned to Leavenworth. Having now tin-i-hed
the term for which they entered tbe cr
iee, the men were, by order, honorably dis
charged, with instructions to reorganize! To
cfirct that purpose, it was ordered to retain
Col. Kobt. 11. Mitchell, Major Wm. F. Colud
add Capt. SamT J. Crawford iu the sericc.
Under the efforts of these ofiuerst the 21 was
finally organized as a cavalry regiment, with
the title of tho 2u Kansas Cavalry, thus main
taining the character uf its pareut aud prede
cessor. W. F. Clouh.
THBEE BRIGHT PULNETS.
The Nperially Ileauilinl Object a Now ie Be
Ween in the blaming Mby.
Saturn and Jupiter are beginning to show con
spicuously in the morning sky. Saturn especi
ally is now a beautiful object for tbe telescope,
as it rises early and by 2 or 3 o'clock a. Mr is en
tirely clear of the mists of the horizon. Its rings
have njiened so widely that in their narrowent
diameter they are as broad as the ball of tbe
planet, aud the division between the two princi
pal rings can be seen all the way round, except
where they pass behind the planet, even with
small telescopes. With sufficient telescopic
ow-cr, the marvelous gauze ringinsidethe other
two can be Wautifully wen. It does not require
much magnifying tmwer to show the black band
of shadow that the globe of Saturn casts npou
the rings ou the side away from the sun. The
delicate shades of rotor that variegate loth tho
plauet and the ring, the markings which give
a stereoscopic etlect, making this wonderful
ringed world appear to be actually suspended
W fore the eyes like a golden ball of the most
exquisite workmanship hung within a splendid
double ring of the same metal, and the swann of
little moons circling about the whole and per
etnally changing their places, furnish exhaust
less delight to the possessor of a good telescoie.
Jupiter, with his cloud belts, bis mysterious
nil and white spots, bis swiftly revolvingsatel
lites dodging in and out of the gigantic shadow
of the great orb and, throwing black dots of
shade upon his disk, as they pass around the
sun word side of tho planet, is as interesting as
Saturn, but he rises some two hunrs later, and
will be better seen iu September aud OctoWr.
Taurus aud Orion and other constellations that
make th winter evenings brilliant may now lie
seen in tbe morning sky. They furnish Lamln-ds
of interesting objects for the telescope, In tbe
shape of neuhlie, star clusters and double stars.
The most wonderful of all is tho Great Kcbula in
the Sword of Orion. A mere spy-gtasa will
show it as a patch of luminous cloud with stars
scattered through it. In a g""d telescope its
apjiearanee is indescribable. Ion! Ibvwe thought
ho could resolve it luto excessively ruinnte stars
with his gigantic telescope at Parsoustown, but
the spectroKcnp nliowed that he was mistaken,
and that this strange object is a mass of matter
111 a ga-cous condition and extending over mill
ions ard millions of miles. In one place four
stars shine do- together in tlrs lumhtonstna,
and there are other stars scattered through it.
It is not an unreasonable question to ask wheth
er wc do not here behold, in the very act, the
formation of a new system of suns and worlds
out of chaos.
Venus is becoming very brilliant in the even
ing sky. throwing her fiery neighbor Mars com
pletely into tbe shade. In the telescope ahe
now resembles tbe moon when it Is a little past
half full. Throngb the antnran she will contin
ue to grow more aud more brilliant, until she
appears as a thin crrvent, a silver bowl Then
she will disappear as a star, to reappear on the
Cth of December as a black dot on the sun. At
that time she wi7I have to face such a bristling
array r-f telescopes as w as probably ceTer before
turned upon any celestial body. Almust every
civilized goveniment has fitted out 'expeditions
of astronomers to observe the transit from vari
ous parts' of the world, and in Western and
Central Europe, North aud South America and
Australia thousands of telescopes will Detrained
npon the un from public and private observa
tories, roofs, back yanls, lawns, city parks and
Htreet corners. Everybody will want to liavei at
least one good look at Venus npon the sun's
dish, for all the world will lie talking almut it,
and neither we of this generation nor our chil
dren, and but few eren of our grandchildren,
will behold another transit of Venus, for the
next occurs In tbe year 2.001. After it is over,
tne astronomers will set themselves .down to
figuring; their calculations will extend through
mouths and even years, and at the last they will
probably announce that they have not yet ob
tained cxret knowledge of distance of the sun,
that they believe they are within about 100,000
miles of the tmth, and that at the next transit
of Venns they hoje tbe .astronomers of the twenty-first
century will-be able to reduce the limits
of error to 50,000 miles or less. There are, how
ever, other methods of measuring the sun's dis
tance, which it is hoped will long before that
time give more satisfactory results. A. Y. S.
A couREsroxiinxT writes: -'There is a pre
vailing idea that Lord Derby takes bis title from
a County in which be ons no pro pert v, but, in
fact, he takes t from one Ip which his nearly
every acre is sitnate; not from Derbyshire, but
from a district known as the Hundred of West
Derby, in Lancashire.
Bod Ingersoll's irreverence Is becomingposi
tively shocking. He says Conkling has been
making speech m for twenty-five years, and baa
never left a line to literature, ,
tellmtwujGi.
WHY THE COWS CAKE XtATZ.
BTJOIUT HXTXTOX.'
Criauaa aunaet burning
O'er tbe tmvfriaged billa;
Golden are tbe meadowa,
Jluby flashed the rill.
Quiet In th farm bonne,
Horn the farmer hie ;
' But hi wife ia watching.
Shading anxious eye.
While ahe linger with her-pail bcaUe the barn-yard gate,
Wunderin why her Jenay and the cows come borne an late !
Jcnay, brown-eyed maiden.
Wandered down the lane;
That waa ere the daylight
Had. begun to wane.
Deeper grow the ahadewa j
. Circling awallowa cheep j
atv did are calling t
iklita o'er meadows creep.
SUIl the mother ahadea her eyea beside the barn-yard gate.
And wondcra where ber Jenny and the eowa can be ao late.
Lowing aonnda are falling 1
Homeward sow st last
Speckla, Hem and Xtnadle -
Throngb tbe gate hare passed.
Jnny. sweetly Dlnabisg,-. -
Jaml grar and ehy,
Tk4bpaU ftaaw mother,-- ---.-'-Who
staada silent by.
Xot one word la apoken, aa thatmother shut the gate,
lint now ahe knowa why Jenny and the cpws came home ao
latot
KAPOLEON" IN EGYPT.
On tho 10th of May, 1798, tho army of Napole
on sailed fop the shores'of EgypL
The dearest wisn'of his life was to found an
Empire in the East. It was his boyhood's dream
to emulate the grand achievements of Alexan
der the Great, and he early conceived tho Idea
ofestabli&hing a government that should reach
from the rich valley of the Xile to the fertile
banks of the Ganges.
JIIs fervid brain pictured an empire greater in
power and opulence than any that had ever
been npou the earth, possessing the spirit of
modern civilization, thus proving a blessing to
the governed, and crowning Ids own name with
immortal renown. Amid the illustrious victo
ries of his Italian campaign, he never lost sight
of his early ambition, and at its close he saw
the golden lands of the Orient awaiting the feet
of his all-conquering army.
Europe was too small a theatre for his illimi
table desire. "We find no great empires or rev
olutions but in the East, said he, "where there
are six hundred millions of men. We must go
to the East.
England was in possession of India, and all
opposition or protest on the part of the abject
natives was sileuced with the persuasive elo
quence of gunpowder. Its vast treasures were
carried by tho merchant vessels through the
long route around the Cape of Good Hope, to
tbo commercial marts of Great Britain.
France was In the hands of a Directory, who,
with the jealonsy natural to an uncertain Gov
ernment, were restless under the fast-growing
popularity 01 tne young apoieon. lie must be
given work outside of France. The feasibility
of an attack npon England was discussed. Na
poleon was consulted. He replied : "It is im
Kssible to attack England at home ; she is too
strong. The blow must fall in the East. We
will go to Egypt. Wo will there fonud a colo
ny, tree from tho curse of slavery. We will
open a market for French manufactures. The
commerce of India will flow throngb the Red
Sea. We will cross the Indus, tho natives will
lly to our standard, and the English will be
driven from India,
His arguments were couviucing. Talleyrand
wrote: "Your ideas npou Egypt are great, and
their utility must be admitted. If the conquest
of Egypt .were effected, it would defeat the iu
trigues of the Russian and the llritish, so often
renewed iu that unfortunate country.
An army of thirty-six thousand men were put
in roadiuess. Tho expedition was conducted
with the utmost secrecy, but minors of the gi
gantic preparations Kit lead fur nod w-iile.
"Where is iNapo'eou goiugi" was on the lips of
all Enmpe. Euglatid gnw nervous, and placed
a pouciiui iieei, uuuer tne eomiuaml ol .Lord
Nehbu, in tho Mediterranean Sea, to watch the
movement of the French ships.
Napoleon collected men of science, scholars,
engineers, archaeologists and artisans of all
trades, to accompany him ou his ct let rated ex--edition.
All were eager to go with the enthu
siastic yoiiug commander.
The s 'in was jast rising ovt-rthc blue waters
of thoMeditenaticau, a the magnificent tleet
slowly sailed away from the European shores,
to a land full of utirertaiii promises. Hourly
watch was kept for the Ilritish fqiiadrou, and
the ships were ever ready for an encounter.
Nelson uuavailinglr searched for them, but
knowing not their destination, his quest was
futile.
On the 1st of July, the French anuauieiit
caught sight of tbe low, sandy shores of Egypt.
Napoleon muot have felt that he was fast ap
proaching the realization of his oriental dreams,
as the fair minarets of Alexandria the home of
the Itnlemies and the luxurious Cleopatra, rose
before his eager sight.
Tbe surf was beating high upon tho coast, and
the evening wind grew strong, but Napoleon,
with that intrepid courage that knows no dan
ger, gave orders for disembarkation.
In the early morning, at the head of his eager
forces, he sought tdmittauce at tbe tratea of
Alexandria. But the gates were closed, and
iuo lunuus diauicjujtcs recciveu inem witu yens
of defiance, and sharp discharges from the in
fantry posted upon tho walls. But the invinci
ble army of Italy swept like a wave over the
crumbling walls, and Napoleon achieved bis
first triumph in that historic land.
The army was forbidden toindnlfrein nlun-
der or rapine. The rights of the people were
generously respecieu. rtapoieon isvuetl oue 01
his matchless proclamations to the iuhabltauts,
expressing his good-will and interest in their
welfare. "I have come to buildup, uotdestrov.
Torestore your rights, punish your usurpers.
auu ratie iuc imo wursuip 01 aiouammeu. 1
venerate God, his prophet, and the Koran. I
have come to wage war against the tyranny of
the Mamelukes, and restore to you your liber
ty Just and equitable laws were put in force,
aud the resources of the couutrv studied. Arti
sans were act'at their respective trades, and the
engineers were busy draftiug plans for the im
provement 01 tue uarooramt repamng the forti
fi cat ions.
Schools were founded, nulls raised, scholars
were busy in the archives, while archaeologists
devoted their time to the monuments of antiq-
uuj. ! udi, uruiguicu, oppresscu x-gyjn, n
was truly the dawn of a colden era. and Arab
and Copt joined in gratelnl homage to their il
lustrious conqueror.
Napoleon remained but six days in Alexandria.
Leaving General Kleber with three thousand
men iu charge of the city, he commenced the
weary marcu across tue uesert to (jairo. lie
first ordered Admiral Brnevs to anchor the fleet
in tbe harbor, or if that was impracticable, to
proceed immediately to tbe Isle of Corfu, where
its safety would be better assured.
A tlotilla of cnnboat9 laden with the artillerr
and army supplies, was ordered tip the Nile, to
meet, ine anny at a certain iHiinr.
For five long, terrible days, the noble armT
wnii us uarin-r leatier. uraveti ine uuniiuc- neai
of ,un eastern sun, before the batiks of the Nile
were reached. No pen catipictnre the sufferings
of those brave men, who so late had revelled in
tne iresn luxunauco and beauty or the Italian
valleys, but still pressed on, seeing naught but
the vast expanse of white, yielding sand, while
over them the sky glowed aahnraished brass.
At the head of the column walked Naj-oleon.
Sharing the toil and privations of his hnmblest
follower, no murmur of fatigue or discontent fell
from bis lips. As they neared the Nile, roving
bands of Mamelukes grew larger in numbers,
and hovered like vnltnres around the rear of the
almost exhausted army. Charging with the
swiftness of the wind, with fiend-like yells, they
uiscuaxgcu ineirsuori carbines wiiit accurate
aim, wheeled, and were off with a speed that
surprised eren Moral's gallant horsemen.
Upon reaching the Nile, men, horses, and cam
els rushed with the joy of happy children into
its cooling waters. It wasau bonrof paradise!
When in the distance rose the fierce yells of the
cue my, aud band of a thousand Mamelukes
were seen approaching with tbe velocity of a
hurricane. To ann, to form In squares, aud
present a wall of glistening Steele, was but the
work of a moment. Thr artillery guarded tbe
angles. The horses of the enemy recoiled lie
fore the rows of glistening bavonets, and the
leaden rain from musketry and artillery pros
trated hundreds of their reckless riders to the
earth. As the tlotilla came iu sight, the snrviy
ingMamelnkes turned their tleet chargers, and
were soon lost to sight among the hills of sand.
For seven days Olie heroic army marched along
tbe luxuriant banks of the Nile. Forgetting
past sufferings, tlrey'lierame enthusiastic over
the abundance surrounding them. Depredato
ry, hands uf hostile horsemen daily harassed
them.
As they approached Cairo, on the morning of
the 21st of July, the rising sun disclosed the
huge Pyriniids, standing like giant sentinels to
question tbe tr right to invade the stillness of
the honnd'ess plain. The soldiers involuntarily
halted before these boary guardians of thedes
ert,j 'SoldiersP exclaimed Napoleon, as his
face kindled at the sight, "from those summits
forty centuries behold your actions V
At the base of the Pyramids Mourad Bey,
with ten thousand Mamelukeborsemen, support
ed by twenty thousand intrenched infantry,
guarded the entrance to Cairo. It was a stal
wart foe that met the eyea of tbe French sol
diery. The Mamelnke cavalry were the most
formidable horsemen In the world. They pre
sented a scene of barbaric splendor aa tbe morn
ing auu brought out tbe rich hues of their gay
tnrtians and spangled robe and lost itself in
the bright barnishlngs of their arms: The
French viewed, them with enthusiasm. Their
vibrated to the stirring strains of martial music
Funning themselves into fire massive squares,
the French' anny moved steadily toward the in
trenehments. The Mameluke cavalry awaited
tho first wavering to throw their mighty
strength upon the infidel foe. Napoleon gazed
through his glass long and steadily upon the en
emy. His keen eye discovered tbit the artilerj
of tho foe were not mounted upon carriages, and
lienee were statiorary. Instantaneously he
moved bis forces to the right, out of the range
of tho guns and the fire of tbe infantry. Mou
rad Bey observed the strategic movement, and
immediately onlered his cavalry to charge. On
like a living tornado came the wild hordes of
the desert, moved by tbo desperation 01 fatal
ism. Breathless, like a rock, the invincible
squares received tue fierce onset. ot a man
flinched, as shoulder to shoulder the brave men
presented an impenetrable wall of bristling
steel. The artilery jioured forth its wrath, and
volley atter volley came irom tbe platoons ox in
fantry. Hundreds of Mamelukes fell, and hors
es aud riders rolled over each other on the
bloody sands. But on swept the barbarous tide,
the great squares never wavered not one was
broken. Furious atdefeat. the Mamelukes
threw away their lives with the utmost reck
lessness. They reined their horses back upon
the French, that they might kick a way throngb
the ranks. The wounded crept close to the feet
of their foes, and with their sci meters, cut at
the legs of their nnconqnerable euemlea. AW!
ikUUcniieanea uy.xneir neavyioas, tnensm
elukes turned and tied. The infantry, from
their intrenched camp, became rtanic-stricken,
and .joined with them in their head-long flight,
leaving behind them vast quantities of oriental
wealth for tho victors.
The news of the battle of the Pyramids pass
ed like an electric shock throughout all Europe,
for Napoleon was now literally master of Egypt.
Napoleon, at the head of his proud army, en
tered Cairo with great pomp and magnificence,
and appropriated for his own use the palace of
Mourad Bey. The excited city was calmed, and
citizens aud their property protected from the
lawless mob. Napoleon pursued the same liber
al tiolicy that he had inaugurated at Alexandria.
He establisheda republican form of government,
organized a Congress of the most intelligent
men of the city, who were both legislators and
executors of the law. The provinces sent repre
sentatives to this body.
He studied the social position of the women,
and tried to elevate their rank in life. The fa
mous Institute ol Egypt was organized beneath
his care, and European arts and sciences were
liberally introduced. The active principles of
western life found expression in mills, printing
presses and shops of all descriptions. The hun
gry were fed from public bakeries, and the sick
of wounded found tender care in newly estab
lished hospitals. Everywhere his wonderful ge
njua was evinced iu the spirit of enterprise and
prosperity which displayed themselves. His
great mind conceived the ingenions scheme of
two ship cauals; one uniting the Red Sea with
the Nile, at Cairo; the other, the now magnifi
cent Suez Canal. Theso wnnld hare brought
into Southern Europe the fabulous wealth of
the entire East.
Napoleon waa looked npon by the grateful
Egyptians, with a love that almost reached ado
ration. They called him the "favorite of Al
lah, aud chanted his praises in their mosques.
In tho midst of this great national rejoicing,
news readied Cairo of the destruction of the
French fleet in the Bay of Aboukir. Its with
drawal had been delayed by Admiral limeys.
The English nqnadmn had learned of the laud
ing of tho French in Egypt. Lord Nelson came
in pursuit. On the eveuinfrof the latnf Aimnst
his ships entered the month of the bay. The
French fleet had taken a semi-circular position
that corresponded with the curve-line of the
coast, and they greeted the enemy with a broad
side of crane and balL Lord Nelson hero dis
played his wonderful genius as commander of
tue seas. Jjivniing ins squadron, half of them
sailed betweeu the French fleet and the shore,
aud anchoring, opened a terrific fire. The re
maining ships advanced on the outer side, aud
thus the French wv re placet! lietweeu two rak
ing fires.
For fiTl ecu long hours the n 11 equal combat
lasted. Tire French fought with tho energy of
ilesiieration. .Mglit came ou, and only count ant
!la!ie marked the portion of the ships. Admi
ral limeys fell, mortallv wounded. Ho refused
to leave the quarter-drtk. "An Admiral should
tlio giving onlers. Haid he. At iiiidiii-ht hi
vessel, IOrient, took fire, and iu the midst uf
ine eoiiuiet. mew up with so terrible an explos
ion, that tbe dreadful cauuouade was silenced,
and an awful stillness fell upon the ships. But
soon tbe dtrc conflict wa renewed, aud when
the morning snu had reached tho zenith, the
gallant fleet was a thing of the past.
Thus the celebrated "Battle of the Nile,
which added unfading laurels to. Nelson's fame,
and showered upon him congratulations and fa
vors from all Europe, was the fatal blow to
Egypt's prosperity. Degradation and oppres
sion again lifted up their merciless hands and
lauglfd at her piteous strnggles.
Natiolenu aud his heroic annv were indeed cut
off from home and civilization. But 110 sign of
wiiriiiuruiciii ocirajCU ILSeil. HO WITH lO
Klelier, "We must die in this country or get out
of it as great as the ancients.
Europe was wild with joy over Nelson's victo
ry. England sounded again tho tocsin of war.
Russia responded to.tbe summons, and Turkey
stepped forward at the call. Religious antago
nisms and old animosities were forgotteu'in the
one desire to crush out the youug Republic
which brought the love of liberty no near their
own doors, and threatened to undermine the
strength of despotic Europe. So side by side,
on the fair waters of the blue Mediterranean,
waved tbe narrow peunauts of the Crescent and
tho Crotvadding grace to tho majestic strength
of the British lion.
Two immense Turkish armies were assembled.
One at Rhodes, to be conveyed by the nuited
squadron to the shores of Egypt ; the other in
Syria, to attack Napoleon by way of the desert.
In tbe meantime Napoleou had been engaged
in plans for tbe prosperity of Egypt. He, in
person, inspected the pro-used route for the Su
ez Canal, while tho greater part of tho army
were scattered throughout all Egypt, engaged
iu peaceful vocations.
In January, tidings came that part of the Syr
ian forcesbad entered Egypt, and taken posses
sion of El Arish. To think was to act with Na
poleon. With but an army of ten tbontaud men, he
decided to anticipate the movements of the foe.
After a five days march of inconceivable Buffer
ing, over the bumiug sands of the desert, he
arrived at midnight before tbe walls of El Ar
ish. The deep roar of artillery, aud the burst
ing of falling shells aronscd the sleeping Turks.
They sprang manfully to their guns and fought
valiantly, but after a short contest were forced
to retreat, and EJ Arish, with 2,000 prisoners,
fell into the bauds of the French.
To keen these prisoners of war nrndence for
bade. The French army was small and rations
limited. To retain them in the camp, an impos
sibility: to shoot them, impracticable. Tore
lease them on parole was the only alternative.
They promised to return to Bagdad, but no soon
er were they released than they rejoined the
forces of Aehmet, the Butcher, Pasha of Syria,
who led the merciless horde. The honor of the
Turk! Napoleon, with his devoted followers,
marched on through the desolate land. But af
ter the dreary wastes of tho desert came the
cool, restful valleys of Syria, lying in their qui
et beauty nnder the shadows of the overhang
ing mountains.
At Gaza, a portion of tho Turkish army were
defeated, and the place, with a large qnaitity
of military supplies, fell into the hands of the
French.
Intelligence came of the fast Increasing nam
liers of the foe. Thirty thousand Turks were
waitiug marching orders at Damascus. Twenty
thousand were iu readiness at Rhodes. Eng
land was landing her splendid army on the
coast, aud Turkey aud Russia acted as faithful
watch-dogs. To retreatmeant death. In press
ing forward was the only hope. On the 3d of
March, the invincible little army assailed Jaffa.
A massive wall surrounded the town, which
was strongly garrisoned by the Mussulmans.
The vigilant English had raptnred the heavy
guns of Napoleon, that had been forwarded to
him from Alexandria on small coasting vessels.
Bnt no time was to bo lost. Without a mo
ment's delay, he commenced the siege. A breech
was made in tbe walls by his light artillery,
and the Turkish commander was summoned to
sunrnder. The only answer was the gory bead
of theJiapless messenger, shown from the walL
The French soldiery infuriated at this inhuman
treatment of their unfortunate comrade, rushed
into the city, and fought with the fearful fary
of revenge.
Their valor was again triumphant, and the
place, with a large nnmber of Turkish priso
ners, was added to the list of Napoleon's con
quests. Among the prisoners taken were the
two t hot sand who bad been liberated on parole
at EI Arish. Death was the pnnishmeut for tbe
violation of military honor. But Napoleon's
humane nature revolted at the thought. Fr
three days, a council of war was held to deter
mine if some happier ine might not be evolv
ed from the difficulty. But. the stern necessities
of war saw nopleasaut path out of the horri
ble dilemma.
The votewaj taken. Death I War permits
no manifestations of sentiment or heart gener
osity. Napoleon now tnrned toward Acre. This im
portant military post was occupied by Aehmet,
with a large body of troops, and a portion of
the English squadron under tbe command of Sir
Sydney Smith, added to his strength large sup
plies of trained artillerymen and ammunition.
S'ajioleon made overtures of peace to Aehmet.
The brutal Turk, as a reply worthy of his fero
cious nature, exhibited the bloody beads of the
utessengers from the ramparts.
The horrors of the plague now appeared In
the French ranks. Tbe terrified soldiers and
physicians lefused to administer relief to their
stricken comrades. Napoleon fearlessly went
among the sick, cared for them with bis own
bands, and infased new life and strength into
the disheartened men. His heroic conduct
brought its reward. The cowardly ones return
ed to their duty, and the force of the dread con
tagion was abated.
The siege of Acre was now opened. Trenches
were dug, and mines laid beneath the onter for
tifications. On came the army of thirty, thou
sand Turks from Damascus, for tbe extermina
tion of the little army that now numbered bnt
eight thousand men. The rallying cry of the
Mussulman rang through tbe land, calling for
the Faithfnl to come to the destruction of the
"Christian dogs." Napoleon heard of the ap
proach of the barbarian forces. Two thousand
men were left In the trenches, and with the re
maining six thoasaud, be resolved to attack a
force or thirty thousand defiant men. General
Kleber adranced with three thousand brave
men. As they marched around the foot of grand
old Mount Tabor, on tbe ICth of April, the early
morning light disclosed the tremendous power
of the Turkish host. Tbe open plain was cov
ered with flaunting banners, gay turbans, and
tho barbaric splendor which distinguishes the
amy a of tbe Orient. Twelve thousand gayly
caparisoned Mameluke honemeu were darting
over the field. A yell, as from a myriad demons,
burst from their throats as tbe little baud of
seemingly doomed Frenchmen emerged from the
narrow' valley. Forming one of the invincible
sqnnres, silently tbe devoted men awaited the
terrible assault. On with the power and roar
of an ocean storm, came the wild, defiant hnrse-
I men. Like one solid rock stood the brave..
greeted them with a blinding flash of fire, and
horse and rider fell to the earth. On all sides
gleamed the bristling wall of bayonets. No hu
man power can iorce a horse on immovalile
steel. And as the French stood firm, the steeds
of the enemy reared and pluuged and retreated
before tbe impregnable living fortification.
For six long boors this dreadful unequal con
test laited. The firing of the French never
ceaseo. Arounu inem tns dead bodies of men
and horses formed a strong bulwark. The sun
poured down its hottest rays. The amunition
was nearly gone, and still the n ambers of the
foe were legion. Seven hours had passed, and
hope was fast leaving the noble veterans, when
Napoleon, with bis reserve of three thousand
men arrived at tbe scene of action. The posi
tion of Klebers forces was only known by tho
steady, unintermitting flash or their guus. The
wonderful genius of Napoleon did not desert
him. The reserves were formed into two
squares, and silentlv they advanced, so as to
form a triangle with KlebeVs uucouquerable
force, thns shutting in the whole Turkish army.
Rapidly the noble men hastened to the assist
ance of their friends. Suddenly a cannon bel
lowed forth its hoarse defiance to tbe Turkish
hosts. "He has come! It is BonaparteT burst
forth In glad shouts from Kleber's little band.
And tears of for fell from the eves of tbo rotm!
old veterans as they recognized the presence of
lueir icauci. isrspair .gave way to renewed
hope, and tbsy made au assault npon the ene
my. Surprised, the foe retreated, and were met
with murderous fire from the French reinforce-
uiiuto. uuij-iiku. uauicu, 100 orucr 01 1110
Turks was completely destroyed. A wall of
uame aeciucu 10 surrounu inem, auu tno roar or
tuerrencn guns never ceased. The white plume
of the intrepid Mnrat was seen In the thickest
of the fray, as he led his gallant cavalry onto
victory.
Napoleon's star of destiny did not hide be
neath tbe clouds. It shone upon a victorious
field. With a Iorce of only six thousand men,
he routed an army of thirty thousand.
He returned immediatelr to the aieee of Aere.
Tbe days passed into weeks, and he still thun-
uereu at ine gates. Having obtained a' few
heavy guns, the walls of Acre were battered
down, anLa small portion of the fortifications
captured. Night and day were filled with the
ureauiut souua 01 exploding mines, bursting
shells, and the constant war of artillery. The
harsh try of the assailants mingled with the fu
rious denunciations of the besieged. Sir Syd
ney Smith commanded the Turkish defense. To
barbaric strength was given the skill and effec
tive power of English warfare. For six days
tbe terrible conflict lasted. Nspoleon's forces
were greatly reduced. In May, tho besieged
were strengthened by a force of twelve thou
sand men. NapoleWsouly hope was to capture
Acre before tbe landing of the hostile troops.
A final assanlt was made. The French fought
like heroes. The Turks gave "no quarter," and
drove back their asssilauts w itb dripping scim
eters. Disenhearteued, Napoleon withdrew his forc
es. Knowing that tbe immense army of Rhodes
would soon be landed by the nuited fleet of his
eueiny, ho felt that their vast number would be
disastrous to his little band.
He prepared t return to Cairo, leaving be
hind him three thousand of his followers who
had fallen victims to the plague or by the swonl
of the enemy. Twelve hundred uieii were in
the hospitals. With a father's care be directed
that these should be carried acroas the desert on
litters. Seven poor fellows were found at the
point of death, uuable to be moved. Five hun
dred men were left to protect their dying mo
ments from the fearful tortures of the Turk-.
For twenty-five days these few thousand men
trudged through the hot, shining sands of the
desert. Napoleon was ever tho bright, inspir
ing genius of his ranks. Giving his horse to the
wounded t he travelled the weary way on foot,
encouraging the helpless, aiding tho sick, and
never fur a momout permitting his own sad mis
fortune to betray itself. But he knew that his
Oriental dream had forever vanished. That his
magnificent plans tor the prosperity of Egypt
were forever frustrated. His Oriental Empire
bad forever passsd from sight. But true to bis
innate sense of greatness, no murmur fell from
his lips.
He entered Cairo with the air of a conqueror.
He found that the anny which had remained in
ECTP "f f M di satisfied and uneasy. They long
ed for France, and his own eyes tnrned to tboso
far-off shores.
Scarcely was be settled at Cairo before a cour
ier brought the ereutful news that an immense
hostile fleet had appeared in the Bay of Aboukir,
and eighteen thousand Turks had landed; that
Mourad Bey, with his Mameluke horsemen, were
npully advancing front Upper Egypt. The for
tress of Aboukir was already iu tne bands of
the foe.
Napoleon ordered eight th on sand men to be in
readiness for instant service. In a few hours he
was leading his army across the desert sands to
Aboukir. Night and day they pressed on,
through all the terrors of the desert sands, aud
In seven days reached Aboukir.
At midnight, on the 2Tth of Jaly, 1TT, with
but six thonsand men, he stood before the
strongly-garrisoned town. The bay was full of
the ships of an nnited enemy. Uncounted num
bers of reinforcements from Syria were hasten
ing to the Turkish support. Kleber with his di
vision of two thousand men, had not arrived.
Napoleon knew that the hour hail come. Turn
ing to Murat, he said: "This battle will decide
the fate of the world."
The falling of shells rudely awakened the
sleeping Turks, bnt they were driven like cat
tle before tbe fierce onset of the invincible army
of Napoleon. Every Frenchman felt that he
mustcouqner ordhs to win meant life, home,
France. The genius of Napoleon was seen in
every movement of ;his troops. He and every
man remembered tbe destruction of tbe French
fleet iu the Bsy of Aboukir, and revenge nerved
every arm.
Mnrat knew no danger; with his cavalry ho
rode to the very centre of the Turkish camp and
took Mustapfaa Pasha prisoner. Napoleon re
ceived bis illustrious captive with distinction,
and said ; "I will inform the Saltan of tbe cour
age you bare displayed in this battle, though it
has besn your mishap to lose it." "Thou marst
save thyself the troable," haughtily replied the
Turk; mr master knows me better than thou
canst." With but six thousand men Napoleon
had defeated the entire efforts of England, Rus
sia, and Turkey, and he was literally in posses
sion of Egypt; although it waa a conquest void
of all the oriental glory with which bis warm
fancy bad pictured it.
Thus closed the grandest enterprise that hu
man ambition had ever formed, for the promo
tion of individual or national renown.
P.B.S.
A Dwarf Xilled by Cats.
A showman named Joseph Lnmeaa faas been
arrested at Li Hie, on a charge of canstng the
death of a dwarf, under very curious circum
stances. The dwarf, who was seventeen years
old, and barely twenty-fire inches in height, had
been sold to Lnmean by his father, to be exhib
ited in a booth. His purchaser conceived the
Idea of establishing a miniature menagerie, with
thedwarfasatamer. He caused a number of
cats to ba painted, so as to look like tigers, and,
giving the dwarf a whip, compelled him, by
kicks and threats, to goad tbe cats Into a furi
ous attack npon him. Tbe consequence was,
that tbe poor little fellow, who always had a
great aversion to cats, was literally torn to
pieces by the Infuriated aoimals. This took
place at the fair of Beanpre-sur-Saooe, last
month, since when the showman has disaj
peared. London Scrt.
Bilmt BnxiTrrrn Clxopatju. It is scarce
possible to doubt that, with the lore of tbe
onion inherent In the feminine soul, and the
national tendency of tbe Egyptians toward it,
the fascinating Cleopatra waa an onion eater of
tbe most aggravated type; or that when Csar
and Antony, who had been reared In patrician
detestation of it. woaad her balnir breath. It
was with Inward qualms and curses, and deeply
vowed resolves to take next day tbe first clipper
Jrnnew
tcy oouna irom Alexandria to Kotne. ms
sewee CknmitU.
A cask was op in the Indianspolis Courts, re
utlr. In which a man was sued for payment of
a loss in grain gambling. The Judge decided
againat the plaintiff, aa the evidence showed
that there was no Intention of delivering the
goods, bat only to speculate on the margin.
Axaxsox Towksxjid, of Phcenlx, X. Y- s&
95, and a veteran of 1812, celebrated the Fourth
f J' this year, by repeating from memory
the cntirs text of tbe Declaration of Independence.-
Thus has been his annual custom for
tliree-quartcra of a century.
THE PBAXRTE3 OP THE WEST.
Th Sammer sun had ank to rwt.
That all the day so bright had bm.
When o'er thprsiriV of tho Went,
I rode and muaed opoo tbe scene.
On every aide a whispering ind
Was wakened by the rutling gUde,
While towering plant, with flortU crowned,
A rare and phsuin- picture made.
Befme me Uv an Indian trail;
Deep within the graivv ".
Where years ago, o'er ndge ami vale.
The plumed and painted warrkw trod.
With iteallhy atep and listening ear.
Mrthinka that now I are them glide 1
Ere white men came to rhaae their dr,
Or wrest from them these prairie wide.
Yet atQl a hardy rare b here.
Who tend tbe herd and till the soil j
Tbe bold and fearleaa pioneer.
With faco and hands embrowned with toL
From many a foreign land they came.
From lawa that injured or oppressed 1
They caught the Bound of Freedom 'a name.
And sought the prairie of the VVeat.
And aimn tho rich and fertile land.
Each Taller wide and rolling plain.
Was changed beneath the touutg hand.
And tingtd with Held of ripening grain.
Anil happy heart and ebtrful borne.
Where Iotf and aweet contentment real.
Aiid nianbma! a voice and ehildbmid'a tonea,
tiUddentheprairicabfthe Wet-
BATTLE OF NORTH POINT.
BombardmeMl af Fart JlcIIeary Death of
den. B Retreat aflhe Eaeaay.
In Mr. IogersoU's work on the war of 1612, we
have tbe following account of the attack tusde
by the British ou Baltimore, in lell. It will
awaken recollections iu the minds of many of
onr readers, who were participants in that gal
lant and successful defense of the city, and will
bo read with interest by all. The account is
short too short to do justice to all the gallant
spirits that fell, or participated, in that contest.
We miss the names of some, who were on that
day "among the bravest of the brave." There
are doubtless remembered by many of our citi
zens, incidents that would have given greater
interest to the narrativ e. But the design of the
author was to give an intelligent short sketch
of the events of those trying times, and he has,
it will be allowed, been as successful as the lim
its, to which he seems to have restricted himself,
would admit:
On the Cth of September, W1I, tho whole
British fleet, between forty and fifty vessels of
war, got under way, and stood up tbe Chesa
peake, with more than five thonsand soldiers,
marines, black and white, and seamen, t3 be
landed as infantry, under Admirals Cochrane,
Cock bum, Malcolm, Codriiigtou, Captain (now
Admiral) Napier, and many other distinguished
leaders. On tho Uth sailing by Annapolis, on
the 11th reaching the Patapsco, early in tho
morninir of the 12th of September. ltf!4. thev
landed at North Point, while several vessels of
light draft attempted to ascend the Patapsco,
intending to capture or silence Fort Mcllenry,
an open fortificatiou, two miles from Baltimore,
and two other water batteries adjacent. Gen.
Ross, accompanied by Admiral Cochrane in tbe
van, proceeded without resistance almut four
miles, when, gallantly encountered by two com
panies of Sterrett's fine regiment, led by Cap
tains Levering and Howard, ami Captain Ais
qnith's rifle company, composing an advauce,
detached nnder Major Richard Heath, accom
panied as a volunteer by Roliert Goodloe Har
per, long one of the most distinguished members
of Congress, bringing on what was called the
battle of North Point by fortunately killing
Geu. Ross. Soon overw helmed by superior nnni
liers, our advance was driven back on their
main body, tbe Baltimore brigade, rather more
than three thousand men, commanded by Gen.
John Strieker, with whom served three compa
nies of Penusjlvauia. volunteers, under Captains
SpangltT, Metegar aud Dixon, aud a company
of Maryland volunteers, nnder Captain Q,uan
till, the whole led by Col. Sterrett, MrDonald,
Long, Fowler, and Aniey, with Piukney's rifle
battalion under Captain Dyer, some cavalry,
commanded by Col. Biays. and six four-pouud-en,
managed by Capt. Montgomery. Thea
troops were well jnisted by Geueral Strieker,
and fifteen hundred of them, the only portion
actually engaged, for more than an hour brave
ly withstood tho British onset. "We were
drawing near," says the English narrative, "the
sceno of action, when another officer came at
full speed towards nt with horror nnd dismay
Iu his countenance, and tailing aloud for a aur
geou. Everyman felt within himself that all
was not right, though none was willing to le
Iieve the whispers of his dwn terror. But what
at first we could not guess at, because we dread
ed it so much, was soon realized; for the aid-de-camp
had scarcely parsed, when the General's
horse, without its rider, aud with the saddle
and housings stained with blood, came pluug
ing onwards. Nor was much time given for
fearful surmise avto tho extent of our misfor
tune. In a few minutes, wc roached the ground
where the skirmishing had takeu place, and be
held poor Ross laid by the side of the road, nn
der a canopy of blankets, and apparently in he
agonies of death. As soon as the firing began,
he had ridden to the front, that he might ascer
tain from whence it originated, and mingling
with the skinnishers, was shot in tho side by
a rifleman. The wound was mortal; he fell in
to the arms of his aid-de-catup, and li veil only
long eutjugh to uame his wife, and to commend
bis family to the protection of bis country. He
was removed towards the fleet, and expired be
fore bis bearers could reach the boats." By this
death the command of the British army devolved
on Col. Brooke, whosA well-composed official re
port of their speedy and clandestine abandon
ment of tbe attempt ou Baltimore, attributes it
tothe failure of the naval attack on Fort Mc
Hcnry. But the fact was that, discouraged by
Ross's death, the promptitude of Haath's assault,
and the bravery of Strieker's contest, tho enemy
were still more disconcerted wbeu they discov
ered the preparations made by General Samuel
Smith for the' defense of Baltimore. During
more than an hour, tho battle uf North Point
was well contested by but fifteen hundred of
the Baltimore volunteers against superior num
bers of veteran n-gular troops. The misconduct
of one regiment, Colonel Amey's, caused some
confusion, and forced General Strieker to yield
the field of battle. But most of bi inexperi
enced troops, especially the 5th and 27th regi
ments, (the latter well trained by Lieutenant
Colonel Samnel Moon,) behaved with a spirit
to ntleeni the dishonor of Bladensburg. The
British, who lost more than officially reported,
confessed thirty-iiiuo killed and two hundred
and twentynlne wonnded, while onr loss was
twenty -one killed and a hundred and thirty-nine
wounded, and fifty taken; the most distin
guished of our slaiu, James Lowry Donaldson, a
city member of the State Legislature, who fell
bravely, animating the 27th regiment, of which
he was au adjutant, to manly combat, and Lieu--teuant
Andre. General Strieker took his first
position, maintained It, and fell back to the
second, with such spirit that Brooke did not
venture to pnrsue. About the time of Strieker's
last stand, he was joined by General Winder
with General Douglas" brigade of Virginia mili
tia, and Captain BunVs troop of regular caval
ry. The Maryland brigades of Generals S tans
bury and Foreman, the seamen and mariues nn
der Commodore Rogers, the Pennsylvania vol
unteers under Colonels Cobeau aud rind ley, tbe
Baltimore artillery under Colonel Harris, and
the marine artillery nnder Capt. Stiles, manned
the trenches and batteries, at which they re
mained all night under arras, ready fur any as
sanlt the enemy might undertake. Sleeping on
the battle-ground. Colonel Brooke next day ap
proached Baltimore, whose defenses he closely
reconnoitered, and found bristling with cannou
fortifying the bills, manned by not less than
twelve thonsand men, whom he showed no dis
position to attack, welt prepared, and resolved
as they were, to vindicate their firesides by re
pulsing, capturing or destroying their Invaders,
who escaped by nocturnal flight.
Arrangements were made to cot off Brooke's
retreat by General Winder with General Doug
las Virginia brigade and some regular troops;
bnt Brooke precipitately made bis escape nn
der cover of night, ami uncomfortable weather,
to the shipping, leaving a few prisoners in our
hands.
A grand but shy attack was made by the fleet
on Fort Mcllenry, on the 13th. Formed in a
half circle in front of it, bnt keeping out of
range of its batteries, Iwmb and other vessels
fired, daring that day and nighty eighteen hun
dred bomb-ahells, with multitudes of round shot
and rockets, not less altogether than one hun
dred and sixty tons of iron engines of destruc
tion, with no effect of intimidation or seereas,
and withont runch destruction, owing to tbe
distance st which the masters of tbe seas kept
from tbe well-known gunnery of the Americans.
Major Arm 1st cad. of tbe artillery, who com
manded Fort Mcllenry, with his comrades, were
a target for British practice, for the fort re
turned but few shots, when they found that
they fell short of the enemy. Many of tbe Brit
ish liombs weighed two hundred and twenty
pounds ; the uproar of whose reverberations waa
as terrific as the spectacle of night cannon ado
was Imposing. After firing these missiles Into
tbe fort from six in the morning till three In the
afternoon, Cochrane moved some of bis vessels
nearer, and their shot hailed fire on the defend
ants. But in a very few moments, as soon aa
Arnilstead's guns reported within a distance
which bronght them into contact with their as
sailants, the latter slipped their cables, hoisted
their sails, and fell back beyond tbe range of
onr largest guns. About midnight, screened by
total darkness, and lighted by the flame of their
own artillery, a few bomb vessels and rocket
boats, with a large squadron of barges, manned
by twelve hundred men, pushed up tbe rove
beyond Fort Mcllenry, to assail it in tba rear,
effect a landing, and try the city; with load
cheers moving nn. and flattering themselves that
success awaited their last effort, on which tne
British admiral confidently relied. Fatigue,
want of rest and comfort, bail weather and ex
posure, n a protected by good works from tbe
enemy s fire, without tho excitement of return
ing it, as they were beyond reach of ours, tried
tbe fortitude of tbe mixed garrison of Fort Mc
llenry. Three companies of Baltimore artillery,
commanded by Captain Berry, Judge Nicholson,
and Lieutenant Pennington, parts of the thirty
sixth and thirty-eighth regiments of United
States infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Stu
art, with Major Lane, of the fourteenth United
States regiment, serving as a volunteer, com
posed Major Arnilstead's force in the fort; of
whom the clomsy gunnery of the British ship
ping killed but four, among whom were two
respectable merchants, Lieutenant Ctaggett, and
Sergeant Cletum; wounding only twenty. Two
American ship masters, prisoners on boanl the
frigate Menelaus during the attack, stated, when
afterwards liberated, as told to them by British
officers, that the attempt was made by eighty
boats, carrying each twenty-five men, and de
feated with a loss of between four and five hun
dred. Tbo several water batteries, not only
Fort Mcllenry but Fort Covington, where Com
modore Kodgers was stationed with his sailors,
and Lieutenant New comb, of tho navy, and the
notiiia men irom tne city battery, under lieu
tenant elMicr, as well as that or the i.ariretto,
deluged tbe assailants with inch torrents of hot
shot, as not merely to repnlse, but with great
loss, quiekly drive them back to their original
anchorage, out of reach- Baltimore, shaken to
its foundations by these tremendous explosions,
stood firm in spint; aud it was during the strik
ing concussions of that night conflict, that the
snug of the "Star Spangled Banner was com
posed iu the Admiral's ship.
Soon, after tbe morning attack on Fort Mc
llenry liegan, Brooke led his forces within a
mite of Baltimore, skilfully followed, however,
aud judiciously threatened by Winder. The
British commander concented bis force ostensi
bly for storming the town tbst night. General
Stnith,aperfectly prepared for it. posted Winder
and Strieker so advantageously for attacking
Brooke next morning, that, together with the
nijht failure ou the water fort ill cationa, the
British decauied, about midnight, with great
precipitation, favored by total darkness, heavy
rain, aud the exhansted condition of the Ameri
cana, who, during the three days and nights'
campaign, hail suffered from fatigue, inclement
weather aud want of rest. Tbe bomb vessels
and barges which passed beyond Fort Mc Henry,
after losing many men, and suffering considera
ble damage, saved from annihilation by the
total darkness, retreated to their distant posi
tions, out of reach of shot, whence they kept up
tbo ineffectual bombardment till six o'clock
next morning, when they, like the array, drew
off. both worsted and convinced of the much
greater probability of their own capture or de
tniction. than that of Baltimore. After tbo
army had effected its escape, the cannonade of
rort Mcllenry ceased, at bo clock, on tbe morn
ing of the 14th, having continued twenty-four
hours. Completely foiled by water and land,
tho Invaders officially apologized fur their re
treat, by stating that, as the river did not admit
of near approach to the fort, stonuing the city,
without nrst taking Fort Mcllenry. might have
cost more than it wonld come tu. British Ad
mirals and Colonels, therefore, withdrew from
that last hostile demonstration of the mistress
of the sea in the waters of the Chesapeake, with
the sorry consolation of what Admiral Coch
rane' dispatch to Secretary Crocker recapitu
lated as the fruits of the abortion, "the burning
of an extensive rope-walk aud otherpatfic erec
tions, causing their Inhabitants to remove their
property from tbo city, above all, the collecting
aud harassing them around from tbe surrounding
country, producing a total stagnation of their
commerce, and heaping upon them considerable
expenses, at the samo time effectually drawing
off their attention and support from other im
portant quarters."
A MAMMOTH WATERMELON.
The HeaHarhable Patch Which a Gears'.
VarsMcr U Calllratlaa;.
Stonk Mountain; August 23. As a geueral
thing, it Is a difficult matter to send a ripple
across the bosom of this quiet coiniunnity, but
just now there is visible a simmer of excitement
and expectancy. Mr. John Miller, the "boss
watermelon raiser," ha a melou which will be
ripe by Satnnlay, and which for size is expected
to echpao all his former productions and take the
cake from tbe whole State. The melon sU six
weeks old aud has grown to au euormous size,
ami baa not yet called a bait. It now weighs
over CTi pounds, and it is expected that by the
time It ripens it will weigh over seventy, and it
may go to 7 pounds. Tho melon is of the "Cu
ban Q.uecii" variety, aud is short and "sqnarr
shonldend." In appearance it resemble the
rattlesnake melon, except that is not as long
drawn out, lieing shorter and longer around.
The largest watermelon that Mr. Miller ever
raised heretofore was a sixty-four-pounder,
which was raised a year or two ago, and which,
when cnt into sections like a barrel hoop and the
pulp removed, left a rind through which the bo
dy of a large man could easily be slipped. In
fact, your correspondent saw Mr. Miller slip a
section of the rind over his bead and body. This
feat was easily accomplished, although Mr. Mil
ler weighs in the neighborhood of two hundred
pounds. Tbo next largest that he ever raised
was a sixty-two pound melon, which was raised
in the year preceding that in which the sixty
four pound melon was raised. This steady in
crease in the eize of his brag melons, from a six
ty two to a probably acrenty-five-iMHind melon,
leads one to wonder where the end will be. Your
corrrspandent asked Mr. Miller to to 'give him
the secret of bis success. Taking the scribe by
the arm, he led him into the patch, where the
ines rau In every direction, aud the bees buzzed
abont the yellow blooms while the big melons
looked lazy, as their backs, streaked with green
aud yellowish white, lay upturned to the sun.
The ground was covered with straw, and the
finest melons were just visible through the straw
that was piled about them to hide them front
the burning rays of tbe August sun. Beside each
of tbe largest melous were sticks stuck iuto tbe
gronnd, to show bow fast the melou was grow
ing, and when it had stopped growing an evi
dence that it was ripe. As Mr. Miller passed
through the patch, he reached down and pulled
a shabby looking specimen about twice the size
of a man's bead. The newspaper man noticed,
also, that there were quite a nnmlier of smaller
melons lying around loose in the patch, and ac
cordingly inquired the eanse of such apparently
wanton destruction of melons.
"If I get two melons to tbe vine, I am satis
fied replied Mr. Miller. "I try to make my
vines bnng mean average of two melous, but I
will not take even two at Gic sacrifice of their
size. I palled that melon becaose it was a dwarf. It
would never be auythiugitself, and it would da
mage the big melon you see over there near the
root of the vine. I believe In theaurvi val of the
fittest, therefore the bad melons must go to tbe
wall. Von asked me about the secret of my suc
cess. There is no secret about it, Tbe old far
mers shake their beads and say there is some se
cret about my way of cultivating my crops, bnt
I tell you if there is any secret It is the secret of
hard work aud common sense. I go iuto this
piece of ground to plant my melon patch, and I
dig tbe boles ten feet apart and about nine in
ches deep. Into each hole, which 1 make about
two or three feet across, I put a shorelfull of
stable manure. I then go around the bole with
my shovel and throw in the top earth, which I
thoroughly mix np with the manure In the bole.
Then 1 plant tbe seed, and when the vines come
on I prune them anil take care of them in a care
ful, sensible sort of way. I know when a vine
needs pruning by its appearance, bnt I conld
not describe it to yon to save my life. I simply
know it, and that s the end of it. I know this
much, that if you nruiie a vine when it does not
need it you injnre it, and If yon, do not prune
it when it needs It, it will be injured. That is
all I can tell you. It isa secret that will have
to be learned by actual experience, and I could
not teach it to you in a dozen years, unless I
could show you tbe vines when they need pru
ning; then, as I told yon, I pull tbe sorry melons
aud throw them away so that they will not be a
useless drain on the vines."
"Do you ship melons away V
"I sell all my melons rightbereatStoueMonn
taiu. What Is the use In shipping melons, when
J can take them down tbe street here and sell
Ibematfrom futy cents to one dollar apiece T
Young man, let me give you a secret that Is a
secret. Iran tell yon bow I sell my melons for
three or four times as much as other people get
for theirs. People like anything that looks nice.
Therefore, when I poll my nice melons my
blooded melons, yon may say X pack them, stem
downward. Into my wagon body; as long as one
will go in with jnat one layer. I pack freab-look-ing
straw in tbe bottom and around tbe sides
and ton, and when I, drive my tesm Into town,
my melons look fin as they lie in tbe wsgon bo
dy like eggs in a case. 1 never let a man or boy
touch one of them. If a man comes np to buy a
melon, I let him look at them and pick out the
one that be wants, and I sell ft to him, guaran
teeing it to be all right, and I bare never yet
bad one brought back to me." Corrafoudemct
MtamU Cssaft'sfios.
Sqlkixhi5G a Grcxxbacxtut. A wild-eyed
Grrenbacker was heard haranguing a crowd of
forty or fifty men on a street corner In Belfast,
Me., the other day, daring tbe "noon hour." The
burden of his complaint was "hard times," "no
work," and no money;" but a broad-shouldered
and hard-fisted mechanic made hi way close up
to tbo orator, and taking off his hat, said: "If
there Is any able-bodied men in this crowd wbore
out of work, and want a job, FH guarantee that
tbey can get fi a day by going Into any of these
ahinrards here," Then another man broke in
'with: "I've been at work In Massachusetts all
tbe season for 925 a month and board, and I can
go back there to-morrow and get the same money
if I want to. A third voice from the audience
Interrupted with : "Don't everybody know that
there's been a surplus of money in the banks of
Boston this smmmcrat 4 or S per cent?" All of
these interruptions were ao promptly approved
by tbe crowd, that the GreeoWker decided to
look for a more sympathetic audience, -Bo$tm
Ctmwurrial BtlUtt.
Ex-SrxEmaT Buu.xr la said to appear itrcn
gcr than be did two yeaii ago,
THE SUMMKB MORNIKO.
ST JOBS CLAUC.
The curl hare now tbe mora foretold,
Tho ana again begin to pep j
Tbe ahepberd. whistling to hi fuM.
Cspens and free the captive thorp.
O'er pathleo plaina.'mt early hoars,
Tbo aleevv rattle fUhdt com
Tbe dewa. bnuh'd a from rra and Sower.
BeaaoUteniag. aop hi a
saarueaea:
ueDedahnrs;
While every leaf that form a ahade,
And ererr floweret allien ton.
And every ehiverisg bent and blade.
Mono, bowing with a diamond top
rur with a diamond ton.
Bol aooo shall Sy their diamond drop t
Tho red round ana advance higher.
And, stretching o'er tho moon tain top.
Is giUlac "vet vOlac spire,
TU aweet to meet tho moraing fcreese.
Or bt tho gnrgUnr of the brook 1
Or. atretcnedleneth the shad of tree,
Prrnne and paase on natare'a book,
TVben natoi every aweet prepare
To entertain oar wtahed delay,
Tbe Image which morning wear.
The wakening charm of early day.
Xow let mo tread tbo meadow path.
While flittering dew tbo ground Ulamea,
A aprtnkled o'er tba withering awath.
TbVirntoUtaroahrtaka in aweet perfume j
And hear the beetle auund hi horn.
And bear the skylark whistling nigh,
Sprang from hi bed of tafteC corn,
A bailing minstrel from the ky.
oe--sa-
MOTHEE. BALLET, OF QB0T02T.
The Flaaael "Pettlcaat that wm fllvea ta the
MeMiero Benedict AraMs Attack apoa
TParC 2riweM Dec a tar Fleet Blockaded
fseraeaal Maaitk'a VrrsUa of the f etticeat
Htery
New Loudon, at oue time during the Revolu
tionary war, was a rich and flounshing town;
and so Gen. Corn wall is, after consultation with
Benedict Arnold, decided that if anything would
divert Washington from bis purpose to lay slego
to Yorktown, it would be an attack upon New
Loudon. Ou the afternoon of Sept. 4, I'd, a
fleet of thirty-two sail, under command of Bene
dict Arnold, sailed from Xew York. On the
afternoon of the next day they came to anchor
in Ijoug Island Sound, off" New London. Tbe
landing was deferred uutil the next mom ing. In
the evening the presence of tbe British tleet was
dicovered. There was for a time great alarm,
and all night long the work of hiding treasure
and sending the women, the young aud the old
far out of danger was In progress. But the
stnnly patriots themtelves had no thought be
yond that of contesting the advance of the ene
my. At 3 o'clock that morn ing Capt. William
Latham, who commanded Fort (iris wold, 011
Grot on Heights, opptmite Xew Loudon, sent
word toCoL William Ledyard, who commanded
the fort at the Utter place, and Col. lx-slyanl
came over and took command. The parting
wonts of the gallant Ledyanl to his friend as ho
left New London were: "If I must lose to-day
liouor or life, you, who know me, can tell which
it will be." The British troops landed in two
divisions, Beuedict Arnold commanding the
oue ou the Xew London side, aud Lieut-Col.
Eyre the one on the Grntou side. They counted
on an easy victory; hut the resistance at Fort
Griswold was fierce, and rare deeds uf 'valor
were performed by the fort's garrisou. Arnold's
official return showed that IfiO uudisciplined,
irregularly equipped men matte thirty-fire more
than their number of regular British soldiers
bite the dnst. After tbe British entered the
fort they became rfect demons. Col. Eyre,
their leader, bail beeu killed, and many of his
officers. Oue of those who escaped ran up to
Col. Ledyanl and asked: "Who commands this
fort! The answer was: "1 did, but you do
now." The proffered sword accompanying the
rasponse of Ledyanl was tbe next moment
plunged Into the breast of thathero. TheBritiali
were not satisfied until they destroyed the towns
of Xew London and Groton.
The history of the defence of fort Griswold
shows heroism unsurpassed. Dauiel Williams
ofSaybrook wasagetl 15 wbeuhefell in action
at fort Griswold. Thomas Avery, son uf Lieut.
Parle Avejy, in the midst of the carnage beard
bis father cry :
"Tom, do your duty !"
"Never fear, father," was the reply.
"Ti hi a good cause," saidHhe father, sadly,
the next moment, as the heroic ly fell dead at
his side.
A farmer wife called to ber husband as he
hurried to the fort, "Jehn, John ; dou't get shot
in the back." After the battle ohe cleaned tho
blood from the faces of thirty dead mru before
she fouhd her husband. The fatal bullet had
pierced John's breast.
The memory of the patriot dead is perpetuated
by a monolith on GroUn Heights, ou which cau
bo seen a marble slab inscribed:
THIS HOSCMXTT
wa erected under tbe Patronage of the Stato
of Connecticut,
a. n. 110.
and la the SJtb year of the Independence of tho
r. s, a.
IS MCMOKT Or THE RKAVK raTUOTS
who fell la the maarr at tort UriawwU
bear this aiMtt,
on U t .?UiUr. A. D, 1701.
when tho ISrltiab, under the command of
ths Tfurros mrtntcT arcou.
Burnt th Town of New Loodooaad (iroton,
and Spread Deflation and Woo Throughout
Thi Igion.
A score of years ago no survivor of that mas
nacre, which to this day makes the memory of
Benedict Arnold so hateful in this vicinity,
thought of telling the story of the brave de
fence of the fort without coupling with It tho
name of the gallant Ledyanl that uf Mother
Bailey. She was a true draceudrut of the
heroes of Groton Heights, aud bad ahe been i u
tbe fort that terrible day abe would have battled
a bravely as auy. In the war of 1812 a British
tleet again threatened Xew London and Groton.
Commodore Decatur bail been dnven into New
London harbor, and his fleet was blockaded. It
was tbe general belief In tho two villages that
there was danger of a repetition of the horrors of
the Arnold invasion. People began to pack np
and make ready for a hurried departure. At
this time Mother Bailey kept a tavern in a
building in Groton. Tbe building still at and,
although modem surroundings have seemed to
modernize it. Still there can lie seen tbe old
broad roof and ponderous chimney so dear to tbu
Xew Engtander of fifty years ago. In tho tav
ern was also the ot office, and the place was a
general besdquarters tor Commodore Decatur's
sailors and marines, aud for the village lounger.
Mother Bailey beard ssmmmi as auy in the vil
lage of tbe danger that attended the presence of
the British fleet. She talked not of flight but of
battle, There are different versions oft he share
she took In the iiuindiug conflict. A history of
Xew Loudon, By MlssCaulkina, gives the story
very briefly in the following wonu:
"The inhabitants of Groton were all confusion,
removing their effects, when a messenger from
the fort was sent among them to collect flannel
to be used as wadding for the guns. Most uf the
portable good having been sent off, be was Un
successful in bis search, nutJI he encountered
Mrs. Anna Bailey, a warin-hcarted, prompt, aud
impulsive woman, who instantly divested her
self of her flannel petticoat, and bearitily devo
ted it to the cause. It was carried to the for
tress, displayed at the end of a pike, and the
story was told to the garrison, who cheered the
banner with great enthusiasm."
Sergeaut Smith, nnder tbe ahadow of historic
Fort Griswold for tbe wslls yet remain gave
a little different version of the story to the wri
ters few years ago, Jmt before the old veteran
was laid away to rest. Fur fifty-eight years
Sergeant Smith bail been Iu tbe United State
service. He, too, bad a history worthy of those
bygone days of heroism. When North and South
were divided be was at tbe front with his air
sous, all," be said, ."that were over IV Two of
them never returned. "The war hurt me badly,"
was all the old veteran said.
Tbe old aerteaut seemed to revere the memory
of Mother Bailey, and be told ber alary with
pride. "That day," he said, "some of Decatur's
men were at dinner at ber tavern, and there men
tioned that flannel was needed at the fort for
cartridges, for U had been fully determined to
fight the Britishers. Mother Bailey was In the
room, and beard the remark. She Immediately
polled np ber dress a lee tie a very lee tie and
showing ber new flsnnel petticoat, asked if that
wontd do. The sailors laughed and hurrahed at
tbe Idea, and gleefully said tbst it was tbe trf
tblagfur the parpoae. At once the petticoat
came off, and she gave it to the men, adding to
it some more new flannel which tbe patriotic old
lady had bought just before tbe Mockakr. She
did not take tbe petticoat off in the room, as
some have said," insiated tbe scrgot, warmly.
"The sailors had a regular lark with the petticoat
In tbe tort, and finally It was cut np in cartridg
es to be used sgaingt the Britishers, whom she
bated very heartily.
Fortupately, tbe blockade did not result a
any serious consequences to Xew London or Gro
ton. although at Stonington, near by, there 'was
a brisk engagement. Soon tbe British fleet re
tired and things became as usual si 10 at Groton.
Mother Bailey's action bad made her a he
roine in the eyes of tbe people. Her tavern wa
a greater place of resort than ever, and the par
tisanship of tbe old lady, she beiug a violent
Democrat, made It the scene of many animated
political debates. Strangely enough, the story
abont the petticoat banner became the source of
more than usual hostility amoug previously
peaceably fu dined Groton citizens. Local fac
tions divided as to where tbe petticoat was ta
ken oft. Sergeant Smith could recollect several
narrow escapes from persona! encounter .when
discussion on this matter hail warmed np the bu
colic mind unduly. When General Jackson, aa
President of tbe United States, came through
this region, tbe story was gone over more ear
nestly than ever, lie called npon Mother, Bai
ley, and to quote Sargent Smith, "you coaldu't
touch her with a rod pole after that," On the
ah off every September Mother Bailey and her
husband walked orar to Fort Griswold, where;
sbe was received with au ovation. Toward tbo
last of ber life she talked little about tbe famous
petticoat. Sbe died ou January 10, 1851, aged
9i years. Though eccentric. Sergeant Smith r
collected her; to ue his own language, as "a
good citizen, a kind woman, and one who bated
an English man."
1 m m
It is said that Wellington nerei met Nelssa