The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that periodGordon, William
History
The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that period
Gordon, William
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
disengaged, return as fast as they can for the defence of the lines. A
little after five, in the height of the action, lieut. col. Brooks, by
Gates’s order, quits the camp at the head of col. Michael Jackson’s
regiment, and directs his march to the warmest fire. On advancing into
the field, he finds the royal detachment has given way in all quarters,
and Arnold pushing with Paterson’s brigade for the works possessed by
the British light-infantry assisted by some of the line, who have just
thrown themselves into the same, with great precipitation, by means of a
circuitous retreat. The brigade has a large abbatis to cross, and many
other obstructions to surmount, in the face of a brave enemy, occupying
works advantageously constructed and completed, it is therefore at
length compelled to retire. But during the contest, Jackson’s regiment
passing the rear of the brigade, falls into the fire on its left, having
in front two stockade redoubts occupied by some Canadians, and the left
of the works, in which are the German grenadiers, under colonel Breyman.
At some considerable distance on the left of Brooks, are Wesson’s
regiment, Morgan’s corps, and the York troops. Paterson’s brigade
failing, Arnold leaves it, and comes to Jackson’s regiment, which he
orders instantly to advance, and attack the lines and redoubts in front.
Brooks commands two platoons from the right to attack the stockades;
they move with great rapidity, carry the point with charged bayonets,
and suffer little more than the loss of two lieutenants killed. The
regiment instantly makes an assault on the main lines, though manned
with double its number. Arnold having given Brooks his orders, passes on
to the left; and having ordered the Americans there to make a general
assault, returns to Jackson’s regiment, the left of which has arrived at
the works; and a small sally-port presenting, Arnold and a part of the
left platoon pass through together. The enemy retire firing, and gain
their tents about thirty or forty yards from the works, but finding the
assault is general, they give one fire, and either retreat to the
British camp or throw down their arms. By this last fire Arnold is
wounded, and a sergeant of Jackson’s regiment, standing near the
general, killed. Orders are given by Burgoyne for the recovery of the
entrenchments of the German reserve; but they are not executed, and the
Americans remain in possession of an opening on the right and rear of
the royal army. The night puts an end to the action.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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