The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
A short distance from the village of Plattsburgh are the remains of the
cantonments and breast-works occupied by Macomb and his forces; and to
the kind courtesy of General Skinner, who accompanied me to these relics
of the war, I am indebted for many interesting details in relation to
that memorable battle. ** But as these have no necessary connection with
our subject, on account of their remoteness from the time of the
Revolution, I will bid adieu to Plattsburgh, for the evening is far
gone, the lights of the "Burlington" are sparkling upon the waters near
Valcour's Island, and the coachman at the hotel front is hurrying us
with his loud "All aboard!"
It was nearly midnight when we passed the light on Cumberland Head, ***
and we reached
* Commodore Downie was slain in the battle and buried at Plattsburgh.
His sister-in-law, Mary Downie, erected a plain monument to his memory
over his remains.
** General S. mentioned one or two circumstances connected with the
naval engagement worth recording. He says that, when the fleet of the
enemy rounded Cumberland Head, M'Donough assembled his men on board his
ship (Saratoga) on the quarter-deck. He then knelt, and, in humble,
fervent supplication, commended himself, his men, and his cause to the
Lord of Hosts. When he arose, the serenity of faith was upon his
countenance, and seemed to shed its influence over his men. A curious
incident occurred on his ship during the engagement. The hen-coop was
shot away, and a cock; released from prison, flew into the rigging, and,
flapping his wings, crowed out a lusty defiance to the enemy's guns.
** There he remained, flapping his wings and crowing, until the
engagement ceased. The seamen regarded the event as encouraging, and
fought like tigers while the cock cheered them on. A notice of a relic
of Washington, in the possession of General S., may not be inappropriate
here. It is a pouch and puff-ball, for hair-powder, which belonged to
the chief several years. It is made of buckskin, and is about twelve
inches long. The puff is made of cotton yarn. Mr. Gray, who was a number
of years sheriff of Clinton county, readily recognized it as the one
used by himself in powdering Washington's hair, when he was a boy and
attached to the general in the capacity of body servant. When La Fayette
was at Burlington, in 1824, Mr. Gray went up to see him, and the veteran
remembered him as the "boy Gray" in Washington's military family.
*** On this point Is situated the farm presented to Commodore M'Donough
by the Legislature of Vermont. The point is connected with Grand Island,
or North Hero (the largest island in the lake), by a ferry.
Rouse's Point and Military Works.--The Territorial Line.--Isle Aux
Noix.--Historical Associations
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