00000141 |
Previous | 141 of 866 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
Loading content ...
114 HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
fort, erected for the protection of the river, and constructed a chain of field redoubts,
which covered his right, and commanded the entire ascent. Along the side of the hill
were likewise fliches, and other projecting works, from which a cross-fire might be kept
up; and there were mounted throughout this commanding position no less than one
hundred pieces of cannon.
" It would be absurd to suppose that the sight of preparations so warlike, did not in
some degree damp the ardour of our leaders; at least it would have been madness to
storm such works without pausing to consider how it might best be attempted. The
whole of the county, within cannon-shot, was cleared from wood, and laid out in grass
and corn-fields; consequently there was no cover to shelter an attacking army from any
part of the deadly fire which would be immediately poured upon it. The most prudent
plan, therefore, was to wait till dark; and then, assisted by the frigates and bombs, which
we hoped were by this time ready to co-operate, to try the fortune of a battle.
" Having resolved thus to act, Colonel Brooke halted his army; and having secured
it against surprise by a well-connected line of pickets, the troops were permitted to light
fires and to cook the provisions. But though the rain still fell in torrents, no shelter
could be obtained; and as even their blankets were no longer at hand, with which to form
gipsy-tents, this was the reverse of an agreeable bivouac to the whole army.
"Darkness had now come on, and as yet no intelligence had arrived from the
shipping. To assail this position, however, without the aid of the fleet, was deemed
impracticable; at least our chance of success would be greatly diminished without their
co-operation. As the left of the American army extended to a fort built upon the very
brink of the river, [Lazaretto] it was clear, that could the ships be brought to bear upon
that point, and the fort be silenced by their fire, that flank of the position would be
turned. This once effected, there would be no difficulty in pushing a column within
their works; and as soldiers entrenched always place more reliance upon the strength of
their entrenchments than upon their own personal exertions, the very sight of our people
on a level with them, would in all probability decide the contest. At all events, as this
column was to advance under cover of night, it might easily push forward and crown the
hill above the enemy, before any effectual opposition could be offered; by which means
they would be enclosed between two fires, and lose the advantage which their present
elevated situation bestowed. All, however, depended upon the ability of the fleet to lend
their assistance, for without silencing the fort, this flank could scarcely be assailed with
any chance of success; and therefore, the whole plan of operations must be changed." 1
The Subaltern says:
"To the fleet the fort on the water was accordingly left, which, by bombardment,
would, it was presumed, reduce it to ruins in a few hours; and the commencement of a
serious cannonade from the river, was to be the signal for a general movement in line.
As hour after hour stole on, we turned our gaze, with feverish anxiety, towards the river.
All, however, continued as it had been before. No flash told that the shipping had taken
their stations ; the noise of firing was unheard, and the most serious apprehensions began
to be entertained, that the plan had, for some cause or another, miscarried. At last,
when midnight was close at hand, a solitary report, accompanied by the ascension of a
small bright spark into the sky, gave notice that the bombardment had begun. Another
and another followed in quick succession, and now every man instinctively sprung from
the earth, and grasped his arms. The point to be passed was, we well knew, in our immediate front. Our ears were on the stretch for the musketry which ought soon to be heard
in the opposite direction; in a word, we stood in our ranks for a full hour, under the
influence of that state of excitation, which, while it locks up the faculty of speech,
renders the senses, both of sight and hearing, acute to an almost unnatural degree.
1 Gleig's Narrative, p. 190.
Object Description
| Title | History of Maryland - 3 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
Description
| Title | 00000141 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 114 HISTORY OF MARYLAND. fort, erected for the protection of the river, and constructed a chain of field redoubts, which covered his right, and commanded the entire ascent. Along the side of the hill were likewise fliches, and other projecting works, from which a cross-fire might be kept up; and there were mounted throughout this commanding position no less than one hundred pieces of cannon. " It would be absurd to suppose that the sight of preparations so warlike, did not in some degree damp the ardour of our leaders; at least it would have been madness to storm such works without pausing to consider how it might best be attempted. The whole of the county, within cannon-shot, was cleared from wood, and laid out in grass and corn-fields; consequently there was no cover to shelter an attacking army from any part of the deadly fire which would be immediately poured upon it. The most prudent plan, therefore, was to wait till dark; and then, assisted by the frigates and bombs, which we hoped were by this time ready to co-operate, to try the fortune of a battle. " Having resolved thus to act, Colonel Brooke halted his army; and having secured it against surprise by a well-connected line of pickets, the troops were permitted to light fires and to cook the provisions. But though the rain still fell in torrents, no shelter could be obtained; and as even their blankets were no longer at hand, with which to form gipsy-tents, this was the reverse of an agreeable bivouac to the whole army. "Darkness had now come on, and as yet no intelligence had arrived from the shipping. To assail this position, however, without the aid of the fleet, was deemed impracticable; at least our chance of success would be greatly diminished without their co-operation. As the left of the American army extended to a fort built upon the very brink of the river, [Lazaretto] it was clear, that could the ships be brought to bear upon that point, and the fort be silenced by their fire, that flank of the position would be turned. This once effected, there would be no difficulty in pushing a column within their works; and as soldiers entrenched always place more reliance upon the strength of their entrenchments than upon their own personal exertions, the very sight of our people on a level with them, would in all probability decide the contest. At all events, as this column was to advance under cover of night, it might easily push forward and crown the hill above the enemy, before any effectual opposition could be offered; by which means they would be enclosed between two fires, and lose the advantage which their present elevated situation bestowed. All, however, depended upon the ability of the fleet to lend their assistance, for without silencing the fort, this flank could scarcely be assailed with any chance of success; and therefore, the whole plan of operations must be changed." 1 The Subaltern says: "To the fleet the fort on the water was accordingly left, which, by bombardment, would, it was presumed, reduce it to ruins in a few hours; and the commencement of a serious cannonade from the river, was to be the signal for a general movement in line. As hour after hour stole on, we turned our gaze, with feverish anxiety, towards the river. All, however, continued as it had been before. No flash told that the shipping had taken their stations ; the noise of firing was unheard, and the most serious apprehensions began to be entertained, that the plan had, for some cause or another, miscarried. At last, when midnight was close at hand, a solitary report, accompanied by the ascension of a small bright spark into the sky, gave notice that the bombardment had begun. Another and another followed in quick succession, and now every man instinctively sprung from the earth, and grasped his arms. The point to be passed was, we well knew, in our immediate front. Our ears were on the stretch for the musketry which ought soon to be heard in the opposite direction; in a word, we stood in our ranks for a full hour, under the influence of that state of excitation, which, while it locks up the faculty of speech, renders the senses, both of sight and hearing, acute to an almost unnatural degree. 1 Gleig's Narrative, p. 190. |
