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The
Battle of Fort Stephenson
The American Viewpoint
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Attack
on Fort Stephenson
[Excerpted
from: An Authentic History of the Second War of Independence,
volume I, by Samuel R. Brown, published in 1815.]
"* * *
The firing began from the gun boats in the river, and was kept up during
the night. At an early hour the next morning, three sixes, which had
been planted during the night within 250 yards of the pickets, began
to play upon the fort, but with little effect. About 4 p.m. all the
enemy's guns were concentrated against the north western angle of the
fort, for the purpose of making a breach. To counteract the effect of
their fire, Col. Croghan caused that point to be strengthened by means
of bags of flour, sand and other materials, in such a manner that the
picketing sustained little or no injury. But the enemy supposing that
their fire had sufficiently shattered the pickets, advanced to the number
of 500, to storm the place, at the same time making two feints on different
points. The column which advanced against the north western angle, were
so completely enveloped in smoke as not to be discovered until it has
approached within 18 or 20 paces of the supposed breach, but the men
being all at their posts, and ready to receive it, commenced so heavy
and galling a fire as to throw the column into confusion, but being
quickly rallied, Lt. Col. Short, the leader of the column exclaimed,
" Come on my brave fellows, we will give the damned Yankee rascals
no quarters," and immediately leapt into the ditch, followed by
his troops; as soon as the ditch was entirely filled by the assailants,
Major Croghan ordered the six pounder which had been masked in the block
house, to be fired. It had been loaded with a double charge of musket
balls and slugs. This piece completely raked the ditch from end to end.
The first fire levelled the one half in death; the second and third
either killed or wounded every one exept eleven, who were covered by
the dead bodies. At the same time, the fire of the small arms was so
incessant and destructive, that it was in vain the British officers
exerted themselves to lead on the balance of the column; it retired
in disorder under a shower of shot, and sought safety in an adjoining
wood. The loss of the British in killed was about 150, besides a number
of their allies were killed. The Americans had but one killed and seven
slight wounded. Early on the morning of the 3d the enemy retreated,
down the river, after having abandoned considerable baggage, and a gun
boat laden with cannon ball.
The only American
killed in the fort was a boy 14 years of age. He raised his arm above
the pickets in defiance of the enemy; a cannon ball struck it and tore
it from his body, and the poor fellow survived but a few moments.
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