Absolute silence was enjoined, and like spectres the two storming parties faded from each other's sight in the gloom. The marshes were over- flowed with two feet of water, and through this the men followed their officers, eager and alert, for the object of the expedition was no longer a secret to any one. Not a musket was loaded, except in Murfee 's com- mand, for the attack was to be made entirely with the bayonet. What greater evidence could be offered of the value of three arduous years in transforming into stern, reliant soldiers the raw material of 1776? The almost perpendicular wall that confronted them after the passage of the morass was to be scaled before the British works, dimly silhouetted against the night sky, could be attacked. Between the summit and the Digitized by Microsoft® 3IO The Hudson River base, several lines of abatis were to be encountered. To right and left the attacking wings ascended, while Murfee and his men kept a straight course for the centre of the works. Suddenly a shot rang out; a sen- tinel had discovered the invaders. With a cheer the Carolinians replied, waking a thousand echoes by their volley, and drawing in return the concentrated fire of the garrison. In a few minutes the roar of cannon joined with the rattle of musketry, and the devoted centre was the object of the British attentions, while the real attacking parties, giving no indication of their approach, were pushing eagerly forward. An officer saw one of his men step aside and com- mence to load his musket. Ordering him to desist, he was met with the surly question, " How am I going to fight if I don't load?" Seeing that the fellow was obstinate and refused to obey, the officer ran him through with his sword. This was done in accord- ance with general orders given before the attack com- menced, and was necessary under the circumstances, as it probably prevented a premature betrayal of the attack. But when at last the discovery was made, the storm- ing parties found themselves the targets for a hail of bullets. The top of the hill was a volcano of " villain- ous saltpetre" and men in the American ranks began to drop. Colonel Hay fell, wounded in the thigh ; Cap- tain Selden received a wound in the side; seventeen out of twenty men in the advance fell, either killed or Digitized by Microsoft® The Storming of Stony Point 311 injured. Wayne received a flesh wound in the head, and called upon two of his officers to carry him into the works, for he thought that he was mortally wounded and wished to die at the head of his troops. Still not a shot came from the grim, eager, unde- viating ranks of the Americans in reply to the rever- berating volleys of the enemy, but they entered the works with the bayonet and they subdued the garrison at close quarters. Then the silence was broken. A cheer rang out, — a cheer that reached the ears of the men on the British war-ships in the river, satisfying those good servants of King George that their own side had succeeded in repulsing their assailants. Not till the guns of the fort were turned upon them by the Americans were they convinced of their error. Verplanck's Point was not taken from the enemy, and Washington soon abandoned Stony Point; but the value of Wayne's brilliant deed was permanent, as it not only inspired the patriots throughout the country with renewed confidence, but won them increased re- spect from their foes. An interesting letter, written just after the battle of Stony Point by one who participated in that mem- orable action, was contributed to The Magazine of American History, several years ago, by the Hon. James W. Gerard. It was addressed to Doctor Daniel Sheldon, and dated July i, 1779. From its graphic pages we may be permitted to quote briefly: Digitized by Microsoft® 312 The Hudson River Perhaps you have heard of the prowess of our troops at Kings- ferry, it may be from vague reports and hearsay. The morning of the 1 6*^ inst, General Wayne with a party of infantry attacked the enemy's works at Stony Point — the garrison consisted of about six hundred men — it being the dead of night they were not discovered until they had got within about sixteen rods of the works, the alarm was instantly given, but such was the dex- terity of our men that they gained some part of the enemy's works before their picket guard. Our men were distinguished by having white paper in their hats and by these words The Fort is our own. The fire for a few minutes was