yet my spirit was unbroken, and my devotion to her
unimpaired. I thought in the field, where there could be but
few who had any military experience, what I had learned in the
most active scenes of a seven years' war, might be useful. I
fondly hoped that in my age, as well as in my youth, I might
render services that should deserve the gratitude of my
country--that if I fell by the sword of her enemies, my grave
would be moistened with the tears of my countrymen; that my
descendants would be proud of my name and fame. But how vain is
anticipation! I am now accused of crimes which would blast my
former honors, and transmit my memory with infamy to posterity.
And in that hideous catalogue, there is none from the
imputation of which my nature and my feelings have more
recoiled than from that of cowardice, to which I am to answer."

"The appearance of General Hull was venerable and
prepossessing. Beneath snowy locks, of nearly sixty winters'
bleaching, he exhibited a countenance as fresh and blooming as
a youth of eighteen. His eloquence was perspicuous and
graceful."--_American History._

No. 3.--Page 322.

_Letter from Captain Wool to Colonel Van Rensselaer._

"BUFFALOE, October 23, 1812.

"I have the honor to communicate to you the circumstances
attending the storming of Queenstown battery, on the 13th
instant; with those which happened previously you are already
well acquainted.

"In pursuance of your order, we proceeded round the point and
ascended the rocks, which brought us partly in rear of the
battery. We took it without much resistance. I immediately
formed the troops in rear of the battery, and fronting the
village, when I observed General Brock with his troops formed,
consisting of four companies of the 49th regiment, and a few
militia, marching for our left flank. I immediately detached a
party of one hundred and fifty men, to take possession of the
heights above Queenstown battery, and to hold General Brock in
check; but in consequence of his superior force they retreated.
I sent a reinforcement; notwithstanding which, the enemy drove
us to the edge of the bank: when, with the greatest exertions,
we brought the troops to a stand, and ordered the officers to
bring their men to a charge as soon as the ammunition was
expended, which was executed with s