ening intelligence was immediately communicated from front
to rear, and the troops pushed on with that resolution, order,
and coolness which insures success.

The forlorn hopes, led by Lieutenant McAllister, of the (p. 033)
Maryland, and Lieutenant Rudolph, of the dragoons, marched on
with trailed arms, in most profound silence. Such was the
singular address of these two gentlemen, that the first notice to
the garrison was the forlorns plunging into the canal. A firing
immediately commenced from the block-houses and along the line of
the abatis, but did not in the least check the advance of the
troops. The forlorns, supported by Major Clarke, at the head of
the right column, broke through all opposition, and found an
entrance into the main work. So rapid was the movement of the
troops, that we gained the fort before the discharge of a single
piece of artillery. The centre column, conducted by Captain
Forsyth, on passing the abatis, took a direction to their left.
Lieutenant Armstrong led on the advance of this column. They soon
possessed themselves of the officers and troops posted at the
house No. 6, and fully completed every object of their
destination. The rear column, under Captain Handy, moved forward
in support of the whole. Thus were we completely victorious in
the space of a few moments.

The appearance of daylight, my apprehension lest some accident
might have befallen the boats, the numerous difficulties of the
retreat, the harassed state of the troops, and the destruction of
all our ammunition by passing the canal, conspired in influencing
me to retire in the moment of victory. Major Clarke, with the
right column, was immediately put in motion with the greater part
of the prisoners. Captain Handy followed on with the remainder.
Lieutenants Armstrong and Reed formed the rear guard.

Immediately on the commencement of the retreat, I sent forward
Captain Forsyth to Prior's Mill to collect such men from the
different columns as were most fit for action, and to take post
on the heights of Bergen to cover the retreat.

On my reaching this place I was informed by Cornet Neill (who had
been posted there during the night for the purpose of laying the
bridge and communicating with the boats), that my messenger,
directed to him