The Historical Register of the United States (Volume 4, PT. 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1816. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... and a half miles from the main, and the other three at the mouth of Stonington harbour, and within point blank-shot of the town. A flag was then sent on shore to inform the inhabitants that in one hour their town would be in flames, and to admonish them to remove the women and*children. "On receipt of this information, which was brought to me by a citizen of Stonington about 9 o'clock, I addressed the note marktd A. to mnjor-general Williams.of this town, who gave immediate orders for assembling one regiment of militia at Stonington, one at the head of Mystic river, a company of artillery and one regiment of infantry at Norwich Landing, a little to the rear of the public vesselst and one company of artillery, and one regiment of infantry in the neighbourhood and a little in advanie of this town. This disposition was made under an idea that the menace at Stonington was but a mask to another object, and intended to draw our attention and our force from the forts at the mouth of this harbour, when a party of troops might be landed two or three miles to the south-east of fort Griswold, for the purpose of carrying that post by escalade (which if successful would give them the complete command of the harbour), or march direct to the shipping above, and there co-operate with another force to be sent up the river in barges. "From half past 9 to 11 o'clock last night, and from daylight to 11 this morning, a constant fire of shot, shells, and rockets, was maintained against the devoted village of Stonington, in which there were only a few militia and one six and two eighteen-pounders on travelling carriages; but the village is yet standing, and the ships have hauled off to a distance of from one and an half to three miles (the brig, from all appearances, very much injured ...