Essay on Gods Wonder-Working Providence, Poem 18 – Poem 27
Colonel Waldo's Regiment.
WAldo, Commiſſion'd is a Colonel,
And o're Land-force, Brigadier-General,
Gracing his Station, and ſuperiour Poſt,
Becoming him, and grateful to the Hoſt,
Gives proofs of Courage, Loyalty and Zeal,
For's KING, his Country, & our Churches Weal.
Waldo's Lieutenant, Noble is by Name,
His noble Acts, adds Luſtre to his Fame,
Diſtinguiſhed himſelf, Commander brave,
In that heroick Act, Defeat he gave,
To French, and Indians, in ſmart bloody Fight,
Killing and wounding, puts the reſt to Flight.
Wards off the Blow, from the beſieging Bands,
Deſign'd by cruel and moſt barb'rous Hands.
Not to omit, Remarks on honour due,
To Major Hunt, who did his Truſt purſue:
Filling his Major's, and the Chaplains poſt,
Performed Pray'rs, with his part of the Hoſt,
Acting the Soldiers, and the Chriſtian part,
With all i'th Camp, that were of pious Heart.
Captains in Brigadier General Waldo's Regiment.
Samuel Moody,
John Watts,
Philip Dumariſque,
Benjamin Goldthwait,
* Daniel Hale,
Jacob Stevens,
James Noble,
Richard Jaques,
Daniel Fogg,
Joſeph Richardſon.
A Cannon ſplitting, ſlew, brave * Captain Hale,
Worthy Eſteem, whoſe Death all do bewail.
Brigadier Dwight, here ſtands in Honour high,
Col'nel o're Train of the Artillery.
Expert in uſe of Arms, and martial Skill,
Directs, each hoſtile Poſture, to fulfill.
Col'nel alſo, Commiſſion'd is, and ſtands,
Ready to Act, in Regimental Bands
He, with's Lieutenant Thomas, grace the Plain,
In hoſtile Fields, the Gallics do diſdain:
With Courage Bold, undaunte I… Purſue,
The Conqueſt great, which then was had in View.
With them, their Major Gardner acts his part,
From warlike-mind, & Country's good at heart.
Colonel Moulton's Regiment.
MOulton, next Colonel, in order ſtands,
Honors his Station, giving forth Commands
Unto the Troops, under's immediate Care:
With Donnell his Lieutenant, in their Sphere,
And Major Ellis, theſe in concord Move,
With all in Reer, and alſo thoſe above.
Captains in this Regiment.
John Card,
John Lane,
Chriſtopher Marſhal,
James Grant,
Charles King,
Peter Preſcott,
A. Ruhamah Cutter,
Samuel Rhodes,
Bartholomew Trow,
Eſtes Hatch.
Colonel Willard's Regiment.
WIllard, with his Lièutenant Chandler now,
In Regimental Order plainly ſhow,
Their wi…ing Minds, and r…dineſs for War,
With Major Pe…oy, join'd in this Affair.
Captains in this Regiment.
* Joſhua Pi…rce,
John T…rry,
John Alexander,
John Warner,
David Melvin,
Jabez Homeſtead,
John Huſton,
Joſeph Milter,
James Goulding,
James Stephens.
Brave * Captain Pierce meets with his fatal Lot,
Torn is, to pieces, by a Cannon Shot.
From Courage bold, this Fate did him befal,
At advanc'd Batt'ry, from the City Wall.
Colonel Hale's Regiment.
NExt, Col'nel Hale proceeds, in's brave Advance,
In martial Order 'gainſt the Sons of France,
With Eveleigh, his Lieutenant march along,
And major Titcomb, reſolutely ſtrong,
To gain full Conqueſt, and enhance the Fame,
Of Engliſh Arms, and get themſelves a Name.
Captains in this Regiment.
Benjamin Ives,
Daniel Eveleigh,
Titcomb,
John Dodge,
Jonathan Bagley,
Jeremiah Foſter,
Samuel Davis,
Thomas Stanford,
Charles Byles.
Colonel Richmond's Regiment.
RIchmond, with other Colonels we find,
Active in War, of Hoſtile make & mind,
Puſh't on with Courage, bold, as him became,
'Mongst Thirty of our Chiefs, has got a Name.
Pitts his Lieutenant, acts the Martial part,
Victorious ſtands, but by Deaths fatal dart,
* He fell conſtrain'd in that grand point to yield,
With all brave victors when they've won the field
In gloomy ſhades, he lies, conceal'd from ſight,
Who 'ſcap'd the fury of our Foes in Fight.
And Major Hodges, much Lamented o're,
Not ſuffer'd to arrive at Native Shore.
Caſt into Seas, amidſt the briny Waves,
Where multitudes do meet, with their untimely graves.
Captains in this Regiment.
Nathanael Boſworth,
Thomas Gilbert,
Joſ…h Pratt,
Robert S…n,
Ebenezer E…ſtman,
Cornelius Sole,
John Lawrence,
Nathanael Williams,
Ebenezer Nichols,
Weſton.
Tho' * Captain Boſworth did to's Country come,
Expir'd, by Sickneſs in his Travels home.
And * Captain Prat, or'e whom his Friends do mourn,
Expires at home, ſoon after his Return.
Colonel Gorham's Regiment.
WHilſt we in honour, theſe Commanders have,
Lets turn our tho'ts to Col'nel Gorham's grave
Who with his Anceſtors, diſtinguiſh'd are,
As men of Courage, mighty in the War.
He lies Interr'd, in that new conquer'd Soil,
The fruit of others, and his warlike Toil.
Lieutenant Col'nel Gorham, nigh of Kin,
To his deceaſed Head, did honour win:
Unite in Nature, Name, and Truſt they ſtood,
Unitedly, have done, their Country good.
May Major Thacher live, in riſing Fame,
Worthy of Anceſtors, that bear the Name,
And Copy after vertuous Relations,
Who ſo well fill'd their Civil, Sacred, Military Stations.
Captains in this Regiment.
*Jonathan Cary,
Eliſha Doane,
Silvanus Cobb,
Iſrael Bagley,
*Edward Demmick,
Gerſhom Bradford,
Samuel Lombard.
Now Captain * Cary's ſeis'd with Sickneſs ſore,
Reſign'd to Death, when touch'd his native Shore
And* Captain Demmick ſlain by Heathens hand,
As was his Father, under like Command.
Colonel More's Regiment.
MOre with his Force now comes from N. Hamp-ſhire,
Fills up his place in Regimentall Reer,
Gives marks of Courage, Probity and Skill,
His poſt of Honour, bravely does fulfil.
With his Lieutenant Colonel, Moſſerve,
And Major Gilman, theſe, with all above,
As Patriots brave, in this New-Englands Land,
The Conqueſt, that's obtain'd, takes, riſe from their Command.
Captains in Colonel More's Regiment.
Samuel Whitten,
William Waldren,
True Dudley,
Tuftan Maſon,
William Seaward,
Daniel Ladd,
Henry Sherburne,
John Turnel,
Samuel Hale,
Jacob Tilton,
Edward Williams.
— Theſe all to Serve, —
Their KING, and Country, did their Lives Expoſe
In high Attempts have vanquiſhed our Foes,
Whoſe Names & Acts times Annals ſhall proclaim
Enrol'd, with Honour, in his Book of Fame.
Fame, puffs up Mind, as Bubbles blown by Air,
That ſoon do riſe, and ſoon they diſappear.
The heighth of Fame, conſiſts in holy Strife,
To find a Name in the Lambs Book of Life.
Words here are wanting, to expreſs how brave
Our gallant Adm'ral WARREN, did behave,
With counſels Sage, in Politicks of War,
Conjunctly moves, with Leaders on the Shore,
Covers the Force on Land, & guards the Coaſt,
In whoſe great Acts, both KING & Country boaſt.
Still, Wonder-working Providence appears,
In the brave Conduct of the Engineers,
Who with conſummate Skill, & rules of Art,
With active Minds, fidelity of Heart,
(I'd almoſt ſaid) had done their double part.
The roaring Cannon, execute their will.
Mortars diſcharg'd, their wiſhes do fulfill.
Theſe blazing Bomb…, do give the final Blow,
Which ſcatter Death, and terrifie the Foe.
The Engineers, as Inſtruments, its own'd,
Directed were, by whom the Action's Crown'd.
Fame, ſounds their worth & hovers ore the head
Of each Surviver, and of him that's dead.
—But, ah! alas,—
How vain and empty, is the ſound of Fame,
To which, old H…roes make the ſtrongeſt claim?
Garlands in Triumph their Ambition ſought,
At theſe they aimed, & for theſe they fought.
But better things, to us, appear in View,
Which Reaſon, Conſcience, & the Goſpel ſhew.
What's all the Glory, Pageantrie, and State,
Which Heathens attribute, to Chance & Fate,
Compared with, the Chriſtians Renown,
Conſiſting in, a never-fading Crown?
Seraphick Light, ſhall fill their Souls with Joy,
Hoſonnas, Hallelujahs, their Employ.
A ſhort Remark, on Raiſing the advanced Battery in the Siege of Louiſburg. [Omitted in the former part.]
AMong the mighty ſtratagems of War,
Here's one, we find, perhaps tranſcends compare.
Unite, in Mind, and Meaſure, Heart and Hand,
Reſolved, all agree to make a Stand,
At Weſtern Gate, the Walls to batter down,
Thereby, to Conquer, and Poſſeſs the Town.
Some, to Direct, and iſſue out Command,
Others to Guard, holding their Swords in hand.
Some tug at Cannon, drawing with their might,
As pleaſing Service, which gave them delight.
Some with the Pick-ax, penetrate the Soil,
Others with Spades and Shovels ſweat & toil.
Some Faſcines place, others each Inſtrument,
Improve, aſſign'd them, for this grand Intent,
With ſpell & ſpell, ſpeedy diſpatch purſue,
The S…eme t' effect which then was had in view.
A Line is drawn, ſome ſixty Pace in length,
In form of Siege, proportioned in breadth:
A Mount caſt up, with Cannons fix'd in Form,
(Determin'd all the Cittadel to Storm.)
Such near approach unto the City Walls,
As fell within the reach of Muſket Balls.
To paſs and repaſs, covered from harm.
A Trench is drawn, of oblique Make and Form,
Five Rods in Length, its Breadth proportion bears,
Gives Entrance ſafe, and diſſipates their fears.
Here Loyalty, and Politicks appear,
Exerted Force, and Courage for the War.
What adds a Luſtre, to this Work ſo great,
Is in one Night, '…was rendred near compleat
The Gallic… are ſecure, nor ever dreamt,
Of ſuch a Bold, Courag…ous Attempt,
Till darkſom Shades diſperſe, & Morning Light
Preſent, theſe mighty Labours to their Sight.
Beholding which, ſurpriz'd amazed cry,
Who may, or dare, with Engliſh Men to Vie?
Whoſe Counſels, Aids, and Politicks, do prove
Agents, if not from H—ll, are from Above.
Death … our doom, unleſs a ſpeedy Tender,
Be made, to Britiſh Sons, of tame Surrender.
Let's this aſcribe, (as a removed Rod)
With Praiſes, to, our Prayer Hearing GOD.
The CONCLUSION.
YOU brave Commanders in this Action Great,
Merit, 'mongſt Martial Sons, the higheſt Seat:
Gave Inſtances, of Loyal Minds and Skill,
Reſpective Poſts, exactly to fulfil.
And Soldiers all, who for your Count…ies Good,
Laid down, your Lives, your Limbs, and cra…ſt …lood,
Give Thanks to GOD, devote your ſelves to CHRIST,
Your Captain Gen'ral, who did, you aſſiſt;
Gave Conduct, Proſperd your Victorious Arms,
Reſcu'd from Death, and from imperd…ng Ha…a…s.
Fear, and Adore Him, who for you has Fought,
Devoutly Serve Him, in Life, Lip, and Thought.
Remember, as you live, it's owing to f…e Grace:
Beware of Sin, which does the Soul d…ale.
Remember, whilſt you Live, your L… is given,
To live a Life of Faith, prepare for Heaven.
Never forget, GOD's Wonders, wro… …
In ſpa…ing Life, but mary …
Some, fell by force of A…m…, by … is more,
Some, on the Sea…, ſome …wor… to Nati… S…e.
Some, ſprig…tly So… Co… and …a…,
Found at …ton, a Congreſt, and … Grave.
Judgment with Me…cy, here is …
Order'd in Wiſdom, by the great JEHOVE,
To keep from Pride, and Sel… …ng …ſts
Leads us, to Glory in the LORD OF HO…TS.
GOD having, by His own A…m…ghty …a…,
Put theſe ſtrong Holds, …eer … King's Command,
Removed, Popiſh Idols, and turn'd O're
The ſtate of Things, from what they were before,
What pious Zeal, and Ardours ſhou'd be ſhown.
On Papal Ruines, to Erect CHRIST's Throne;
And Goſpel Kingdom, by pure Churches there,
In Faith, and Practice, all may Perſevere?
GOD's Great, His Dreadful, and Adored Nam…,
None can be guiltleſs, that take it in Vain.
From Prophane Swearing, let each one depart,
More Wounding 'tis, than Swords ſheath'd in the Heart.
By Sin indulg'd, and by Prophaneneſs may,
GOD be Provok'd, in Wrath to turn away,
And Diſpoſſeſs us, of this Acquiſition,
That coſt much Wealth, and Blood, in its Reduction.
What then alas! Shall be New-Englands Caſe?
If this her Glory's, ſwallow'd in Diſgrace,
By GOD provoking Sins, or from Neglects,
Of's Worſhip there, in'ts Beautiful Effects?
A ſhort, and very humble Addreſs, to his Excellency, the Governour of the Maſſachuſetts-Bay, and to the Honourable the Governour of Connecticut, and our much honoured Fathers at the Council-Boards, and Repreſentatives of the People.
YOU that firſt Led, in this Event, ſo great,
GOD grant your Hearts with Zeal may be repleat
For CHRIST, his Kingdom, Worſhip, Word, and Laws,
For pure Religion, and His Churches Cauſe:
Our Wiſhes are , Pr…phaneneſs to prevent,
That pious Preachers, to B…eton be ſent,
Whoſe Doctrine, Life, Example, Influence,
May all con…ur, with Goſpel, they Diſpence:
That Soldiers there, may Learn to Fear the LORD.
Depart from Sin, and keep His Holy Word;
Then ſhall Renown, be added to your Fame,
With much Thankſgiving, to GOD's GLORIOUS NAME.
AMEN, AMEN.
End of the text · Samuel Niles, Essay on Gods Wonder-Working Providence (1747)