South Branch Intelligencer

THE HERO OF STONY POINT.

The death of the venerable James Gibbon of Virginia (which took place in Richmond on the 5th inst. in his 77th year,) has already been announced. Major Gibbon was a soldier and Hero of the Revolution, and from an early day to the time of his death he held the office of Collector of the customs of the Port of Richmond. The following are a few brief notices of his early career.

In the attack upon Stony point under General Wayne, Major Gibbon, then Lieutenant, commanded one of the forlorn hopes, which has immortalized his name. In Marshall's Life of Washington, a brief but expressive notice is taken of his gallantry and the perils he encountered. After stating the disposition of the several columns of attack, Judge Marshall says: "They were each preceded by a forlorn hope of twenty men; the one commanded by Lieutenant Gibbon, and the other by Lieutenant Knox. They reached the marsh undiscovered; and at 20 minutes after 12, [at night,] commenced the assault. Both columns rushed forward under a tremendous fire. Surmounting every obstacle, they entered the works at the point of the bayonet; and without discharging a single musket, obtained possession of the fort. The humanity displayed by the conquerors was not less conspicuous, nor less honorable, than their courage. Not an individual suffered after resistance had ceased. "All the troops in this perilous service manifested a degree of ardor and impetuosity which proved them to be capable of the most difficult enterprises; and all distinguished themselves, whose situation enabled them to do so. Col. Fleury was the first to enter the fort and strike the British standard. Major Posey mounted the works almost at the same instant, and was the first to give the watchword—"The fort's our own." Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox performed the service allotted to them with a degree of intrepidity which could not be surpassed. Of twenty men who constituted the party of the former, Seventeen were killed or wounded."

In a letter from General Washington to the President of Congress, upon the subject of the capture of Stony point, the following language is used :

"It is probable Congress will be pleased to bestow some marks of consideration upon those officers who distinguished themselves upon this occasion. Every officer and man of the corps deserves great credit; but there were particular ones, whose situation placed them foremost in danger, and made their conduct most conspicuous. Lieutenant Col. Fleury and Major Stewart commanded the two attacks. --Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox commanded the advanced parties, or, forlorn hope, and all acquitted themselves as well as possible. These officers have a claim to be more particularly noticed. In any other service, promotion would be the proper reward, but in ours it would be injurious, I take the liberty to recommend, in preference some honorary present, especially to the field officers. A brevet captaincy to the other two, as it will have no operation on regimental ranks, may not be amiss."

Gen. Wayne, in his despatch to Gen. Washington two hours after the attack says:

Dear General: The Fort and Garrison, with Col. Johnson are ours.--Our officers and men behave like men who are determined to be free.

In another despatch the next day, Gen. Wayne says:

"I am not satisfied with the manner in which I have mentioned the conduct of Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox, the two gentlemen who led the advance parties of twenty men each. Their distinguished bravery deserves the highest commendation."--Richmond Courier.