“… with the greatest Intrepidity and coolness.”

“… with the greatest Intrepidity and coolness.”. . , Near this location passed the north column of 300 American Light Infantry, commanded by Colonel Richard Butler of Pennsylvania. On the rocky height in front of you was the Flagstaff Battery, which mounted a 12-pounder cannon. This weapon, like many of the others in the Upper Works, was kept unloaded at night, and could not have been lowered enough to fire on infantry below., Both Light Infantry columns were preceded by a select group of men known as a “forlorn hope,” whose mission was to overcome sentries and remove barriers. It was a dangerous assignment; 17 of these 20 soldiers in the north column were either killed or wounded., The advance party of Butler’s contingent was led by Major John Steward of Maryland, who later wrote of another Light Infantryman:, “ .. [he] conducted himself through the whole Assault with the greatest Intrepidity and coolness.”, The description might well have applied to his own action, since Steward, de Fleury, and Wayne were the only officers awarded medals by the Continental Congress for their courage and valor at the Battle of Stony Point.