Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

1798-1821.]

COMPANTIONS IN ARMS.

49

Montreal, in which General Hampton was to co-operate with
an army concentrated at Plattsburg. The movement disastrously failed, from a want of harmony between these two
jealous commanders.
Among the officers from my native State there were two
who were as distinguished for their eccentricity as they were
conspicuous for their coolness and courage in battle. One
was Major James Miller, of the Twenty-first Regiment of
Infantry. In the battle of Uragona, or Lundy's Lane, as it
was commonly called, the British army occupied a height defended by guns, by which our troops were greatly annoyed.
General Brown rode up to Major Miller, who was at the head
of his battalion, and, pointing to the height, said, " Major, can
you take that battery?" The major's prompt reply was, " I'll
try, sir." He put his battalion in motion, and when about
half-way up the height the guns opened on him, and about
twenty men at the head of the column fell. There was a moment of wavering; when the major, putting himself in front,
and waving his sword, called out, " Come along, boys; what
are you afeared of? Nobody wants to hurt you!" His
speech was like an electric spark, and before the guns were
reloaded they were in our possession.
The other was Lieutenant-colonel McNeil, of the same regiment. He was six feet six inches in height, and better proportioned than most men of his stature. He was shot in the
knee in the same battle and lamed for life. After the war
he was on a certain occasion at Concord, at the opening of the
session of the Legislature. The general was proud of his lameness, and took it for granted that every man, woman, and
child in NSTew Hampshire knew how it happened. While
limping about in front of the Capitol a fresh member of the
Legislature, not much more than five feet high, was introduced
to him. The little fellow, as full of his own importance as
the general, putting his arms a-kimbo, said, " General, I am
very glad to make your acquaintance: how did you get
hurt?" The general, drawing himself up his full height,
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