Memoirs of William Miller - Sylvester Bliss

attention, as were manifested in the battle of
Plattsburgh.
When the hour of deadly strife had come, every
preparation having been made for action on the
American side, and the attention of all on board the
Saratoga was called to the commodore, it is said
that, in the stillness, which was soon to give place
to scenes of tumult so unsuitable to the day, the
voice of Macdonough was raised in fervent prayer
to God, for the fleet, the army, and the success of
the American cause. But this was only an
expression of the deep feeling of every heart. In
such circumstances, the stoutest, and even the
profane, felt the propriety of prayer; for all were
humbled before God. This sense of its propriety, if
nothing else, gave them a new feeling of strength
for the conflict. And when the day closed with an
assurance of victory -- for it was thought to be
hardly possible, even when the English fleet had
struck their colors -- the hand of God seemed to be
so manifest to all, that the hardest specimens of
human nature in the fleet and army were seen in
tears, while all were constrained to acknowledge
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