USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement of the colony to the adoption of the present constitution, vol. II > Part 14
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"BOSTON, August 24, 1774. " Gentlemen :-
"Your elegant and benevolent favor of the 1st instant, yielded us that support and consolation amid our distresses, which the generous sympathy of assured friends can never fail to inspire. 'Tis the part of this people to frown on dan- ger face to face, to stand the focus of rage and malevolence of the inexorable enemies of American freedom. Permit us to glory in the dangerous distinction, and be assured that. while actuated by the spirit and confident of the aid of such noble auxiliaries, we are compelled to support the conflict. When liberty is the prize, who would shun the warfare ? Who would stoop to waste a coward thought on life ? We esteem no sacrifice too great, no conflict too severe, to redeem our inestimable rights and privileges. 'Tis for you, brethren, for ourselves, for our united posterity, we hazard all ; and, permit us humbly to hope, that such a measure of vigilence, fortitude, and perseverance, will still be afforded us, that by
from their mother country, and the British merchants ;" and after advising a gen- eral congress of all the colonies to meet with all possible dispatch, they add,
" We therefore recommend a suspension of all commerce with Great Britain, immediately to take place.
" We are bound in justice to ourselves to declare, that we have ever manifested, (and are still ready on all occasions) the most affectionate loyalty to the illustrious House of Hanover, which we are truly sensible, consists in a well regulated zeal for Liberty and the Constitution ; a sense of real honor grounded upon principles of religion ; and experience will warrant us to affirm that these endowments of loyalty, public spirit, of honor, and religion, are nowhere found in higher perfec- tion than in the British colonies. Notwithstanding what is passed, we are still desirous to remain upon our former good understanding with the mother country, and to continue to them their gainful commerce, provided a repeal of those grievous acts take place.
" We heartily sympathise with our distressed brethren, the Bostonians, whom we view as victims sacrificed to the shrines of arbitrary power, and more imme- diately suffering in the general cause. We rejoice to see so many of the neigh- boring colonies and even towns vieing with each other in the liberal benefactions to the distressed and injured town of Boston."
157
WARREN'S LETTER.
[1774.]
patiently suffering and nobly daring, we may eventually secure that more precious than Hesperian fruit, the golden apples of freedom. We eye the hand of Heaven in the rapid and wonderful union of the colonies ; and that gener- ous and universal emulation to prevent the sufferings of the people of this place, gives a prelibation of the cup of deliver- ance. May unerring wisdom dictate the measures to be recommended by the Congress-may a smiling God conduct this people through the thorny paths of difficulty, and finally gladden our hearts with success.
" We are, gentlemen,
" Your friends in the cause of Liberty, "JOSEPH WARREN, Chairman. "To the Committee of
" correspondence at Stonington." >
This letter, that rises like a heavenly vision into the regions where such poets as Milton hymn their prophetic songs, is still in the keeping of the town clerk of Stonington. It does indeed "stir the heart like the sound of a trumpet," and is worthy to be carved for an epitaph upon a monument of granite, that should rest forever upon the ashes of Warren .*
All this while the most careful provisions were made for military defense. On Saturday, the 3d of Sept., at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, an express from Col. Putnam rode into Norwich, with the news that Boston had been attacked on the night of the 2d, and several citizens killed. The citizens rallied around the Liberty Tree in great excitement. An ex- press was dispatched to Providence, to learn the truth of the rumor ; and such was the zeal of the people that on Tuesday morning four hundred and sixty-four men, all well armed, and most of them well mounted, started for Boston under the command of Major John Durkee. Before noon, they were met by the courier who had returned from Providence, with the information that no such attack had taken place. This rumor was not so soon contradicted in the interior towns. It
* As the letters to and from the Revolutionary committees of correspondence were not usually entered upon the town records, it is to be lamented that they are generally lost.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
spread like a fire upon a prairie. In a few hours the country for nearly two hundred miles was thoroughly rallied ; many soldiers marched from Woodbury, and joined companies from the other towns .* The whole colony was in commo- tion, and it is believed that more than twenty thousand men were on their march for Boston, before they were made aware that the story was without foundation. t
They had snatched up their muskets and knapsacks, and with the blessing of the good clergyman who was still an oracle to his flock, they started in their white rifle frocks and trousers decorated with dark-colored fringes, their only uniform, to relieve " their brethren at the Bay," as their fathers had done before them during Philip's war. From the towns on the coast and the river, where danger might soon be expected to visit their own dwellings, and from the settle- ments perched upon the hill-tops of Litchfield county, secure from every tyranny save that of piping winds, ice-storms, and drifted snows, they hastened to the scene of the conflict. In October, the General Assembly again met. The follow- ing entry upon our records, indicates the bent of the public mind.
"Each military company in the colony shall be called out twelve half days and exercised in the use of their arms, between this time and the first of May. If any non-commis- sioned officer or private shall neglect to attend such exercises, he shall forfeit and pay for each half day, two shillings law- ful money, to be divided equally among those on duty ; and a premium of six shillings shall be allowed such soldier who shall attend on said twelve half days."
Little else of importance was done during that year. The delegates from Connecticut in attendance upon the Continen- tal Congress during this eventful period, were Messrs. Elipha- let Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deane. They united heartily with their colleagues from other colonies in recom- mending the "non-importation, non-consumption, and non-
* Cothren, i. 175.
+ Hinman's Am. Rev., p. 19, 20. # Caulkins, Norwich, 223.
159
CONDITION OF THE COLONY.
[1774.]
exportation agreement," as means of redress for the "griev- ances which threatened the destruction of the lives, liberty, and property of his majesty's subjects in North America." This agreement was passed by the Congress on the 5th day of September ; and immediately upon the reception of the report of the delegates from this colony, their action was accepted and approved by the General Assembly, and the articles were recommended to be faithfully observed. The Assembly also called upon the several towns to appoint com- mittees agreeable to the eleventh article of that agreement .*
Thus Connecticut, "with no royal governor to eject," no provincial court to overawe the representatives of her people, bidding them to cringe and bow the supple knee, was at liberty to carry out the philosophical teachings of that jurisprudence promulgated by Roger Ludlow, ratified by Winthrop, and founded upon the principles of equality that were now about to be blazoned to the world by the pen of Jefferson, and the sword of Washington.
* Nearly all the towns in the colony, in their official capacity, ratified the doings of Congress and of the Assembly. The unanimity of feeling and action on this subject, is truly remarkable, when it is remembered that the subject of colonial independence had hardly as yet begun to be breathed even in whispers.
CHAPTER VII.
BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND FALL OF TICONDEROGA.
BOSTON was now filled with British troops, and armed ships in hostile array swarmed in the waters that washed the slen- der peninsula on which she stood. Every day added to the breach that already yawned fearfully wide between the inhab- itants of the province and the unfeeling soldiers, who had ceased to remember that those whom they now called rebels, were sprung of the same lineage with themselves.
On the 30th of March, 1775, General Gage marched about eleven hundred men into the country, who amused themselves by throwing down the farmers' fences and doing other wanton acts of mischief. Only a spark was now needed to light these combustible materials into a flame. Upon the plea of learning a new exercise, the grenadier and light infantry companies were soon after taken off duty. Some supposed that the object was to seize the persons of Mr. Samuel Adams and Mr. Hancock, who were then at Lexing- ington ; but those sagacious gentlemen could not be induced to believe that such an attempt would be made in so public a manner.
Some provisional stores had been deposited at Worcester, and others at Concord. These stores were the object of General Gage's attention. It is not likely that he would have taken this step at that time, had he not been urged to do it by the solicitations of the tories, who lived in the neighborhood of Concord, and who had filled his ears with false reports of the cowardice of the "rebels." On the 18th of April, a number of officers were stationed along the road leading to Concord to prevent the arrival of expresses from Boston to give the alarm. But Dr. Warren accidentally discovered the movement and sent messengers across the
161
THE FIRST BLOW.
[1775.]
neck, some of whom were so well mounted that they out- stripped the vigilance of the British patrol, and gave the warning that was soon sounded far and wide through that religious neighborhood, by the silvery bells that sent it from steeple to steeple toward Concord. Signal-guns and volleys too confirmed the intelligence. By eleven o'clock at night, eight hundred grenadiers and light infantry, the finest troops in the army, embarked at the common, and landing at Phipp's farm, took up their line of march for Concord. They were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith. Major Pitcairn led the advanced corps. About two o'clock on the morning of the 19th, the Lexington company of militia, to the number of one hundred and thirty, were stationed on the green near the meeting house. The air was so chilly and the prospect of the enemy's approach was so very uncertain, that the men were dismissed after the roll-call, with orders to appear again at beat of drum. Some of them went home and others to the inns that were not far off. Word was not brought them in season to prepare for the coming up of the British troops, so that only about seventy men were on the ground when the enemy arrived, and but a few of these were drawn up in battle order. There were about forty spec- tators who had no arms in their hands. Of course this hand- ful of militia would not have thought of beginning the attack.
Seeing this confused crowd of citizens standing in the line of his march, Major Pitcairn rode around the meeting house, and as he drew near, called out to them in no very gentle tone, "Disperse, you rebels ; throw down your arms and dis- perse." Enraged at seeing that not a single man dropped his musket, or made a movement to retire from the spot, he rode a few yards farther, discharged his pistol, brandished his sword, and bade the advanced corps to fire upon the crowd. They obeyed and the people all fled, but the firing still continued. A handful of the militia now stopped and returned the fire. Three or four Americans were killed upon the green, and the rest, eight in all, were shot on the other side of the walls and fences where they had secreted them-
43
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
selves. The detachment continued its march toward Con- cord. Startled at this wanton murder, the people of the town sallied for defense. But the British troops were too numer- ous and too well disciplined to be successfully met by them. The Americans now retired over the north bridge and waited for reinforcements from the neighboring towns. The British light infantry followed and took possession of the bridge, while the main body entered the town and hastened to seize upon the stores. They rendered unfit for service the cannon that they found there, threw five hundred pounds of ball into the river, wells, and other places of concealment, and broke in pieces about sixty barrels filled with flour.
These were the vaunted military stores that had disturbed the slumbers of the tories of that district, and tempted the British general to plunge the nation into a civil war!
While this wanton destruction of property was going on, the provincials were pouring into Concord in great numbers. Major John Butterick took command, and ignorant of the murder at Lexington, ordered the militia not to fire on the aggressors, but to defend themselves. As he advanced with his men, the infantry retired to the Concord side of the river, and began to destroy the bridge. As he drew nearer, they fired upon him and killed Captain Davis, of Acton, who was marching in front. The fire was returned and a skirmish followed, in which the British troops were soon forced to retreat. They were pursued with much loss, and had good cause for expedition, for the militia poured in like a whirl- wind, and hung upon their rear, shooting them from behind the stone walls and bushes. The retreating detachment was restored to its equanimity by the timely arrival of Lord Percy .* The details of the battle of Lexington are set
*The brigade marched out, playing, by way of contempt, Yankee Doodle- a tune composed in derision of the New Englanders. As the troops passed through Roxbury, a boy made himself extremely merry with the circumstance, jumping and laughing, so as to attract the notice of his lordship,-who, it is said, asked him at what he was laughing so heartily ; and was answered, " To think how you will dance by and by to Chevy Chase." It is added that the repartee stuck by his lordship the whole day. Gordon, i. 312.
163
CONNECTICUT MAKES REPRISAL.
[1775.]
down here with some degree of minuteness, not only because it was the beginning of actual hostilities between England and the colonies, but because, growing out of an attempt to seize military stores, it led to a movement, originating in Connecticut, and paid for out of the treasury of that colony, that resulted in the capture of Ticonderoga, and in the seizure of all its guns and munitions for the use of the colo- nies. The General Assembly was in session when the news of the battle of Lexington reached Hartford, and the plan was entered into of surprising Ticonderoga, without any ostensible action of the Assembly, but with their tacit assent. Several gentlemen borrowed money to defray the expenses of the expedition, from the colonial treasury, and gave their individual obligations, with secu- rity .* A committee was appointed by the leaders of this daring project to complete all the arrangements. This com- mittee selected sixteen Connecticut men and then proceeded to Berkshire, where they elicited the sympathy and coopera- tion of some of the principal gentlemen of the place, and a reinforcement of about forty men. They then advanced to Bennington, where they were joined by Colonel Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and about one hundred volunteers. After stopping there long enough to bake bread and provide them- selves with such other necessaries as they needed, this little company of one hundred and fifty picked men, followed Colonel Allen to Castleton, whither he had preceded them with a view of raising more troops. While on their way to
* The persons who signed the notes were, Samuel Holden Parsons, Silas Deane, Samuel Wyllys, Samuel Bishop, Jr., William Williams, Thomas Mumford, Adam Babcock, Joshua Porter, Jesse Root, Ezekiel Williams, and Charles Wells. Two years after the capture, (in May 1777,) Mr. Parsons addressed a memorial to the General Assembly of Connecticut, stating the fact that he and his associates, above named, had taken money from the treasury as a means of surprising and captur- ing Ticonderoga, and had given their notes and receipts therefor, all of which had been expended in said service ; and praying the Assembly to cancel their notes and receipts so given to the treasurer, which amounted to £ 810. Their memorial was granted. Hinman's " War of the Revolution," 29-31. Colonel David Wooster was one of the principal projectors of this daring enterprise, although his name is not signed to the notes.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Castleton, they fell in with a countryman, who seemed to be an honest traveler. "Whence came you ?" asked the eager soldiers. " From Ty," answered the man, clownishly, making use of the familiar abbreviation, by which the fortress was known in that neighborhood, "I left it yesterday," Ques- tion .- " Has the garrison received any reinforcement ?" Answer .- " Yes ; I saw them. There were a number of artillery-men and other soldiers." Question .- " What are they doing ? Are they making fascines ?" Answer .- " I don't know what fascines are. They are tying up sticks and brush in bundles, and putting them where the walls are down." Not satisfied with the responses of this traveling oracle, Mr. Blagden interrogated him still further in rela- tion to the dress and equipments of the men. The keen- witted tory foiled him at every turn with such rational answers, that the whole company was staggered with doubt. A council was held, in which the proposition was made to return, and after a strenuous debate, it was defeated by a majority of a single vote. At Castleton they met Colonel Allen with fresh reinforcements. Their numbers now amounted to two hundred and seventy men, most of them Green Mountain Boys, who, born in Connecticut, Massachu- setts, and New Hampshire, and inured to the rough warfare of border life, in contending with the executive officers and defying the authority of the provincial legislature of New York, had become wild and free in all their actions and opin- ions as the green ridges whence they took their name .* Sen- tries were now posted on all the roads leading to Ticonderoga, to prevent the news of the enterprise being carried to the
* The celebrated controversy between the "Green Mountain Boys " and the New York Government, forms an important feature in the history of the era immediately preceding the Revolution. The settlers on the "New Hampshire Grants" claimed to be beyond the jurisdiction of the provincial governments, and consequently had a right to govern themselves. The governor and council of New York, however, regarding the territory as within their jurisdiction, fre- quently sent their constables, sheriffs, and sometimes their militia, to dispossess the settlers, collect taxes, &c. The pioneers organized and armed themselves for mutual self-protection. Through a long series of years, collisions between the two parties were frequent.
165
ARNOLD CLAIMS THE COMMAND.
[1775.]
garrison by the tories. After the troops had all formed a junc- tion at Castleton, Colonel Benedict Arnold arrived from Cam- bridge, whither he had betaken himself with a company of volunteers, on receiving intelligence of the battle of Lexing- ton .* The next day after his arrival at Cambridge, he had waited upon the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, inform- ed them of the defenseless condition of Ticonderoga, and given them such a glowing account of the value of the guns and military stores there, that they, upon a full hearing, appointed him a colonel, with power to enlist four hundred volunteers, and march against the fort without delay. He arrived at Castleton with a single servant, expecting to take command of the forces who were now ready to move forward. Arnold was personally known to Mr. Blagden, but not another individual composing the company, had ever seen him before. He instantly informed them who he was, and what was the nature of his errand, and insisted that the command of the whole force should be committed to his charge. With a measure of haughtiness that would have overawed most men, he found that he could not bully Ethan Allen, nor take the control of the Green Mountain Boys, contrary to their free choice. However, his commission was examined and he was allowed to join with the other volunteers, and share in the honor of the contemplated exploit. More than this, he was com- missioned anew by the party, and authorized to serve as the assistant of Colonel Allen. Chafed as he was at this unexpect- ed rebuff, Arnold submitted to the terms so generously proffer- ed him. It had been decided that Colonel Allen and the prin- cipal officers should march with the main body of the troops,
* On hearing the news of the battle of Lexington, Arnold, who was Captain of the Governor's Guards, in New Haven, called his company together and paraded before the tavern where a committee were in session. He applied for powder and ball ; which the committee declined furnishing. Arnold threatened to take the needful supply by force, if necessary. Colonel Wooster went out and endeav- ored to persuade him to wait for proper orders, before starting for the scene of conflict. Arnold answered, " None but Almighty God shall prevent my march- ing." The committee, perceiving his fixed resolution, supplied him ; and he marched off instantly, and, with his company, reached the American quarters by the 29th of April. Gordon, i. 328.
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
numbering about one hundred and forty effective men, directly to Shoreham, on the lake shore, opposite Ticonde- roga, while Captain Herrick, with thirty men, should pass on to Skenesborough, at the head of lake Champlain, seize the effects of Major Skene, and return with the boats and stores that they might capture there, to join Colonel Allen at Shore- ham. Captain Drylas meanwhile, was to advance to Panton and get possession of every boat and batteau that might fall in his way. The day before this arrangement was determin- ed upon, Captain Noah Phelps had disguised himself, and entered the fort in the character of a countryman wanting to be shaved. In searching for a barber he observed every- thing critically, asked a number of rustic questions, affected great ignorance, and passed unsuspected. Before night he withdrew and joined his party.
On the night of the 9th of May, Colonel Allen reached Shoreham. His first care was to look about him for a trusty and skillful guide to lead him into the fort. There lived on the lake-shore a Mr. Beman, a true-hearted and highly respectable farmer, of whom he solicited information. Mr. Beman replied that he had not been in the habit of crossing the lake, and could not himself direct him ; but that his son Nathan, who was a mere lad and had passed a good deal of time at the fortress in playing with the boys of the garrison, could conduct him through all its passages. Nathan Beman was accordingly sent for and subjected to a strict examina- tion. He proved to be a very intelligent child and gave such ready answers to the inquiries that were put to him, and had such a frank and honest face, that Colonel Allen was willing to put himself under his guidance. A new obstacle now presented itself. No boats had yet arrived from Panton, and there were so few at Shoreham that the whole night was consumed in getting the officers and eighty-three of the men across the lake. Colonel Allen had sent the boats back to bring over the rear guard, under the command of Colonel Warner, when he perceived signs of the approaching dawn. Contrary to the advice of some of the officers, he resolved
167
COLONEL ALLEN'S SPEECH.
[1775.]
not to wait for the rear guard, but to begin the attack at once. Drawing up his forces in three ranks beneath the very walls of the fort, he addressed them in the following characteristic language :
" Friends and Fellow Soldiers :- You have for a number of years past been a scourge and terror to arbitrary power. Your valor has been famed abroad, and acknowledged, as appears by the advice and orders to me from the General Assembly of Connecticut, to surprise and take the garrison now before us. I now propose to advance before you, and in person conduct you through the wicket-gate ; for we must this morning either quit our pretensions to valor, or possess ourselves of this fortress in a few minutes ; and, inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the bravest of men dare undertake, I do not urge it on any contrary to his will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your fire-locks."
As he concluded, every soldier poised his fire-lock, without uttering a word. Colonel Allen then ordered them to face to the right, and himself marching at the head of the centre- file, advanced to the wicket-gate. Here he found a sentry posted, who instantly snapped his fusee at the invader. Colo- nel Allen rushed towards him, and, flying along a covered passage and into the parade ground, within the fort, the frightened man uttered a single cry of alarm, and hid himself under a bomb-proof.
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