USA > Massachusetts > The journals of each Provincial congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775, and of the Committee of safety, with an appendix, containing the proceedings of the county conventions-narratives of the events of the nineteenth of April, 1775 > Part 77
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We are, with the greatest respect and affection,
Your most obedient servants,
JOSEPH WARREN, Chairman.
To Alexander McDougall, Esq.
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Edward Mott to the Provincial Congress.
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To the honorable Provincial Congress, or to the Council of War for the Prov- ince of Massachusetts Bay :
Shoreham, May 11, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- I would congratulate you on the surrender of the gar- rison of Ticonderoga to the American forces. The affair was planned and conducted after the following manner : a number of the provincial gentle- men of the assembly at Hartford, on Friday the 28th of April, conversing on the distressed condition of the people of Boston, and the means necessary to relieve them, fell on the scheme to take that fortress, that we might have the advantage of the cannon that were there, to relieve the people of Boston. 1 told the gentlemen, that in my opinion, it might be taken by surprise with a few men, if properly conducted; on which, they desired me, if I was willing to serve my country in that way, to join Capt. Noah Phelps, of Simns- bury, and Mr. Bernard Romans, on that design; and furnished us with £300 in cash from the treasury, and desired us to go forward to the upper towns and search into the situation of said garrison, and if 1 thought proper, to proceed to take possession of the same. On which, we collected to the number of sixteen men in Connecticut, and proceeded forward till we came to Col. Easton's, at Pittsfield ; and there we consulted with Col. Easton, and John Brown, Esq., who, after they heard our plan of operation, agreed to join us, and after informing them that we intended raising our men on the Grants for the aforesaid purpose, as it would be difficult to raise and march a number of men through the country any distance without our plans being discovered, Col. Easton and Mr. Brown told us, that the people on the Grants were poor, and at this time of year it would be difficult to raise a sufficient number of men there to take and hold said garrison; whereon Col. Easton offered to raise men in his own regiment for the aforesaid pur- pose, to join with the green mountain boys; on which I set out with him for the town of Jericho, where Col. Easton raised between forty and fifty men, and proceeded to Bennington, at which place the men arrived the next day. At this place a council of war was called, Col. Easton being chair- man, and it was voted, that Col. Allen should send forward parties to secure the roads to the northward, to prevent all intelligence from arriving before us. On Sunday evening, the 7th of this instant May, we arrived at Castle- ton, where, on the next day, was held a council of war by a committee cho- sen for that purpose, of which committee I had the honor to be chairman. After debating and consulting on different methods of procedure in order to accomplish our designs, it was concluded and voted, that we would pro- ceed in the following manner, viz .: that a party of thirty men under the command of Capt. Herrick, should, on the next day, in the afternoon, pro- cced to Skenesborough, and take into custody, Major Skene and his party, and take possession of all the boats that they should find there, and in the night proceed up the lake to Shoreham, with the remainder of our men, which were about one hundred and forty, who were under the command of Col. Ethan Allen, and Col. James Easton as his second, and Capt. Warner,
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the third in command; as these three men were the persons who raised the inen they were chosen to the command, and to rank according to the num ber of men that cach one raised. We also sent off Capt Douglas, of Jericho, to proceed directly to Panton, and there consult his brother in law, who lived there, and send down some boats to Shoreham, if possible, to help our people over to the fort. All this it was concluded should be done or at- tempted, and was voted universally. After this affair was all settled, and the men pitehed on to go in each party, all were preparing for their march, be- ing then within about nine miles of Skenesborough, and about twenty-five miles on the way we went, from Ticonderoga.
Col. Arnold arrived to us from you with his orders. We were extremely rejoiced to sce that you fully agreed with us, as to the expediency and im- portance of taking possession of the garrisons. But we were shockingly surprised when Col. Arnold presumed to contend for the command of those forces that we had raised, whom we had assured, should go under the com- mand of their own officers, and be paid and maintained by the colony of Connecticut ; but Mr. Arnold, after we had generously told him our whole plan, strenuously contended and insisted, that he had a right to command them and all their officers ; which bred such a inutiny amongst the soldiers, as alınost frustrated our whole design. Our men were for clubbing their fireloeks and marching home, but were prevented by Col. Allen and Col. Easton, who told them, that he should not have the command of thein, and if he had, their pay would be the same as though they were under their command ; but they would damn the pay, and say they would not be com- manded by any others but those they engaged with. After the garrison was surrendered, Mr. Arnold again assumed the command, although he had not one man there, and demanded it of Col. Allen; on which, we gave Col. Al- len his orders in writing, as follow, viz. :
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To Col. Ethan Allen :
SIR :- Whereas, agreeably to the power and authority to us given by the colony of Connecticut, we have appointed you to take the command of a party of men and reduce and take possession of the garrison at Ticonderoga, and the dependencies thereto belonging ; and as you are now in actual pos- session of the same, you are hereby required to keep the command and pos- session of the sainc for the use of the American colonies, until you have fur- ther orders from the colony of Connecticut, or the Continental Congress.
Signed, per order of the committee of war,
EDWARD MOTT, Chairman of said Committee.
Col James Easton, was of great service both in council and action, and in raising men for the above expedition, and appeared to be well qualified to be not only a colonel of the militia at home, but to command in the field. Also, John Brown, Esq., of Pittsfield, we recommend as an able counsellor, and full of spirit and resolution, as well as good conduct. We wish they
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inay both be employed in the service of their country in a situation equal to their merits.
I have the pleasure to add, that on Wednesday morning last, the 10th of this instant May, about the break of day, our men entered the gate ; till then they were undiscovered, and in the most courageous and intrepid manner darted like lightning upon the guards, so that but two had time to snap their firelocks at us, and in a few minutes, the fortress and its dependen- cies were delivered into our hands. There are about forty soldiers taken prisoners of war, including officers, and excluding those taken at Skenes- borough. Not one life was lost in these noble acquisitions.
I am, Gentlemen, in haste, your most obedient humble servant,
EDWARD MOTT, Chairman of the Committee of War.
Certificate of Col. Easton, and others.
Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775.
To the Provincial Congress now sitting at Watertown :
This is to certify, that previous to Col. Benedict Arnold's arrival to the forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point, a committee sent from the colony of Connecticut, furnished with money for the purpose of reducing and garri- soning said forts, had, with the assistance of eighty men from Massachu- setts, and one hundred and forty men from the New Hampshire Grants, marched within a few miles of Ticonderoga, and this morning, at day break, took possession of said fort, and gave the command thereof into the hands of Col. Ethan Allen. Col. Arnold refuses to give up his command, which causes much difficulty ; said Arnold not having enlisted one man, neither do we know that he can do so. As said committee have raised the men, and are still raising supplies for the purpose of repairing said fort, taking the armed sloop, and defending the country and the fort, we think said Arnold's further proceeding in the matter, highly inexpedient both in regard to ex- pense and dispute.
EPAPHRUS BALL, EDWARD MOTT, NOAH PHELPS,
JAMES EASTON, Committee of War for the expedition against Ti- conderoga and Crown Point.
Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.
Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- I wrote you yesterday,1 that arriving in the vicinity of this
(1) The letter of the 10th of May, was not received by the Committee of Safety.
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place, I found, one hundred and fifty men, collected at the instance of some gentlemen from Connecticut, designed on the same errand on which I came, headed by Col. Ethan Allen ; and that I had joined them, not thinking prop- er to wait the arrival of the troops I had engaged on the road, but to attempt the fort by surprise ; that we had taken the fort at four o'clock yesterday morning, without opposition, and had made prisoners, one captain, one lieu- tenant, and forty odd privates and subalterns; and that we found the fort in a most ruinous condition, and not worth repairing; that a party of fifty men were gone to Crown Point, and that I intended to follow with as many more, to seize the sloop, &c .; and that I intended to keep possession here, until I had further advice from you. On and before our taking possession herc, I had agreed with Col. Allen, to issue future orders jointly, until I could raise a sufficient number of men to relieve his people ; on which plan, we proceeded, when I wrote you yesterday ; since which, Col. Allen, find- ing he had the ascendeney over his people, positively insisted I should have no command, as I had forbid the soldiers' plundering and destroying private property. The power is now taken out of my hands, and I am not consulted, nor have I a voice in any matters. There are here, at present, near one hun- dred men, who are in the greatest confusion and anarchy, destroying and plundering private property, and committing every enormity, paying no at- tention to the public service. The party I advised were gone to Crown Point, have returned, having met with head winds; and that expedition, and taking the sloop, mounted with six guns, are entirely laid aside. There is not the least regularity among the troops; but every thing is governed by whin and caprice ; the soldiers threatening to leave the garrison on the least af- front. Most of them must return home soon, as their families are suffering. Under our present situation, I believe one hundred men could retake the fort, and there seems no prospect of things being in a better situation. 1 have, therefore, thought proper to send an express, advising you of the state of affairs, not doubting you will take the matter into your serious considera- tion, and order a number of troops to join those 1 have coming on here ; or that you will appoint some other person to take the command of thein and this place, as you shall think most proper. Col. Allen is a proper man to head his own wild people, but entirely unacquainted with military service; and as I am the only person who has been legally authorized to take posses- sion of this place, I am determined to insist on my right, and think it my du- ty to remain here, against all opposition, until I have further orders. I can- not comply with your orders in regard to the cannon, &c., for want of men. I have written to the governor and general assembly of Connecticut, advis- ing them of my appointment, and giving them an exact detail of matters as they stand at present. I should be extremely glad to be honorably acquitted of my commission, and that a more proper person might be appointed in my room ; but, as I have, in consequence of my orders from you, gentlemen, been the first person who entered and took possession of the fort, I shall
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keep it, at every hazard, until I have further advice and orders from you, and the general assembly of Connecticut.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
P. S. It is impossible to advise you how many eannon are here and at Crown Point, as many of them are buried in the ruins ; there are a large num- ber of iron and some brass cannon and mortars, &c., lying on the edge of the lake, which, as the lake is high, are covered with water. The confusion we have been in, has prevented my getting proper information, further than that there are many cannon, shells, mortars, &c., which may be very ser- vieeable to our army at Canıbridge.1
To the Committee of Safety, Cambridge. B. A.
Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.
TICONDEROGA, MAY 14, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- My last was of the 11th instant, per express ; since which, a party of men have seized on Crown Point, in which they took eleven pris- oners, and found sixty-one pieces of cannon serviceable, and fifty-three un- fit for service. I ordered a party to Skenesborough, who have made Ma- jor Skene prisoner, and seized a small schooner, which has just arrived here. I intend setting out in her directly, with a batteau and fifty men, to take possession of the sloop, which we are advised this morning, by the post, is at St. Johns, loaded with provisions, &c., waiting a wind for this place. Inelosed is a list of cannon, &c. here, though imperfect, as we have found many pieces not included, and some are on the edge of the lake cov- ered with water. 1 am, with the assistance of Mr. Bernard Romans, mak- ing preparation at Fort George, for transporting to Albany those cannon that will be serviceable to our army at Cambridge. I have about one hun- dred men here, and expect more every minute. Mr. Allen's party is de- ereasing, and the dispute between us subsiding. I am extremely sorry mat- ters have not been transacted with more prudence and judgment. I have done every thing in my power, and put up with many insults to preserve peace, and serve the public. I hope soon to be properly released from this troublesome business, and that some proper person may be appointed in my room, till which
I am, very respectfully, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant,
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
(1) The answer to this letter is inserted in the Journal of the Provincial Congress, ante page 250.
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
P. S. Since writing the above, Mr. Romans coneludes on going to Albany to forward carriages for the eannon, &e., and provisions, which will be soon wanted. I beg leave to observe, lie has been of great service here, and I think him a very spirited, judicious gentleman, who has the service of the country muchi at heart, and hope lie will meet proper encouragement.
B. A.
List of Cannon, Mortars, and Stores, taken at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775 :
At Crown Point-Two iron twenty-four pounders : one iron twenty-four, useless : one brass twenty-four, serviceable : four iron eighteens, and four- teen iron twelves, not examined, but appearing good: four French iron twelves, useless: eight French twelves and eighteens, not examined, but appearing good : seven long nines, double fortified, and good : twelve long nines, serviceable : two long nines, mounted : thirty-three long sixes and nines, useless : seven long nines and twelves, useless : two long sixes, good : two short sixes, bad : three short sixes, not examined : three short sixes, useless : one English thirteen inch mortar : one French thirteen incli, two French eight incli, and two eight incli howitzers, all serviceable.
At Ticonderoga-Three long eighteen pounders, good : two French eigh- teens, bad : two French twelves, bad, and two good : six French twelves, double fortified, good, and two bad : twelve long nines, good, and five bad : eighteen sixes, bad : nine fours, good : one six, good : nineteen swivels, good : two wall pieces, good : two French twelves, bad: one thirteen inch mortar and bed, good : one seven ineh and bed, good : one seven inch how- itzer, good : twenty-eight iron truck wheels: ten carriages, fit for use : for- ty-two port fires : five copper ladles, with staves : twelve copper ladles without staves : seventeen lintstocks: one hundred, eighteen pound shot: five hundred and fifty, twelve pound shot: two hundred and forty, nine pound shot : one thousand four hundred and thirty, six pound shot : one hundred and sixty eight, quilted grape slot : nine tons lead balls : three thousand seven hundred pounds iron balls : twenty-eight barrels powder, damaged : nine hundred and six shells : thirty thousand flints.
Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.
CROWN POINT, MAY 19, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- My last was of the 14th instant, by Mr. Romans, via New Haven. I then acquainted you of the oceasion of delay in not carrying your orders into execution. The afternoon of the same day, being joined by Captains Brown and Oswald, with fifty men enlisted on the road, they having taken possession of a small schooner at Skenesborouglı, we imme- diately proceeded on our way to St. Johns, and at eight o'clock, P. M. the 17th instant, arrived within thirty miles of St. Johns. The weather proving
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calm, we manned out two small batteaux with thirty-five men, and the next morning, at six o'clock, arrived at St. Johns, surprised and took a sergcant and his party of twelve men, the king's sloop of about seventy tons, with two brass six pounders and seven men, without any loss on either side. The captain was gone to Montreal, and was hourly expected, with a large detachment for Ticonderoga, a number of guns and carriages for the sloop, which was just fixed for sailing ; add to this, there were a captain and forty men at Chamblee, twelve miles distant from St. Johns, who were expected there every minute with the party : so that it seemed to be a mere interpo- sition of Providence that we arrived in so fortunate an hour. We took such stores on board as were valuable, and the wind proving favorable, in two hours after our arrival, weighed anchor for this place, with the sloop and four of the king's batteaux, having destroyed five others: so that there is not left a single batteau for the king's troops, Canadians or Indians, to cross the lake in, if they have any such intention. I must, in justice to Col. Allen, observe, that he left Crown Point soon after me for St Johns, with one hundred and fifty men, and on my return I met him five leagues this side, and supplied him with provisions, his men being in a starving condi- tion. He informed me of his intention of proceeding on to St. Johns with eighty or one hundred men, and keeping possession there. It appeared to me a wild, impracticable scheme, and provided it could be carried into exe- cution, of no consequence, so long as we are masters of the lake; and of that I inake no doubt, as I am determined to arm the sloop and schooner immediately.
I wrote you, gentlemen, in my former letters, that I should be extremely glad to be superseded in my command here, as I find it next to impossible to repair the old fort at Ticonderoga, and am not qualified to direct in build- ing a new one. I am really of opinion, it will be necessary to employ onc thousand or fifteen hundred men here this summer, in which I have the pleasure of being joined in sentiment by Mr. Romans, who is esteemed an able engineer. I am making all possible provision for wheel carriages, &c., to carry such cannon, &c. to Albany, as can be spared here and will be ser- viceable to our army at Cambridge.
I must refer you for particulars to the bearer, Capt. Jonathan Brown, who has been very active and serviccable, and is a prudent and good officer, and beg leave to observe, I have had intimations given me, that some persons had determined to apply to you and the Provincial Congress, to injure me in your esteem, by misrepresenting matters of fact. I know of no other motive they can have, only my refusing them commissions, for the very simple reason, that I did not think them qualified. However, gentlemen, I have the satisfaction of imagining I am employed by gentlemen of so much candor, that my conduct will not be condemned until I have the opportunity of being heard.
I am, with the greatest respect, Gentlemen,
Your most devoted and very humble servant,
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
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P. S. Enelosed is a memorandum of suchi eannon, &c. as I intend send- ing to Cambridge : also of such as are here.
By a return from Montreal to General Gage, I find there are seven hun- dred and seventeen men in Canada, of the 7th and 26th regiments, includ- ing seventy, whom we have taken prisoners.
To the Committee of Safety, Cambridge.
Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.
CROWN POINT, MAY 23, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- My last was of the 19th instant, by Capt. Jonathan Brown. I then advised you of my taking possession of the king's sloop, &c., and that, on the 18th instant, on my return from St. Johns, Colonel Allen, with about eighty or one hundred men, passed me, with the intention of making a stand at St. Johns, and not being able to dissuade him from so rash a pur- pose, 1 supplied him with provision, &c. Yesterday he arrived at Ticonde- roga with his party, and says, that on the evening of the 18th instant, he ar- rived with his party at St Johns, and hearing of a detachment of men on the road from Montreal, he laid an ambush for them: but his people being so much fatigued, when the party was about one mile distant, he thought proper to retreat, and crossed the lake at St. Johns, where they continued through the night : at dawn the next day, they were, when asleep, saluted with a discharge of grape shot from six field pieces, and a discharge of small arms from about two hundred regulars. They made a precipitate re- treat and left behind three men.
Immediately on this advice, I proceeded here with the sloop and schooner, as well armed as possible under our circumstances, and eighty men, which, with the party here before, make near one hundred and fifty men, with whom I am determined to make a stand here to secure the cannon, it being impossible to remove them at present. I am in hourly expectation of two or three hundred men more. Most of those here have enlisted. Colonel Allen's men are, in general, gone home. As the regulars have good infor- mation of our strength and movements, I am apprehensive of their paying us a visit, provided they can get batteaux from Montreal to St. Johns. I shall make every possible preparation to give them a warm reception. I have commissioned Capt. John Stone in the sloop, and Capt. Isaac Mathews in the schooner, and have written to New York for a number of gunners and seamen, to man the two vessels, being in great want of them at present, and obliged to stay on board one of them myself.
As soon as a sufficient number of men arrive, I shall lose no time in car- rying your orders into execution, in regard to the cannon. This morning, very luckily, an escort of provisions, five barrels of pork, and thirty barrels of flour, arrived here, as a present from Albany, under the care of Capt. Elijah Phelps, the last barrel of our pork being broached. I have ordered fifty
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barrels of pork, and one hundred barrels of flour, from Albany, which I ex- pect soon. Prior to which, I bouglit five oxen and thirty barrels of flour, which is all the provision purchased yet. The people enlisted have been promised the same bounty as is given in the Massachusetts Bay. A sum of money will be requisite to carry matters into execution. I have £160, found in the sloop: but as it was the property of the captain, I don't choose to make use of it at present. 1 have sent to Albany repeatedly for powder, and can get none there: only one hundred and fifty pounds here, which I brought from Concord ; and I beg you will order a quantity to be sent for- ward here immediately. I have written to Connecticut, but can have no dependence from that quarter, as it is very scarce there. I hope some gen- tleman will soon be appointed in my room here, who is better able to serve the public than I am. In the interim,
I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
P. S. Since writing the above, one of Col. Allen's party, who was taken prisoner at St. Johns, has made his escape, and says, tliat on the 19th in- stant, there were about four hundred regulars at St. Johns, who expected to be reenforced by more men, and were making all possible preparations to cross the lake, and retake Crown Point and Ticonderoga. I have sent ex- presses to Fort George and Skenesborough, to rally the country. You may depend, gentlemen, these places will not be given up, unless we are over- powered with numbers, or deserted by Providence, which has, hitherto, sup- ported us.
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