USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 8
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 8
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VERMONT ADMITTED TO THE UNION.
mont, passed an act, which was approved by George Washington, pres- ident of the United States, on the 18th day of February, 1791, by which it was declared " That on the fourth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety one, the said State, by the name and style of the ' State of Vermont,' shall be received and admitted into this union, as a new and entire member of the United States of America."
CHAPTER VII.
During the Revolutionary War-Then no Permanent Settlement in this Region- Causes of the War-Allen Captures Ticonderoga-Warner Takes Crown Point-Ar- nold Secures Control of Lake Champlain- Invasion of Canada-Seth Warner Chosen Commander of the Green Mountain Boys-Allen's Defeat and Disappointment-His Subsequent Action and Capture-Taken to England-The Campaign of 1775-Events of the Succeeding Year-Disaster Follows Success-Americans Withdraw from Can- ada-The English Regain Lake Champlain-The Naval Engagement-Destruction of the American Fleet-Carleton's Singular Conduct-He Returns to Canada-Cam- paign of 1777-Burgoyne Commands the British-Ticonderoga Taken by Hill-Mount Independence Evacuated-Battle at Hubbardton-St. Clair Retreats to Fort Edward -Warner's Regiment at Manchester-General Stark Comes to Vermont's Aid-The Battle at Bennington-Defeat of the British-Gates and Burgoyne at Stillwater-Their Battles -British again Defeated-Surrender of Burgoyne-Indian Depredations in Ver- mont-Negotiations with Canada-Its Effects on Vermont and the Country-Ingrati- tude of Congress.
PRIOR to and during the period of the Revolutionary War there is understood as having been no settlement or occupancy of any of the towns that comprise Franklin and Grand Isle counties under the New Hampshire charters. To be sure there is evidence tending to show that Jesse Welden had a place of abode in the town of St. Albans as early as the year 1778, for on the 4th of February of that year, the council issued to Welden a pass, under which he was permitted to visit "his home in St. Albans." But the events of the war compelled the pioneer to soon vacate the locality, and he did not return until after it had closed.
At the time of the breaking out of the war there were in existence as
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES. .
towns but eight that now comprise these counties; and all of these towns were chartered by Governor Wentworth during the year 1763. But the closing years of the war found nearly all of the remaining terri- tory of both counties erected into townships, under the authority of the independent state of Vermont; for by so creating towns, and selling them to various persons and companies, was the only reliable means possessed by the new state through which to create a revenue for gov- ernmental and military operations. And here it may also be stated that through the sale of her ungranted lands, and the sale of confiscated estates of enemical persons in already established townships, the author- ities of Vermont were enabled to raise the greater part of the money re- quired for the state's administration of affairs, both civil and military ; and thus, by this fortunate possession of lands, the people were for some years saved from the burdens of taxation.
The war for American independence was the direct outgrowth of and caused by the excessive taxations levied upon the colonies by the mother country, that the latter might pay the indebtedness occasioned by the French wars. Great Britain and Parliament contended that the American colonies were the greatest beneficiaries by the final result of these wars, and therefore should pay the expense incurred in their pros- ecution. But the policy pursued by Parliament toward the colonies was not only oppressive, but tyrannical in the extreme, and at the same time the latter were not allowed a representation in the affairs of English government, either at home or abroad. The American colonies, too, were willing to pay a just proportion of the indebtedness created by the prosecution of the early wars, but they felt and realized that the burden put upon them by Great Britain was altogether too grievous, and they resisted it, and finally severed their relations with the mother country.
The war with England was actually and in fact commenced with the battle at Lexington on the 19th of April, 1775, at which particular time no colony or jurisdiction was less prepared for either aggressive or de- fensive warlike operations than the people inhabiting the so-called New Hampshire grants; for the residents of that district were not acknowl- edged by themselves as forming a part of the colony of New York, and had nothing in common with that or any other jurisdiction. Nor had they at that time any definite form of government, other than the asso-
1
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DURING THE REVOLUTION.
ciation known as the Green Mountain Boys, and this was organized for the express purpose of resisting the New York authority. But such as thi s association was, it proved a powerful factor in accomplishing great results for the cause for which the colonies were contending. The strength and determination of this organization was known to the au- thorities not only of New York, but as well to the colonies of Massachu - setts and Connecticut ; and to the latter attaches the honor of having first induced the organization to attack the British posts in the Cham- plain region. The importance of possessing these commanding posts was known to all the eastern colonies, but the New Connecticut was the first to move. They procured a fund of $1,800 for the purchase of am- munition and arms, then at once proceeded to Bennington and easily obtained consent from Ethan Allen to lead his famous host against Ti- conderoga and other posts in the lake region.
About the same time the Massachusetts Committee of Safety com- missioned Benedict Arnold to raise troops for a similar service, but when the latter overtook Allen, he (Arnold) demanded that he as- sume command. This was not acceded to by Allen, but Arnold was allowed to accompany the expedition with the rank of colonel, but hav- ing no command. Moreover, the entire force numbered but 270 men, of whom 230 were Green Mountain Boys. On the 9th of May, 1775, the little troop reached Orwell, opposite Ticonderoga, but had not the means of crossing the lake. That this might be provided a Mr. Doug- las was sent to Bridport to obtain a scow, but while on his way he fell in with one Chapman, whom he enlisted and told his errand. Their conversation was overheard by two young men, James Wilcox and Jo- seph Tyler, and the latter conceived the idea of securing a large boat belonging to Major Skeene, a British subject, which lay anchored off Willow Point in charge of a colored servant of Skeene's and two other persons. The young men procured a jug of ium, and with that decoyed the boat party ashore, remarking as a pretext that they wished to cross the lake. Those on the boat were at once made prisoners, and the successful party returned to Allen's waiting-place. Other boats having also been provided, the determined commander and eighty-three men crossed over the lake, landing near the fort. The boats were sent back for the remainder of the troops, but as daylight was approaching,
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Allen resolved on making the attack before their arrival. He addressed his men, asking if any wished to turn back, but not a man wavered. Thus assured, Allen led the men, passed the gate, overcame the sentry, and demanded admittance to the quarters of the commander, Captain de La Place, which was granted. Allen at once demanded the sur- render of the fort, but the officer inquired upon what authority ? The reply was the famous remark known to every school-boy in the land : "In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." De La Place hesitated, whereupon Allen threatened him with his sword, so the officer yielded and surrendered the fort to the American com- mander. By this capture there fell into Allen's hands, on the morning of May 10th, fifty prisoners, 120 pieces of cannon, besides a considera- ble quantity of small arms, stores and supplies. Immediately after this capture, Seth Warner started with a small force to take Crown Point, which he easily accomplished, and by which were captured twelve pris- oners, sixty-one cannon fit for use and over fifty that were worthless. Stimulated by these successes, the victors determined to command the entire lake by capturing an armed British sloop which lay near St. John's. To this end they armed and manned a schooner and a number of bateaux; but at this juncture Arnold, who had marched with Allen and quietly shared his victory, now demanded to be allowed to com- mand the expedition. The other officers, however, refused to accede to the proposition, and at once elected and commissioned Allen as their leader. However, in the disposition of his forces on the expedition, Allen gave Arnold command of the schooner, while he himself took charge of the bateaux. The wind being fresh from the south, the schooner outsailed the bateaux, which enabled Arnold to first reach St. Johns, and gave to him the honor of the capture which resulted; and then, the wind having shifted, he sailed back with the prize and met Allen still on his voyage down the lake. By these several achieve- ments these leaders had an opportunity to distinguish themselves, and more than that, by the victories the whole lake and its fortresses passed into the hands of the Americans.
With these results accomplished, Congress determined to invade Can- ada with a strong force, hoping to induce the Canadians to join the American army, and thus augment its strength. Accordingly about a
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DURING THE REVOLUTION.
thousand men were collected and placed under command of Generals Montgomery and Schuyler. At Ticonderoga and Crown Point a large number of bateaux and flat boats were prepared for the expedition, but intelligence was soon received that General Carleton with a British force were about to enter the lake and repossess it. Montgomery at once set out to prevent this, and proceeded as far as Isle La Motte, where he was overtaken and joined by Schuyler. Jointly they proceeded to Isle aux Noix and took a position to meet the British advance and oppose their entry into the lake. From here they sent out proclamations to the Canadians, assuring protection, and inviting them to join the American arms; which effort met with rather indifferent success. Carleton's forces not arriving, the Americans, on September 6th, proceeded fur- ther down to a point about half a mile from the fort at St. John's, where, while reconnoitering the fort, their left was attacked by a party of In- dians, but the latter were repulsed after a sharp fight in which three Americans were killed, and eight wounded. The fort at St. John's was found to be well protected and prepared for an attack, upon which the Americans retired to Isle aux Noix to await expected re-enforcements. From here Schuyler returned to Albany. On the 17th of September, Montgomery again moved forward, having re-enforced his command, and laid siege to the fort. He first detached the Indians from the Brit- ish standard, and then as successfully rallied the Provincials under his own flag. On intelligence received from the Canadians, he dispatched a strong force against Fort Chambly, which was captured, together with a large supply of ammunition and military stores; also the standard of the British Seventh Regiment. This was the first trophy of its kind cap- tured during the war, and was duly transmitted to Congress. Mont- gomery next directed his forces against St. John's fort, but the garrison there was strong and strenuously resisted, encouraged, no doubt, to hold out until re-enforcements promised by General Carleton should arrive. And the latter were on their way to relieve the besieged fort, but as they were embarking at Montreal the Green Mountain Boys under Seth Warner observed their movements from the opposite shore, and at once prepared to meet them. The British were allowed to approach within easy range when Warner's command opened fire with guns, and grape from a four-pounder, with such effect as to put them to route and re-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
treat precipitately. Thus disappointed in expected relief, Major Pres- ton, commander at St. John's, on the 3d of November, surrendered that post, with its garrison of 500 men and more than 100 Canadians, to the Americans.
But, the reader will inquire, how was it that Seth Warner and not Ethan Allen, happened at this time to be in command of the Green Mountain Boys? In explanation, it may be said that after the succes- ses of these leaders at Ticonderoga, Crown Point and other posts in the lake region, the troops returned to their homes, or at least to the south- ern localities of the lake. And by this time the committees having in charge the affairs of the district of the grants had made more formal preparations for the war; and in the organization of the military forces of the district the selection of a commander was left to the men. Its result was the election of Seth Warner as colonel, and the defeat of Allen's ambition in that direction. Seth Warner was the junior of Allen by some twelve years, being then but about thirty-three, while Allen was not far from forty-five years of age. The physical and mental characteristics, too, of these men were directly opposite, Allen being bold, outspoken and even slightly tyrannical in manner, and of strong, com- manding physique, while Warner, on the contrary, was timid, reserved in action and speech, and of more slight frame. But both were admired and respected as companions and as officers; but, when it came to the choice of a permanent leader, Warner developed the greater popularity among the men. Though disappointed and disgusted by his defeat Allen by no means refused to longer serve his country or district. To prove his loyalty, and possibly he had it in mind to demonstrate his ability as a military leader too, he called about him a handful of admir- ing followers, and proceeded to Canada on an expedition of his own planning, but which resulted disastrously. He was induced by Major Brown to co-operate with the latter in a campaign against Montreal, Allen to cross the river and appear on the north side of the city with his little force of eighty men, (a few Americans, but mainly Canadians and Indians whom he had rallied around him,) while Brown was to at- tack the place from the south side. Allen made his position success- fully, during the night, and was ready for the signal to attack, but Brown's plans failed to work. The morning found Allen still in readi-
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DURING THE REVOLUTION.
ness, when he could have made a successful retreat before daybreak without being observed; but he imprudently resolved to hold his posi- tion. The British under Carleton at once marched out against the rash but daring Allen, and a sharp battle followed. But Allen's troops, ex- cept a few, were not of fighting material, and they threw down their arms and fled for their lives. Allen and his faithful few fought desper- ately for a time, but were compelled to yield to the greater number of Carleton's men. All were captured-Allen and thirty-eight men who stood bravely by him, and made prisoners of war. This occurred Sep- tember 25, 1775. Subsequently they were sent on board a British man- of- war, heavily ironed, and carried to England. Here they were impris- oned for a long time, but finally Allen was released. He returned to his home in Vermont, for it was then a state, and at once became one of the foremost men of his time, giving the independent jurisdiction val - uable service both in civil, political and military affairs.
Seth Warner and his troops, after having beaten the relief force sent out from Montreal, proceeded to the Richelieu River and built a fort near its mouth, thus controlling the entrance to the lake. But there came no further aggressions from the enemy in this region, for in No- vember Montreal was abandoned, and on the 13th the Americans occu- pied the city. The British retired to Quebec and built strong fortifica- tions around the place. Their force here numbered 1,500 men. To- ward this place Colonel Arnold, having come with 700 troops by way of Maine and Canada, directed his march, and before the city on De- cember Ist he was joined by Montgomery and about 300 men. The battle commenced by artillery fire which proved ineffective; whereupon a general assault was made, but which resulted disastrously to the Americans, for Montgomery was slain, Arnold severely wounded, and nearly half their men either killed or made prisoners. Colonel Arnold, however, continued to blockade the city, awaiting re enforcements from the southern New England provinces.
While the campaign for the year 1775, especially in this region of the country, resulted generally successful to the American arms, the events of the succeeding year, in the same quarter, were not so fortunate. Ar- nold had maintained the blockade before Quebec throughout the winter, but the re-enforcements did not arrive there until about the Ist of May.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
And then, when an assault against the city became possible of success, the American soldiers were attacked by a small-pox plague so serious as to reduce the number of available men to 900, whereas the total force amounted to about 3,000 men. The ravages of this disease were such as to produce great alarm and the well men were about to disperse to their homes. A council of war was held and it was determined to raise the siege and retreat from Canada. About the same time a British fri- gate and two men-of-war vessels cut their way through the ice and brought a strong force to relieve the city. This arrival caused the Americans to retreat in greater haste. At Montreal Arnold was in command, he having been raised to the rank of brigadier general. From his position he sent out detachments on various expeditions, but they were unfortunate in results. On the 15th of June Arnold marched from Montreal to Chambly, where the Americans were dragging their artillery and stores up the rapids. This was finally accomplished, and then commenced the passage up the lake, while the British soon began a similar work at the rapids. The British forces in Canada at this time amounted to 13,000 men, while the whole strength of the Americans was greatly inferior in point of numbers. The British were commanded by General Burgoyne, and the Americans by General Sullivan, he hav- ing superseded General Thompson, the latter being the successor of General Thomas who had died from small-pox early in the season. Burgoyne was sent in pursuit of the Americans, whom he hoped to at- tack at St. Johns, but that post had been abandoned and burned, and its garrison had joined the main army at Isle aux Noix. Sullivan soon afterward continued his retreat to Crown Point, while the enemy were vainly endeavoring to get their vessels over the rapids at Chambly. This effort cost the British many weeks of hard labor, and it was not accomplished until some of the vessels were taken apart, carried in sec- tions over the rapids, and then reconstructed. The work was not fully completed until the Ist of October.
On the 12th of July General Gates succeeded General Sullivan in the command of the American army, and he at once abandoned Crown Point and concentrated his forces at Ticonderoga and on Mount Inde - pendence, on the opposite side of the lake. Also he established a hos- pital for the sick, and soon put his army in fair condition for service.
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DURING THE REVOLUTION.
Besides the land force under Gates, the Americans had a number of ser- viceable vessels on the lake, all under command of General Arnold. The vessels were the schooners Royal Savage, the Trumbull, the Con- gress, the gondola New York, and the galley Washington, besides a number of small craft, flat-boats and bateaux. The English fleet was larger and stronger, consisting of the Inflexible, the Maria, the Carle- ton, the Thunderer, each of which was well armed; and besides these were flat-bottomed radeau, a number of gondolas, and four long boats, each having ample armament. On the 4th of October Carleton began a careful advance, and by the 10th his entire fleet was in motion. Ar- nold, being informed of the enemy's approach, moved his fleet in the bay between Valcour Island and the mainland, a position approved by General Gates, but which proved to be unfortunate from the fact that it left the main channel of the lake open to the British. Arnold soon saw the mistake but it was then too late to remedy it. The engagement be- gan on the IIth and resulted disastrously to the Americans. The de- tails of the engagement are unnecessary here, but sufficient it is to say that the British were successful throughout the day, and only night saved the whole American fleet from destruction or capture. The Brit- ish suffered some loss, but slight in comparison with that of the Ameri- cans. Darkness ended the battle. In the night Arnold succeeded in running the British blockade, escaping with the Trumbull in the lead, then following with the gondolas and small vessels, then the Washing- ton, and last of all the Congress with Arnold himself on board. Carleton, surprised and angered at this marvelous escape, at once got under way in pursuit, and on the morning of the 14th discovered the fugitives near the Island of Four Winds. Before one o'clock he again attacked the ships, soon compelling the Washington to strike. Arnold, on the Con- gress, kept up a running fight for nearly five hours, giving a number of other vessels a chance to escape to the protection of Ticonderoga, and then he went ashore in the mouth of a small creek in Panton, set fire to his vessel, formed his men, on shore and marched off in perfect order.
Carleton was now in possession of Lake Champlain and all of its de- fenses north of Ticonderoga. He at once occupied Crown Point, and proceeded to invest Ticonderoga, which was garrisoned with not more than 3,000 troops while 2,500 men comprised the force at Mount Inde-
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
pendence. Carleton was informed of the weakness of the defences at these posts, and of the small amount of ammunition and provisions with which the Americans were supplied, but for all that he announced a determination to return to Canada and go into winter quarters. Even before this determination Carleton had been superseded by General Burgoyne, but news of the fact had not then reached him. However, reprehensible may have been this unusual performance by Carleton it was a fortunate occurrence for the Americans, for Ticonderoga had not sufficient strength to withstand a siege of a day's duration.
The year 1777 was by far the most memorable of any in the early his- tory of Vermont; for, in January the delegates to the Dorset Conven- tion had openly asserted their intention to declare the district of the grants to an independent jurisdiction or state, and at a subsequent sim- ilar assemblage at Westminster, that independence was formally declared. Thus was brought into existence a new State, although, as the preced- ing chapter has narrated, the rights of such an organization were not acknowledged by the United States until some fourteen years afterward. The early spring of 1777 found the British in full possession of Lake Champlain and its defences north of Ticonderoga and Mount Independ- ence. On the 6th of May General Burgoyne arrived at Quebec, under orders to supersede General Carleton as commander of the British forces. Burgoyne also brought to the province a considerable re-enforcement of men and large quantities of ammunition and arms. Early in June he started on the campaign of the year, designing to not only invest and occupy the New York and Vermont frontiers, but as well to cut his way through every opposition and join forces with Lord Howe in New York, thus confidently expecting to overcome the colonies that had rebelled against the English authority. But it appears that the campaign ter- minated quite differently from Burgoyne's anticipations. On the 15th of June the British advanced from St. Johns into the lake, and proceeded to Williston Point, where he was joined by about 400 Indians; thence continuing without opposition, the invading army appeared before Ti- conderoga on the Ist of July and camped preparatory to laying siege to the fortifications held by the Americans. The forces of the latter did not exceed 2,500 effective men, while the British strength amounted to 7,000, all well armed, equipped and disciplined, besides a large body
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DURING THE REVOLUTION.
of Indians. General St. Clair, in command of the American army, at once saw the hopelessness of a defense against such an overpowering force, and at once made preparations to evacuate both Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. On the night of the 4th he sent all the sick men and a quantity of stores and supplies to Whitehall in boats, while the rest of the garrison he marched into Vermont, on the old military road leading to Hubbardton. It was the news of this evacuation that so ser- iously disconcerted the proceedings of the Windsor Convention, which had under consideration at the time the constitution of the new State; and which proceedings would have been abruptly terminated had not a severe thunder-storm prevented the delegates from leaving Windsor for their homes.
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