USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 15
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that they became impatient ; particularly Ethan Allen, who had the county assigned him as his province. Crossing the mountain from Bennington with one hundred soldiers, he issued his proclamation. " I, Ethan Allen, declare that unless the people of Guilford peace- ably submit to the laws of Vermont, the town shall be made as desolate as were the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah." This manifesto being followed by corres- ponding action, the blocks before the wheels of govern- ment were removed. But the winter following witnessed similar obstructions, the wrath of this Green Mountain Achilles, being defied, or forgotten. The Guilford boys, dissentient from the adherents of Vermont, attacked and fired into the inn at Brattleboro, kept by Josiah Arms ; the head quarters of General Farnsworth; and wounded Major Boyden and a traveler, sojourning there for the night. Constable Waters, the object of their pursuit, voluntarily surrendering himself, was carried into Massa- chusetts. But he was soon released by the Vermonters and returned home. It was not till Col. S. R. Bradley, at the head of two hundred men, ordered out by the general assembly, repaired to the ground ; and scouring that corner of the state, taking some prisoners, and driving others beyond the line, that the Vermont juris- diction became established and peace restored in that quarter.
With regard to military events on and near the soil of Vermont, they may be related in few words. Most of them are too well known to need recapitulation. The enterprise and intrepidity and bluntness of Ethan Allen
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will never be forgotten as long as patriotism shall be honored as a virtue. The character of Arnold, who engaged in behalf of his country, the moment he heard of the battle of Lexington ; and was associated with Allen in the meditated attack on Ticonderoga, appears so far interesting. We cannot but regret that he had not fallen in subsequent life, into different circumstances. Most sincerely must every patriot wish that he had stood fast for his country in spite of every neglect and mis- usage, if such he received. The strife between him and Allen for the precedence in going into the fort, is truly chivalrous and romantic.
The thought and plan of rescuing those positions, (Crown Point and Ticonderoga,) at the commencement of the revolutionary war, originated in Connecticut. This is clearly established in " the historical collection" lately published by Royal Hinman, recently Connec- ticut secretary of state. Several gentlemen repaired to Vermont from that state ; the expenses of the expedition were advanced by individual responsibility ; and finally liquidated by the authority of Connecticut. Names are there given of persons and places ; acts and records ; definite sums granted, and for specified objects. Among other things of interest related on this subject, the fol- lowing account is given of the part in these transactions taken by Capt. Noah Phelps, of Simsbury in that state. " He was selected to proceed to the fort, examine its situation and condition ; and make report to his asso- ciates. He proceeded from the southern part of Lake Champlain in a boat, and stopped for the night at a
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tavern near the fort. The officers of the garrison occu- pied a room adjoining that in which he slept, for a sup- per party ; and as usual on such occasions, protracted their entertainment to a very late hour. They spoke of the commotion in the colonies and the condition of their fort. Very early in the morning, Capt. Phelps gained admission into the fort for the purpose of being shaved. While retiring through it, the commandant walked with him, and conversed about the rebels, their movements, and their objects. Capt. Phelps seeing a portion of the wall of the fort in a dilapidated condition, remarked that it would afford but a feeble defence against the rebels if they should attack it. The commandant replied " yes, but that is not our greatest misfortune, for all our powder is damaged ; and before we can use it, we are obliged to sift and dry it." He left the fort, and soon after pro- ceeded to the lake shore, and employed a boatman to transport him in a small boat down the lake. He enter- ed the boat in plain view from the fort and under her guns. He had not proceeded a great distance before he urged the boatman to exert himself, and terminate the voyage as soon as possible. The boatman requested Capt. Phelps to take an oar and assist; this was de- clined-being in full view of the fort, by replying that he was not a boatman. After rounding a point of land, projecting into the lake and intercepting the view from the fort, he proposed taking the oar, and did so. Being a strong and active man, he excited the surprise of the boatman by the velocity of the boat, who with an oath replied, you have seen a boat before now, sir. This
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circumstance, at the time, excited the boatman's suspi- cion that his passenger was not a loyal subject, but fear of superior strength prevented an attempt to carry him back to the fort, as he told Capt. Phelps after the sur- render. Capt. Phelps reached his place of destination, met his associates, and told them what he had dis- covered."
Arnold and some other gentlemen came and met Allen at Castleton. The number collected for this enterprise was two hundred and seventy, of whom two hundred and thirty were green mountain boys. But Allen landed near the fort with only eighty-three men ; and as the night was far advanced, he determined to make the assault: before the rest of the men arrived. After a sharp contest in words between him and Arnold, which should go first, it was decided by their attendants that they should go abreast, but: Allen on the right. The sequel is well known, and has been related in another place. Col. Warner soon came up, and had the honor of capturing Crown Point. A most impor- tant object was thus secured early ; the enemy being dispossessed of their forts situated within the colonies. In the language of the above named historian, (Hin- man,) " The cannon, small arms, and ball contained in it, rendered this achievement more important in the: success of the revolutionary war than posterity can appreciate."
The plan concerted between Allen and Brown for the assault on Montreal, would also probably have been successful, if the latter had kept his engagement and
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performed his part of the service. The manly courage of Allen in keeping his position with a handful of men; and on the enemy's ground, in the sight of a powerful. force, cannot but command admiration. The confine- ment of him and the survivors in irons was cowardly and inhuman.
But this same Gen. Carlton, who treated Allen so basely, was afterwards, chastised in a measure for it by Col. Warner, who gave him battle after having crossed the St. Lawrence, and drove him back with considerable loss.
The failure of the American arms in Canada about this time, changed the seat of war ; and, no event of a warlike nature took place in, or near Vermont, till Burgoyne made his appearance on the northern frontier.
Here it may be proper to suspend the narrative of military events, and look for a moment at Col. E. Allen. We left him prisoner, taken near Montreal and, put in irons. That his successes in the early season of the revolutionary war prepared the way for the capture of Burgoyne cannot be denied. Here one cannot but regret that he was so soon taken and held so long a. prisoner. His services would have been inestimable in the warfare on the borders of Champlain, No man in the union could have been more at home in this region ; or more devoted to the cause of his country.
The first information concerning him after being taken, was from Halifax. Letters were received from him by the general assembly of Connecticut. The following records on the subject are transcribed from
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Hinman's work on the part taken by that state in the war of the revolution. "The assembly appointed a committee, October, 1776, to examine the subject matter of the letters, &c., who reported that Col. Allen, with about eighteen others, natives or inhabitants of this . state, had been captured in the service of the United States, near Montreal, in the province of Quebec, on the 25th day of September, 1775, by a party of armed men of the King of Great Britain, and appeared to have suffered great hardships during their captivity ; and were then confined, in a suffering condition in the common jail in Halifax." They also reported, that " Levi Allen of Salisbury, a brother of Col. Allen, was about attempting to visit his brother in Halifax, and advised the assembly to send by said Levi Allen £60 lawful money to the prisoners, as part payment of their wages due from the state, for their relief. Also to request the governor to write to Gen. Washington, or the continental congress, (or both,) and strongly recommend and earnestly request such seasonable and friendly interposi- tion as would be most likely to procure a speedy exchange of prisoners." Then follow the names of the persons taken with Allen, and the places of their residence. Conclusive evidence is here afforded of the part taken by Connecticut in the seasonable seizure of Ticonderoga and Crown Point.
We hear from him next in Cork, Ireland. Letters were sent by individuals there friendly to the American cause, giving an account of the kindness shown him in that place, and of his sufferings on his passage from
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Quebec. " His treatment on board the Salway," says one of the letters, " was far different from the barbarous and cruel usage he experienced in his passage from Quebec, being there hand-cuffed, and ironed in the most dreary part of the vessel, and basely insulted with cruel and unmanly reflections by some of the officers of the ship, whom he challenged at Cornwall without obtaining satisfaction. I enclose you a rough copy of his answer to our letter to him. Should he have permission to come on shore, he will be entertained by some of the first gentlemen of this city."
" Gentlemen, I received your generous present this . day with a joyful heart. Thanks to God, there are still the feelings of humanity in the worthy citizens of Cork, towards those of your bone and flesh, who, through misfortune from the present broils in the empire are needy prisoners."
Dated, Cove, January 24, 1776.
He was not long detained in Great Britain, it seems, as we hear from him on Long Island the April following. Whether he had been sent to this country for the purpose of being exchanged ; or for the better confining of him here in jail and prison ships, is left to conjecture. Certain it is, that he was a prisoner in and near New York, a considerable period. He seemed to scorn the thought of being a prisoner on parole ; to stand an idle spectator of his country's wrongs, and the blood flowing of his countrymen. Thus it is stated in the above named history : " A letter was received, dated Long Island, April 30, 1777, signed by E. Allen, and directed to the
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general assembly or committee of war, of this state, (Connecticut,) in which he stated he did not distrust the wisdom of the country, that an exchange of prisoners had not taken place, and that those who had the management of the affair, undoubtedly had their political reasons for the delay ; that the mode of existence as a prisoner, though it was irksome was not deplorable, by reason of hope ; and the officers on parole seemed to him, as mere ciphers, exempted from danger and honor ; and though man was never easy, that it was painful to a generous and enterprising mind, to be debarred in sharing the glories that would be revealed during the campaign. He stated that General Washington had written to Gen. Howe upon the subject of his exchange, and had styled him colonel instead of lieutenant colonel ; he also acknowledged the receipt of £35, which he received by his brother Levi Allen, in which letter he urges his exchange as a prisoner of war."
He was afterwards confined in the jail in the city of New York, occupied by the enemy. This jail subse- quently bore the name of the old jail. It was taken down several years since; and the following anecdote relative to Allen and other prisoners there confined, was related and published in "the New York Mirror," by John Pintard, Esq. of that place ; and who seemed to have been personally acquainted with the circumstances ; and who till his death occupied a high standing in society. Of his talents as a writer the reader can judge. Capt. Travis, a Virginian privateer, and Maj. Van Zandt were confined, with Col. Allen, who slept together in
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one cell on planks. " After a trial with mellowed hearts they turned in each man on his own plank. Col. Allen and Capt. Travis were accustomed to banter each other on the superiority of the Green Mountain Boys, and Virginia Buckskins. It so happened on this occasion that Major Van Zandt was the middle man between Allen and Travis, who from words fell to blows about the prowess of their respective countrymen ; and between them almost kneaded to a jelly the Major's fat sides. Travis feeling the blows of Allen's enormous fists, accustomed to fell oaks and split rails, falling on him like sledge-hammers, and his dead lights almost stove in, sprung with the agility of a deer across the Major ; and planting his knees in Allen's bread basket, twisted his fore fingers in the colonel's locks, and began in the true Virginian back-woods style with his thumbs to gouge out his peepers. The colonel with his stentorian voice, to save his eyes, cried out for quarters, ceding the palm of victory to Capt. Travis. Major Van Zandt, indeed all the prisoners chimed in full chorus. The unusual uproar soon called in sergeant Keef, with a file of his myrmidons to quell the riot ; and the hall was cleared by locking up its inmates to fight it out, as he said, in the dungeons. Next morning Capt. Cunningham paraded the whole squad, half naked as they were, to learn the particulars. Irishman-like, dearly fond of a row, regarding the black ring that encircled Allen's eyes, and Travis's battered sconce, with a broad laugh dis- missed them to their hall, with an injunction not to quarrel over their cups in future." Capt. Cunningham,
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an Irishman, was provost to this prison ; Keef was a subaltern under him, also an Irishman, who, different from many of his countrymen, was elated by a little brief authority ; and was insolent in his demeanor towards these unhappy prisoners. So closely were they packed, (on the same authority,*) that it was customary for them to turn on their planks by word of command, right and left.
Melancholy is the reflection that such men should be brought into such circumstances ; and compelled to submit to such indignities ! That they should have been made prisoners is no more than might be expected as one of the chances of war. But that they should have been treated so harshly and cruelly and insultingly, as prisoners of war, and of respectable, not to say high standing, is what ought not to have been apprehended in the eighteenth century, and by the authorities of a christian nation, and claiming the precedence in civil and military courtesy. " Half naked;" sleeping upon planks ; crowded so closely as to be unable to turn only as by platoons by word of command ; and at the mercy of a petty, unfeeling, rough subaltern, surely are humiliating particulars in the lives of freemen, not to say in that of the hero of Ticonderoga! That the latter in such a predicament should vindicate the character and claims of his associates of the mountain state, surely is evidence that her rights and prosperity were dearer to him than life itself. Surely the fact must penetrate every real
* Pintard.
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Vermonter with the deepest sympathy, and cherish in his bosom unfading remembrance of devotion to her honor so signal and affecting. If, according to Homer, the servile day takes away half of virtue, may we not fear that this submission extorted by physical force, broke down the constitution of Allen, and shortened his days. This domineering over his generous spirit, though indomitable and unyielding as the adamant, might yet prey upon it, and compel his bodily system to yield to the oppression of brute power. Thus he felt in the meridian of life ; and was not permitted to see established the independence of his country, and the admission of his beloved Vermont into the union. " In the grave- yard of Burlington are the remains of the old hero. A neat iron railing surrounds the Allen family, with a plain slab stone at the head of the general, on which are engraved these words,"
" The corporeal part of Gen. Ethan Allen rests beneath this stone the 12th day of February, 1779, aged 50 years. His spirit tried the mercies of his God, in whom he believed and strongly trusted."
" After the close of the war, Col. Seth Warner," the companion of Allen, "returned to his farm in Roxbury " (Connecticut) " on which he remained until his death. He was interred at Roxbury over whose remains was erected a marble table on which is inscribed a short history of his valorous deeds in the revolution."
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CHAPTER XVII.
War events continued .- Contest for the supremacy on the lake .- The Americans defeated .- Gallant conduct of Waterbury and Arnold .- Arrival, and progress of Burgoyne .- Excitement .- Mounts Defiance, Hope, Independence .- Cannon mounted by the British on Defiance .- Reflections on the past events .- The battle of Hubbardston .- Gen. Fraser .- Battle of Bennington .- Gen. Stark .- His policy at that battle as related by Col. Hum- phrey .- Letter to Gov. Trumbull of Connecticut .-- The war of 1812 .- Generals Hampton and Wilkinson .- The army of the North .- The invasion of New York from Canada .- The naval battle on Champlain .- Its effects, and impression on the coun- try .- Commodores McDonough and Downie.
IN 1776, a severe contest took place for the command of Lake Champlain. The British ministry saw the im- portance of securing the supremacy on that water com- munication ; and sent over from England water craft with skillful mariners to effect their designs. Arnold and Waterbury were the principal actors on the side of the colonies ; and they nobly defended that important water passway. Their boats were far inferior to those of the enemy; but managed to the best advantage. The following account of that conflict was given at the time in the Connecticut Courant, as it appears in Hin- man's history. "At the naval action on Lake Cham-
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plain on the 11th day of October, 1776, when the American fleet was defeated ; and left in a shattered and ruined condition, by the superior force of the British in ships, guns and men ; though the action lasted five hours within musket shot of each other, only one galley, sloop Enterprise, two small schooners, and one gondola, escaped ; the remainder of the fleet was taken and burnt. Gen. Arnold fought in the galley Congress, as long as possible, then ran her ashore, burnt her, and escaped by land to Ticonderoga, with a loss of twenty men. Gen. Waterbury, in the Washington galley, fought till the galley was sinking under him, and was obliged to strike to the enemy." These officers were both from Connecticut. Waterbury had only one lieutenant, and a captain of marines unwounded. What remained were run on shore at the mouth of Otter creek, the remains of which were recently, if not now visible.
On the 6th of May, Burgoyne reached Quebec, and took command of the British army destined for the inva- sion of America. It consisted of between seven and eight thousand regular troops, British and German ; with skillful and experienced officers to assist him. He divided his army, advanced up the lake with one division on either side, the fleet and boats accompanying them in the centre.
Three lofty, conical mountains near Ticonderoga have received significant names and become celebrated places from the warlike deeds which they witnessed at this period. They are called, mounts Independence, Hope, and Defiance ; the first on the Vermont side, and the
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two last on the New York side of the lake. Surely that on the Vermont side is appropriately named ; she has a right to claim the appellation of Independence, both on account of her peculiar early position, and her freedom in common with her sister states. They are all three of them specimens of the majestic scenery abounding in this vicinity. Mount Defiance may have answered the import of its name for a short time. The British did in- deed manifest great energy and perseverance in convey- ing by night cannon to the summit of this mountain, commanding the fort and whole territory around for some distance. It was a grand spectacle. The Yan- kees were out manœuvered, in thinking it a labor beyond the imagination of the courtly, and as they supposed delicate Burgoyne. The question was discussed whe- ther they should take possession of that commanding eminence. The principal reason, which decided them against it was ; the improbability that the British would even conceive the idea of mounting it with cannon. Great was their surprise and even consternation, when they rose in the morning, and saw the engines of death over their heads, ready to pour destruction down upon them. For that aerial position gave the British the complete command over the American fortress, and on both sides of the lake in the vicinity.
The reflection that these lofty and majestic hills, some seventy years ago, felt the pressure of heavy ordnance, rending the air with their deadly discharges ; and wit- nessed the array of opposing armies with all their ap- pendages and accompaniments, fills the mind with emo-
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tions of solemnity, impressed deeply with the changes of time, the frustration of worldly plans, and the vanity of human glory. Looking at these steep and rugged and elevated mountains, covered with evergreens and trees of various descriptions, the mind tries to imagine how this rural and sublime scenery was heightened and rendered more impressive by " the pomp and circum- stance of war." It looks at the pageantry of European warfare, suddenly removed to the wilderness and wilds of one of the most sequestered spots in America ; the ranks of bayonets gleaming through the underbrush ; the hel- met and nodding plume, contrasting with the foliage and flowers of the forest. It goes back to those parade grounds on nature's castles, and views the evolutions and manœuvres of regiments and divisions, and the scarlet colored uniforms, and seems to hear the spirit-stirring sounds of martial instruments ; the orders of chiefs and chieftains ; and the shouts of victors. But all this show of power and splendor ; of youth and courage; of dar- ing and defiance ; the roar of musketry and thunder of cannon has passed away like a vision of the night, and a tale that is told. Nature pursues her way as usual, as if no such occurrences had ever been there; the beasts rove and the birds wing their flight over those hills and through those shades, unconscious of events long since passed ; the deadly strife of man with his brother man ; the dying youth of high and noble standing far from parents and friends. The occupiers of the vallies, and passers on the waters of the lake, pursue their callings and pass by the consecrated high lands as if the sons of
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another generation, and a far distant land had never visited them ; in many instances finding their graves in these lonely recesses of the earth.
The Americans abode not a shower of artillery from mount Defiance. The very next night they left entrench- ments and retreated to Whitehall at the head of the lake. The rear guard under Col. Warner, was over- taken at Hubbardston by Gen. Fraser. A severe con- flict ensued, Cols. Francis and Hale were with Warner, but the former was soon killed, and the latter run away. But Col. Warner ordered a charge with his usual deter- mination ; and success for a time accompanied his efforts ; but was at last overcome by numbers and compelled to retreat. This was the battle of Hubbardston on Ver- mont soil, and fought by Vermont men ; and against one of the best generals in the British army. Fraser after- wards found his grave at Saratoga.
To the bravery and fidelity of Vermonters, Burgoyne himself bore honorable testimony. His language is, " the Hampshire grants in particular, a country unpeopled and almost unknown in the last war, now abounds in the most active and most rebellious race on the continent ; and hangs like a gathering storm on my left."
The next warlike feat in Vermont was at Bennington ; and Bennington battle stands fair and with honor in the history of the revolution. It prepared the way for the capture of Burgoyne and his army. It was a victory of no small consequence. The British General had despatched Baume with a part of his army to take by surprise the military stores collected at Bennington.
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