The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-07-11

Those tha, were impouuded oE the top Of the
hill were fired by the same spirit OF bravery |;
but from the want of skill in their engineer,
they were deprived of the power OF display
ing it.
After the evacuation Of Boston, Stark went
TO the northern posts with Gen. Gates but
did not GO into Canada, for he had opposed
the expedition of Montgomery with all his
reasoning power. Gen. Gates and Col
Stark had long been upon the intimate terms
oil brothers they commonly addressed each
otier by their given names-they had both
been taught the art Of war in the same school
and their mode of warfare was the same.
Neither had been accustomed to defeat The
study OF these plain men was to van luish their
enenies1 A fine cooked hat or pretty coat
the soldiers strut, or elegsnt horse bore
but little weight on their minds.
Stark was not less in the council than in
the field.
IN the fall of '76, small party of the Brit
ish came up the Lake before 1iconderoga to
tahe soundings of the dcbln OF the water.
From the prospect OF attack, Gen. Gates
summoned d council of war. There were
there no officers who mad been in the actual
service except Getes and Stark. Gates took
Stark aside, and the following dialogue ensu-
cd a-
Gates. What do you think of il, John
Stark. think, if they come, we must
fight them.
Gates. Psho, John Tell me what your
opinion is seriously
Stark. My opinion is, that they will not
Ere a shot against this place this season but
whoever is here next, must look out.
They returned to the Council, and Gates
told what John had said--,hat there would
not be a shot fired against them at that time.
This being the first doubt suggested of an
Immediate attack, it produced much surprize
S-nany offered to lay bets oil it. Stark gave
hi, reasons, that il was SD near the time OF
the year when the Lake would be frozen, that
their survey of the Lake could only he in pre-
paration for another season. for they would
never make An attack upon Ticondaroga at
time when if successful, they could not i'm
mediateiy pursue the advantages OF their vic.
tory. This proved TO be the case.
Soon after this, Washington ordered Stark
10 Join him: in Pennsylvania and about the
time of his arrival, the former began To con.
template his attack on Trenton. On the
24th of December, '76, lie called Council.
Stark was not present at the. first OF the meet.
inc but when he arrived, Washington told
him the business OF the Councii--viz. To
tagc into consideration the best mode ie be
pursued under existing circumstances. Stark
said, 20 Your men have long been accustomed
20 place dependence upon spades, pickaxes G
hoes for safety but it you ever mean to es-
tablish the independence of the United States
you must teach them to put confidence in their
irs arms" Washington answered, /" That
it was what we have agreed upon we are to
march tomorrow for the attack of Trenton
you are to command the right wing OF the
advanced guard, and Gen. Green the left"
Stark observed that he could not have been
better suited. The result of this affair is
well known.
AT the close of the campaign, Stark rctur-
ned to New Hampshire upon parole. On
his arrival he ascertained the truth OF a re-
port he had heard before he left the army,viz.
That Congress had degraded him by the APP
pontment OF Col. Poor as Brigadecr. He
went immediately to Exeter, where the Leg
isiature was. then sitting, and asked resig-
n;ion. They enceavoured to pursuade him
20 withdraw his request, but in vain. He
told them that" an officer who would not
stand for his rank would not stand for his
country" However he engaged in case an
attack was made upon Hampshire, he
should hold himself in readiness for its de.
feace. He informed them OF the dangerous
situation of Ticonderoga, and retired to his
farm as private citizen.