Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-07-27
CAPTUREOF GEN. PRESCOTT
BY COL. BARTON.

CAPTUREOF GEN. PRESCOTT,
BY COL. BARTON.
There never was a more daring and
successful enterprise, not even that OF
the fabulous surprise and taking the
famous horses by DiOmed and Ulysses,
than the capture Of General Prescott,
on Long Island, by Col. Barton, dur
ing the Revolutionary war. i shall re-
late the occurrence as ! heard it from
a friend who had it from the lips Of the
Colonel himself. Immediately after
the surprise and capture Of Gen. Lee,
Col. b. had resolved il his own mind to
take prisoner British officer Of equal
rauk, and procure an exchange. Ac-
cordingly when that part Of the Brit
ish army commanded by Prescott was
encamPed on Long Island, he laid the
plan Of surprising Prescott in which
he so gloriously succeeded. All the
country occupied BY the British army,
and the house in which Prescott had
his quarters we're we'll known to Bar
to-. and he British feet was moOred
between the main land and the island.
He selected chosen band of native A
merican soldiers disguised as country
market people, and just at night went
on board 4 row boat, such as was US
ed 10 carry provision to the army and
fleet. He arranged the time SOFAS to
reach the island between III and IL O.
clock at night, ard thus prepared row.
ed through the whole British fleet,
hearing the watch cry, and seeing a
party Of ladies departing from of the
vessels, where they had been to an en-
tertaiDment.
The strictest orders were given to
keep dead silence. Aparty was left
to guard the boat while the other
boldly advanced to the Generals quar-
tiers. Barton was hailed by the senti-
mel to give the countersign; he advan-
ced, swearing like British officer as
king If he saw and id deserters, un-
" be got near enough to him to throw
up his musket, and putting a pistol to
his breast ordered him to be silent on
paia Of death. He took him under his
protection and advanced with the most
rapid steps to the house, which ne
surrounded, surprised the guard. and
assembled to Prescott's room, who
awakening. asked who was there? Bar
ton answered and said, you are my Pri-
soner and must follow me Immediately,
winch he did. Darlington his aid,
hearing the noise jumped out Of the
window and was secured by the men
stationed around the house; both were
hurried of to the boat without any 9th
er covering than their night clothes.
It was now after midnight when they
took to their oars to return again, pass
ed through the fleet in safety and Ian
ding on the main just at day light.
During the passage. Prescott became
very chilly, and Barton at the risque
of the loss Of the expedition gave him
his great coat and exposed his uniform.
The water was SO lew that the boat
could not approach near enough to the
shore for the party to Jump on dry
land. and they had 10 wade knee deep
through black mad before they could
get on the beach. Prescott and Bar
rington's legs appeared tightly booted,
and in that situation were placed IN a
carriage with the Colonel and one or
two of his companions, to be conveyed
to the place Of safety.
Just as the sun arose they came to
the high grounds. from whence was
full view Oft British feet and army.
Darlington turning to Barton exclaim-
ed. bv Cd sir you have achieved
a gallant action. Prescott observed
sulIen silence. The news ofth sur
prise flew faster than the vehicle: and
the country people collected IN crowds
to gag. at the prisoners. They did
not much relish their curiosity and
complained Of their i'll manners. Bar
, ton r piled that they must excuse his
country men, as they were not often
accustomed to such sights. He reces-
we'd a vote Of thanks and a superb
sword from Congress. Lee was soon
after exchanged tor Prescott. But, al
rs. the ingratitude Of republics. Col
euel Barton was in helpless old age
immurred for years in prison in the
State Of Vermont, BY the very people
whose battles he had fought. until
released by the generosity Of the feel
ing and good La Fayette. This DIS
graceful fact is enough to stain the ju-