Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-11-17
CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.

CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.
The capture of Ticonderoga, by Ethan
Allen and q party Of Green Mountain
Boys" at the commencement Of the Revo-
lutionary War, was one Of the most bold
and successful actions ever performed
even bv veteran troops. The following is
the accoun: which Col Allen himself gave
Of this brilliant affair:
"Ever since arrived at a state Of man
hood, and acquainted myself with the gen
eraI history of mankind, | have felt SIN
coro passion for liberty. The history of
nations doomed to perpetual slavery, in
consequence Of yielding up to tyrants their
natural born liberties, | read with sort oil
philosophical horror so that the first sys
tamatical and bloody attempt at Lexington
10 cnslave America thoroughly electrified
my mind, and fully determined me to take
part with my country. And while | was
wishing for an opportunity to sigpalise my
self in its behalf, directions were privately
sent me from the then colony Of Connect
icut, 10 raise the Green Mountain Boys,
and il possible, with them to surprise and
take the fortress Of Ticonderoga. This en-
terpriso eheerfuily undortook and after
having guarded all the passes that led Thu
Their to cut off communication between the
garrison and the country, made forced
march from Bennington, and arrived at
the Lake opposite Tlconderogn, on the eve
ming Of the 9th day Of May, l775, with
two hundred and thirty valiant Green
Mountain Boys; and it was with the Ut
most difficulty that procured boats to cross
the lake. However, landed eighty~three
men near the garrison, and sent the boats
back for the rear-guard, commanded By
Cot. Seth Warner; but the day began to
dawn, and found myself under the neces
sty 70 attack The fort, before the rear could
cross the lake and as 1t was viewed haz
ardous, haranguad the officers and sol
diers in the manner following -" Friends
and fellow soldiers, You have, for a mum
Der Of years, been 4 scourge and terror to
arbitrary power. Your vaiOr has been
named abroad and acknowledged, as APP
pears by the advice and orders to me. from
the General Assembly Of Connecticuta to
surprise and take the garrison now beIsre
us. | now propose to advance before you,
and in person conduct you through the
wickct-gate, for we must this morning Ell
ih,r quit our prctensions of vaIor, or pos
seSs ourselves olthi sfortress in a few hours;
and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt,
which none but the bravcst dare undertake,
10 not urge it on you contrary to your
will. You that Will undertake it volunta-
Rip, poisc your hrelocks."
Tho men at this time drawn upjn three
Evol | orIarpI
them 10 face 10 the right; and al the head
OF centre file marched them Immediately
20 the wicket-gate aforesaid, whore found
Gentry posted, who Instantly snapped his
fuscc at me. ran Immediately towards
him, and he rctroated through the covered
way into tho parade within the garrison,
gave n hoIIoo. and ran under the bomb
proof. NV party, who followed me INTO
the fort, formed on the parade, in such
manner as to face the barracks, which ia
cel each other. The garrison being asleep,
except the centres, we gave three huzzas,
which greatly surprised them. One OF the
centres made n pass at one OF my officers
with n charged bavonet, and slightly woun-
lcd him. My first thought was to kill HIM
with my sword but in an instant altered
he design and fury ofthe blow, to a slight
cut on the side of the head; upon which
he dropped his gun and asked quarters
"nich | readily granted him, and deman-
ied OF him the place whore the comman-
ding officer kept: he showed me pair of
stairs on the front Of the barrack, on the
west part of the garrison, which led up to
asecond story IN the said barrack, to which
Immediately repaired, and ordered the
commander, Captain De Lupace, to come
forth instantly, or | should sacrifice the
garrison; at which the captain came inn
medatelv TO the door with his breeches in
his hand, when ordered him to deliver to
me the fort instantly, who asked me by
what authority demanded it; | answered
hIm-In The name of the Great deborah
and the Continental Congress :" The
authority of Congress being but very little
known at the time,he began to speak again:
but Interrupted him, and with my sword
drawn over his head, again demanded an
immediate surrender Of the garrison 10
which he then complied, and ordered his