The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-10
Revolutionary Incident.

Revolutionary Incident.
Royalton, Vt. during the Revolutionary
war, was one of the frontier towns of the
State, and was subjected at one time to
the inroads of the tories and Indians from
Canada in more fearful shape than ever
befel any other town in Vermont. In the
beginning of October, 1880, an expcdi-
ton was planned against Newbury on
Connecticut river, the principal object of
which was to capture Lieutenant Whit
comb, who the Canadians asserted, had
MORALLY wounded and robbed British
General Gordon, during Montgomery's
disastrous campaign several years before.
Against this man the British and Indians
had conceived violent aversion, and
planned the present expedition in order
to get him into their power. The expe-
dition consisted of two hundred and ten
men, nearly all of whom were Indians,
under the command of British officer
named Horton. In proceeding up Onion
river, they fell in with two hunters, who
informed them that the people of Newbury
were expecting an attack and had prepar-
ed themselves for it; and they therefore
decided to direct their course toward
Royalton. They found the inhabitants
wholly unprepared for an attack, and an
easy prey to their rapacity. After des-
troying twenty houses at Royalton and
several in the neighboring towns, killing
some persons who attempted to escape,
and taking many prisoners and much
plumber, they commenced hasty retreat.
The news quickly spread, and party of
the resolute inhabitants of neighboring
towns soon assembled, chose leader and
commenced pursuit. So great was their
despatch that they seen came up with the
trail of the savages, in the night, who,
having posted their sennies, and paraking
excessively of the intoxicating portion of
their spells, had lain down to rest, not
dreaming of an attack. Great was their
CONSERVATION on finding that their sentries
were fired upon, but with savage cunning
they sent word to their pursuers that if
attacked, they would put all the prisoners
to death; and while the subject matter of
this threat was debating among their enc
mics, they picked up their prisoners and
camp-equipage, and made a hasty retreat
under the cover of the darkness. In the
morning il was thought useless to pursue
them, end the party returned. Most of
the prisoners eventually made their way
back from captivity. Several authentic
anecdotes are related of this expedition,
which 90 to show the Indian character in
less ferocious light than it has general
! ly been held, under similar circumstances
They did not evince any desire to modest
the women or female children. In some
of the cases where the women who had
left their burning houses, stood aotionless
and Supplied, not knowing what to do,
the Indians brought them their clothes,
with the assurance that Indian wouldn't
hurt EN-" One woman had frmness
enough to reproach them for their conduct
in burning down houses, and tainted them
for not daring to cross the river and attacl,
the men at the fort. They bore her gibes
with the utmost patience. and only re-
piled that "sqaw shouldn't talk too much
Another woman, whose young son they
were carrying off, followed them witt
another child in her arms, and beseechec
, them to return her little hoy. They com
} piled and following up her success, she
prevailed upon them to give up ten o.
fifteen of the children of her neighbors
J One of the Indians offered to carry he
! on his back across the stream she ac
cepted his politeness, and though thu
. water was up to his waist, he conveyed
her cver in safety, and she returned will
, her little band of boys, to the surprise ant
Joy CT their parents. These, and severa
, other authentic anecdotes of similar ma
I ture, show that the savages did not at thi
r time practise those ferocities which i
$ more recent hostile expeditions hav