The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-24

W
Major Barton experienced more difficulty il
obtaining the necessary number of boats, a:
! there were but two in the vicinity. But thi:
difficulty, though it caused few days delay
was at length obviated, and five whale boat:
were procured and fitted for service. Major
Barton had purposely postponed procuring the
necessary number of men until the last mo
, ment, from an apprehension that their earlier
D selection might excite suspicion, and defeat the
object of their enterprise. DESTROYS that the
5 little band might be composed entirely of vol
unteers, the whole regiment was now ordered
upon parade. In a short but animated address
Major Barton Informed the soldiers that he
projected an expedition against the enemy,
which could be effected only by the heroism and
bravery of those who attended him; that he
desired the voluntary assistance of about forty
of their number, and directed those who would
hazard their lives in the enterprise, to advance
two PAGES in front. Without one exception,
or moments hesitation, the whole regiment
advanced. Major Barton, after bestowing on
the troops the applause they merited, and stat
ing that he required the aid of but small por-
ton of their number, commenced upon the
right, and passing along the lines, selected
from the regiment to the number of thirty six
those who united to bravery and discipline a
competent knowledge of seamanship for the
management of the boats. Having thus OBJ
tanned an adequate number of officers and men
and every thing being ready, the party on the
9TH of July, 1777, embarked from Tiyerton
for Bristol. While crossing Mount Hope Bay,
there arose severe storm of thunder and rain,
which separated three boats from their COM
mander. The boat containing Major Barton
and one other arrived at Bristol soon after
midnight. Major Barton proceeded to the
quarters of the commanding officer, where he
found deserter who had just made his escape
from the enemy at Rhode Island. From this
| man he laa rnad that fharo haI ,ltor
ton for the last few days in the position of the
| British.
| On the morning of the 9Th, the remaining
boats having arrived, Major Barton with his
officers went to Hog Island, not far distant
from Bristol, and within view of the British
encampment and shipping. 1t was at this
place that he disclosed to his officers the partc-
ular object of the enterprise, his reasons for
| attempting, and the part each was to perform
! Upon accommodating the position of the enemy,
1t was thought impracticable, and without great
hazard of capture. to proceed directly from
Bristol to the head quarters of the British &C.
| neral. Ii was determined therefore, to make
Warwick Neck, place opposite to the British
encampment, but at a greater distance than
| Bristol, the point from which they should de-
| part Immediately for Rhode Island. The
most inviolable secrecy was enjoined upon his
officers by Maj. Barton, and they returned to
| Bristol
! On the evening of the 9th, about o'clock,
| the little squadron again sailed, and crossing
Narraganset Bay, landed on Warwick Neck
On the 9TH, the wind changing TO E. N. E.
| brought on storm, and retarded their plan.
| On the 9th, the weather being pleasant, it was
determined to embark for the island The
| boats were now numbered, and the place of
every officer and soldier assigned. At O'Clock
| in the evening, Major Barton assembled his
| little party around him, and in short but
spirited address, in which were mingled the
feelings of the soldier and man, he disclosed to
them the object of the enterprise. He did not
attempt TO conceal the danger and difficulties
that would inevitably attend the undertaking;
nor did he fail to remind them, that should
| their efforts be followed by success, they would
be entitled TO and would receive the grateful
| Acknowledgements of their country.
1t is probable said he, that some of us may
not survive the daring attempt; but | ask You
to hazard no dangers which will not be shared
10y your commander; and pledge to you my
honor, that in every difficulty and danger will
take the lead.'
He received the Immediate and unanimous
assurance of the whole party, that they would
follow wherever their beloved commander
should lead them. major Barton then remind
ed them how much the success of the enterprise
depended upon their strict attention to orders,
directed that each individual should confne
! nllnSelt 10 MS particular scat III tle Dodl ds-
signed him, and that not syllable should be
uttered by any one. He instructed them, as
! they regarded their character as patriots and
soldiers, that in the hour of danger they should
be firm and collected, and resolved fearlessly
to encounter the dangers and difficulties that
might assail them. He concluded by offering
his earnest petition to the Great King of Ar
mics, that he would smile upon their intended
enterprise, and crown it with success. The
whole party now proceeded to the shore. Maj
Barton had reason to apprehenJ that he might
be discovered in his passage from the main to
Rhode Island, by some of the ships of war
that lay at a small distance from shore. He
therefore directed the commanding officer at
Warwick Neck, that if he heard the report of
three distinct muskeis, to send the boats to the
North end of Prudence Island TO his aid. The
whole party now took possession of the boats
in the manner directed. That which contain
ed Major Barton was posted in front, with n
pole ten feet long fixed in her stern, 10 the end
Of which was attached handkerchief in order
that his boat might be distinguished from the
others, and that none might 60 before it. In
this manner they proceeded between the ISL
ands of Prudence and Patience, in order that
they might not be seen by the enemy that lay
off against Hope Island. While passing the
north end of Prudence Island, they heard from
the sentinels on board the shipping Of the en-
envy, the cry of 'all's well.
As they approached the shore of Rhode Is
land, noise like the running of horses was
heard, which threw momentary consterna-
ton over the minds of the whole party; but in
conformity TO the orders issued, not a word
was spoken BY any one. A moments reflec-
, ton satisfied Major Barton Of the utter imPos-
sibiliy that his designs could be known to the
enemy, and he pushed boldly for the shore.
ApPrehensive that if discovered, the enemy
might attempt to cut off his retreat, Major Bar.
ton ordered one man TO remain in each boat