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


shores of the enemy, he paused moment t,
consider plan which had been projected AM
matured amidst the hustle of camp and
place of safety. Should he surprise and Sc
cure General Prescott, he was aware Of tn,
difficulties that would attend his conveyanc,
TO the boat. The probability of an early ant
fatal discovery of his design by the troops up
the island; and even if he should succeed ir
reaching the boats, it was by no means impro.
bable that the alarm might be seasonably Civ
en- to the shipping TO prevent his retreat 10 the
main. He, however. resolved at all hazards
to attempt the accomplishment of his de-
signs.
To the head quarters of General Prescott
about mile from the shore, party in five
divisions now proceeded in silence. There
was door on the south, the east and wes
sides of the house in which he resided. The
first division was ordered 10 advance upon the
south door, the second the west, and the third
the east, the fourth to guard the road, and the
fifth TO act on emergencies. In their march,
they passed the guard house Of the enemy, on
their left: and on their right a house which
was occupied by company of cavalry for the
purpose OF carrying with expedition the or
ders of the General to remote parts of the isl.
and.
On arriving at the head quarters Of the en-.
envy, as the gate of the front yard was opened.
they were challenged by a sentinel on guard.
The party was at the distance of twenty five
yards from the sentinel but rowof trees par.
italy concealed them from his view, and pre-.
vented him from determining their number.
No reply was made to the challenge of the
sentinel, and the party proceeded on in sill.
ence. The sentinel again demanded, who
comes there Friends replied Barton.
Friends, says tho sentinel, advance and give
the countersign,' Major Barton affected 10
be angry, said TO the sentinl, who was now
near him, Damn you, we nave no countersign
have you seen my rascals to-nigh and be-
fore the sentinel could determine the charac-
ter ofthose who approached him, Major Bar.
ton had seized his musket, told him he was a
prisoner, and threatened 10 case of noise or re-
sistance, an instant death. The poor fellow
was SO terrified that upon being demanded if
his general was in the house, could not answer.
At length,in faltering voice he replied that he
was. By this time each division having TAX
en- lis station, the south door was burst open
by the direction of Major Barton, and the d.
vision there stationed, with their commander
at their head, rushed into the head quarters of
the General. At this critical moment. one of
the British soldiers made his escape and fled
10 the quarters of the main guard. This man
had no article of clothing upon him but shirt
and having given the alarm TO the sentinel on
duty passed on TO the quarters of the cavalry,
which was more remote from the head quar-
a. H..
main guard, who were instantly in arms, and
demanded the cause of alarm. He stated the
information which had been given him by the
soldiers, which appeared so incredible to the
sergeant of the guard, that he insisted most
earnestly that he had seen ghost. The sen.
tiuel. to whom the accoant of the Generals
capture appeared quite as incredible as TO his
commanding officer, admitted that the messenf
ger was clothed in white; and after submitting
10 the jokes of his companions, as a punish
mont for his crcdulity, was ordered to resume
his station, while the rest of the guard retired
10 their quarters. twas fortunate for Major
Barton and his brave followers, that the alarm
given by the soldier was considered ground
less. Had the main guard proceeded without
delay to the relief of their commanding gener-
al, his rescue certainly, and probably the des-
truction of the party, would have been the con-
sequence.
The first room Major Barton entered was
occupied by Mr.. Peering, who positively denl-
ed that General Prescott was in the house. He
next entered the room of his son, who was G.
qually obstinate with his father in denying that
the General was there. Major Barton then pro-
ceeded 10 other apartments but was Still dIsap-
pointed in the object of his search.
Placing himself at the head of the stairway,
and declaring his resolution TO secure the Gen
era dead or alive, he ordered his soldiers to set
fire TO the house. The soldiers were prepared
to execute his orders, when a voice, which
Major Barton at once suspected TO be the &C.
neral's, demanded what's the matter! Major
Barton rushed 10 the apartment from whence
the voice proceeded, and discovered an elderly
man just rising from his bed, and clapping his
hand upon his shoulder, demanded of him il
he was general Prescott. He answered. yes,
SIR You are my prisoner, then,' said Major
Barton. Il acknowledge that am, said the
General. In moment he was hurried from
the house in the arms of the soldiers, half dres-
sed. In the mean time, Major Darlington, the
aid to Gen. Prescott, discovered that the house
was attacked by rebels, as the enemy termed
them, leaped from the window Of his bed
chamber, and was Immediately secured pris.
oner General Pre- colt, supported by Major
Barton and one of his officers, and attended
BY Major Darlington and sentinel, proceeded,
surrounded by soldiery, TO the shore. Upon
seeing the five little boats, General Prescott,
who knew the position of the British shipping,
appeared confused, and turning to Major Bar.
ton, inquired if he commanded the party. Or
being informed that he did, he expressed q
hope that no personal injury was intended hin
and Major Barton assured the General of his
protection, while he remained under his con
troll.
The General had travelled from head quart
- a.. H.. shoro his ,r small clnfhe.