The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-10-17
Miscellaneous.
From the New Haven Courier.
p u IT'S r OC *.

Il " Il - ~ ~ ~ las
There is, perhaps, no body of water in the
limited States, about which clusters so many
thrilling associations, which recalls so many
vivid transactions in the history of our coun-
try, and which so forcibly reminds us of the
dangers, the labors, the tolls our ancestors
underwent for the freedom zoe now enjoy, as
Lake Champlain. Who, that has ever been
horne along the bosom of that placid lake,
hut felt his heart throb with patriotic emotions
and with enthusiastic admiration of noble
bearing, as he passed by the spot which was
the scene of the naval battle Of Pittsburgh?
Who has not in such time in his inlagita-
tion seen the undaunted, the slillfhl Melon
ough. as he calamity drew UP his small flotil-
In, zealously exhorting, both by word and ac-
ton, his small body of men, and firing them
with patriotic zeal and with unshrinking firm
ness, TO meet superior force? Who has not
as he was passing by the ruins of"Old Ty,"
seen the fearless Allen, sword in hand march
ing with his handful of "Green Mountain
Boys" up to the old fort, and demanding its
surrender, with a tone ofirresistible authori-
ty, sin the name of the Great Jehovah, and
the Continental Congress" Who, that has
ever looked upon these old ruins, and reflect
ed how that daring band rushed on, deter
mined to conquer or Predetermined to raise
high upon rocky battements the flag of the
"stars and stripes" perish in the attempt,
has not felt, indeed that
"Death is the worst;a fate which all must try;
And for our country, tits bliss to die"
But without referring to other memorable
places on the lake, which are well known,and
arc constantly presenting themselves to the
intelligent traveller,I would call the attention
Ofthe reader TO one spot on its banks, which
is Iittln known IN pitiunDa OanorolIy h,,t
which is rendered exceedingly interesting,
from an incident connected with it, which will
be my endeavor to relate.
1t was beautiful morning in the month
OF October, IL; the sun shone with u radi-
ant splendor, that rivalled that of an August
noon-day; the forests, whose vERDANT foil
age had been exchanged for dress of yell
low, and red, and brown looked happy in the
Joyful coming ofthe King of Day; the merry
birds, whose twittering songs had been sue
ceeded by the whstling of the Autumn blast,
again appeared skipping about upon the PHI
antbranches of the trees, and filling the re-
sounding woods with their echoing notes:
while the waters of the placid lake rolled
themselves onward, unconscious of the beau
teous scene, save as they reflected from their
liquid surface the bright image ofthe golden
sun.
1t was upon such morning that Major
General Israel Putnam found himself upon
the yet green banks of Lake Champlain, three
fourths ola mile north of little village at. its
outlet then called Skeensborough, from Mai.
Skeene, who founded it, and now Whitehall.
Those who have passed down the lake, that
about one halfa mile north of this village, is
what is called the Elbow" being an exceed
ing short turn in the lake, which is there so
narrow as to render it difficult, almost impose
bic for STEAMBOATS, ofthe present day to pass
it, About one quarter of mile below the
elbow" is situated the spot on which Maj.
Putnam with fifteen ofhis brave companions
had sat down, in part to recover from the ia
hgue of toilsome journey, and in part as the
morning was so fine, the Major anticipated
that some ofthe Indians who yet remained
hostile in those regions, and who were thirs-
g to revenge the deaths of their lost COM
rades, would attempt to commit some depre-
datlons on the peaceful citizens, whom they
might find engaged i'll their domestic occu-
pations.
1t has been often remarked, and the obser-
yation is no less true for being trite, that the
American Indian, when enraged, is the most
blood-thrsty creature that bears the name of
man, when his anger is once aroused, when
his desire for vengeance is once iifamed, he
knows no limit to his cruelty; deienceless age,
childish innocence, female purity are alike
The victims of his lawless brutality. And who
That knew better this fact thanMajor Putnam?
lie himself had suffered all the seventies that
savage injustice could infict; he himself had
travelled night after night, whipped on by the
iash OF the Indian, his uncovered back expos
ca TO the winds and rains ofheaven, his max
cd ieet torn and bloody by the sharp thorns
ana cutting rocks over which he was COM
pclleC 10 walk and NUhop NJ h;e nj
nc h'mseJ had been bound to the malefactor's
S S;, had seen the dry wood heaped around
h h,'r she torch lighted, and had teH the LAM
a "on. in'iles lick his naked body, while saw
aSo ye,l rose over his agonies. Well, indeed
'u r &c appreciate what barbarities awaited
t dny Inns VI us countrymen who might fall into
Jn INC ianus OF ms relentless foes; and with that
u1t .H, bravery and heoric patriotism
M I ever distinguished him in times of
ronE, ne was fixed ia his purpose of boldly
-Upenng the aggressor, should he make his
bPPearahce this morning. The Major and
"so comrades had not been sitting long there
S.,s s .Ie former, ever watchful to the inter-
vi MS friends, rose to see if his expected
'SlIahts were in sight.
nla mo 5000 upon the bank, looking down the
nomnI. 'aAe as iar as eye could reach, but
nOught appeared in view. Reioiced that the
o Onelny did not appear, yet disappointed in his
s.nnpectatlons, he turned his head to make the
no ~ to his friends. He said, as vet
t hO zoe was seen-that though the expecta-
", nO e's which he had excited in them seemed
aall IN being realized, he himself felt slight
gsbese9,ument that the crafty enemy would Vet
S%uw HIMSELF that he would not let pass SO
ne r In Opportunity of attacking his white skin
IOa brother, at time when he well knew
S v0 ,o!!er would be engaged in the necessary
ns Uoa i'I of the day. BY this speech his
10 T sn were encouraged, for they were eager
Al, sPenu the force Of "a wall ain,od bolI ,nor