New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-09-29

tbentc, % our pages. But some passages in the
life OF the man who illustrated this place by ms
residence, and his countys history byhis exploits,
! shall not forbear b. narate.
john STARK. one OF the most celebrated partisan
officers OF the old French " ars and Of the War Of
'hc Revolution. resided at Derryiield or MANCHESTER
alter his retirement from the army ~ the day Of
his death He was a native Of Londonderry, and
OF Scotch IRISH extrsction-s clan or race OF PEG.
pie that never turned their backs on friend or foe
His whole education was martial and fitted him
Tor deeds OF daring enterprise the rife was as IA
miliar TO his hand the hoe and was found equal
y seryiceable. He hardly completed his majority
before he met the common misfortune Of the carly
settlers Of New Hampshire.
Ia April Of the year 1859 as he was hunting on
Bakers rivera stream thatruns into the Merrimsc
with three other young men. Of whom his brother
William one, he was seized by a party of
ambushed Indians under the leading Of a Chieftain
Of note name Sabatis. whose own more melancholy
fate. somewhat singular in itself ard more SO in
its consequences, shall on another occasion an.
dcrteke to describe.
Young STARK, when he found himself surprised
aud incapable OF escape, displayed that selfpos
session and fearlessness Of personal consequences
that were ever leading traits in his character. He
Immediately shouted 10 his brother William 10 take
care Of himself the best he could and leave him TO
the fate he could not avoid William being fortu-
nately in canoe in the middle Of the stream,
gained the opposite shore and escaped The Indians
fired at the canoe, and, missing William, killed
another young man In It.
They were much exasperated at Williams es.
cape aud approaching John with menaeing gos-
lures demanded of him how he dared TO give his
brother warning
would dare more for brother" be daunt-
essly replied. If my death saves his life am
ready
The Indians knew their interest too well to hill
bm-they sold their captvcs to the French for
ready money-but they gave him severe beating
with kicks and other contumelies, and carried bin,
with his companion Eastman another Of the four
into Canada.
/ have heard Mr. Webster say that when, some
ten years before bis DEATH he called on Gen Stark
at Deryfeld, the old soldier in fighting his battles
over again, told, among other anecdotes the story
of his capture, his journey and his residence in
Canada.
Il never knew but once, said he, " in all my
life how much was worth found it out in Cana
da. When arrived there was sold by the red
skins to the French. And how much do you think
| lctchedl Just forty pounds-no more nor less
And that is the only time in my life when ever
knew how much was worth
a yboff
Scottish than / have expressed it. He had de
cided patois in his dialect which enriched his al
ways lively variations, and gave al originality to
his expressions He had seen and stored much
had known aud rightly estimated, the characters
of his tir"e and country, and his conversation in
after life was at the same time racy aud fertile.
Aud while | am in a somewhat episodica strain,
| may as well introduce another anecdotc which,
though not bearing upon this particular portion OF
the Generals life, springs from him and was told
me by the same gentleman Mr. W. To whom
am indebted for the above.
/ would premise that Col w ebster, the father
of the present Senator from Massachusetts. was
lavorte comrade Of Cen. Stark He had been out
with him in the French wars. and served with dis
tinction under him at the Battle Of Bennington-of
which more by andby.
Gen Starks life was fast falling into the sere
and yellow leaf when Mr. Webster called on him
as above mentioned. His eye sight had grown
dim, and age, with other causes had somewhat
impaired his memory Heidi not recognise Mr.
Webster, and it some time before he could be
made to understand who he was but when he
did no welcomed his guest with hearty zea', and
told him he ought to have recognized him from his
likeness 10 " the Colonel
But faith man, said he. "yere blacker than
your father aud he was 80 black that did not
know when his face wa, covered with powder and
when not"
But % resume the thread OF our narrative, as
novelists have it, Young Stark was redeemed
from captivity, after having served an apprentice
ship. as Frederic OF Prussia would say TO the
hard science OF life. He gained, while Il prisoner
a knowledge OF Indian habits and of French tactics
which made him the expert partisan he became, IN
the succeeding war | have more yet to say Of
him. C. W. NJ