Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-22
Mlisfellonp,
Thrilling Iaoileats Of the Rs7oluti onary
War.


Thrilling Iaoilenss Of the Re7oluti onary
War.
In speaking of the horrors of civil war, few
people realize the individual suGerings and fear
ful peril to which thousands of lives are ex-
posed history only treats of great events in
which the prominent actors of the time were
engaged, while the freside and domestic trag-
edies which were far more deeply and intensely
dramatic are left unrecorded, and only live as
traditions in the minds of few descendants of
the performers.
Among the various spots abounding with
steries Of terrible interest, none have Witnessed
scenes mere frightful than the valley of the
lwk during the revolutionary war and it
|opc of the most extraordinary and exciting
hese incidents that we propose to relate.
was the year 1880, that an old farmer
bed Summons lived in the neighborhood of
b village of Johnstown, and near to the old
Johhsou estate, which had been sequcstered in
consequence of the former owner, Sir John
sJohnson, becoming a commander in the British
] forces, Mr.. Sammons was Of German extrac-
tion, and native of Marbletown, Ulster coun-
ty, whence he had immigrated to his present
abode. This family consisted of three sons and
one daughter, all handsome, sturdy, fearless,
independent and staunch Wings, like their
father, who was member of the Committee of
Safety, and held lieutenant's commission in
the American army. The whole family were
we'll known to Sir John, who had several
times experienced protection from them in times
imminent danger: but this did not prevent
most distardly and fendish attack upon their
home and persons during one of his marauding
excursions to the vicinity of his former resi-
dence. He was always accompanied by band
I of indians, who, like pack of wild beasts,
kprang upon and tore to pieces whatever he
arked as his prey. On this occasion, howcv-
,, with remnant of humanity, he detached
hem in various directious, and proceeded
stealthhy to surround the house with his own
immediate troops, desiring to capture the fam
lily alive and carry them off as prisoners.
twas very early in the morning, and the
first gray dawn had hardly began to streak the
horizon, when the farmers youngest son,
Thomas, very handsome young man, about
nineteen, opened the bacl of the farm
house and commenced tall bscrvation.
He was only partially dress as rumin-
ating on the chancec of saf kring out
before daylight, as he de- bus
mess; for in those times str We're al
ways prowlng about, an Id family
could never count on th surn of the
beloved ones, even though ~eley went abroad
but for short distance and IN broad daylight.
Concluding it would be safer to wait until the
sun rose, he was about retreating, when hand
was placed on his shoulder, and the words ''
r arrest you in the Kings name" informed him
\ that he was prisoner. The whole family were
lsleep up staias, or in the act of rising, and the
old man and his two eldest sons were soon Sc
cured the females, consisting of the wife Of
|the eldest son Jacob, and young girl, the on
"a ly daughter of the old man, were left unmoles-
tied by the order of Sir John.
Thomas begged for an opportunity of getting
his cloths, or at least his shoes and stockings
which was brutally refused him, accompanied
by the thrust of a bayonet, which would have
killed him had not his fair young sister thrown
herself between and warded off the blow. He,
complaint brought reprimand to the soldier
and permission to finish dressing, while tht
fierce troops ransacked and plundered the houst
and out buildings of everything they contained
which could be carried with them, nclu dine
seven horses belonging to Mr.. Sammons. Tht
whole party were then marched off the fathel
and sons closely pinioned and placed between
files of soldiers, their course being directed to
wards the river. Here they were joined by tn,
Indians, and traversod several miles of the Mo
hawk Valley suffering the keenest tortur
from the sight of the desolaton and miser,
around them Wherever there was building
it was burned and sacked sheep aud cattle wer
killed, horses appropriated, homes laid bare
husbands and fathers slaughtered, wives an
daughters shamefully abused and then left
return to the hearthstonas which had bee
edesolate. Towards night they returne
towards Caughnawaga; which they burnt t
the ground, and took all the men prisoners, an
then retracing their steps to Johnstown, tool
up their quarters at the old hall which was tn
homestead Of Sir John.
Here the fine figure and handsome face c
Thomas Sammons attracted the attention c
Sir Johns daughter, young lady 50 gentl
and amiable that it was a matter of surpris
how she could have been born of such father
She Immediately contrived plan for his escape
interceding, with all the eloquence and pursua
sion of which she was mistress, on behalf {
two or three persons to whom she had former
ly been under obligations for safe conduct, an
finally obtaining an order for their release sh
managed to smuggle Thomas Sammons
among thcm and with kind words and loo
which stirred new and strange emotions in h
heart, he was permitted to return.
The next morning old Mr.. Saulnons requeste
an interview with the commander, when he II
preached him for his troachorous conduc
briefly reviewed the various acts of kindnc
which had been bestowed in the past, al
asked if this was fitting return. His remol
strances produced such an effect that an ord
for his release was signed, but all efforts on b
half of his sons proved unavailing.
Jacob and Frederick were therefore taken
the fortress of Chamblec, inst within Ca