Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-02-26
qlistorttal.
From the yerrennes citIzen.

4
RE % T. Wary SCENES
l115.-Tho Revolution had now commenc-
ed. News of the battle of Lexington had
spread like wild-fre through the country
Col. Ethan Allen was calling for volunteers
Addison and the adjoining towns answered
promptly to the call. Among them, Benia-
min Everest was conspicuous, he had been
with Allen at different times previous. and
was now promoted to a Heutenancy on the
9th Of May. Very early in the morning AL
len with his Green Mountain Boys, and aid
ed by Arnold and Warner, took Tioonderoga,
and the next day Warner took Crown Point
without resistance. The history of the cap
turo of these places are too familiar to be
dwelt upon here Allen and Arnold now
planned the conquest of Canada. But that
which at the first promised so fair, resulted
most disastrously to the Americans.
1776.--JULY 12th.--The retreating Amer
leans arrived at Crown Point out Of all the
regiments sent 10 Canada, only 1000 lived to
return. The small pox has made tremendous
havoc amongst them which in an enemy's
country, exposed and suffering every priva-
tion made it doubly fatal to what it otherwise
would have been. On their arrival at Crown
Point Gen. Gates took the command. A hos
pital was erected on the eastern shore Of the
of the entrance Of Hospital Creek into the
lake. Here great many died, and so rapid
ly that it was impossible to procure coffins
Large pits were dug and during the night
they were filed with the dead and a slight
covering of earth thrown over-so slight.
sometimes, as to leave foot or hand pro-
truding above the earth An eyewitness
Asa Strong) told me that in passing one of
the burial places one morning, he counted
five hands and feet thus exposed of those
buried the night before. The large ajority
were buried near the Northern margin Of the
Creek, now covered by thrifty grove Of ma
pie. just west of the dwelling house of Ches-
ter Elmore, Jr. the other was on the South
side of the Creek, just west of the south end
of the bridge.
On their arrival ar Crown Point the Amer
leans commenced to build their feet the
settlers doing what they could to aid--such
as getting out timber, most of which was OBJ
tanned on the Eastern shore. This was pro-
cured with such yigor, that by the 18th Of
August one sloop, three sohooners and five
gun-boats were ready for service, carrying 55
guns and 60 swivels in the whole, with COM
plement of 395 men. Arnold took the COM
mand Capt. Pringle commanded the British.
His fleet consisted of 4 sloops-the Maria,
Carleton, Thunderer and InAexible, with gun
beats, feet-boats, and large Batteau 80 can
non and several howitzers, and manned by
700 trained seamen. On the 10th October
the English came down the Lake the Ameri-
can fleet was anchored between Valcour Is
land and the West shore ; a skirmish ensued,
in which the sloop Washington tAmerican)
commanded by Lieut.. Waterbury, suffered
severely; one schooner was burnt and a gun
boat sunk. The British lost three gum boats,
two sunk and one blown up. Seeing the dis
parity of his force, in the night Arnold made
his escape, but was overtaken the next day
near Ferris's ferry, (now Adams y in Panton.
and in our new map very properly called
Arnold's Bay Here, notwithstanding
the great superiority in force of the British,
Arnold fought them for four hours. Water
bury was obliged to surrender. Arnold see
ing the fate of the day against him, ran his
vessels ashore, burning some and scuttling
others.* At the head of his men he took up
his march for Crown Point. On arriving at
Zadook Everests, about four miles from the
scene Of action, he halted Everest, with his
known hospitality, furnished the poor fellows
with refreshments they so much needed Af-
ter resting awhile they pushed On. for Crown
Point Gen. Gates now abandonka the fort
oga, and Carleton tsok possession. Carleton
now issued proclamation to the settlers,
granting protection papers to all who would
apply, on condition of remaining neutral
Many Of the settlers availed themselves of the
offer After remaining about month, he
re-embarked for Canada. A large number of
the settlers abandoned the farms and retired
to the different places from whence they had
emigrated.
One Of these afterwards raised by Ferris and em-
ployed by him for many years.
NoTE.-ln conversation with Solon Burroughs, ESQ.,,
he informed me that revolutionary ancestor OF his was
present in battle and, he believed, little
North Of the mouth Of Otter Creek. would suggest II
the battle referred to not this battle Of Arnolds,
portion remained the shore where they landed and
when the enemy n in their batteaux TO eDdeavor to
Of the burning shipping fred upon
them and drove them o 1t is true it is the South
side instead Of the North side Of the Greek that took
place. J. S.