Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-09-10

c., 1881, and bears still the mark of his war.
fare in the deep life worn scar of bullet hole
made through his left leg, breaking the bone
and which doubtless in part now occasions his
lamcness lis GLORIOUS scar" received in de-
fence of the liberties we now enjoy it was oul
privilege to behold. Our hero was one OF tn,
bold party of dozen men who went in a smal
boat between the British vessels lying off Bris
tol and took General Prescott out of his bed on
Connecticut Island and made him the patriots
prisoner. He relates with trembling earnest
ness the hair breadth passage at the dead Of
night betwixt the war-ships Of the enemy--thC
stcalthy surprise at the house-and how huge
negro entered the bedroom of the sleeping gen
eral and throwing himself astride his PROSTATE
form as he lay all unconscious in slumber ex-
utingly exclaimed, "Ah, massa, we hab got
you"
lie remembers Washington with evident adj
mration, and relates the followir incident
equally Illustrative of his humility and generous
forbearance. On one occasion he was leading
small detachment of the army, Babcock being
of the company, across a difficult way where
the path was obstructed by quantity of timber
lying in confusion around one protruding piece
of which, pivoted upon its center, came near
tripping the men, and was so much in the way
as to make its removal necessary. The quick
eye of Washington, who was mounted, soon
caught sight of the troublesome stick, and he
promptly requested one Of the men to cast il
aside. The little man who had been addressed,
instead of obeying, proudly stood on his digni-
ty and pertly replying "that he was a corporal, ~
declined the order. Instantly Washington an
swered with low bow, 81 beg your pardon,
sir" and hinging himself quickly from his horse,
he with strong hand seized the vexcd and tilt
ing timber and threw it one side. His horse,
LEFT standing alone, turned to go, when Babcock
graspcd the rein, and as the General came up
from his task, our soldier, with some pride held
the stirrup while he remounted no other re-
buke escaping his lips, save to cast watchtul,
whitening look of pity upon the proud little
corporal. The latter was quite incensed at
Babcock for leaving the ranks to assist the Cen
eral, and threatened him with vengeance; but
the soldiers who admired the spirit of the act,
told him if he laid hand on him they would
run him through.
Babcock remained in the army he says, till
the close Of the war in 1888, when he again re-
turned to his fathers home in Kingston, upon
leaving which in after years to seek his fortune
he left his papers behind him and never saw
them again.
Attempts have been made to procure for him
q apenSion, but his name cannot be found on the
rolls and the only surviving comrade of his bat
ties, that he can remember is dead, and for this
flaw in the evidence the soldier is forgotten by
his country whose freedom he fought and bled
to win. He was married to Sarah Peters at
Adams, Mass The officiating clergyman who
performed the ceremony was Rev. Peter Wor-
den. His companion is long since dead, and
the lonely old man, without property, lives in
some pcnury with his daughter and her hus-
band, Nathaniel Jones, in poor and mountain
,,r;cnlnap oil l,,
the Government whose otlicials--not half so
worthy-grecdily pocket the peoples money OF
squander it wastefully. There is something
rotten somewhere. or these things would not be-
| write this unbeknown to Babcock, and, if pos
sible. for his benefit. Whoever seeks to obta ain
a pension for him should do it quickly, for
though q uian Of natuio ally robust constitution
his white face and silver hairs will doubtless ere
many years be laid in the dust