Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-09-02
MISCELLANY Y
The Forgotten Soldier.

A CORES spondent of the Boston Journal
at North Wardsboro, gives the following
account of an old Soldier of the Revolution
now living in Stratton
There is now living in the town Of STRAIT
ton, six miles from here, an old revolution
airy soldier by the name of Robert Babcock.
He has formerly lived in Tuf1onboro, N.
H., and in Dummerston, Newfane, and
Dover, this State. This man has reached
the great age of l04 years. He is infirm
but is able to 90 about the house and yard
with the aid of cruteheS. His sight is toll
crably good. and his hearing but sligtly i'm
paired. His memory of recent events Is
quite oaivious, but the times of his youth
and the stirring scenes of The revolution
are vet fresh in his mind His birthplace
was South Kingston, r. l. AT the age Of
seven he was Kidnapped while playing
around the wharf at Greenwich, forcibly
detained ON board q vessel and carried to
the West Indies, where he remained seven
years, when his eaptors returned with him
again to Rhode Island, and restored him to
/ his parents, who had all the while supposed
him drowned.
This man on every principle of equity is
entitled to bourty land and pension, but as
vet receive; none He enlisted early un-
der Captain William Potter. The order
lly sergeant bore the name of Northrop
lie was in battle at the capture and burn
ing of New London, CT, 1871, and bears
still the mark of his warfare in the deer
. ,,f h,,lInt alp tbrOnoh hi.
left leg, breaking the bone, and whici
! doubtless in part now occasions his lame
ness. His glorious scar received in de
fense of the liberties we now enjoy, it wa
our privilege 10 behold. Our hero wa
one of the bold party of dozen men Wit
went in a small boat between the Britis
vessels lying off Bristol and took Genera
Prescott out of his bed on Connection
Island and made him the patriots prisoner
q He relates with earncstness the hairbreadl
5, massage at the dead of night betwixt til
81 81 war-ships Of the enemy-the stealthy SUI
t prise at the house-and how huge negr
. . entered the bedroom of the sleeping genel
al and throwing himself astride his pro
ln trate form as he lay all unconscious
;, slumber exultingly exclaimed, 'Ah, mass
we bab got youP
He remembers Washington with evldei
admiration, and relates the following inc
dent, equally illustrative OF his humi'i'
and generous forbearance. On one occe
IS sion he was leading small detachment
the army, Babcock being of the compah
= across difficult way where the path w
nd. by a quantity of timber lying IN contusi'
around, one protrudins piece OF whic
pivoted upon its centre, came near trippii
The men. and was so much in the way
! TO make its removal necessary. The qui'
=, eve of Washington. who was mountel, So
Ii. it caught sight of the troublesome stick, al
Ito to he promptly requested one OF the men
the cast it aside. The little man who had be
le1s addressed instead Of obeying, proudly s'o
te.s on his dignity and perily replying that
,on,, ,on, was a CORPORAL declined the order. !
be stantly Washington answered wlth a i
isG- ish bow, i beg your pardon, sir, and hng,
'Po. himself quickly from his horse, he Wit
strong hand seized the vexed and tilil
s timber and threw il one side. LIS nos
left standing alone, turned to go, when d
cock rTasped the rein. and as the Gene
came NJ from his task our soldier, "
some pride, held the s;irruP while he
2 or mounted !, no other rebuke escaping his !
x save 10 cas-; wa;chful, wiihering 'oos
!. ipity upon the proua hitie corporal