Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-05-10
written Tor the Delaware ea1osse.
EIGHTY YEARS AGO.
BY WARREN

EIGHTY YEARS AGOs
By WARREN.
Have you thought, o Gazette reader, that
to-day is the anniversary of the capture of the
stronghold Of Great Britain known as TieOn-
derogal If not, and it is fair to presume that
with the stirring events Of the day, and the
news and rumors Of news which crowd our
dailies, and fill to great extent our weeklies,
to engage your attention you have overlooked
it, let me recall it to you. Sitting by your
fireside this evening, read aloud to the dear
ones there short resume of the dOiRgs of the
men Of long ago, and recall to them the times
under which they made their mark upon our
history.
The events of the Nineteenth Of April,
ITS, at Lexington and Concord, had fully
aroused the country to the Importance of the
contest. Men began to look about and to
govern their action by the facts before them,
whatever might have been their previous opin-
ions. The Legislature of Connecticut in ses-
sion, at Hartford, started a project in the lob
by circles, and with the sanction of large
number, although not in an official manner; it
was suggested that the forts on the west side
Of Lake Chaniplain could be easily captured.
and the proper men to undertake it were the
Green Mountain Boys under their commander,
Ethan Allen. These men had been Injured to
hardshiPs, not only with the Indians and
in the wars between the French and Eng
lish, bat, owing to troubles Of jurisdiction be-
tween New Hampshire and New York with
their neighbOrs on the west side Of the lake.
The King had decided in favor Of the New
YorEers and against the original owners, who
however, would not bow to the decision, and
from this refusal arose conflicts with the law Of
fceFs, who were cften maltreated in what was
simply the discarge Of their duties.
Prominent among those who resisted were
Ethan Allen and Seth Warner, who we're so
much of note that they were outlawed by pro-
clamation. At this juncture of affairs. when
Allen was fast becoming Robin Hood, the
difficulties with England broke out, and he
lad new field for his labors Bold and dar-
ing in his projects and sayings, with a strange
mixture of oaths and scripture-sayings in his
harrangues, and man cf the people, original
in his beliefs and power among those with
whom he associated, be was a man of note, and
deserved to be 30. The project to take Ticon-
deroga was well fitted for him and his bold fol-
lowers, and we may well believe was gladly re
ceived.
The rendezvous appointed was about nine
miles from SkenesboEo' now WhitchalD, and
twenty-five from the fort to be taken. On ar
from Massachusetts and Connecticut under
the command of Col. James East0n, who was
in the election of officers, chosen the second
with Seth Warner for the third. Hardly had
this transpred when Arnold came, claiming
10 supeTeele them with commission from the
Massachusetts Committee Of Safety, but his
claims were booted at by the soldiers, and find
ing the officers of the same mind, he was glad
to relinquish bis claims aud enlisted as u pri-
vate for the present. Pursuing their march
the little army arrived at ShOreham, opposite
the fort, and there found guide in the person
Of Nathan Beman. lad only, who played with
the boys in the fort and was familiar with ey
cry neck and corner of it. OF this guide We
know nothing farther than this exploit, save
that he alterward became famous wolfhumter
in the country between lakes Champlain and
Ontario.
But a more scrions difficulty now presented
itself IN the scarcity of boats. Parties had
been sent up the lake 10 secure a supply. but
they failed TO arrive, and the party commenced
crossing with the few on hand. When The day
began to dawn but eighty-tbree men had pass
ed over, and Allen resolved to wait no longer
but make the attempt with these. Assembling
them and dividing them into three ranks. he
made one of his pecaliar addresses, teolS his
position at the head of the middle file, and
gave the order to move on. Entering the gate,
q sentinel snapped bis iusee at Allen and re-
treated. Another ran his bayonet into Eas-
ton, and was struck down by Aliens sword
This was all the opposition made, and the gar
FisoR were awakened by three loud huzzas from
the soldiers when they were assembled on the
parade within the fort. Captain Delap!ace
was Immediately found by Allen with the aid
of Beman, and commanded to ssFTerder his
men TO avoid bloodshed. The Captain was
sill m bed, and was of course, astoniShed with
such salute. He came to the door immedi-
atcly, and the face of his wife was seen peep
ing over his shoulders at the intruders. De
nlanding in whose name the surrender was
asked, be received the memorable answer " in
the name of the Great Jehovah and the Cont
mental Congress" accompanied by an oath, it
is said, mot fit for ears polite" The authori-
ty was unknown to the commander, and he
would have parleyed, but another oath, with q
flourish of the sword of the staltwart man
before him, cut off all conference. This was
probably the more easily done as he saw his
soldiers were scattered and hardly awake, and
he delivered up his sword. The garrison were
paraded without arms, and were sent by th cir
captors to Hartford
We have given thus brief epitome of this
daring aud successful expedition. The day is an
appropriate one to call the subject before the
readers of the Gazette, and this must be our
excuse for kSyTiug given chapter of our Conn
try's history in our own language and imper--
feet manner.
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