Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-04-09
5iseellamp.
From the Plymouth Memorial. 1896.
Anecdote of the Revolution.

Almost every one is acquainted with
the circumstances of the taking Of Gen
eral Prescott the then commanding Off
Ger of the British forces on Rhode Island,
by Captain Barton of Providence. He
was exchanged for General Lee, who
was previously captured by the British.
Shortly after his exchange he return
ed to Rhode Island, and was invited to
dine ON board the Admiral's ship, with
MANY other officers of the highest grade.
General Prescott was naturally a haugh-
ty, imperious man and as a commander,
was very unpopular with his officers and
soldiers, and with the citizens of New
port, but was brave and skilful officer.
1t was often that boys as well as men
were sent from the town on board the Ad-
miral's ship for any offence and confined
there for some time, by the arbitrary au-
thority of those in power. Martial law
was the law of the place. A small lad
about 13 years of age was placed in this
situation, previous to Gen. Prescott's re-
turn, and was on board with many others,
at the time the General dined there. He
did not know General Prescott.
After dinner the wine circulated free
ly, and toast and song were repeatedly
called for. In the course of the evening,
the first Lieutenant observed to the Ad-
miral, who was real jolly son of Nep-
tune, " that there was q Yankee lad on
board who would shame all the singing"
Bring him up here" says Prescott
The boy was accordingly brought into
the cabin. The Admiral called on him
to give them song. The little fellow
being somewhat intimidated by gold
laced coats, epauletts, &c. replied, :" l
can't sing any songs but Yankee songs"
The Admiral perceiving that he was en-
barrassed, ordered the steward to give
him glass of wine, saying, come my
little fellow, don't be frightened, give us
one of your Yankee songs" Gen. Pres
colt spoke in his usual naughty imperi-
GUS manner, you id young rebel,
give us a song, or I'll give you dozen"
The Admiral interfered and assured the
lad that he should be set at liberty the
next day, !" if he would give them a song,
any one he could recollect"
The following doggerel, written by a
sailor of Newport, was then given, to the
great amusement of the company.
Twas on a dark and stormy night
| The wind and waves didlroar,
Bold Barton then with twenty
| Went down unto the shore.
And in a whale boat they set off
To Rhodes Island fair.
| To catch a red coat General
! Who then resided there.
Through British fleets, and gun boats strong,
! They held their dangerous way,
Till they arrived unto their port;
| And then did not delay.
| A tawny son of Afrie's race
/ Them through the rayine* led,
And entering then the oyering- Housef
They found him in his bed.
But to get in they had no means,
| Except poor Cufee's head,
Who beat the door down, then rushed in.
| anu selEeu MIN IN MS Deu
Stop, let me put my breeches on.
The Gen raj then did pray,
| Your breeches. Massa, will take,
! Fer dress we cannot stay.
Then through rye-stubbles him they led,
| With shoes and breeches none,
And placed him in their boat quite snug,
| And from the shore were gone.
Soon alarm was sounded loud.
The Yankees they have come,
And stolen Prescott from his bed.
And him they've carried home.
The drums were beat, sky-rockets few,
The soldiers shouldered arms
And march,d around the grounds they knew.
FIlId with most din alarms
But through the feet with mufied oars,
They held their devious way,
And landed him on Gansett shore,t
Where Briton held no sway.
And when unto the land they came,
Where rescue there was none,
| did bold push, the Central cried,
| OF pris'aers lam one"
There was general shout of all thu
company, during the whole song, and a
the close, one who was a prisoner OF
board at the time, observed, he though
the deck would come through with tn
stamping and cheering"
Gen Prescott joined most heartily il
the merriment. Thrusting his hand in
to his pocket, he handed the boy guinea
saying, here, you young dog, is guin
ca for you" The boy was set at libert
the next morning.
This anecdote is often related by o.
aged gentleman living in Newport.
*There is deep ravine leading fror
the shore to the house which was occu
pied by General Prescott.
tMr. Overing was Tory and owne
the house in which Gen. Prescott resided
tile was landed on the Narragansei
shore near Warwick.