Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-19
lallv girnufbrr sournal.
yHE CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.

The following is Col. Ethan Aliens ac-
count of the capture of Ticonderoga. on
the 10th of May, 1775:
1.-The first systematical and bloody at
tempt ut Lexington to enslave America,
thoroughly electrified my mind, and fully
determined me to take part with my coun-
try. And while was wishing for an OPP |
portunity to signalize myself in its behalf, |
directions were then privately sent to me
from the then colony, now State of Con-
necticut, to raise the Green Mountain Boys. |
and, if possible, to surprise and take the
fortress of iiconderoga. This enterprise
l cheerfully undertook; and after guard
ing all the several passages that led thither,
to cut off all intelligence between the
garrison and the country, made forced
march from Bennington, and arrived at
the lake at Ticonderoga, 1775, with 23O
valiant Green Mountain Boys; and it was
with the utmost difficulty that procured
boats to cross the lake. However, had
landed SO men near the garrison, and sent
the boats back for the rear guard, CON-
manded by Col. Seth Warner; but the day
began to dawn, and found myself neces-
stated to attack the fort before the rear
could pass the lake; and as it was viewed
as hazardous, I harrangued the officers
and soldiers in the following manner:
Friends and fellow soldiers-You have
for number of years past been the scourge
and terror to arbitrary power. Your valor
has been named abroad, and acknow-
lodged, as appears by the orders to me
from the general assembly Of Connecticut,
to surprise and take the garrison now be-
fore us. now propose to advance before
you. and in person to conduct you through
the wicket gate; for We must this morn
ing either quit our pretentions to valor, or
possess ourselves of this fortress; and in
asmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which
none but the bravest dare undertake, do
not urge it on any contrary to his Will
You that will undertake it voluntarily,
poise your firelocks.'
The men being at this time. drawn up in
three ranks, each poised his firelock. !
ordered them to face the right; and at the
head of the centre file. marched them i'm
mediately to the wicket gate aforesaid,
where found sentry posted, who in
stantly snapped his fuzee at me. ran i'm
mediately towards him, and he rctreated
through the covered way into the parade
with the garrison, gave a halloo, and ran
under bomb proof. My party followed
me into the fort; formed on the parade
in such manner as to face the barracks.
which faced each other. The garrison be-
ing asleep, except the sentries, we gave
three huzzas, which greatly surprised them.
One of the sentries made a pass at one of
my officers with charged bayonet, and
slightly wounded him. My first thought
was to kill him with my sword but in an
instant altered the design and fury of the
blow to slight cut on the side of the head
upon which he dropped his gun, and asked
quarters, which readily granted him; de-
manding where the commanding officer
slept, he showed me Il pair of stairs in
front Of the garrison which led up to the
second story in said barracks, to which
Immediately repaired. and ordered the
commander, Captain Delaplace, to come
forth instantly, or l would sacrifice the
whole garrison At which the captain
came Immediately to the door with his
breaches in his hand, when ordered him
to deliver up the fort instantly. He asked
me by what authority demanded it.
answered him:
sin the name of the great Jehovah and
the Continental Congress"
The authority of Congress being very
little known at that time, he began to
speak again, but interrupted him, and
with drawn sword near his head, de-
manded an Immediate surrender of the
garrison with which he complied, and
ordered his men to be forthwith paraded
without arms, as he had given up the gar
rison. In the meantime, some of my
officers had given orders, and in conse-
ounce thereof. sundry of the barrack doors
were beaten down, and about one-third of
the garrison imprisoned, which consisted Of
said commander. Lieutenant Pelham,
conductor of artillery. gunner, two SER
geants. and forty-four rank and file, about
one hundred pieces of cannon, one thirteen
inch mortar. and a number of swivels.
This enterprise was carried into execution
in the gray of the morning of the 10th of
May, 1875. The sun seemed to rise that
morning with superior lustre; and Ticon-
deroga andits dependencies smiled upon its
conquerors, who tossed about the flowing
bowl, and drank success to Congress and
I;ha,Vv and fraaIou, tn