The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-05-29

| The story of the capture of Fort Ticon-
deroga, the anniversary of which was cele-
brated in Vermont, is thus told
1t was long after midnight-it was, in
fact, the morning of the 10th of May, 1775.
No word had yet reached Allen from the
forces detailed to seize boats at Skeneas-
borough or Panton, and the boats at Shore
ham were only sufficiently capacious to
carry over eighty-three men.
The night was gradually giving way.
Through the eastern horizon faint streaks
of coming day were plainly discernible.
Delay was ruinous; discovery was death.
Allen ordered the eighty-three men to the
boats. They were instructed to make no
noise; the clothes they wore upon their
backs were cut into shreds that they might
muffie their oars. All were embarked, and
still the rear division of the force was
nowhere in sight. Allen, with handful
of men, must 60 alone. The course across
the river was painful; had they been de-
tected one shell would have destroyed them
ALL But they kept under the shadow of
the hill, and, with oars which made no
sound, in little while gained the opposite
bank.
They could see above them the black
mouths of the cannon, and they knew that
should these cannon speak not one soul
would be left to tell the story of Ticon-
deroga. Away up above them stood the
fort, girded about with earthworks and
bitches, and guarded on one side with vigil
liant and effective pickets. The odds were
dreadful. The future of the men hung
suspended on a thread. Allen passed from
man to man and to each whispered word
of courage. 1t was not necessary, for
every soul of the valiant eighty-three had
come there to win or to die. They were
not regulars, but volunteers. They under
stood the risks before they joined in the
enterprise.
At last the line was ready to move;
little line, but every man who helped to
make it up hero. 1t moved up the steep
proclivity upon which the fort stands, and
right underneath the powder begrmed lips
of the hungry cannon. Benedict Arnold
followed closely by Aliens side. But
ahead of both of them, and apparently
unmindful of all danger, clambered their
noble little guide, the farmers son Nathan.
The men moved stealthily and STILL not
stone rolled from their path, nor did twig
snap underneath their feet. They scarcely
breathed. Each of the eighty three felt
that success depended solely upon him,
and stole on hands and knees up the rugged
heights as if he was alone.
Daylight was more strongly dawning.
There could be no further delay. The
height was reached, and the men were only
a stones throw from the enemy. No sooner
had they reached the height than a senti-
mel, detecting them, uttered a cry of warn
ing; then pointed his gun full at Ethan
Aliens heart and pulled the trigger. The
gun missed fire, and the life of the hero
was spared. Another sentinel made
thrust at Colonel Easton; but, ere he could
execute his intentions, his head was cleft
in twain by the ponderous weight of Ethan
Aliens sword.
The little farmer guide shouted to Allen
to follow him under the covered archway,
in the avenues of which the first sentinel
had fled. Allen did so, and all the soldiers
followed. Passing in, the men divided
themselves into two groups, one hurrying
to the southwestern and the other to the
northeastern range of barracks. The Brit
ish soldiers, aroused from their sleep, rushed
from their barracks into the quadrangle
and were all taken prisoners. The little
guide, taking advantage of the moment,
conveyed Ethan Allen to the very door
beyond which Delaplace, commandant of
the FORT was sleeping.
Allen struck the door three vigorous
blows with the hilt of his sword. Della
place appeared at the threshold, backed up
by his terror stricken wife.
81 order you instantly to surrender"
cried Allen.
"By what authority do you order me to
surrender?' returned Delaplace.
"In the name of the Great Jehovah and
the Continental Congress" shouted Allen.
Delaplace surrendered there and then,
on May 10, 1775-1OO years ago.
Thus, without losing one of his own men
and walking over only one corpse of the
enemy, Ethan Allen took the Fort of
Ticonderoga, and in doing SO became one
of the greatest heroes of Revolutionary
history