Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-05-14
IRA ALIENS ACCOUNT
The following is from Ira Aliens History
Of Vermont printed in London in l79S


OF Vernon, printed in London in l79S
Tle battle of Lexington. which happened
on the l9sh OF April. l775, threw the whole
continent into ierment. and preparations
were every where making for opposition to
the unjust claims of the British cabinet.
The Governor and Council of Connecticut
Immediately sent Major Halsey and Noah
Phelps, E-quires. to the New Hampshire
Grants requesting Colonel Allen to raise
the Green Mountain Boys. and to 90 and
take the garrisons OF Ticonderoga and
Crown Point 50 consequential were the
Nermonters, that an application for often
Slye operations came at the same time from
different. colonies. Colonel Allen forthwith
advertised his principal officers to meet him
st Bennington, where they met, and in a
council of war 1t was resolved. that a secret
and forced march should be undertaken
without delay against those garrisOns, in
order 10 take them by surprise. This meas
uTc was necessary, a TIcOnderOga was a
strong and well fortified garrison, and well
supplied with cannon, though not strongly
manned in time of peace.
Colonel Alien had only small arms with
ont bayonets he, by the assistance of his
officers. soon raised about lS0 men. and hay
ing set guards on different roads, he march
ed and arrived with his troops nearly opp
site 10 Fort TieOnderoza. on the night be-
tween the 18th and slh of May, I775 There
he was Joined by Colonel Benedict Arnold
with only one man, who were sent by order
OF council of war from Water Town. near
Boston. TO Colonel Allen, for the same pur-
pose that Halsey and Phelps were from CON
neeilcut- He produced his orders, and IL
tempted TO take the command, which Colo
mel Allen and his officers did not permit.
At length, after considerable alteration.
Colonel Arnold was admitted a. second in
command, and to enter the garrison with
Colonel Allen, al has left hand. All posi-
bic dispatch was then made to cross the LAKE,
about mile In an oblIque direction they
could Ind only very small boats but with
them, by passing and repassing, they got
over about 80 men by the dawn of day when
Colonel Allen ordered an immediate attack |
on the garrison, which consisted of nearly |
an equal number of men. as he apprehend- /
ed danger OF being discovered by the ap-
preaching morning light. if be waited Tor |
the remainder OF his men TO Join him. 1t /
peihg Ii peaeeable time, IClcket gate was |
leit open wide enough for two men to pass |
abreast when Colonies Allen and Arnold |
a approached. the out sentinel attempted to |
IRE, but his gun did not 90 off he turned 1
a tHc Wiohct gaze. dil1 1l4tD
ana Arnold rushed in after him, and their /
men followed them. As soon as they were /
within the garrison, Allen made a pass with /
MS sword at the sentinel. who defended 1
himself with his musket, out received a
silght wound on his head. On this the As
saiiants made an hideous yell in imitation
OIL the Indians, then demanded an imme.
llate surrender vi the garrison. CAPTAIN
De Id Place. C0mmandant of the garrison
in his shirt at the head of one
pair OF stairs, which were outside leading
to the parade there Colonel Allen met him
DE la Place demanded to know by what an
ihority be Colonel Allen) required the sur-
render OF the garrison Colonel Allen an
s"ered, an the name Of the Great deborah.
and The Continental Congress, The CARR,
son was Immediately surrendered. without
aTing gun. The remainder OF Colonel
Alien men having crossed the lake. a par
" y was sent by water. as soon as possible, to
orown Point under the command of Caprain
arner previous to this, Colonel Allen
mad sent orders to Captain Baker, of Onion
River. iorty miles north Of Crown Point, to
,ome win his company and assist land
though belated) yet be met and took two
small boats on their way. to give the alarm
% Fort ST. John. Captains Warner and
Baker appeared before Crown Point, nearly
q the same time; the garrison having only
lev men surrsndsrsd without opposition. !