The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-05-11
TTCONDEKOGA.
acknowledgements Celebration 81
City Hall, etc. , etc.

Yesterday, May 10th, 1875, was the celepra-
ton of the capture of Fort Tconderoga by
Ethan Allen and mis- little band of followers
the first offensive movement which the colon
lists made against Great Britain. The promon-
tory on which Fort Ticonderoga stood, contains
about 500 acres and is over 100 feet above the
lake. 1t is surrounded with water upon three
Sides and at the time of which we speak, the
fourth side was cut off from approach by
deem. marshy. miry swamp. The guns..of the
fort swent the waters of Lake Champlain in
every direction. Aliens little force was led to
the shore of the lake under the cover of the
darkness of the night of the 9th. Benedict
Arnold of later bad repute, appeared there to
take command under a commission which was
ambigucusly worded, but Allen would not yield
nor would his Vermonters serve under him.
For some time Allen waited to secure boats,
but at length was compelled to start on his
perilous mission with but SO men. 1t was long
after midnight when the little party started.
With muffled oars they approached the for, the
black mouths of whose cannon they could, see
in the light of the coming day. There the solid
old fort frowned upon them ,guarded,witbIearth-
works and bitches. The brave men who knew
that failure was death, noselessly embarked,
and under the guidance of a farmers son, who
knew the approaches, crept up the bank. 1t
was nearly daylight when the height was
reached and the men were only a stones throw
from the enemy. No sooner had they reached
the height than sentinel, detecting them ut
tered cryiof warning; then pointed his gun
full at Ethan Aliens heart and pulled the trig-
ger. The gun missed fire, and the life of the
hero was spared. Another sentinel made
thrust at Col. 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
fed A lien did sc, land 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 the
barracks. The British soldiers, aroused from
their sleep, rushed from the 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
slesping. Allen struck the door three vigor-
GUS blows with the hilt of his sword, Delaplace
appeared at the threshold, backed up by his.
crouching, terror-stricLen wife.
81 order you instantly to surrender" cried
Allen.
"By what authority do you order me to sur
render?" returned Delaplace.
In the name of the Great Jehovah and the
Continental Congress- shouted Allen.
nolonIoo, curraudaral thara and than IN
May 10th, 1775-100 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.
The ladies of the New Jerusalem society con-
cluded that the centennial Of so notable an
event should not pass unnotticed, so they got
up a very appropriate entertainment in Recep.
ton Hall consisting of patriotic songs, readings,
refreshments and dance. After an overture
Yankee Doodle performed on the piano by
Miss Dyer, Rev. Mr.. Hayden read an account
Of the taking of Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen.
He also remarked that the day following, the
patriotic people of the town Of Portland cap
tured Mowatt the commanding, and one
other officer of the British war ship Canso,
which was lying off the harbor The following
readings followed, all of which were admirable
and elected hearty: applause Paul Revere's
Ride, by Mrs. E. w. Fox; The Pilgrims Wis.
ion 20. w. Holmes) by Gen. Anderson, in
which he interpolated two stanzas referring to
Ticonderoga; Rising of '76 e. Buchanan Ready
by Miss Chaddock. America, Tho Star Span.
gled Banner Rally Round The Flag, etc., were
then sung 10y the Mrs. Merrill, Norcross and
Files, and Messrs. Thomas, Hudson and South
ard, Mrs. Dyer accompanist, assisted by Chan
dler with the cornet. One notable feature was
the singing of the Red, White and Blue by half
a dozen little Misses, - Berry giving the
solo, Many of the ladies and Misses wore the
costumes of century ago. The whole affair
was gotten up with a degree of taste which
reflected much credit to the ladies of the So
ciety. It should have been better patronized.