The New York herald., 1877-07-11
PREscOTT's CAPTURE.
OF A GALLANT REVOLUTIONARY EXPLOIT.
lDy TELEGRAPH TO THE uEnALD.1

OF A GALLANT HtVCLUTiONAHf EXfLOits
Dy TELEGRAPH TO THE uERALD.l
NEWPORT. X. l., July 10, ISL
To-day. the Tooth anniversary Of tho capture Of
General Prescott was celebrated by the Providence
Light Infantry Veteran Association at Portsmouth,
where they arrived with tho Providence Historical
Society aud leading citizens OF tho S,ate Ia a
special steamer, which landed them at Portsmouth
Grove. They wcro joined by the Newport
Historical Society and residents Of the surrounding
country, making large attendance. The memorable
house wncre Prescott captured was open for in
speciion, its present giving all an opportunity
TO look through and examine It, Tho outside was
decorated with the Amorican nag. Directly IN front
of the house the exercises held. The orator,
Professor Diman. OF Brown University, delivered an
excellent address, ropctc with details OF tho events
connected with the surprise and capture OF Prescott
bold AND HAZARDOUS EXPLOIT.
While admitting that It bold and OF the
best executed exploits OF tho revolution yet 1t was
not. bo SAID. an event which HAD really important
bearing. and also that It not event that could
be compared to others which took place during tho
SAME year. 1t was however. an important historical
event, and among those which mad made lasting
Impression the popular mind. lie cloquenty
referred 10 the scenes enacted on tho spo 100 years
ago to-day, described in the HERALD oil to-day, aud
he also gavo bret history OF Tho events IN his
vciniiy winch precedcd the capture OF Prescott and
he took OCCASION To refer TO tho lnsoent and over
bearing manner of tho latter TO the residents OF Poris
mouth and Newport Hc then savo Colonel
Barton's account o. tho affair, the manuscript
oi which being in the possession ot tho
Providence Historical Society, which was full
interest. The speaker sand that the comrades oi
Colonel Barton had told tho story somewhat, differ
enty, aud loss account the different
VERSIONS Of tho affair which they had gwen. io
dcscr bed the enthusiasm whicn prevailed through out
the country immediately after tho exploit. Tho glad
news, ho said had lifted dark cloud from the Iuco
OF Washington, who called the attention OF Congress
to tho matter at once
VALUED RELIC.
Tho sword voted 10 Coionel Barton by Congress- and
presented by secretary oi war hnvx was nero OK.
nibitcd by tho speaker II being handed TO him Dy
Colonel Bartons grandson, Albert GalIatin Barton.
who was among the listeners. rho speaker lcclinsy
alluded TO the brave olccr's Incarceration IN Yer
jail for dcb and 10 his release, alter being con
nned there fourteen years. through the ntercession Of
his friend General Lafayette.
The oratou, which occupied about three quarters OF
an hour In It's delivery, was listened TO with close ut
tention. and At lis conclusion vote OF thanks was
passed, also resolution TO have the address printed
CLANS AND PATRIOTIC INSPIRATION
Tho guests ,hcn formed into line ana marched to an
this Rhode Island treat had been partakcn
of, Cnairinan John X. Staples called upon
Governor Van Handt Tor tow remarks. Tho
Governor, IN brief and appropriate speech,
said such associations as these go to inspire
patriotism IN the young. God grant that the dav be
TAR distant when shall forget tue times OF the kevo.
luton. that tried mems souls when shall TO
gather lovingly and ongngy around the spots that are
blessed and hallowed by tnose associations; Tor II
believe that patriotic inspirations In the present take
birth In the patriotic and feelings Of The past
| st SPEECHES, POEMS AND ANECDOTES.
! Governor Van Iandt was followed by cx-Governor
| Howard, bon. William T. Sheheld, and Hon. Samuel
| G. Arnold, tho historian, OF Rhode Island a poem
was then read by Jonn W. rettis, which was wei
received; afer which Right Rev. Thomas NJ. Clark,
Bishop Of the Diocese oil Rhode Island, delivered
very humorous address, which created no littc merr
mont Tho grandson OF tho hero OF the occasion, A.
G.. Barton, gave fuw historical "reminiscences
Of his grandfather many OF which had evidently been
unknown to tbe historians and the speakers VINO hnt
preceded him. An excellent poem, commemorative
the event, was tbon road Dy Rev Frederic Dcnison
VINO follow ed Dy Hon. Zacnariah Allen, Prosien
OF the Providence Historical Society The last speaker
was Captain John H. stevenson, OF tho Ancient ant
Honorable Artillery Company, OF Boston.
J The celebration was success ia every particular
aud Rhode Islanders will long have cause To remember
pleasantly tho interesting cvcnts ot the day. Among
! other guests present General James Grant II
son, United States Army; General George W. Culium
| United States Army; Congressman b. 1. Eamcs o
tbs Siatc and quito number oi tho summer residents
| here