Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-08-06


with pole ten feet long having hand
kerchief tied at the end, SO that his
boat night be easily distinguished.
With muffled oars they pulled between
Prudence and Patience islands, to avoid
the enemy's vessels which lay near
Hope and then hugging close the west
shore of Prudence, rounded its southern
extremity in safety, but going so near
the enemY's ship that they could dis
tinctly hear the sentinel's cry, "All's
WE'LL" When near the Rhode Island
shore they heard noise like the run
ming of horses, but a brief pause con-
vinced them that it was due to some ac-
cidental cause, and in few minutes
!, they touched the land. On reaching
Ne shore man was left in charge of
each OF the boats, while the rest of the
party, ormed in five divisions, marched
silently forward. A deep gully wore
b! the water through bank helped to
conceal them, and they gained the house
in safety. The entrance was by three
doors, on the south, east and west.
Three of the five squads were ordered
tC attack each door, the fourth remained
tf guard the road. the fifth to act as
circumstances might require, while Bar
tons black servant was enjoined to keep
close behind his master. AS the party
approached, they had the guard house
on their left, near which General Smith,
second in command, was posted, while
OF their right, at the distance of two
hundred yards, were the quarters of a
company of light horse. A sentinel
was also stationed about twenty-five
yards from the gate. In the house, be-
sides Prescott and Major harrington,
his aid, were Mr.. Overing and his SON.
with several servants. As the gate was
opened the sentinel put the usual ques-
tion. No answer was returned, but the
party continued to advance, row of
trees preventing their number from be-
ing clearly seen. He, therefore. repeat
ed the question, without being alarmed,
wien Barton answered: Friends" /"
advance and give the countersign,"
was his response ave have none, !"
said Barton, "but have you seen any
deserters tonight ?" Before he could
reply he was seized by John Hunt, his
musket was taken from him, and his
arms pinioned, and he himself threat
ened with instant death if he made the
slightest noise. When asked if Prescott
was within, he was so much frightened
that at first his tongue refused its Office,
but at length he moved his hand to-
wards the house, and answered 'yes. !"
In moment each division had reached
its station, and the door was forced. 1t
chanced that the first chamber entered
was the one occupied by Overing him.
self, who, when asked where the GEN
eral was. pointed in great agitation to
The room beneath NOt believing his
statement, Barton entered the next
chamber, where he found Overing's son.
At this moment Prescott's voice was
heard calling, and guided by the sound,
Barton descended to the lower story and
found the General sitting upon the bed.
He made no attempt to disguise his
identity. and promptly, though we can
imagine with no little surprise, acknowl-
edged himself prisoner. The story
has been often repeated, how the door
of the room was burst through by the
vigorous application of the negro's head ;
but Barton, in his narrative, makes no
mention of the incident. Prescott beg
ged the privilege of putting on his
clothes, but as the business allowed no
delay, he was only allowed his "waist-
coat, breeches and slippers" Before
they got into the boats, however, his
coat was handed him. Major Barring
ton, at the first alarm, had leaped out
of chamber window, but was imme-
diately secured, and taking with them
also the sentinel, the party started to
return. Rather carrying than leading
the captive general, they hastened by
the most direct route across the fields,
the General getting badly scratched as
they dashed through the bushes. In
the hurry his sword had been left be.
hind, and Prince the Indian, returned
to the house and got it. But the boats
had no sooner pushed off, than the alarm
was given, and it is said that in ar
hours time it was known on the whole
island but no pursuit was made, anG
the British army was at loss to know
what had become of its commander, til
a message came the next day informing
them that he was safe in Providence
The tracks of the captors could b.
clearly traced the next morning as fal
as the water side, but what had mex
become of them no man could imagine
Prescott seems to have made the best O
what must have been to him mos
mortifying adventure. Asking if Bar
ton commanded, he remarked: "Yo'
have made bold push tonight" ant
added nothing further, except to ex
press the hope that he might not b.
hurt. His apprehension was not un
natural, and doubtless would not hav
been any less had he been aware tha
one of the party who had taken him
Thomas Austin, was man who haC
been sentenced by his order to receiv
three hundred lashes, for refusing t
yoke his team for the purpose of drag
ging cannon across the island. Blu
Barton hastened to assure his prisone
that he had no personal injury to fear.
The party reached Warwick Neck a
daybreak, having been absent six hour
and half. Soon as they landed, Bar
ton gave orders that Prescott shoul
have the best breakfast that could b
provided, and an express was sent
Major General Spencer. at Providence
To that place the captive commando
was conveyed in coach, followed by
great multitude, attracted by the move
, spectacle. Like all men of his rank, q
that period, Prescott was exceedingl
} careful about his personal appearance
J and directly on his arrival, the late job