St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-07-27
VOLUME 4O---NUMBER 2O87.

ed by the sound, Barton descended to
the lower story and found the General
sitting upon the bed. He made no at
tempt to disguise his identity, and
promptly, though we can imagine with
no little surprise, acknowledged himself
prisoner. The story has been often
repeated, how the door of the room was
burst through by the vigorous appIica-
ton of the negro's head but Barton, in
his narrative, makes no mention of the
incident. Prescott begged the privilege
of putting on his clothes, but as the
business allowed no delay, he was only
allowed his ''waistcoat, breeches and
slippers" Before they got into the
boats, however, his coat was handed
him. Major Darlington, at the first
alarm, had leaped out of chamber
window, but was Immediately secured,
and taking with them also the sentinel,
the party started to return. Rather
carrying than leading the captive gen.
eral, they fastened by the most direct
route across the fields, the General get
ting badly scratched as they dashed
through the bushes. In the hurry his
sword had been left behind, 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 an hours time it
was known on the whole island but no
pursuit mas made, and the British army
was at loss to know what had become
of its commander, till message came
the next day informing them that he
was safe in Providence. The tracks of
the captOrs could be clearly traced the
e, Al -. I
but what had next become of them no
mad could imagine. Prescott seems to
have made the best of what must have
been to him most mOrtifying adven-
ture. Asking if Barton commanded,
he remarked: "You have made bold
push Tonight" and added nothing fur
ther, except to express the hope that
he might not be hurt. His apprehen-
sion was not unnatural, and doubtless
would not have been any less had he
been aware that one of the party who
had taken him, Thomas Austin, was
man who had been sentenced by his
order to receive three hundred lashes,
for refusing to yoke his team for the
purpose of dragging a cannon across
the island. But Barton FASTENED to
assure his prisoner that he had no per-
sonal injury to fear.
The party reached Warwick Neck at
daybreak, having been absent six hours
and half. Soon as they landed, Bar
ton gave orders that Prescott should
have the best breakfast that could be
provided, and an express was sent to
Major General Spencer, at Providence.
To that place the captive commander
was conveyed in a coach, followed by
a great multitude, attracted by the
novel spectacle. Like all men of his
rank, at that period, Prescott was ex-
ceedingly careful about his personal
appearance and directly on his arrival,
the late John Howland was summoned
to dress his hair according to the fashion
of the day. Not long after a flag of
truce came up the river bringing his
wardrobe, his purse, his hair powder
and plentiful supply of perfumery.
Notwithstanding his OWL harshness, so
long as he remained in Providence, he
seems to have been treated with entire
respect. The third day after he was
captured, he was taken to Connecticut,
and here he would seem to have met
with somewhat harsher usage, for on
the Goth of July Colonel Paterson, the
in personal interview with Washing
ton, complained of the treatment which
Prescott was receiving as likely, with
his age and infrmities, to result in fatal
consequences. Washington, in reply,
disclaimed any particular knowledge
of the facts, but ''mentiOned the case OF
Col. Allen" Prescott was afterwards
sent to New York and exchanged fol
Lee.
1t may not he known to but very few
that this General Barton, whose capture
of General Prescott in Rhode Island is
part and parcel of the History of Oul
country, was treated as below by the
Green Mountain State.
''At the close of the war, the State
Or. L., in consideration of his services
made good the depreciation in his pay
and conferred on him the estate of d
refugee family in Newport. 1t is not
pleasant to add that in later years the
veteran became involved in law suit
in Vermont, growing out of his purchase
of Il township in that State (the town OF
Barton,) and refusing to bow to de.
cision which he looked upon as wrong
he was detained in the town of Danvillt
fourteen years. The sum in dispute
was trifiing, but Barton preferred this
: long separation from his family rather
than pay what he had declared he
would not. The refusal was eminently
characteristic of the war. AS, however
, his place of detention was the village
inn, where he was always sure of al
interested circle to hear the story which
it is said he was never disinclined tC
tell, it must not be supposed that his
imprisonment was attended with much
privation. When Lafayette was in this
country, in 1924, learning that his old
!. friend was in this unfortunate dilemma
, he generously discharged the debt with
out Barton's knowledge, and the latter
was set at liberty, and returned to his
native State. On the 9TH of July, 1928
he visited for the last time, with par
ty of friends, the scene of his exploit
and described with singular precision
its successive incidents. Colonel Bar
ton died at Providence, on the 22d OF
October, 1881, having reached the ripe
age of S5 years"
This brave officer, it seems, was
"placed Oh the limits" Tor trifling sum
and 1t seems lncomprehenslble that hi'
countrymen allowed it, leaving Il for.
eign citizen to purchase his release. We
append a notice of sentiment sent by
Gen. w. w. GrOut to the celebration
of the centennial above alluded to, OIL
the 9th inst:
Barton, to the friends Of its namesake
I. Tho of R1rtnn rho
hills of Vermont, sends greeting to the
descendants of the hrave cantor nl