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


with Washington, complained of the
treatment which Prescott was receiving
as likely, with his age and infrmitles,
to result in fatal consequences. WASH
ington, in reply, disclaimed any partic-
ular knowledge of the facts, but "men-
toned the case of Col. Allen" Prescott
was afterwards sent to New York and
exchanged for Lee.
After brief rest, Barton and his gal
lant band started on their return to
Tiverton. During the progress of this
adventure, his injunctions had been
strictly observed. Though it is said that
Overing's house contained some valuable
plunder, not thing was taken from it.
But now that the adventure had been
crowned with such, complete success. the
restraints of discipline were naturally
relaxed. With liberal supply of pork
and rum, the courage Of the party rose
to such a pitch that before reaching
Bristol Ferry they seriously meditated
the capture of the entire British squad
ron. On reaching the camp at Tiverton,
Barton mounted on woodpile and re-
countered to an enthusiastic audience
the story of his exploit He had dared
much, and he had fairly earnod the
plaudits which were literally bestowed
upon him.
The bold enterprise of Barton met
with prompt and hearty recognition.
The General Assembly passed vote of
thanks, and ordered that sum of money
should be distributed among the party.
The commissioned officers of the expe-
dition were also recommended for pro-
motion. Nor was the enthusiasm confn-
ed to his native State. Wherever the
news spread, it made great impression.
1t came at a period of Encouragement,
when men were weary of the long inac-
tivity of Spencer, and were watching
with apprehension the advance of Bur-
goyne, and of however slight Importance
in its bearing on military operations, it
had prodigious effect on rousing the
popular spirit. Thatcher writes, in his
journal. that when the intelligence
reached the northern army, sit occasioned
great Joy and exultation." 1t even lift
ed the dark cloud which hung over the
face of Washington, who at once sent
dispatch to Congress, announcing it as
"a bold enterprise" Some years after,
Colonel Barton chanced to be in New
York, and called upon Washington, who
was lndisposed and had declined to see
any visitors, but hearing his visitor
mentioned, he at once asked if 1t was
the Barton who captured Prescott, and
when answered in the affirmative, order
ed him to be shown in at once. Barton
was made Brevet Colonel in the CONT
mental army, and Congress voted him
sword, which is still preserved as pre-
cious heirloom by his descendants. This
sword was not presented to Barton till
after the close of the struggle, when it
was accompanied with a most compli-
mentary letter from General Knox, the
Secretary of War, who wrote that "to
the expressive appreciation of the su-
preme national authority, was added the
unanimous applause of the army" How
the news of Prescott's capture was re-
ceived by His Majesty George the I'LL:
history does not inform US. but Louis
XVI. laughed heartily when he heard
the story told, and gave instructions to
his consul at New York to obtain from
the gallant leader detailed account of
the affair.
Barton derived little benefit from his
promotion. In May, of the following
year, the British sent an expedition to
destroy number of boats collected in
Kickemuit river, which, on its return
through Warren and Bristol, commenced
pillaging and burning the houses. Bar
ton, with his accustomed promptitude,
hastened from Providence in advance of
the main body sent by General Sullivan.
Collecting some two hundred volunteers,
he attacked the British forces before they
reached the ferry, and while rising in
his stirrups to urge on his men, received
bullet wound in the hip, which dis
qualified him for long time from active
service. For three months he did not
leave his bed. Greatly to his regret he
was prevented from taking part in the
expedition of General Sullivan.
At the close of the war, the State (R.
L. in consideration of his services, made
good the depreciation in his pay, and
conferred on him the estate of a refugee
family in Newport. 1t is not pleasant
to add that in later years the veteran
became involved in a lawsuit in Ver-
mont, growing out of his purchase of a
township in that State (the town of Bar
tony and refusing to bow to a decision
which he looked upon as wrong, he was
detained in the town of Danville four
teen years. The sum in dispute was
triAing, 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 an interested circle
to hear the story which it is said he was
never disinclined to tell, it must not be
supposed that his imprisonment was at
tended with much privation. When La
fayette was in this country, in 1924,
learning that his old friend was in this
unfortunate dilemma, he generously dis
charged the debt without Barton's
knowledge, and the latter was set at lib
erty, and returned to his native State.
On the 9TH, of July, 1928, he visited fol
the last time, with party of friends,
the scene of his exploit, and described
with singular precision its successive In.
cidents. Colonel Barton died at Provi
dence, on the 22d of October, 1881
having reached the ripe age of 85 years
We append a notice of sentiment
sent by Gen. William w. Grout to the
celebration of the centennial above al
luded to, on the 10th ult.