The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-20
BurgOyne's sword still to be seen in
Hadley, Mass.

Hadley claims notice in connection with
the Bennington celebration by virtue of
certain valuable relics of Gen. BuTgoyne ana
traditions OF his visit. After the surrender.
Burgoyne, with other paFOied prisoners, LEFT
Saratoga for Boston to take passage Tor Eng
land. He was escorted by band OF Amer,
eau soldiers under the command OF Colonel
Elisha Porter of Hadley-a notable member
of a notable family in the early history of
the Connecticut valley. The successive heads
of this family have all been more or less
prominent in the affairs of the town and sec
ton, and seats in the Legislature and other
official positions have heen helr=lOoms since
the time of Samuel POrter-the hrst male
child bOrn in the town. Col. Porter, was the
the son of Eleazer Porter and brother Of
Judge Eleazer Porter of tho cour VI com
men pleas At the outbreak Of the revOlu-
ton he raised regiment and cOmmaned II
during the earlier part of the struggle, gam
ing distnstion for his high qualities, be th
in the field and III the councils of his superb
er officers. Autograph letters from wishing
ton and other famous men are still treasured
by his descendants 10 him was assigned
the task of plotting BurROyno through the
mountain wilderness lying between tue pat
tle-teld aud the sea, and, on arriving at hau-
ley, he entertained the distinguished captive
in his own mansion. This house is one oil the
finest specimens of old colonial architecture
to be found, and bears it's l64 years more
lightly than most of its contemporaries
the night is aspaclous and elegant apartment
ON the lower floor looking out upon the ex-
panse of the beautiful West street, and shad-
owed by majestic elms. So much was Bur
gOyne impressed by the kindness Of his gen
erOus foe, that on departing Represented Col,
Porter with his dress sword, which General
Gates had permitted him to retain, aud also
left his camp bedstead and the poles Of bis
tent. The bedstead has, through some I'M
known chance disappeared, but the remain
ing articles are preserved aud exhibited wlth
pride to curious visitors. The sword Is one OF
the slender, triangular rapiers which were
indispensable features in tue dress OF the
gentlemen of that day, but this Is OF the
elegant order BETTING the dignity OF an Of
ticer of high rank in MS maje5ty's army. The
hilt is of solid silver, and the guard Is con-
structed in elaborate designs. The entire
length of the blade is inlald with gold hll-
gree work, and on the sides of the base
near the hllt are traced in the same metal IT,
R.-GeOrgius Rex-and the arms OF the brlt-
ish kingdom. The numerous hacks and dents
on the swords edge show that 1t was not
merely holiday decoration. Inc point has
been broken Oif,and possibly remains .usting
in the scabbard, which is of finest leather OF
namented with silver. The tent poles are Of
light yet strong wood, and are supplied with
JOINTS, hooks and staples. A curious piece OF
frame work consisting of four hat STICKS
united at one end TO an iron spike, and JOINT
ed near the other, is supposed to have served
as q support to a canopy overhanging the
generals head. Col. POrters diary which he
kept with great minuteness for many years,
closes abruptly at the end of the year ITO.
and thus the only knowledge OF the history
of these interesting relics depends upon fam
lily traditiOn-=Springiie Republican.