The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-08-17
Gen. Burgoynes 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. Burgoyne
and traditions of his visit. After the sur
render, Burgoyne, with other paroled pris-
oners, left Saratoga for Boston to take pas
sage for England. He was escorted by q
band of American soldiers under command
of Col. Elisha Porter Of Hadley-a nota-
BILE 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 section, and seats in the
legislature and other official positions have
been heir-looms since the time of Samuel
Porter-the first male child born in the
town. Col. Porter was the son Of EleaZar
Porter and brother of Judge Eleazar Porter
Of the court of common pleas. AT the out
break of the revolution be raised regiment
and commanded it during the earlier part
of the struggle, gaining distinction from
his high qualities, both in the field and in
the councils OF his superior officers. Au-
tOgraph letters from Washington and other
famous men are still treasured by his de-
scendauts. To him was assigned the task
of plotting Burgoyne through the noun
tain wilderness lying between the battle
field and the sea, and, on arriving at Had
ley, he entertained the distinguished cap
tive in his own mansion. This house is one
of the finest spt cimens OF old colonial arch
itecture TO be found, aud bears its 1G4 years
more lightly than most of its contempOra-
RIGS. The loom occupied by Gen. Bur-
gcyue during the night is spacious and
elegant apartment on the lower floor look
ing out upon the eXpanse OF the beautiful
West street, and Swallowed by majestic
elms. So much was Burgoyne impressed
by the Kindness OF his generous foe, that on
departing he presented Col Porter with his
dress sword, which Gen. Gates had per-
mitted him to retain, and also left his camp
bedstead and the poles Of his tent. The
bedstead has, through some unknown
chance, disappeared, but the remaining ar
ticles are preserved and exhibited with pride
to curious visitors. The sword is one of
the slender, triangular raplers which were
Indispensable features in the dress of the
gentlemen of that day, but this is of the
elegant order beftting the dignity of an Of
fcer of high rank in his maiesty's army.
The hit is of sole silver, and the guard is
constructed in elaborate designs. The en-
tire length of the blade is inlaid with gold
filigree work, and on the sides of the base
near the hilt are traced in the came metal
G. R.-Georgius Rex-and the arms of the
British kingdom. The numerous hacks
and dents on the swords edge show that it
was not merely holiday decoration. The
point has been broken eff, and possibly re-
mains rusting in the scabbard, which is of
finest leather, ornsmented 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 fiat sticks united at one end to an
iron spike, and Jointed near the other, is
supposed to have served as support to a
canopy overhanging the generals head.
Col. Porter's diary, which he kept with
great minuteness for many years, closes
abruptly at tue end Of the wear 1776, and
thus the only knowledge of the history of
these interesting relics depends upon fam
lily tradition. Springfield Republican.