The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-19
3ispriraL
CAPTURING CAPTURING GEN. PRESCOTT.
Celebrating the Centennial Of Colonel
BartOH'S Daring Exploit
His Release From Prison by Latay-
cite, and the Ballad of "Brave
Barton"

Providence, R. l., July Io.-Ihe cen.
tennial anniversary of the capture OF
General Prescott by Colonel Barton was
commenced to-day on the scene OF the
exploit at Portsmouth. on the island OF
Rhode Island, six miles above New
port. The Providence Light Infantry
Veteran Association controlled the move
ment, and we're joined by the members
of the Rhode Island Historical Society
and others. A large company went
down from this city by boat and rail-
An historical address was delivered by
Professor Diman. Of Brown University,
and poem by Rev. Frederick Dennl'
son. A clam>bake was served, and
speeches were made by Governor Van
Zandt, VIM, P. Sheffield, Ex-Governor
Samuel C. Arnold, Right Rev. Bishop.
Clark, Z. Allen, Ex-Governor Howard,
Albert G. Barton, grandson of the hero
of the exploit, Captain John L. Steven
son, of Boston, and others, and a pi>
quaint poem was read by George w.
Pettis, of Boston.
The capture one hundred years ago
to-day of Major General Richard Pres,
colt, commander under Lord Percy, OF
the British forces then in possession OF
Newport, who, with the aide-de camp,
Major William Darlington, made his
summer headquarters at the house OF
MIR. Henry Overing, was, says the Provi-
dence Journal Of to day, 'one Of the most
adroit and daring of Revolutionary ex,
ploits in Rhode Island, The plan OF
capture was originated by Lieutenant
Colonel William Barton, then stationed
at Tiverton to guard the east passage
against the ascent Of the armed vessels
of the enemy, thereby securing the safes
ty, not only of the shore towns along
Mount Hope and Narragansett bays,
but of Providence also.
General Lee, of the Continental ar
my, had been taken prisoner by the
British, and it occurred to Colonel Bar
q. ton that if he could gain possession OF
General Prescott, an early exchange OF
General Lee might be effected, and that
able though somewhat eccentric officer
be at once brought into active service.
He communicated his plan confidential
ly TO Colonel Joseph Stanton, jr., who
cordially approved it. Encouraged by
such support, Colonel Barton immedl-
ately entered upon its execution. A
body of al picked men was secured and
boats provided at Warwick Neck in
which to cross to the point of action. At
the moment Of embarkation the men, for
the first time, were informed Of the ma
ture of the expedition, and were enJoln-
ed to preserve strict order, to observe
profound silence, to abstain from indulg- |
ing in plunder, and above all, to take
no spirtuous liquors with them. The |
enterprise was to have come off on the |
4th Of July, but violent storm prevents
ed, but all things being in readiness, and |
the darkness of the night of the 10th ia.
voring, the party set forth and reached |
their destination without attracting the |
attention of the enemy's vessels, near
which they were obliged to pass. Land
ing quietly, they proceeded cautiously to
the Generals quarters, secured the SEN
tinel before he had opportunity to give
alarm, and entering the house seized
their captive and hurried him off en- dis
ha6ilke. In fact, the General crossed a
field abounding with blackberry and
raspberry bushes, and entered the boat
bareheaded, barefooted and with his
night garment only for covering. 1t
was.a bold push, as the captive, with a
strong expletive, affirmed; but it was no
time to stand on ceremony, though Col.
oneI Barton treated his prisoner with the
cou rtesy due to his rank.
ut is said that when the Colonel ap-
preached The chamber occupied by Gen.
Prescott and found the door fastened,
Guy Waits on, his black body servant,
whose head was as hard as cannon
ball, butted it open. He was very proud
of his connection with the capture of the
British General, and, when subsequent
ly made drummer, he showed a credN
liable dexterity in the use Of his drum
sticks. On public holidays it was his
practice to appear in complete uniform,
and found great enjoyment in singing to
the crowd gathered around him the then
popular ballad Of Brave Barton.'a
The day was spent the evening fair,
When Barton marched his men with care
Down to the rivers side ..,r.
And unto them most nobly said: ri
"Let none embark who are afraid
To cross the swelling tide" at..
But they, like hardy sons OF Mars,
Insured to hardships and to wars
Most nobly did reply;
with manly rage our souls on fire,
We sCorn the thought for to retire;
We conquer will, or die"
Thus did they cross and march away.
Where PrescOtt's hosts encamped lay,
On hostile measures bent
Young David took this bloody Saul,
And sentry, aid-de.camp and all;
Back to the boat they went.
You watchful host who round him kept,
To guard your General while he slept
Now you have lost your head;
Since they from freedoms happy shore,
LsetuAhCu anu pAOh6hb bhSA bOSsJ OSA'
The hero from his bed.
Go to your King, and to him say
Call home your troops, call them away
Or Prescotes fate they'll share. 6
For Barton with his sling and stone, Z
viii bring the great Goliah down, 70 aI
And catch him In a snare. i7H on ~
General Prescott and Major Barring !
ton, on landing at Warwick Neck, were
brought Immediately to Providence in a c
coach driven by Thomas Sabin, and de- !
Iivered to Major General Spencer, to t
whom each gave parole A few days 8
ater, for greater safety, they were sent 4
o Connecticut and placed in charge ofi 4
Governor Trumbull. When the news Of I
he Generals capture reached Newport, d
he somewhat ludicrous circumstances i
,ttendinO il caused much mIrth anono 4