The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-07
Ths 8ntlaud Gully 8lobs
SATURDAY, JULY I, 1877.
THE sK1RM1sH AT CAsTLEToN.


To-day-July Z, 1877 occurs the Gen.
tennial anniversary OF the battle of Hub
bardton, the only battle fought on Vermont
soil during the revolutionary war. AS
preliminary thereto, occurred the skirmish
at Castleton-sometlme5 dignilcd into a
battle-July 6, 1777, and as Introductory to
the celebration to-day, we give the follow
ing sketch prepared mainly by the Rev.
Joseph Steele-we shall, probably, give
our readers all they want of the battle of
Hubbardton in our next issue:
About half mile east Of Castleton vii
lsge on the northwest corner of the east
and west road and the Hu5batdlon road,
stood the house of George FOote, where re-
ligious worship was held on the Sabbath.
Upon the conner opposite was a school
house. A mile ard half north of this, on
the Hubbardton road, lived Capt. John
Hall. Still further north, on what is
known as the Ransom farm, was building
Apr. priated to recruits. On the Sabbath,
July 6, while the people were gathered for
religious worship, the alarm is given that
the enemy is approaching. At the same
time the recruits come flying down the road
and take shelter in the school house and in
the house of Mr.. Foole. Women and
children take shelter in the cellar.
There is brisk firing from both sides
for considerable time, but the cas-
ualties are few, the enc party covered
by the buildings, the other by the trees OF
the forest. There is a closer conflict. Capt.
Williams, q volunteer from Guilford, Vt,
is wounded in the groin, but will not yield;
and, in hand to hand Aght, deals heavy
blow upon British lieutenant. He is
then bayonetted through the body, and ex-
pires in few moments. Capt John Hall
receives a shot in the leg, and as he lies
profusey bleeding, calls for water. AS his
wife is bringing 1t to him, tory named
Jones, kicks the dish from her hands.
Capt. Hall died of his wounds not long
after. One OF the British infantry was
MORALLY wounded and another shot through
the body; but recovered through the kind
attention of Mrs. H9ll-Tendering good
for evil. One Of Capt. Williams sons was
wounded in the heel, in the carly part
of the engagement, and fled to
the woods. He finally reached Rutland
in furnishing condition. Two sons OF
Capt. Hall, Elias and Alpheus, George
Foot and others, were taken prisoners anc
carried to Ticonderoga, but made theil
escape after few weeks. The body o.
Capt. Williams, wrapped in a blanket
without coffin, was rudely buried at thu
foot of tree near by. Forty-four year
after his remains We're dsinterred and tn,
bones carefully gathered and laid togethe
in exact order by Luther Deming-a maj
perfectly blind and rehuried in the villsg
graveyard with appropriate ceremonies
Capt. Williams had been at III. during tn
French war, and was anxious to go Their
again.
After this most unequal conflict, il
which the British torres and Indian
outnumbered nearly ten to one, th
victorious party returned TO Hubbardton
rifllng houses and gathering plumber O.
their way. 1t was on this came day tha
Gen. st. Clair evacuated Ticonderoga, an
marched his forces to Castleton. His rout
was by the old military road TO Hubbard
ton, thence south by the Hubbardton roaC
The van of st. Glars army encamped tbs
night near the place where Williams an
Hall had just fallen. One division Of ii
army under Col, Bellows encamped abor
two miles south of Hubbardton. The rel
of the army, with Coils. Warner, FIanci
and Hall, enoamped at Hubbardton I'll
The foraging party engaged in the sklrmis
at Castleton came near falling into Il
hands of st. Glars army, on their return
but meeting some Of his soldiers wi
we're strayiDg in advance, they learnt
of the approach Of the army, ant
taking these prisoners, they turned into II
woods, and so escaped. They encamp'
that night within short distance of CC
Warmers commaud-so near, says M
Hall, one of the prisoners, that the moi
of the battle was distinctly heard, al
great anxiety was felt as 10 who were I
combatants and what the result. The SAL
party commanded by Capt. Sherwood, to
several more prisoners in Hubbardion,
of whom they carried to Ticonderoga.
There is a question who was the col
mander of this foIaging party. Liel
Hall, a prisoner with the party, says 1t v
commanded by Capt. Fraser. Thompso
history says the same. Other authorit
say that Capt Fraser was certainly on /
west side of the lake, few days befo
leading the attack on the American lines
Besides, Capt. Sherwood Is said to hs
been the commander of the foraging pa