Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-02-19
The FIREMAN.
Studies in Early Vermont History.
BY REV. r. II. HOWARD, A. VI.
No. t.
VERMONT IN THE REVOLUTION.


could. Beset upon every hand by states
seeking in every way to embalrass and
overturn her government, and steadfastly
and even haughtily, denied the privilege
of admission to the Union. and hence the
comforting assurance that in tie event of
the final success of the co onies, she should
share the fruits ofthe victory, Vermont yet
promptly responded to the call of patriotic
duty, cast in her lot with the colonies, and
cheerfully bore her share of the burden
connected with that great contest for liber-
ty, union and American independence.
Ite,rly became obvious to the Americans
that if they were effectually to Withstand
invasion and suhiugation at the hands
of Great Britain, they must obtain posses
sion of the military posts on Lake Cham
plain. The first active measures for ac-
complishing an undertaking so desirable
rs the reduction of these posts appear to
have been taken by several enterprising
gentlemen of Connecticut. fastening
forward to Bennington with view to en-
Saging Ethan Allen in this business, they
proceeded to Casteton, where, at an early
day, they were joined by Allen and his
recruits.
Early in the history of the controversy
with New York, a military association had
been formed, of which Ethan Allen,
ardent, unyielding and bold, man emi-
nently fitted by nature and experience for
the circumstances and eXegencies of the
times, was appointed colonel command
ant, and Seth Warner, the cool, calm,
cautious, yet intrepid mountaineer, was
appointed second in command. This Or
ganzation, under the direction of men
thus so peculiarly qualified by virtue of
an unwonted vigor of both body and
mind, for the responsibilities devolving
upon them, subsequently, became renowned
in our earlier and revolutionary annals as
the Green Mountain Boys,''-a band of
hardy and brave men long terror at
once to Workers AMI red-coats.
Allen readily undertook to conduct the
enterprise looking towards the reduction
Of the military posts on Luke Champlan.
Ticonderoga was to be the first point of
attack. In the evening of the oh of May,
177j, Allen, with his men, reached Orwell,
opposite to Tconderoga, without the garri-
sons having obtained any intimaton Of his
proceedings. or having had their suspicious
awakened of any contemplated hostile visit
Though his whole force consisted of 27O
men, POO of whom were Green Mountain
Boys, yet, in consequence of unavoidable
delays, but SO men had been landed on
the New York side of the lake, when, a
little after daybreak on the morning of the
10th of May, 177j, Allen was obliged to
begin his march toward the fortress. With
so great expedition and silence, mean
time was this march effected, and with so
little difficulty was his entrance into the
fort attended, that it was not until awak-
the Green Mountain Boys, already in
possession of, and drawn up on the parade
ground within the fort, that the garrison
and its commander, Capt. De Laplace.
were aware of what had occurred. How
this doughty commander, without waiting
to dress, fastened to the door of the bar
rack, and how Allen sternly commanded
him TO surrender, and how, when the British
officer inquired by what authority the
surrender was demanded, was informed
that it was by the authority of the Great
Jehovah and the Continental Congress,
and how that, though he had not been
apprised that hosliities had commenced
between Great Britain and her colonies,
nevertheless, under the circumstances, he
surrendered at discretion, and how that,
on account Of this exploit, Ethan Allen
has always been known rs the hero of
Ticonderoga, are not these facts familiar
to every American school-boy?
Elated by this success, the Vermonters
pressed on until they obtained full posses
sion of Lake Champain. Unhappily, in
consequence of the failure on the part of
Major Brown to cooperate with him in
the contemplated assault upon Montreal,
A Hen, though fighting with desperate
courage. yet, being greatly outnumbered,
was finally taken prisoner by the British
on the 25th of September, with So of his
men. He was Immediately loaded with
irons and sent to England, continuing in
captivity there until finally exchanged.
Shortly after this, the British genera
(Carlton) who had captured Allen, was in
turn himself severely punished by Col. Seth
Warner. Attempting to cross, with his
troops, from Montreal to Longueil, they
were surprised just before reaching the
south shore, by an attack on the part Of
Warner, who, having been watching them
ever since their embarkation, opened upon
them such well-directed and incessant
fire of muskctry and grape, that the enemy
was thrown into the greatest confusion,
and soon retreated with precipitation and
disorder.
Only two battles were fought on the sol
OF Vermont during the Revolutionary
war-the battles of IIubbardton and Of
Bennington.
General Burgoyno was driving every
thing before him down the Champlar
ralley. Tho Americans, retreating from
Ticonderoga, were pursued by zen
Fraser, who, on the morning of the 9TH ol
Of July, l777, overlook and attacked
9TH
The conflict was fierce and bloody. With
only seven Or eight hundred men, Warner
disputed the progress of the enemy witt
the utmost bravery and resolution. The
gallant Col, Francis fell fighting at the
head of his troops, Warner well sup
ported by his officers and men, charged
the enemy with such impetuosity tina
they were thrown into disorder, ant
a. -. hAT