Connecticut western news., 1881-08-03
Capt. Hewitt, n Soldier 0F the RevO.
 lutiOne-A bit of Local History.

The attack, by 8 small force of pa triots con- posed of Connecticut men and "Green Noun tain boys" under Ethan Allen, & native of Sal isbury, and the taking of the Fort of Ticon- deroga, will be readily recalled by the reading of this simple narrative. This occurred on the 10th of May, 1775. An act of one of our towns men, which contributed greatly to the success of that enterprise, led by the fiery but brave. impetuous Allen, should not be forgotten. The sudden knocking at the doors of that stronghold, the demand of it's chief officer By whose authority do you act ?" the spirited and impressive reply, ''In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!'' this has been and will be handed down to the latest generations, while the thousand deeds, demanding as much of patriotism, and at 8 time when courage and self-sacrifce cost so much in their practical expression, must sink into forgetfulness. Before the attack on Ti- conderoga it was necessary to so small force, to know something of it's strength. Capt. and whose life was mostly passed in Canaan, took upon himself the dangerous duty of gain ing the needed information. With emigra- tion to this country from England, from time to time, there came some from the most ig- norant and lowest class of that land. From the wild and very srural districts" there would stroll occasionally into the camps strange, uncouth characters, satisfying their curiosity, and amusing hls majesty's soldiers by their wondering ignorance, their clownish-
 
 sometimes by 8 natural shrewdness and wit. Capt, Hewitt resolved to enter the Fort and spy out it's strength, and it's weakness, too. He took on the character of one of these half wltted Yankees, as the enemy termed them. dressed himself in the most outandish garb, daudled about the tally-posts. approaching and then withdrawing, peering into any open ings with half-scarsd curiosity, until the sim pie Yankee was allowed to pass the sentry with foolish grin, half of pleasure and half of pre- far, ,lolf fao x1xy ukol had seen such visitors before, and were glad of anything to amuse and relieve the monoto- | ny of 8 rather sleepy life in the Fort. He was shown through the different departments, questioning the use of everything he saw, making his observations of half-witted wit, and grinning his pleasure in return for the shouts of laughter, caused as he was pleased to know, by his original remarks and pro- nunciation of the kings English, and his in- nocent simplicity. His greatest astonishment was over the 'tiron logs," although the army and navy stores had given an overwhelming impression of power he expressed his opinion of by half uttered oaths which he always checked in himself when not too much over come by his astonishment. Finally one of the iron logs was fired of for his amusement, at which he "took to his heels," as the old man used to say when we prevailed on him to re. peat the story, and never tired of hearing, and did not cease his speed until well out of the way of those whose suspicious might pos- SlDly U0 ally llUIu0ub dT0uB0U III T6R8TQ to ms real character, and would no doubt have been had it been later in the annals of our "Revo lutionary war" The roars of laughter that followed on, tue order of his going from the be- fooled soldiers of the garrison, amused him in turn, Taking to his commander the minutest knowledge of the men, and munitions of war contained in the Fort, the evident lack of any suspicion of an attack, the result of the little army's patriotic resolution, it's success without loss, must have been greatly due to the ven- turesome deed of Capt. Hewitt. He stated in addition, that an officer of the garrison saw and recognized him in the ranks of his cap- tors, but being sent prisoner, with his com mand to Hartford, he was not able then nor thereafter to wreak the vengeance he threat ened upon him.
 A large building, during the war, and un- til few years since, stood on the ground now AL = -'EA-- - AA~ a+- ~+,o horaa This tuo loCa1GJ OA . was tavern kept by Mir. Stevens, whose daughter Capt. Hewitt married, and it became thence forth his home, It was at this house portion of Gen. Burgoyne's army regaled themselves on their way home to England. Capt. Hewitt died in 1884, and lies buried in the lower cem- etery of this place. He lived to the age of 91 years, and was ever justly proud of an exploit that helped to put the command of those two important water highways, Lakes George and Ohamplain, in possession of the Continental army, even before congress had been vested with the power to declare war. O, R. c.