New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-04
IN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
NY CHARLES I. CONGDON.
COLONEL ETHAN ALLEN.

study otener than we do the characters of the al
wart men of the Revolution. There IS displayed IN
many of them an oaken robustness ana Triple IRON
vgor such as we at least fancy that we cannot OBJ
serve in this degenerate age. We have no sailor
like John Paul Jones; have no soldier like
Ethan Allen. Both men without grace OF
manner but both strong warriors In every con-
sttutional FIBRE apparently with no sense of fear,
and filed with indomitabe resolution. Neither
was a graat commander, finding opportunity
perhaps, but each distinguished himself and
place in history by single act of great temerity.
Paul Jones sunk the Scraps, and Ethan Allen capt
ured Ticonderoga. He has left a most anus
ing photographed sketch" Narrative of Colo
mel Ethan Aliens Captivity. Written by HIMSELF
which is perhaps an uncommon book enough to
bear some notice here. He thirty-six years
old when the battle of Lexington began
the great contest He was born in Connecticut but
removed about 1863 to bennington, VT. In the
quarrel which arose with the Colony of New-York
respecting its jurisdiction the New-Fampshire
Grants. which lands granted by that Colony
TO settlers Allen distinguished himself and COM
manded the militia which raised to resist the
New-York claim. Governor Tryon, of New-York
offered a reward of $50 for the capture of Allen
no doubt to his great delight. He threw himself
with his whole heart into the contest of the Col
onies with Great Britain. Instructions had been
privately sent to him from the General Assembly of
Connecticut to enlist body of the settlers in the
New-Hampshire Grants with view to the surprise
and capture of TiconderOga 1t is at this point that
the autobiography begins. 1t is written with
great vigor and occasional picturesqueness of Ian
guage which atone amply for its occasional dsre-
gard of grammatical rules.
Allen begins by telling that since she
arrived at the state of manhood and ac-
quainted himself with the general history of
mankind he had felt sincere passion for
liberty" 1.-THE first systematical and bloody
hq cat viz IN
America thoroughly electrified my mind. and fully
determined me to take part with my country"
When the call came from Connecticut to raise the
Green Mountain Boys for the march upon TcOn-
deroga, Allen acted so promptly that two hundred
and thirty men were speedily enrolled and ready
for the attack. By forced march he arrived at
the lake opposite Ticonderoga the evening of the
9th of May, 1775. He landed eighty-three men
near the garrison to whom he delivered the follow
ing cha acteristic speech: Friends and fellow
soldiers you have for a number of years PAST been
scOurge and terror to arbitrary power Your valor
has been famed abroad and acknowledged as APP
pears by the advice and orders to NE. from the
General Assembly of Connecticut to surprise and
take the garrison before u.s. now propose to adj
vance before You and in person conduct You
through the wicket gate; for must this morning
quit our pretensons to valor or possess ourselves
of this fortress in few minutes; and, inasmuch rs
it is desperate attempt which none but the bravest
on any contrary to his will. You that will
undertake it voluntarily, poise your fire.
locks" Everybody has read the result. The
surprise carried into execution Gin the
gray of the morning" of the 10th of May 1775.
1.-The sun, says Allen quantity Seemed to me that
morning to shine with superior lustre and Ticonde-
roga and Its dependencies smiled on is cOnquerers,
who tossed about the flowing bowl, and wished sue
cess to Congress, and the liberty and freedom of
America"
Allen was afterward sent upon q sort of sporadic
incursion into Canada "to observe the disposition
designs and movements of the inhabitants of the
country" service for which he had not much
stomach, that he only proceeded out of personal
respect for General Montgomery. He passed through
the Canadian parishes preaching politics" and
met with good success itinerant." He was
captured in unfortunate au ill-advised demon
stration upon Montreal He gives droll descrp-
ton of Indian upon the royal side who came very
near making an end of him after he taken pris
oner. :" A savage, part of whose head was shaved,
being almost aked and painted with feathers inter-
mixed with the hair of the other side of his head
came running to me with incredible swiftness; he
seemed to advance with more than mortal speed as
he approached near me, his hellish visage was
beyond all descriptions snakes eyes appear
innocent in comparison of his; his features err
torted malice, DEATH murder, and the wrath of
devils and damned spirits the emblems of his
GountenanCe." Allen escaped this fearful monster
and walked into Montreal prisoner In the barrack
yard he met Colonel Prescott who shook his cane nj
him, when he found that he was the Colonel Allen
who took TIconderOga. frequently using the word
"rebel and putting himself in a great rage"
Allen upon this, as upon all similar occasions was
undaunted. 81 told him he would do well not TO
cane me- for was not accustomed to it, and shook
my fist at him, telling him that was the beetle of
mortality for him if he offered to strike" Prescott
persuaded by his officers to behave better.
but he immediately ordered thirteen of the Cana
dian prisoners to be executed. Allen stepped be-
tween them and the soldiers, and Prescott seems to
have partially relented, for he said to Allen: 81
will not execute you now, but you shall grace a
halter at Tyburn God damn you 81 disdaincd
his mentioning such a place." says Allen; 81
was, notwithstanding, a little pleased with the
expression significantly conveying to me the
idea OF postponng the present appearance of DEATH
He taken on board the Gaspee schooner of war,
securely ironed hand and foot, thrust into the
most wretched part of the vessel, with nothing to
sit upon but chest. " He was" he says "obliged
to throw out plenty of extTavagant language which
answered certain purposes at that time better than
to grace history" The truth is "extravagant Ian
guage" Aliens constant resort in all difficulties
There Dr. Dace, who told him that he de-
served death; at last fully ripened for the
halter, and in far way to obtain it. Allen chal-
lenged this mpolite doctor upon the spot, and when
she excused himself in consequence of my being a
criminal, flung such food Of language at him that
it shocked him and the spectators, for my anger was
very great" Sometimes he met with better treat
ment, of which he makes large Acknowledgement.
Nothing exceed his gratitude for polteness
and generosity; but when English lieutenant
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