Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-04-20
HLSTORTC1L PIPERN
"Men and Women OF the Revolution"
A SERIES or VALUABLE AND ENTERTAINING
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PEN or THE
EMINENT HISTORIAN,
BENSON j. LOSING, ILL., D.


EMINENT HISTORIAN,
BENSON J. LOSING, Ill. D.
No. VI.
The Cioerone of Ticonderogn.
copyrighted 1879. by FrsK & wAaNALs for
The Vermont Phoenix
At the old Lake House, at the head Of
Lake George, long before the spacious
Fort William Henry" caravansery was
built, | became acquainted with a charm
ing young woman and her brother,
from the vicinity Of the lofty Kaatsbergs
fringing the Hudson Valley. They were
making brief pleasure tour. A sudden
tempest Of wind rain and lightning had
kept us all within the parlors during a sui
try evening in July, lsls, and there the
acquaintance began. We voyaged down
the lake together the next morning in
bright sunshine and iuvigorating air
The young lady was a model tourist-in-
teligent, sensible, vivacious and enthusias-
tic With her brother she had encamped
among the charcoal-burners Of the Kaats-
bergs, hunted in the mountains and fished
for days in the glens and was favorite
companion Of Thomas Cole the artist, in
his sketching excursions. While others
were afraid Of spelling their complexions
in the sunlight or Of crumpling their smooth
dresses or soilng their fine bonnets and
gloves, she bade defiance TO dust and crowds.
for her brown linen sacque, with its spa
cious pockets for a guide-book and other
accessories her Isle thread gloves, her
jaunty sun hat and her free but sweet and
modest demeanor toward ALL gave herself
and brother no uneasiness. And when at
the foot Of the lake, ! climbed to the lofty
and broad seat Of the driver of an old
fashioned stage-coach, for a ride of four
| miles through a most picturesque region.
| 10 TicOnderoga, on Lake Champlain, she
| too sprang up, as nimble as n squirrel to
/ the notable perch Of observation for a trav-
| eler. As we journeyed among the hills.
caught glimpses Of the Green Mountains,
and heard droll stories of his experience
| from the lips Of our Jehu of slow speech.
her ringing laughter awoke responsive
echoes.
A glance, from our seat, of the gray old
/ ruins Of Fort Tconderoga as we drew near
/ the Pavilion on the lake shore, made US
as inpatient as children 10 be among them
/ With these pleasant companions, and alone,
/ | spent hours among the remains Of the old
/ fortress, listening TO the stories of a vener-
able soldier, who in body haunted the place
in the pleasant summer time. We were
about to send to the Pavilion for guide
and an interpreter Of the mysteries around
US, when this white haired man, supported
/ by n rude staff, came from the ruins of the
northern line Of barracks and offered his
services. They were accepted, and after
my companions for a day had departed
down the lake for Quebec | sat at the foot
Of one of the crumbling walls and listened
10 the old mans interesting stories. His
name was Isaac Rice his age was ~
no kindred Of his was left on the earth
by a technical error he lost Just title to a
pension for military services in the Revolu-
ton, and he was obtaining a precarious
support from the free-will offerings of sum
mer visitors for whom he acted as a cice-
rome. Though feeble in body, his mind ap-
peared clear and vigorous
Did you assist in the capture of this
fort = inquired.
"No," ," he replied "but my oldest brother
did | was then nearly thirteen years old
When Burgoyne took the fort | was "A drum
mer boy Of the garrison that escaped and
saw the British general deliver his sword
to our General Gates three months after
ward. My brother was twenty years old
/ on the dav when the fort was taken We
/ lived near the old "Catamount tavern in
/ ermont-did you ever hear of it where
Ethan Allen lived a long time and where
the Green Mountain boys mustered in the
troublesome times before the Revolutionary
war. I've heard my brother tell many
/ things about the taking of the fort on that
morning
Didn't they get into the fort by a covert
way r | asked
YES, and there's where it was " he said
/ pointing to a hollow among mass of stones
and earth. MY brother, who was a ser
geant, led squad of men Just behind
| Coonels Allen and Arnold.
"Arnold-Benedict Arnold = | said, in
/ quiringly.
Yes. Arnold joined the Vermonters
and others at Castleton on the evening be
fore the capture" The veteran then told
the story clearly his brother had related
/ it to him. Arnold came without officers or
troops-only one servant. He introduced
/ himself to Colonels Allen and Easton-Eas-
ton Of Pittstield-and taking from his pock-
ct a commission as colonel from the Massa-
chusetts Committee of Safety, he claimed
the right to command the whole force gath
cred there for the expedition. Allen dis
puted his claim. Arnold persisted, when
the indignant Green Mountain boys declared
that only Colonel Allen should lead them or
they would shoulder their muskets and go
home.
Arnold was compelled to yield, and all
prepared TO cross the narrow lake that
night Boats were scarce, and only about
50 men were enabled to cross over. Allen
took with him Nathan Beman, a farmers
l.,t bn hal nrl, af tlta Cor md
knew all about it, At daybreak they were
ready to climb the bank to the sally-port of
the fort, when Arnold again claimed the
right to command Allen disputed his
claim. Arnold swore he troUld command.
Allen swore he shouldn't. This quarrel was
IN undertOnes, so as not TO be heard by the
sentinels above. The men interfered, and
it was arranged thai Allen and Arnold
should enter side by side, Allen on the right
as commander. Then they all moved to
the sally-port at the covert way, led by Al
len and Arnold The sentinel snapped his
fusee and ran into the fort, followed by the
Americans close upon his heels and before
the garrison could spring from their pallets
and seize their arms the invaders had pos
session of the parade within the fort and
took them all prisoners as they came out.
Young Beman then led Allen up a rickety
stairway 70 lhe apartments Oh Ndptalh bt
Laplace the commander. Knocking loudly
on the door with his sword-hilt he com
manded the captain in a stern voice, to ap
pear instantly or the garrison would per
ish. At that moment De Laplace, who had
been awakened by the commotion on the
parade, clad only in shirt and drawers
sprang to the door, the frightened face OF
his pretty little wife appearing over hi,
shoulder.
Surrender :" shouted Allen
They were old acquaintance.
by what authority do you command m,
TO surrender this fort p said De Luplace
Indignantly.
In the name Of the Great Jehovah anC
the Continental Congress ~ Numbered Al
len, raising his sword over the captain,
head