Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-13
was benedict Arnold Present at the
Capture OF TiCondcroGa Ethan
Aliens Testimony

as bcnchlCt Arnold Present at the
Capture OF TiCondcroga? Ethan
Aliens Testimony.
1t is in the interest of tho facts of history
not with Allen and his party at the capture of
Iiconderuga, and did not arrive there until
several days after its capture. am well aware
that Ira Allen, in his history Of Vermont and
Dr. Williams state that Arnold. with II COM
mission from Massachusetts, "a colonel, arrived
at Castlcton before Allen left there, and claim
ed of Allen the right to supplant him in the
command of the expedition and that they
state, moreover, that he renewed the demand
on the morning of the 10Th of May, when about
to attempt to enter the fortress Their state
ments have been copied by nearly all histo-
rams ram since ahd have been accepted as true by
ments of Ira Allen and DR.. Williams are di-
rectly contradictcd by others, whose knowl-
edge of the facts of the case and entire honesty
cannot be successfully impeached. and espec-
tally by ono whose word, were it not sup
ported as IT is abundantly-by others and by
many corroboratng circumstances, appears to
me to be absolutely conclusive. Nathan Be
man was Aliens guido on that occasion. He
was eighteen years of age, Intelligent and
honest. He had as u boy PLAYED with the
children of the officers of the fort, and knew
every nook and angle Of IT, 1t because
Of his intimate knowledge Of the fortress and
the grounds around it, and his general inteli-
gencc, that he was selected by Allen for this
responsible duty From the circumstances of
the case he was by Aliens side continuously.
This Nathan Beeman must have known the
facts of the matter, and he always and repeat
edIN asserted, in the most positive manner, in
after years, that Arnold did not accompany
the expedition, was not present with the party
on the night OF the attack and capture, and
did not arrive at ficonderoga till several days
after its capture. Beman's testimony was
fully and often CorrOboratcd by many others
who had KNOWLEDGE of the facts nor did
mako the least mention of or alusiOn to Ar
mold as being present until the capture OF the
fort. The fact seems to us as firmly esta blish-
ed Hs competent testimony can establish any
fact of history, that Benedict Arnold was not
with the, expedition, and hal no part what
ever in the capture of TiCUndernga- w. II. II.
Murray's Lake ChamplRin and its Shores.
What foundation Mr. Murray may have
for his belief that Nathan Beman declared
in after years that Arnold was not present
at the capture of the fort, we do not know,
nor does he tell us by whom Beman's al
legged testimony was corroborated But it
WILL we think, occur to some readers of
the passage above quoted, that pretty
strong testimony would be needed to over
throw the statement of Ira Allen, who,
being the brother of Ethan and doubtless
acquainted with others who were present at
the capture of Ticonderoga, had excellent
means of information in regard to the de
tails of the event. Ira Aliens statement is
not without confirmation. 1t is perhaps
worthy of note Mr.. Losing, the histori-
an who visited Ticouderoga in 1S4S and
heard the story Of the capture related by
Israel Rice, who was one of the garrison
of the fort after its capture and who had
a brother in the storming party, apparent
y heard nothing which led him to doubt
the fact of Arnolds presence, for he states
without question or qualification that Ar
mold was present. 1t is true that Ethan
Allen in his Narrative does not
mention the fact of Arnolds partici-
patton in the capture. But Ethan
Aliens testimony that Arnold was there
and entered the fort at his side is neverthe-
less on record. Ethan Aliens letter to the
committee of correspondence at Albany, an
nouncing the capture of Ticonderoga is ex-
tant. 1t has been printed before now in
the FREE Press; and we copy it once more,
rerbdtinl, Werdtjn ct punctuGtinl, from
a photograph of the original letter, which
is in tho possession of DR.. Charles Wood
house of Rutland, Vt.
[Fiied-"Ethan Allen, Reed 10th May, l7,5. ~
10 the Honorable COMMITTEE of Correspondence
fur the fBdlld CuluitU NJ 1tbdltn
Gentlemen have the IncXpressible Salts
faction to Acquaint you that at Day break OF
the Eleventh Instant pursuant to my DireC-
| tons from Suudry Leading Gentlemen in the
| Colonies of Massachusetts Bay and Connect
| cut took the Fortress of Ilcon !aroga with
| About one Hundred and thirty Green Noun
| tain Boys Col. EastOn with about Forty seven
| Veteran Soldiers Distinguished themselves in
the Action Col. Arnol Entered the fortress
with me side by side tho Guard We're 50 sur
| prised that Contrary oar Expectation Did Not
fire on US but fed with PrccippitanCy
we Immediately Emf. red the fortress and TooN
the Garrison Prisoners without Bloodshea d
or any Imposition they consisted of one Cap
tain and n Lieutenant and forty Two men
| Little more Need be said You Know Governor
| Carlton of Canada will Exert himself to re-
take it and as Your County is Nearer than any
other Part of the Colonies and as Your lnhabl-
tants hava thorowly Manifested their Zeal in
the Cause of their Country | Expect lmmedt-
| ate Assistance from \ on Both in men and Pro
vision You Cannot Exert Your Selves toe
much IN So Glorious Cause the Number of
men Need be More at the first TIL the Other
| Colonies Can have Time to Muster am APP
prehensive of a Sudden and Quick Attack
| Pray be Quick to our relief and Send US five
hundred men Immediately Fail Not From
Your Friend and Humble Servant,
ETHAN ALLEN,
Commander of IicOndarogO
The authenticity of this letter is beyond
doubt and it settles the question which Mr.
Murray raises "Col. Arnold " says Allen
"entered the fortress t0fth me, side b.
side"
The careful student Of all the contempor
aneous testimony on the subject, will, W,
doubt not, fully accept Ira Aliens state
ment that Arnold claimed the right to com
; mand the attacking party; that after ar
alteration he was permitted to be second il
J command, and that he entered the fort a
Ethan Aliens left hand
|