Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-09-17
4 aoY REVOLUTIONARY ngRo.
he Led Ethan Allen and Ills Gallant Men
to i British Stronghold.


ne Ted Efhan Allen and Eiis Gallant Men
to i British Stronghold.
or the boy heroes of the Revolution
the first aud almost forgotten one was
Nathan Beman. In the spring of ITS
he lived with his father. q farmer, near
the village Of 6horeham, which was
opposite Fort Tlconderoga Farmer
Beman was an American devoted to the
canse. Being of a rowing disposition
and fond OF play Nathan had often
crossed the lake and formed the ac-
quaintance oil the boys whose fathers
composed the garrison. The little fell
lows had fine times under the walls Of
the fort, and every now and then Nathan
went inside and saw how things were
moving along there. In the month Of
May Ethan Allen, at the head of the
famous Green Mountain boys, came mp
through the forests to surprise and cap-
{ ture, il possible, the fort and it's garri-
SON. The expedition, with which Bene-
dict Arnold was connected. was COM
posed of three divisions, one Of which
was to capture some boats at Skenes-
borough and send them down the lake
to Allen and his men, who were to get
them at Shoreham. But when the re-
nowned Green Mountain leader reached
the latter village, in the night time, not
single boat awaited him. This was
bitter disappointment, for Allen had
but eighty-three men with him and his
position was enc of great hazard. 1t
looked like madness to assaii with his
small force an armed place like Ticon-
deroga, yet it was still more dangerous
to remain idle.
We can't wait for the boats, nv
boysl' exclaimed the intrepid Allen.
We must assault the fortress"
In looking for guide the Vermonter
found Farmer Beman, who, as soon as
he understood what was wanted, said:
"Why not take my boys? Nathan
knows all about the fort. He's been
all over it, and knows the location of
every rat-hole inside and out. =
The suggestion delighted Allen, and
little Nathan was called and ques-
toned.
"I'll go, sir" he said at once. "I
know the way to Delaplace's quarters,
too, if you should want to find him."
Delaplace was the commandant and,
of course, the very person whom Allen
wanted. The little party crossed the
lake in such boats as they had at hand.
oars were dipped silently in the starlit
water, and no one spoke above whisper.
Morning was near at hand, and so much
precious time had been lost that every
moment had to be put to use. When
the patriots reached the opposite shore
the commander turned to Nathan
Beman, and, laying his hand upon his
shoulder, said quickly:
We're ready now. Show us the way
to the sally port.
Guided by the farmers son. the
mountaineers moved toward the fort,
and, coming suddenly upon sentry,
heard the swapping of the fusee lock
and saw him run through covered way
within the walls.
Quick !" cried the boy, looking up at
Allen, and the soldiers sprang after the
guard and made their way to the parade
ground unopposed. The enthusiasm of
the patriots now broke forth into shouts
of victory which, reaching the ears of
the British soldiers, caused them to
spring from their pallets and rush
from their barracks, only to be made
prisoners as they appeared. Never was
surprise more complete-thanks to
Nathan Beman. When Allen had Sc
cured most of the garrison he asked
the boy to show the way to the com
mander's room, and the two were soon
running up the steps leading to it.
Bang! bangi went Aliens sword
against the colonel's door, and the
British officer hurried out of bed to an
swer the demand. 1t happened that
Allen and Delaplace were old acquaint-
ances, and the reader can imagine the
latter's establishment when he saw who
was hammering at the door. Of course
there was nothing for him to do but to
surrender. The spoils that fell into
the hands of the victors amply repaid
them for all the dangers they had faced,
and the fort remained In the hands of
the Americans for many months later,
when it was abandoned and dismantled
by Gen. st. Clair. Amid the general re.
joicings that followed this exploit the
part played by Nathan Beman was
not forgotten. His name was on many
tongues aud his services were embalmed
in the poetry of the day. Without him
Aliens heroic expedition would in all
probability have resulted in failure.
Nathan grew to manhood and ended
his days in peace in the year 1856, dying
then in Franklin County, New York, OF
the age of SO years. @He lived" says
Tossing, the historian, "to see our con-
federacy increase from thirteen to thirty
stars, and from 5000, 900 of people to
10000, 900. THE AdUa,ece