News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-05-21
Ethan Aliens Boy Guide.

fAAACf 0OS Oht0Gs
OF the boy heroes of the revolution
the first and almost forgotten one
was Nathan Beman. In the spring oi
1775 he lived with his father, farm
er, near the village of Shoreham,
which was opposite Fort Ticonder-
oga.
Farmer Beman was an American
devoted to the cause. Being of row
ing disposition and fond of play, Ma
than had often crossed the lake ard
formed the acquaintance of the bows
whose fathers composed thegarrison.
The little fellows had fine times un-
der 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 up through the
forests to surprise and capture, if
possible, the fort and its garrison.
The expedition with which Benedict
Arnold was connected was composed
of three divisions, one of which was
to capture some boats at tSkenesboro
and send them down the lake to Allen
and his men, who were to get them
at Shoreham. But when the renown-
ed Green Mountain leader reached the
latter village, in the night time, not
n single boat awaited him.
This was a bitter disappointment,
for Allen had but eighty-three men
with him, and his position was one of
great hazard. 1t looked like madness
to assail with this small force an
armed place like Ticonderoga, yet it
was still more dangerous to remain
idle.
"We can't wait for the boats, my
boysl' exclaimed the intrepid Allen.
"We must assault the fortressl"
In looking for a guide the Vermont
er found farmer Beman, who as soon
as he understood what was wanted,
said:
"Why not take my boy? Nathan
knows all about the fort. He's been
all over it, and knows the location of
every rat-hole inside and out"
Thesuggestion delighted Allen, and
little Nathan was called and ques-
toned.
"Ill go, SIR" he said at once. 81
know the way to Delaplace's quar-
ters, 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 were at hand. The
oars were dipped silently in the star
lit water, and no one spoke above a
whisper. Morning was near at hand.
and so much precious time had been
lost that every moment had to b6
put to use.
When the patriots reached the OPP
posite shore their 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 a sentry,
heard the swapping of his fusee lock
and saw him run through covered
way within the walls.
"Quickl" cried the boy, looking up
at Allen, and the soldiers sprang af-
ter the guard and made their way to
the parade ground unopposed.
The enthusiasm of the patriots
now broke forth in shouts of victory,
which, reaching the ears of the British
soldiers. caused them to spring from
their pallets and rush from the bar
racks, only to be made prisoners as
they appeared. Neverw was a surprise
more complete-thanks to Nathan
Beman.
When Allen had secured most of
the garrison he asked the boy to
show the way to the commandant's
room and the two were soon running
up the steps leading to it.
Bang bang went Aliens sword
against the colonel's door, and the
British officer hurried out of bed to
answer the demand.
1t happened that Allen and Della
place were old acquaintance, and
the reader may imgaine the latter's
astonishment when he saw who had
hammered at his door; but, of course
there was nothing for him to do but
to surrender.
The spoil 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 until many months later,
when it was abandoned and disman-
tied by Gen. st. Clair
Amid the general rejoicings that
followed this exploit, the part played
by Nathan Beman was not forgotten.
His name was on many tongues and
his services We're embalmed i'm the
poetry of the day. Without him
Aliens heroic expedition would i'm III
prOba biliJy have ivsulted in failure.
Nathan grew TO manhood and end
ed his days in peace in the year1S46,
dying then in Franklin county, New
York, at the age ofeighty-nine years.
"He lived" says Loosing, the his
torian, "to see our confederacy in
crease from thirteen to thirty stars,
and from 100000 of people to 90
600, ,OOO."-T. c. Harbaugh in the
Advance.