St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-03
tinguished without the aid of magni-
A REVOLUTIONARY HERO.

A REVOLUTIONARY HERO.
He Led Ethan Allen and His Gal
liant Men to a British Strong
hold.
The Advance.
Of the boy heroes of the Revolution
the first and almost forgotten one was
Nathan Beman. In the spring of IT'S
he lived with his father, farmer, near
the village of Shoreham, which was OPP
pOSite Fort TicOhderoga. Farmer Beman
was an American devoted to the cause.
Being of rowing disposition and fond
of play, Nathan had often crossed the
lake and formed the acquaintance of
the boys whose fathers composed the
garrison. The little fellows had fine
times under the walls of the fort, and
every now and then Nathan went
|sinSide 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 andltS garrison. The expedition,
with which Benedict Arnold was con-
nected, was composed of three divisions,
one of which was to capture some boats
at Skenesborough and send them down
the lake to Allen and his men, who
were to get them at Shoreham. But
leader reached the latter village, in the
night time, not single boat awaited
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 as
sail with his small force an armed
place like Ticonderoga, yet it was still
more dangerous to remain idle.
I'VE can't wait for the boats, my
boys" exclaimed the intrepid Allen.
1--WE must assault the fortressp'
In looking for guide the Vermonter
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
rathole, inside and out"
The suggestion delighted Allen. and
little Nathan was called and ques-
toned.
"l'll go, sir" he said, at once. Il
know the wry to Delaplace's quarters,
too, if you should want to find him."
Delaplace was the cOmmandant, and,
y
wanted. The little party crossed the
lake in such boats as they had at hand.
The oars were dipped silently in the
starlit 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 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 sallyport."
Guided by the farmers son, the noun
taineers 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
''Quickr' 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
BriStISh soldiers, caused them to spring
from their pallets and rush from their
barracks, only to be made prisoners as
they appeared. Never was a surprise
more Omplete-thanks to Nathan Be-
man. When Allen had secured most of
garrison he asked the boy to show the
way to the commanders room, and the
two were soon running up the steps
leading to it.
Bang! bang! went Aliens sword
against the colonePs door, and the Brit
iSh officer hurried out of bed to answer
the demand. 1t happened that Allen
and Delaplace were old acquaint-
anees. and the reader can imagine the
latter'S aStoniShment when he saw who
was hammerlng at the door, OF course |
there was nothing for him to do but |
surrender. The spoils that fell into the |
hands of the VictOrS amply repaid them !
rail- 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 i
reioicingS that followed this eX-
plot the part played by Nathan |
Beman was not forgotten. His name |
was on many tongues, and 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, dy-
ing in Franklin county, n. Y, at the :,
age of eighty-nine years. HE lived"
says Losing, the historian, ''to see our |
confederacy increase from thirteen to |
thirty stars. and from 100000 of peo-
pie to 20,000,000."