Evening star., 1893-10-26
OLD TlCONDEROGA.
Ethan Aliens Sword on Exhibition
at the National Museum.
It's GENUINENESS FULLY ESTABLISHED
Something Of the History of the
Notable Weapon
AND IT'S ORIGINAL OWNER.

The weapon carried by that fearless war
rior, Col Ethan Allen, when he demanded
the surrender Of Fort Ticonderoga in the
name of the Great Jehovah and the CONT
mental Congress. by Cd" Is now on ex-
hibition In the National Museum, having
been loaned by Hannibal Allen Hopkins, the
Washington correspondent Of the Grand
Rapids, Mich. Democrat
In the annals Of romance there are scarce
ly any incidents of deeper interest than the
history Of the famous sword once owned
and carried by Vermonts doughty hero.
He was one Of the ruggedest Of the many
rugged heroes Of the Green mountain state.
Soon after the battle Of Lexington sugges-
tions were privately sent to Allen by the
general assembly Of Connecticut to enlist
men and to surprise and capture Ticonder-
oga. He raised go Green mountain boys,
and with them took the fort, May TO- 1775.
After this, without a commission, he Joined
the army that invaded Canada under the
a prisoner of war until September, IT'S. suf-
fering many hardships and indignities from
brutal British officers; took an active part
in the territorial controversy with New
q farm in Burlington, VT. where he died
February II. 17ss. aged fifty years.
Description of the Weapon.
The sword is an old-fashioned blade, nicked
and venerable. twenty-seven inches long and
slightly curved. The handle measures seven
inches. making the total length Of the weap-
on thirty-four inches. The handle is Of bone
or horn. The mounting is Of silver, washed
with gold, the latter being partially worn
of. A dogs head Of silver forms the end
Of the handle, and from this to the guard
runs a silver chain. On one Of the silver
bands Of the scabbard the name Ethan
t.
er band. "E. Brasher. Maker, N. York." and
on still another. in script Martin Vosburg.
1775." Why this name appears no one
knows.
Upon the death Of Ethan Allen the sword
became the property of his son, Oapt. Han
nibal NJ Allen. The original commissions
issued to Capt. Allen-one as first lieuten-
ant In the regiment of artillerists." dated
countersigned by H. Dearborn, Secretary Of
War, and the other as captain Of artiller-
ists." signed by James Madison. counter
signed by w. Eustis. and dated May e.
kins family.
Capt. Hannibal M. Allen died at Fort Mel
son, Va, in 1913, and the sword was retain
ed by his widow. Agnes B. Allen. After
the death of her husband Mrs. Allen be-
came a member Of the family of her sister,
Mrs. BENJAMIN Hopkins: but upon the mar
riage Of her favorite nephew and heir.
Hannibal Allen Hopkins, she made her
home with him for the last twelve years Of
her life. Upon her death. In 1858, the sword
OF Ethan Allen became the property of
said Hannibal Allen Hopkins. He died in
1s71 and left 1t to his widow. whose death
occurred at Lansing, Mich, a few wears
ago. On her death 1t became the property
Of her son, Hannibal Allen Hopkins. and
still remains In his undisputed possession.
Allen mt TicOnderoga.
There appears to be no reason to doubt
that with this sword Col Ethan Allen back
hfc o. H.
fortress at Tconderoga, May 10, I775 In a
Memoir Of Col. Ethan Allen. containing
the most interesting incidents Of his private
and public career. F. P. Allen. Pr, Piatts-
burg, N. Y, 1884," of which 1t is stated but
two or three copies are in existence are
found Ethan Aliens own words in describ-
ing the use Of this sword on that memor-
able occasion. At the time of the assault
British sentry made pass at one of the
slightly wounded him. My first thought" /"
says Col. Allen. was to kill him with my
sword; but In an instant l altered the de-
sign and fury OF the blow to a slight cut on
ped his gun and asked for quarter, which
readily granted him, and demanded of
him the place where the commanding Cff1cer
kept" The sentry showed the way. Col
Allen says of the British commander of
whom the surrender Of the fort was de-
manded: He asked me by what authority
1 demanded it. l answered him-Tn the
name of the Great Jehovah and the conti-
mental Congress. by Cd The authority
of the congress being very little known M
that time, he began to speak again. bur I
interrupted him. and with my drawn sword
over his head again demanded the immedi-
ate surrender Of that garrison: with which
he then complied"
The fort. the garrison and about one
hundred pieces Of cannon were the result
OF this bloodless battle in the gray dawn of
that eventful morning. THE SUM-" adds
brave Ethan Allen to his account of .he
victory. seemed to rise that morning with
superior luster: and Tconderoga and IFS
dependencies smiled on its conQuerors, who
tossed about the flowing bowl and wished
success to Congress. and liberty and free
dom to America"
Many overtures have been made to Mr.
Hopkins by private individuals for the nur-
chase Of the venerable relic, but ne is un-
willing that Ii should pass from iim unless
1t Is to become the property of the state of
Vermont, or the United States Of America
Its purchase by the government In order
that 1t may remain a fixture in the Ma
| tional Museum is probable.
->o-