Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-07-01
A BIT OF HISTORY.
An Original Letter of Ethan Allen Dis
covered by an Antiquarian.

y 81 VT ITO OFNI
An Original Letter of Ethan Allen Dis
covered by AN Antiquarian.
A Rutland antiquarian and historian
has come in possession of a communica-
ton and order of General Ethan Allen,
commission in the handwriting and Is
sued by Gen. Benedict Arnold the day
before the battle of Hubbardton, and
also deed of land covering a portion of
what is now known as the village of
West Poultney. These documents were
found among the papers of "Parson"
John Griswold. who. after the death of
Rev. William Emerson on the west bank
of the Otter creek in Rutland of a fever,
became chaplain at Ticonderoga. Chap
lain Emerson was the grandfather of
Ralph Waldo Emerson, and is buried in
the ancient burial ground at Centre Rut-
land. He died pear the farm until re-
Gently owned by Gen. II. II. Baxter.
At the close of the revolution "Parson"
Griswold settled at Pawlet and minister
ed to that people until his death at
great age.
The following is the letter and order
of Gen. Allen. 1t is written in a bold
legible hand, which indicate the char
acter of the man somewhat:
sr-Thls Hour Capt. Warner and myself
Arrived at Ticonderoga with the soldiery,
consisting of Seventy six men Including
Onicers. We met with Cannading of Grape
shot. The Musick was both Terrible and
Delightful. We were across the water at The
Distance of Is or 100 rods. None of our party
was killed, the regulars broke their ranks,
Inn wa A. lxi11p1 Of them.
The council of war agreed to Immediately
take Rosenon of the Isle of Noah which is
ten miles this side: Saint Johns and fortify
1t and advance all the troops thither we can
spare from every station on the lake. This
is therefore Desire and Earnestly request you
to Lay this Letter before Those of our friends
that are at Your Station to repair here for the
purpose above.
Mentioned-I should think 3 or men suf-
ticent to occupy Your Station and forward
Provisions Except Proper hands to manage
the water Crafts for that purpose l Desire
You would send all the Soldiers You Can and
urge forward Provisions and Ammunition.
Fail Not, Given Under my Hand, the 2lst
day of May 1915.
Ethan Allen Commander of the NJ Boys.
B.-this Express is by the Agreement of
the Council of War.
10 Capt Noah Lee, Commandant at skeens.
borough
The letter is written in old style of let
ter. There are very few errors in spell
ing, showing a good elementary educa-
tlon. The paper, though rough, is well
preserved and the black ink is as bright
as when written l23 years ago. The cap
italization has been preserved as nearly
as possible.
Commenting on the letter, the Bur-
lington Free Press thinks it evidently
has reference to Aliens unsuccessful
attempt against st. Johns, after his cap
ture of Ticonderoga. The facts about
this were briefly as follows: After TAX
ing Ticonderoga, and in order to obtain
, complete control of Lake Champlain,
Allen desired to get possession of a
British armed sloop which was anchored
in the Rchelieu river at st. Johns. 1t
was accordingly arranged between him
and Benedict Arnold that the latter
should start for St. Johns in schooner
which Capt. Herrlck had taken at
Skenesborough (now WhitehalD and
that Allen should follow with three
batteauX, which were at Crown Point.
Arnold, on the 18th of May, got within
thirty miles of st. Johns, when the
wind failed him. He pushed forward in
small boats, with thirty-five men, sur
prised the garrison at ST. Johns and
seized the sloop. Learning that a de-
tachment of British troops, with artil-
lery, was on its way to st. Johns from
Montreal, Arnold did not await Aliens
arrival at st. Johns, but started back,
taking with him the sloop and twenty
prisoners. Fifteen miles this side of St.
Johns he met Allen with, as the accounts
; say, about one hundred men; but from
Aliens letter it appears that he had a
smaller number. Arnold informed Allen
of the near approach of the British troops
and advised him to turn back; but he
refused to do so, saying that he would
push on to st. Johns, and hold posses
sion of the fort there. But the English
troops were there before him, and when
he appeared on the opposite side of the
river, they opened fire on him with six
field pieces and two hundred muskets
Allen returned the fire; but percelving
that he was heavily outnumbered, he
abandoned his attempt, re-embarked
4 hastily on his boats, leaving three mer
d behind, and returned to Ticonderoga
He intended, as his letter shows, to re
q turn in stronger force and seize ant
I fortify Isle aux NoiX, but this purpose
e was not carried out at that time.
ba