Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-02-18

= rand accomplished
until he takes his stand next the river,
and looking out over the Wallabout, re-
calls something of the sad history con-
nected with this little bay and the mis-
cries suffered by our patriot soldiers
during Washington's battles for a ma
tion's freedom.
Here in October, 1776, was moored
British prison ship, the Whitby, crowd
ed with American patriot prisoners,
termed rebels by the English. Six
months later two other floating jails
Joined the Whitby, and within year
both were burned, one in October, 1777,
the other in February, 1878.
Although no trustworthy record of
the facts in the case were kept, hun
dreds of feeble and dying men are be-
lieved to have perished in these fires.
Certain it is that the one in February
occurred in the night, when the wealth
er was intensely cold, so that, if efforts
were made to save the prisoners, no
more than partial success was possible.
In April, 177S, the Falmouth, the
Hope and the UNANIMOUSLY famous old
Jersey" were anchored in the Walla-
bout and filled with captives from the
American armies. The severity of their
confinement was such that more than
1900 are believed to have died of cold,
starvation and malignant diseases.
The adjacent hillsides, now graded
down and included in the city of Brook
lyn, became a vast cemetery where
these brave patriots were hastily piled
into shallow graves and slightly cov-
cred with earth. In 1908 tomb was
built to their memory, and great
quantity of their bleached bones were
collected and inferred within it, with
solemn ceremonies, in the presence of
vast throngs of people. Over the door
to this structure was inscribed:
"Portal to the Tomb of Patriot Pris-
oners who died in prison ships during
the Revolution"
1t is not surprising that among such
. host of liberty-loving prisoners there
should have been some who made bold
attempts at escape. Not many were
successful, yet by fearful risks and
hardships few eluded their keepers,
reached home and friends, and after
q short rest, again Joined the patriot
forces in the field. OF these escapes, one
of the be dest was led by young Con-
necticut captain, Abel Beman, a cousin
of Nathan Beman, of Vermont, the boy
who guided Col Ethan Allen into Fort
Ticonderoga when he captured it from
the British.
Although Abel Beman was q very
small man he seemed to condense in his
little frame the well-known strength
and endurance of his almost gigantic
hnsman, which, combined with indom-
liable courage and will, was no doubt
the reason for his selection as captain
An the colonial army. But the qualities
of the man were not on the surface,
for at rs he was as beardless and boyish
a. lad of 10, and among his friends
was often called boy Beman."
By some misfortune of war he and his
company were captured and impris-
oned on tie Whitby in the Wallabout.
Here he bided his time, and for many
months watched for an opportunity
TO escape.
Meanwhile he played before the
guards the role of harmless, dull.
wttted fellow, and his large hazel eyes,
smooth face and simple manners gained
for him many favors sternly refused to
other prisoners. lie was freely allowed
in every part OF the ship, and often as
sisted the guards IN various ways and
even handled their guns and accoutre'
ments with innocent familiarity.
Thus ingratiating himself into their
confidence, he readily became conver.
SAINT with the details Of his prison ant
the methods OF the officers, and shrewd
ly studied the temper and efficiency Of
each with view to discovering a way
to freedom.
A score of plans suggested them
selves, but the circumstances surround
ing him were desperate and forbldding
Threa soldiers with loaded musketi