The Holly chieftain., 1899-02-17

rand accomplished
til he takes his stand next the river,
md looking out over the Wallabout re-
.alis something Of the sad history con-
nected with this little bay and the mis-
cries suffered by our patriot soldiers
turing Washington's battles for ma
..on's freedom.
Here, in October, 1776, was moored
British prison ship, the Whitby, crowd
ID with American patriot prisoners,
.crmed rebels by the English. Six
months later two other floating jails
otned the Whitby, and within year
both We're burned, one in October, l71I,
he other in February, i77s.
Although no trustworthy record of
he facts in the case were kept, hun
lreds of feeble and dying men are be-
ieved to have perished in these fires.
,ertain it is that the one in February
occurred in the night, when the wealth
.r was intensely cold, SO that. If efforts
we're made to save the prisoners, no
more than partial success was possible.
In April. 177s, the Falmouth, the
Hope and the '.infamously famous old
Jersey" were anchored in the Walla-
,out and filed with captives from the
american armies. The severity OF their
confinement was such that more than
1000 are believed u have died OF cold,
tarvation and malignant diseases.
The adjacent hilhides. now graded
!own and included II the city of Brook
yn, became q vast cemetery where
hese brave patriots were hastily piled
nto shallow graves and slightly COW
red with earth. IA 1905 tomb was
quilt to their memory, and great
quantity of their bl.ached bones were
collected and inferred within it, with
'olemn ceremonies, in the presence Of
rast thropgs of people. Over the door
% this structure wa inscribed:
Portal to the Tomb of Patriot Pris-
,ners who died in prison ships during
.he Revolution."
1, is not surprising that among such
host Of Iiberty-loying prisoners there
,hould have been some who made bold
attempts at escape. Not many were
uccessful, yet by fearful risks and
aardships q few eluded their keepers,
-eached home and friends, and after
F., short rest, again joined the patriot
forces in the field OF these escapes, one
,f the boidest was led by young Con-
necticut captain, Abel Beman. cousin
If Nathan BemanI OF Vermont, the boy
Sho guided Col. Ethan Allen into Fort
riconderoga when he captured it from
.he British.
Although Abel Beman was a very
small man he seemed TO condense in hi.
title frame the well-known strength
and endurance Of his almost gigantic
kiusman, which, combined with indom-
table courage ard will. was no doubt
he reason for his selection as captain
In the colonial army. But the qualities
If the man were not on the surface,
Tor at 25 he was as beardless and boyish
As lad Of 16. ard among his friends
vas often called Boy Beman."
By some misfortune of war he and hi.
company were captured and impris-
oned on the Whitby iI the Wallabout
Here he bided his time, and for many
months watched for an opportunity
70 escape.
Meanwhile he played before the
guards the role Of harmless, dull
witted fellow, and his large hazel eyes,
smooth face and simple manners gained
for him many fa,ors siernly refused to
other prisoners. He was freely allowed
IN avery part of the ship and often as
sisted the guards in various ways and
wen handled their guns and accoutre-
ments with innocent familiarity.
Thus ingratiating himself into their
confidence. he readily became coDver-
amt with the details If his prison and
The methods of the officers, and shrewd-
Iy studied the temper and efficiency Of
each with a view 10 discovering a way
10 freedom.
A score Of plans suggested them
selves. but the Circumstances surround
ing him were desperate and forbidding.
Three soldiers with loaded muskets
stood at each end u the ship, and row
,f them lined the rail on either side.
Around the shores Of the bay stretched
Gordon Of picke,s, while several frig-
ates were moored iulthe river. and bris.
tied with shotted cannon ready to BEL
low away at any moment But for the
,ast magnitude Of these difficulties he
would have libera,e9 all the prisoners
on the Whitby, over thousand In num-
Der. Indeed, one magnificent at;emp.
was made. but failed
On dark nigh, Ihe guards WERE
overcome and con ped below decks
without shot or a outcry; then the
anchors were lifted Ind thr ship was al
owed to drift IL hops that she