Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-02-16

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-
'eries suffered by our patriot soldiers
during Washington's battles for ma
tion's freedom,
Here, In October, 1776, was moored a
British prison ship, the Whitby, crowd
led 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, ITS.
Although no trustworthy record of
the facts in the case were kept, hun
~dreds Of feeble and dying men are be-
lieved to have persisted 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, ITS, the Falmouth, the
Hope and the UNANIMOUSLY famous old
Jersey" were anchored in the Walla-
bout and filed with captives from the
American armies. The severity Of their
confinement was such that more than
$1,000 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 vast cemetery where
these brave patriots were hastily piled
dnto shallow graves and slightly Gov
erred with earth. In 1908 tomb was
built to their memory, and a 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
Ito 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
n host Of liberty-lovihg prisoners there
should have been some who made bold
attempts at escape. Not many were
successful, yet by fearful risks and
Ihardships a few eluded their keepers,
reached home and friends, and after
q n short rest again joined the patriot
: forces in the field. OF these escapes, one
eof the boldest was led by a young Con-
,,necticut captain, Abel Beman, a cousin
{ of Nathan Beman, of Vermont, the boy
who guided Col. Ethan Allen into Fort
iTiconderoga when he captured it from
,the British.
Although Abel Beman was very
small man he seemed to condense in his
little frame the well-known strength
and endurance of his almost gigantic
binsman, which, combined with ndom-
itable courage and WILL was no doub,
the reason for his selection as captain
In the colonial army. But the qualities
OF the man were not on the surface,
for at rs he was as beardless and boyish
as lad of IS, and among his friends
was often called "Boy Beman."
BY some misfortune of war he and hi:
company were captured and impris-
oned on the Whitby in the Wallabout,
Here he bided his time, and for many
months watched for an opportunity
ITO 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 favors sternly refused to
.rother prisoners. He was freely allowed
I'm 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
vsOnfidence, he readily became CONVEX
Asant with the details Of his prison and
tthe methods of the officers, and shrewd-
Iy studied the temper and efficiency of
each with view to discovering a way
to freedom.
A score of plans suggested them
selves. but the circumstancessurround.
sng him were desperate and forbidding.
Three soldiers with loaded muskets