The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-12-10
Communicated
INTERESTING LETTER FROM A
FREpERIcKsBUR9ER
Mr.: Upton B Taylor Writes Prom Northern
NV YORK OF an Interesting Discovery.
Greenwich, y. Y. Nov. 30, 1901.

Greenwich, y. Y. Nov 30 1901.
To THE FREE LANCE:
For those oi your readers who may take
an interest is historical events, especially
in relation to those concerning the Reyo-
lutionary war. and the supplementary
side lights of legend and local tradition,
send you an account Of an interesting
discovery made few days ago. | am
engaged in theerectiOn Ofseyeral railroad
bridges up here in Northern New York
for the extension Of line OF road, and In
excavating for the foundation for the
abutment for one of them on the south
shore OF the Battenkill, Qndian name.
DianondawhOa, a beautiful clear stream
about the size Of the Rappahannock, at
fredericksburg the labOrers discovered
in "A fine state preservation. a corduroy
road constructed long before railroad or
other bridges across the Battenkill were
thought Of The hemlock logs, about 10
inches in diameter, were regularly laid
down, and the uneven spaces between
the logs were leyeled up with triangular
hewed strips Of wood, the whole being
covered by adeposit Of about four or i've
feet OF earth. and directly above, when
the excavation was made, "a large hem
lock tree. eighteen inches in diameter, was
growing, showing cOnclusively that the
earth had been undisturbed during the
life OF the tree, probably more than
century. Without doubt the existence
of that road dates from the time OF Lord
Burgoyne's invasion during the summer
of 1777. and was built 10y British troops
under the direction OF Colonel Baum, or
some Of his officers. For a century and
a quarter the logs laid down with pre-
cision and care by the engineers OF Baum =
detachment to be used only once have lain
undisturbed and hidden by the deposit
brought down the stream year by year.
Their very existence had been forgotten,
and the exact point where Baums Ill
fated expedition crossed the stream has,
until now been only a tradition and
legend.
Every school boy will remember that
when Lord Burgoyne led his army down
from Canada into the valley Of the upper
Hudson. with the intention OF forcing his
way down that river until he established
communication with General Clinton's
army, then occupying New York city,
and before he was hemmed in by the
American forces, he detached Colonel
Baum with force OF men, and ordered
him to march TO Bennington, Vermont,
and there TO seize and destroy the stores
gathered at that place. Baum's detach'
m.nt on its march TO Bennington, where
il was destined to meet with disastrous
deieat at the hands OF the Americans un-
der General Stark, passed up the Batten'
kill. The best information at hand re-
garding their route, is in Thurston's His
tory of Northern New York, from which
the following is taken:
Colonel Baum with the main body
Of his detachment, crossed the Battenklll
near it's mouth, and marched along Its
bank on the eastern side to near Gales
vile, where they crossed and encamped
for the night.
In the morning they again crossed at
TayIor's Ford on to whatis known as the
Washburn place, and crossing the road
between Washburn and Capt. John Sal
ford's. went east on the John Satford's
place. through the old Baldwin farm,
through small portion Of the Wm.Stuart
farm, now owned by Harvey L Potter, on
to the old Pettey's place, by spring and
down a rayine TO the house where David
Burdick now lives. The army then pass
ed below o. X. Rice's house, over to the
Carver place, past the house OF Mrs.
Coons. now known as the Macarthur
place. past Amasa Hills On to what isnow
VIM. Whipple's farm through his orchard
and into the meadow below his house,
where part Of the old road made OF
logs. can still be seen in the marshy
ground"
Col Baum met with disaster and de-
feat. as is well known, at Bennington,
and not long afterwards hiscommander,
Lord Burgoyne, himself, surrendered his
sword and the British army laid down
their arms to the Americans at Schuyler
vile (old Saratoga), on the line OF the
extension OF this railroad and just three
miles from the spot where the interesting
discovery Of this old Revolutionary relic
was unearthed only a few days since,
and almost in sight OF the summit OF the
lofty monument erected at Schylervile
in commemoration OF this stirring event.
From the discovery OF this old road it is
evident that the point chosen by the rail-
road company's engineers for crossing
the Battenkill is the same that was &C.
lected by the English Colonel Baum in
the summer OF 1777 for the passage of
his troops. 1t is the place (near Gales
yille) of which Thurston speaks, where
the invaders encamped for the night,
after crossing the stream. The logs
placed in position to keep the British ar
tiIlery from sinking In the soft swampy
bank Of the Kill have been thrown out to
give place TO the masenry for thsrailroad