Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-11-09
GALLANT MAJOR SEYMOUR.
A Pleasant Incident Of the War of the
Revolution.

Revolution.
After General Burgoyne had surren-
dered to General Gates he was, as you
know. conducted to Boston, whence he
sailed to his English home. The fail
ure of the British arms was terrible
disappointment to him, and although
he was too proud to show what he
felt, the ride from Saratoga to Boston
must have been nard journey for
him. with days and nights filled with
bitter recollectiOns and regrets.
But he was escorted with all the
honor possible, and every courtesy was
shown to him. General Gates and his
staff were gentlemen. and Burgoyne
was treated as little like Il prisoner as
was consistent with the situation. He
had a good horse to ride, and, wher-
ever the little company of officers
stopped for the night, he was given
the most comfortable room and the
best of everything that the house
could afford
Naturally General Burgoyne was
grateful for this consideration, and
probably when he sailed from Boston
he carried with him most pleasant
memories of the men who had been
his guards and yet friends Chief
among these was n young officer.
Major Seymour. He was member of
General Gates staff and a friend of
Washington Although at the time of
General Burgoynes surrender he was
not much more than boy, he was al
ready known as brave and gallant
soldier as well as an accomplished
gentleman. In the rotunda Of the
Capitol at Washington you will see the
picture by Trumbull, one Of the early
American painters, of 1.-THE Surrender
of Saratoga In this picture there ls
just one figure on horseback. and that
is the young Major Seymour.
He 1t was who was given special
charge of Gen. Burgoyne, and who
brought him safely to Boston. On the
road there We're plenty Of people to
stare and jeer at the defeated general
and he was saved from many an in
suit only by the watchfulness and
care of his young escort. Some time
before there had been rumor-doubt-
less a false one-that Burgoyne had
said, in Jest or earnest that he would
give rewards for all scalps of Yankees
brought to him, which remark had
greatly Infatuated the people who
heard Of it. SO. as he was riding along
through the country. an old woman
rushed out of a wayslde house, and
shaking her fist in the air, shouted
toward him, angrily: Nov, now. now
What will you give for our scalps
now"
Before Gen. BurgOyne could reply
Major Seymour drew up his stately
young figure. and. with the greatest
dignity, faced the excited speaker.
go into your house. madam" he
promptly ordered Then. with quick
command to his men, the little caval
cade rode on. leaving the old woman
in dumb astonishment
Before Major Seymour and his pris
oner parted company mt Boston, Gen
Burgoyne presented him. as a mark OF
appreciation Of his kindness an
courtesy, with the trappings of his
horse. These We're carefully treasured
by Major Seymours family for severa
years. But at last when his younger
brothers were grown mp. being fond OF
show and gaiety. they frequently boz
rowed these valued trappings to use
on muster days. and unfortunately
there is nothing left Of them now.
But there exists another relic Of this
trip OF Burgoyne They CHANGED to
stop one night at the old town Of Had
ley. Here. desiring to show his thanks
for the hospitality offered him, Bur
goyne uttered wish that his sworl
should he given to his host. which was
accordingly done. Strange to say. the
sword disappcared-at least from the
knowledge of the present generatio1
Of the family-untll few years ago
Then. one day. one of the daughters
found 1t hidden away in an old chest
among blankets which had long lair
unused. or course 1t was immediate
ly brought out and displayed in place
Of honor. And not long ago. when
there was at Saratoga celebration
OF the surrender OF Burgoyne. this
sword was proudly carried in the pro
ccssion by the lady to whose great
grandfather 1t lad been given by d.