Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-19
THE PLACE WHERE REMEMBER
BAKER FELL.

lFrOm the BeQ1Oru, T. ~, -N'NS'
1t is, believe, a matter of history, at
least of local history, that the first biood
shed on Canadian soil was at the place
where the Lacolle river falls into the
Richeeu, and the time was in the fail
of 1775 Col. Ethan Allen or Col. Seth
Warren were then leading the Vermont
troops via Lake Champlain and the Rich
ellen river to conquer Canada. one OF
their scouting parties at the mouth or
the I.acolle in dismal autumn morn
ing had the audacity to fire without
previous notice on a party of Indians
under the command of British officer
out for like scouting purpose. The In
dams returned the fire and Killed Capt
Remembrance Baker. in command of the
Vermont belligerents. Le was buried on
| the spot. 1t is not definitely known whc-
Their, he was scalped. Probably not. see
| ing his party had time to bury him. The
| Indians. no doubt. padded into the bull
PUSHES out of Eunshot and did a stunt of
war whooping according to their cheerful
| practice in time of war. 1t was n bad
morning for Capt. Baker. but it was his
own rashness that reused the luminosity
| of the painted Indian. who had :, never
heard of the flag Bctsey Ross had made
|
if he had. Anyway, capt. Remembrance
was the pho. Ger Baker in these parts.
and If his land acquisition was small
those Of his name succeeded better at
later period by more peaceful and legi-
innate means His remains have re-
posed where ne died ever since the fatal
morn, hut just where II Is no one knows
accurately. The Vermont Historical So
cety have become interested in the sub
tect and are trying to locate his place of
burial. It Is creditabie and praiscworthy
mot to say patriotic. 1nasmuch as
Capt. Remembrance Baker was the first
man killed on Cana liam soil during the
Revolutionary War, and the place was on
the confines of NIssisauoi county, the
two societies might amicably join to
find the spot of interment If found,
connie. decency as well as International
courtesy. would Justify the transfer of
his remains to the Vermont society, or,
if not 70 i, suitable marking of the
approximate spot. If any one is anxious
to put up slabs or monuments to mark
where our foes have fallen through the
powers of our fighters. there should he
no hindrance to doing. 1t adds SO
much TO our national glory that we can
even afford to attend the belated funeral
ceremony though our quality might be
5 that of distant relatives.
WAYSIDE WARBLER.
There are some slight inaccuracies ir
the above MARBLE. one or two member:
e of the Vermont Historical society have
as individuals. been somewhat interested
in an effort to discover the spot where
Il Captain Remember Baker fell; but thu
Il Vermont Historical society. as such, ha
Y taken no action in that direction.
I Baker had been sent forward by Gen
J. Schuyler, commanding the army which
y, invaded Canada in September, 1775, oil
j. a scouting expedition. He was met by
hostile scouting party and killed a
II above stated. 1t has been reported tina
:. he haC on lis person when he fell
l. diary or journal, and in the hope tina
= II might be preserved In the Dominic
= archives at Quebec or Ottawa, some In
-" quiry has been made Of the Canada
V archivist at Quebec and ottawa for son,
ID such document If the spot where Bake
fell can be located, members of tn
-, Misssquoi County Historical societ
,s have courteously intimated that thot sc
1t ciety might offer to place a marker on tn
spot. But it is not likely that the spo
y can be definitely located.