Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-05-27

renoer OF Fort IIconooroga IN the name OF
the "Grsat Jehovah and the Continental
Congress-" These words have = special
significance when we think Of the results
which have been brought about by those
battles in giving rs freedom to worship
God and freedom in government.
Crown Point Was captured the follow
ing day BY Seth Warner, another Of the
Green Mountain Boys. Through the
year and the summer following the Amer
leans held control Of the lake, but in the
fall Of l775 Arnold was defeated in the
naval battle OF Valcour Island and Crown
Point was retaken by the British in the
fall OF 1875.
In the spring OF 1877 Burgoyne started
bis famous invasion from Canada, this
first victory being the capture Of Ticon-
deroga. When George III heard Of his
victory, be FASTENED to tell the queen, ~
have beat thepl | have beat all the
Americans" Doubtless this news did not
reach the king before that victory was
turned to defeat. General Schuyler re-
treated across the lake and down to Fort
Edward, With Warner and Francis com
handing the rearguard. The enemy
caught up with Warner once and be gave
his memorable order to his men to take to
the woods and meet him at Manchester.
Schuyler destroyed all provisions and
stores as he reiterated, so that BurRoyne
began to be short OF supplies. Il Was in
sending a detachment to Bennington for
supplies that the army met its first set
back, which was but foretaste OF the
final defeat which followed.
Shortly after the battle OF Bennington,
the Americans attacked Fort Ticonderoga
and Fort Independence on the opposite
shore at the same time. Fort Ticondero-
ga was taken, and three British vessels
burned and sunk. One OF these vessels
has been raised within a few weeks in
good condition despite its immersion for
l32 years. The other two are located and
are to be raised soon. The commander at
TiconderoRa, as the story is given in a re-
cent Vermonter, wished to send q mes
sage to General Lincoln, who was besieg-
ing Fort Independence, but no boat could
cross the lake on account Of the British
vessels scattered about. Finally volun-
teers were called for 10 swim the lake,
and Ephraim Webster Of Newberry and
Wallace Of Thetford responded. It vas
long cold swim in September, but they
finally reached shore. Difficulties and
dangers awaited them here, because they
did not know the exact location OF the
American army. nor did they know the
countersign. Once they barely escaped
British sentinel AT last Wallace went
ahead without the messages, leaving them
with Webster little way behind. "who
comes there?' challenged a voice in the
darkness. "a friend" said Wallace.
"a friend to whom? Advance and give
the countersigD." Wallace hesitated and
then asked, s'Wbose friend are your "a
friend ~
Wallace. And the two were welcomed
with surprise and gratitude in the Ameri-
can camp.
These battles on aud near Lake Cham
plain contributed largely toward the uIti-
mate result of the Revolutionary war at
Yorktown. Indeed, some consider the
repulse Of Burgoyne's invasion the turn
ing point of the war.
Ticonderoga and Crown Point mean
much to Us as Americans, and the ruins
OF the old forts and many ancient relics
are still to be seen there. The fort at Ii
conderoga is being restored as it was in
the days Of the Revolution.
In 1905, the second steamer in the
world was built on Lake Champlain. In
1909 the Vermont began taking regular
trips. For over half a century these
boats furnished transportation for people
and traffic before the railroads penetrated
to these regions.
When difficulties again arose bet ~een
our country and the mother country.
Lake Champlain became once more the
scene Of important engagements. Great
plans were made by the British to invade
New York by way OF Lake Champlsin.
Only fifteen hundred men were stationed
at Plattsburg. n. Y, when the enemy
swooped down upon them. McDonoueh
had a squadron OF fourteen boats, some Of
which had been built IN 20 DAYS from
trees growing on the bank. The naval
battle was about evenly matched, and
both sides fought hard and bravely.
Downie, the British commander. was
killed, and McDonough was twice
knocked down but rose again to help his
men to win. The men fighting on shore
snxiously watched the outcome. The
Americans did win after one Of the blood
lest naval battles OF history; every British
ship struck its colors and the British
army on land beat hasty retreat, leaving
their sick and wounded and q great
amount Of supplies behind them. Roose- I
welt calls this battle the greatest naval
battle Of the war OF 1912.
II is now three hundred years since
Onatnptaln nrst saw the beautiful lake. 4
For over two-thirds Of that time il was
the arena for the bitter strife between
Catholicism and Professionalism to gain
supremacy in the new world, and Tor the
struggle between tyranny and freedom. 4
That freedom was gained, and around
this lake now can gather 70 do honor TO
its past history both American and Eng
lish, French and Indian, Protestant and 4
Catholic. with hands clasped in warm /
friendship. What has made this posi-
ble2 The spirit Of freedom and democ-
racy which has since spread over the
whole world SO that conqueror and con-
quered alike have reason to rejoice over
the victories gained on this lake.
We may conquer in an gladness
II the cause be pure and high;
We can bear the passing sadness
For the blessing by and by.
When. 70 spread the benefactions
OF the world, the sword is swung.
we may glimpse through storm wrapt fac
tons
Gods own lights in heaven hung.
where 10 lift a lands downtrodden.
Bullets sing and cannons boom.
There, though battle fields be sodden
snail Gods flowers freshly bloom