Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-15
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
THE UNFORTUNATE LADY AckLAND


 When Major Ackland was sent to America, shortly after the beginning of the Revolution, he was accompanied by Lady Harriet, his wife. The major be- longed to the corps of grenadiers and was an accomplished soldier. From the time he reached Canada. in 1776, during the whole campaign of that year. and until his return to England after the surrender of Burgoyne in the autumn of TIT, Lady Ackland endured all the hardships, dan gers and privations of an active campaign in an enemy's country.
 At Chambly, on the Sorel, she attended him in illness in a miserable hut. When he was wounded in the battle of Hubbard ton she hastened to him from Montreal and resolved to follow the army there after. During the terrible. engagement of Burgoyne at Saratoga, on Oct. ', she heard all of the tumult of the battle, and when, on the morning of the Sth, the British fell back in confusion, she with the other women was obliged to take refuge among the dead and dying, for the tents were all struck and hardly shed was left standing. Her husband was wounded and a prisoner in the American camp. That gallant officer was shot thr0ngh both legs.
 Wilkinson, an adjutant of General Gates. while pursuing the flying enemy, heard a feeble voice eXclaim: Protect me, sir. against that boy" He turned and saw a musket taking deliberate aim at a wounded British officer lying in the corner of worm fence. Wilkinson or dered the boy to desist and discovered the Wounded man to be Major Ackland. : When the intelligence that he was wounded and a prisoner reached his wife she was greatly distressed and by the ad- vice of her friend, the Baroness Reidesel, resolved to visit the American camp and implore the favor of a personal attend- ance upon. her husband. On the 9th she sent message to Burgoyne asking per mission to carry out her project. All the assistance Burgoyne was able to give her was an open boat and few lines, written upon dirty wet paper, to General Gates recommending her to his protection. The following is a copy of the note:
 "Sir-Lady Harriet Ackland, a lady of | the first distinct of famik, Tank and per- sonal virtues. is under Such concern on account of Major Ackland, her husband wounded and a prisoner in your hands that cannot refusa her request to com init her to your lection. Whatever general improprie ere may be in per- sons in my situation and yours to solicit l faxors, I cannot see the uncommon perse. Iverance in every female grace and exalta- ton of character of this lady and he1 very hard fortune, without testifying that your attentions to her will lay me under obligations.
 "J. BURGoYNE." Lady Harriet set out in an open boa upon the Hudson, accompanied by MT Brudenell. the chaplain. Sarah Pollard
 her waiting maid and her husband. l vol lAf ct ak T-iA1 ef1 of rain and wind, which had been in
 creasing since morning, rendered the voy age tedious and perilous in the extreme
 It was long after dark when they reache, the American outposts. The sentine heard their oars and hailed them Lad,
 Harriet returned the answer herself. The clear, silvery tones of a woman voice amid the darkness filled the soldie
 on duty[vith superstitious fear, and h
 called a comrade to accompany him t | the river bank. The errand of the voy agers was made known, but the faithfu
 guard apprehensive of treachery, woul
 not allow them to land until they sent fo
 Major Dearborn.
 They were invited by that officer to hi quarters, where a cup of tea and othe comforts were provided. and Lady Har
 riet was also comforted by the joyfu
 tidings that her husband was safe I ! the morning she experienced parental ten s derness from General Gates, who sent he to her husband under a suitable escor