Year: 1877




port, but after the arrival of Clinton he
withdrew to Tiverton, and while here
received his commission as Major in the
second regiment. Thus he had ample
opportunity to become familiar with the
island, familiarity which his enterpris-
ing spirit was destined to turn soon to
profitable use. In the previous Decem-
Der the same month in which the troops
of Clinton had landed on these shores.
Gen. Charles Lee, at that time second in
command of the American forces, had
been captured by a scouting party of
British dragons under circumstances
little creditable to himself. The cay
ture was keenly felt as disgrace. and
the sense of humiliation was heightened
by the fact that the Americans had in
their hands no officer of equal rank
against whom Lee could be exchanged.


In what now follows l adhere closely
to the account of the adventure as given
by Barton himself, and preserved among
the manuscript treasures of the Rhode
Island Historical Society. On the 10th
of June, Mr.. Coffin made his escape
from the island, and was brought to
Barton's quarters. From him the first
information was gained that General
Prescott was quartered at the house of
Mr.. Overing, on the west side of the
island, and about mile from the shore
Coffin described so particularly the loca-
tion and the position of the troops near
1T, that Barton, to quote again his own
words, "now entered very seriously into
the plan of surprising General Prescott"
His story was confirmed the next day by
a deserter from the British lines.


Now that the plot was ripe for execu-
tion, the real difficulties in the way be-
gan to reveal themselves. 1t was of the
utmost Importance that it should be kept
profoundly secret, and Barton was con-
sequently deprived of any assistance
from his brother officers. But what was
of more consequence was the fact that
all the troops at Tiverton were raw re-
cruits, and in the event of any discovery
and resistance, it was by no means GER
tain how far they could be relied upon.
After further deliberation, he unfolded
the whole scheme to his commanding
officer, Colonel Stanton, who pronounced
it feasible, and assured him that he
might rely upon a hearty cooperation.
But, at the same time, Stanton advised
him to communicate the object of the
expedition to no other person. To FIVE
of his brother officers, however, Barton
con6ded his design of undertaking a Sc
cret enterprise, and asked if they had
sufficient confidence in him to join in it
without being apprized of its precise OBJ
Ject. They at once professed the most
perfect readiness, and at once, in accor-
dance with Barton suggestson, set about
obtaining boats. AS at this time the
whale hshery was carried on IN seVeral
towns, there was no difficulty in obtain
ing. in the course of few days, the five
whale boats needed for party of forty
men. The next step was to procure the
men. As Barton could only call for vol
unteers, the regiment was ordered to
parade, and after brief address, ex-
planning that secret expedition against
the enemy was about to be undertaken,
those who were willing to risk their lives
were ordered to advance three PAGES. At
this command the whole regiment ad-
vanced. AS it was out of the question
for all to 90, Barton selected those most
expert in rowing.


On the evening of the 4th of July,
just one year after independence had
been declared, the little party left their
encampment at Tiverton. The follow
ing is Colonel Stanton's order, which 1
have copied from the original in the
cabinet of the Historical Society:


HEADQUARTERS. CAMP AT TIvERroN, /


4th July, l777. !
Lieut.. Col. Barton:


You will proceed to the Island of
Newport, and attack the Enemy when
and where you think proper. and make
report to me of your proceeding.


JOS. STANTON, Jr., Colo.


A storm of unusual violence separa-
ted the boats in Mount Hope Bay, and
on the evening of the 5th only two had
succeeded in reaching Bristol. The
third arrived little later. Before re-
tiring Barton took his party to Hog
Island, and there, in full view of the
British ship. he for the first time dis
closed his plan. They were astonished
at its boldness, but were not deferred
by the evident risk which it involved
They then returned to Bristol, after a
solemn pledge to reveal nothing res
pecting the purpose of the expedition.
On the evening of the 9th, they passed
over to Warwick Neck, which afforded
the best point of departure, as it was
essential for their purpose that they
should run down on the west side of
Prudence. But another severe storm
delayed their departure so that it was
not till the evening of the 9th at about
nine o'clock, that they finally left War
wick Neck. Before leaving the men
were numbered, and each one appointed
to his place. The party consisted in
all of forty-one. officers included. Among
them was black servant of Barton,
who, according to his own account,
played no mean part in the adventure,
The man on whom Barton most relied
was John Hunt, who belonged to Col
Elliott's regiment of artillery. He was
native of Portsmouth, and had beer
brought up not far from Prescott's quar-.
ters, and was of course we'll acquainted
with the locality. Two othes of the
party, James Weaver, and Samuel Cory
also came from the same neighborhood
and were of much service as guides


Silently the little party gathered about
their leader to receive his last orders


In low voice he strictly enjoined then
ito preserve the strictest order; to hav'


no thought of plunder; to observe pro
found silence. and to take with them n,
: spirituous liquors" More judiciou