A narrative of Col. Ethan Allen's captivity [microform]

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PllICE ONE SIITLLING.

NARRATIVE OF

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I COL. ETHAN AUM

CAPTIVITY,

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NARRATIVE

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COL. ETHAN ALLEN'S

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CAPTIVITY.

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CHAUNCEY GOODRICH.

1846.

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Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1838,
* By Chauncey Goodrich, #'

in the Clerk's Office of the District of Vermont.

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ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE THIRD EDITION,

PUBLISHED IN 1838.

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No apology need be offered for presenting a new Edi-
tion of the following Narrative, of one of the most re-
markable men of the age in which he lived, as it is now
thirty-one years since it has been published, and more
than twenty years since it has been seen in any bookstore.
It is given in the plain language of its self-educated au-
thor, without any alteration, and is said by his most inti-
mate friends, to show more of his character, than all else
that has ever been written of him.

Little is known of the life of Col. Allen, but what is
found in Biographical Dictionaries, Spark's American
Biography, and his Memoirs written by Mr. Moore, from
whose introduction the following just tribute to his mem-
ory is copied.

" Perhaps no individual, of equal advantages, and the
station he occupied in life, contributed more towards es-
tablishing the independence of our country, than Ethan
Allen, the subject of this memoir. The mass of the
people among whom he resided, were rude and uncul-
tivated ; yet b6Id in spirit and zealous in action. It con-
sequently followed, that no one, save a man of strong

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natural endowments — of much decision, energy and
bravery, could control their prejudices and inclinations.
Habit had rendered them familiar with danger, and im-
patient of restraint : hence, it followed, that no policy,
unless proceeding from a source in which they had con-
fidence, ever gained their approbation. Upon Allen,
whose courage was undoubted, and whose zealous devo-
tion to their interests was universally acknowledged,
they implicitly relied. They had known him in adver-
sity and prosperity — they had weighed him, and found
nothing lacking. To friend or foe, he was ever the same
unyielding advocate of the rights of man, and universal
liberty. The policy, therefore, he upheld, as beneficial
to the common cause of American liberty, ever found
strong and efficient supporters in the friends with whom
he associated, and by who'^ he was known.

From the commencement of our Revolutionary strug-
gle, until its final close, Ethan Allen proved a zealous
and strenuous supporter of the cause. Whether in the
field or the council — whether at home, a freeman among
the mountains of Vermont, or loaded with the manacles
of despotism, in a foreign country, his spirit never quailed
beneath the sneer of the tory, or the harsh threats of in-
solent authority. A stranger to fear, his opinions were
ever given without disguise or hesitation : and, an ene-
my to oppression, he sought every opportunity to redress
the wrongs of the oppressed. It is not to be supposed,
however, that he was faultless. Like other men, he had
his errors — like other men, his foibles. Yet he was not
wilfully stubborn in either. When convinced of an er-
roneous position, he was ever willing to yield a victory ;

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but, in theory, as in practice, he contested every inch of
ground ; and only yielded when he had no weapons left
to meet his antagonist. This trait in his character serves,
at least, to prove, that he was honest in his conclusions,
however erroneous the premises from which they were
deduced.

Much error of opinion prevails among all classes of
individuals, at the present period, in relation to the
character of Col. Allen. He is generally viewed as a
coarse, ignorant man, void of all the social feelings, and
arrogant in all his pretensions. Even Mr, Dwight, in
his " Travels in New-England," reports him in this
light ; and deems him only worthy a brief and unjust
notice in his work. In what manner Mr. Dwight came
in possession of the facts upon which he predicated his
conclusions, is beyond the knowledge of the author of
this Memoir: but, certain it is, he has materially misre-
presented the moral principles, and in fact, the general
tjharacter of Col. \llen. It is presumed, however, that
Mr. Dwight, like many other travellers, drew his infer-
ences from the gossip of the people among whom he as-
sociated, without being at the trouble of extending his
inquiries to a source from whence he might have derived
every material fact in relation to the subject. In making
this suggestion, the author would not be understood as
attaching any particular blame to Mr. Dwight : but
merely as correcting an error of opinion which is quite
»too prevalent in our country."

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ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE WALPOLE EDITION,

PUBLISHED IN 1807.

In announcing the publication of this little, simple, true,
and unvarnished narrative^ the publishers have compli-
ed with the wishes of a number of persons, who had a
desire to keep in remembrance the hero of Ticonderoga,
and the exploits he performed. It is believed that there
is not a copy for sale in any bookstore in the United
States ; and the style of printing, at the time of its first
appearance, which is now near thirty years since, was in
so unimproved a condition, thai it has never been seen
but in the shabby dress of a large and ragged pamphlet.
The events of those " troublous times," in which Col.
Allen took a conspicuous part, are rendered doubly in-
teresting from the lively, unadorned manner of his own
narration. The high compliments which he pays to the
prowess, uniform perseverance and resolution, manifested
by the " Green Mountain Boys" of his native State?
will no doubt be an inducement to them, and to his
countrymen generally, to read and preserve this monu-
ment of him, and, as they con the pages of this " little
book" which he has " left them," to imitate the cool-
ness and courage of the deceased veteran.

The sufferings and cruelties borne by him and his

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fellow soldiers, frequently draw from him in the course
of his narrative, a language the most severe, with res-
pect to a country from whom we originated, with whom
we are now at peace, and with whom it is our policy to
continue on a friendly footing ; but the candid and the
feeling mind should make great allowance for the un-
paralleled situation of our affairs, for the sufferings of
his handful of little " Spartans/^ for whom he felt a
father'j and a brother's affection. These circumstances
must have given a deep coloring to the pencil which
was portraying his own and his country's wrongs. On
the whole, we think this little tract may be re-perused,
with advantage and pleasure, by the aged, and read with
much edification and entertainment by the young. As
it is deemed that the very words, in every respect, made
use of by the Colonel, would be more acceptable to the
reader, than any artificial decoration of style, we shall
almost invariably adhere to the original.

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INTRODUCTION.

Induced by a sense of duty to rtiy country, and by the
application of many of my worthy friends, some of
whom are of the first characters, I have concluded to
publish the following narrative of the extraordinary
scenes of my captivity, and the discoveries which I made
in the course of the same, of the cruel and relentless
disposition and behaviour of the enemy, towards the
prisoners in their power ; from which the state politician,
and every gradation of character among the people, to
the worthy tiller of the soil, may deduce such inferences
as they shall think proper to carry into practice. Some
men are appointed into office, in these States, who read
the history of the cruelties of this war, with «he same
careless indifference, as they do the pages of the Ro-
man history ; nay, some are preferred to places of trust
and profit by the tory influence. The instances are (I
hope) but rare, and it stands all freemen in hand to pre-
vent their further influence, which, of all other things,
would be the most baneful to the liberties and happiness
of this country ; and, so far as such influence takes place,
robs us of the ictory we have obtained at the expense
of so much blood and treasure. < n;^** 'ftiiiiiisi^^

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I should have exhibited to the public a history of the
facts herein contained, soon after my exchange, had not
the urgency of my private affairs, together with more
urgent public business, demanded my attention, till a
few weeks before the date hereof. The reader will
readily discern, that a Narrative of this sort could not
have been written when I was a prisoner. My trunk
and writings were often searched under various preten-
ces ; so that I never wrote a syllable, or made even a
rough minute whereon I might predicate this narration,
but trusted solely to my memory for the whole. I have,
however, taken the greatest care and pains lo recollect the
facts and arrange them : but as they touch a variety of
characters and opposite interests, I am sensible that all
will not be pleased with the relation of them. Be this
as it will, I have made truth my invariable guide, and
stake my honcfr on the truth of the facts. 1 have
been very generous with the British in giving them full
and ample credit for all their good usage, of any consid-
erable consequence, which I met with among them,
during my captivity ; which was easily done, as I met
with but little, in comparison of the bad, which, by rea-
son of the great plurality of it, could not be contained
in so concise a narrative ; so that I am certain that I
have more fully enumerated the favors which I received,,
than the abuses I suffered. The critic will be pleas<^d
to excuse any inaccuracies in the preformance itself,
as the author has unfortunately missed of a liberal
education. ' - - ■ -^ ^ '■ -- •■ -^-■' ' ' • ''-■"'•' -'''' "'

ETHAN ALLEN.

Bennington, March 25, 1779.

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Ever since I arrived at the state of manhood,
and acquainted myself with the general history of
mankind, I have felt a sincere passion for liberty.
The history of nations, doomed to perpetual sla-
very, in consequence of yielding up to tyrants
their natural-born liberties, I read with a sort of
philosophical horror; so that the first systematical
and bloody attempt, at Lexington, to enslave
America, thoroughly electrified my mind, and fully
determined me to take part with my country.
And, while I was wishing for an opportunity to
signalize myself in its behalf, directions were pri-
vately sent to me from the then colony, (now state)
of Connecticut, to raise the Green Mountain Boys,
and, if possible, with them to surprise and take
the fortress of Ticonderogo. This Enterprise I
cheerfully undertook ; and, after first guarding all
the several passes that led thither, to cut off all
intelligence between the garrison and the country,

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ETHAN ALLEn'S

made a forced march from Bennington, and arri-
ved at the lake opposite to Ticonderoga,* on the
evening of the ninth day of May, 1775, with two
hundred and thirty valiant Green Mountain Boys ;
and it was with the utmost difficulty that I pro-
cured boats to cross the lake. However, I landed

* The ' Ticonderoga Fort ' is thus described in the American
Encyclopedia : —

Ticonderoga ; a post-town of Essex county, New- York, on the
west side of the south end of lake Champlain, and at the north
end of lake George ; twelve miles south of Crown Point, ninety-
five north of Albany ; population in 1820, 1493. There is a valu-
able iron mine in this township. — Ticonderoga Fortt famous in the
history of the American wars, is situated on an eminence, on the
the west side of lake Champlain, just north^^f the entrance of the
outlet from lake George into lake Champlain, fifteen miles south of
Crown Point, twenty-four north of Whitehall ; Ion. 73*'. 27'. W. ;
lat. 43^. 30'. N. It is now in ruins. Considerable remains of the
fortifications are still to be seen. The stone walls of the fort, which
are now standing, are in some places, thirty feet high. Mount
Defiance lies about a mile south of the fort, and Mount Indepen-
dence is about half a mile distant, on the opposite side of the lake,
in Orwell, Vermont. c

It was built by the French, in the year 1756, and had alfthe
advantages that art and nature could give it ; being defended on
three sides by water, surrounded by rocks, and where that fails,
the French erected a breast work nine feet high. The English and
Colonial troops, under General Abercrombie were defeated here in
the year 1758, b«t it was taken the year following by General
Amherst. It was surprised by Colonels Allen and Arnold, May
10, 1775. Was retaken by General Burgoyne in July, 1777, and
was evacuated after his surrender, the garrison returning to St.
Johns.

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leighty^three men near the garrison, and sent the
boats back for the rear guard, commanded by Col.
Seth Warner, but the day began to dawn, and 1
found myself under a necessity to attack the
fort, before the rear could cross the lake ; and, as it
was viewed hazardous, I harangued the officers
and soldiers in the manner following : —

" Friends and fellow soldiers. You have, for a
number of years past been a scourge and terror
to arbitrary power. Your valor has been famed
abroad, and acknowledged, as appears by the
advice and orders to me, from the General As-
sembly of Connecticut, to surprise and take the
garrison now before us. I now propose to advance
before you, and, in person, conduct you through
the wicket-gate ; for we must this morning either
quit our pretensions to valor, or possess ourselves
of this fortress in a few minutes ; and, inasmuch
as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the
bravest of men dare undertake, 1 do not urge it
on any contrary to his will. You that will under-
take voluntarily, poise your firelocks."

The men being, at this time, drawn up in thr^e
ranks, each poised his firelock. I ordered thena
to face to the right, and at the head of the centre-
file, marched them immediately to the wicket-gate
aforesaid, where I found a sentry posted, who
instantly snapped his fusee at me: I ran immediately

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ETHAN ALLEN'S

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towards him, and he retreated through the cov-
ered way into the parade within the garrison, gave
a halloo, and ran under a bomb-proof. My party,
who followed me into the fort, I formed on the
parade in such a manner as to face the two bar-
racks which faced each other.

The garrison being asleep, except the sentries,
we gave three huzzas which greatly surprised them.
One of the sentries made a pass at one of my offi-
cers with a charged bayonet, and slightly wounded
him : My first thought was to kill him with my
sword ; but, in an instant, I altered the design and
fury of the blow to a slight cut on the side of the
head ; upon which he dropped his gun, and asked
quarter, which I readily granted him, and demand-
ed of him the place where the commanding officer
kept ; he shewed me a pair of stairs in the front
of a barrack, on the west part of the garrison, which
l^d up to a second story in said barrack, to which
I immediately repaired, and ordered the com-
mander, Capt. De la Place, to come forth instant-
ly, or I would sacrifice the whole garrison ; at
which the Capt. came immediately to the door,
with his breeches in his hand; when 1 ordered him
to deliver me the fort instantly ; he asked me by
what authority I demanded it : I answered him,
" In the name of the great Jehovah, and the Con-

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NARRATIVE.

15

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tinental Congress,^^* The authority of the Con-
gress being very little known at that time, he be-
gan to £'>eak again; but I interrupted him, and
with my drawn sword over his head, again de-
manded an immediate surrender of the garrison ;
with which he then complied, and ordered his men
to be forthwith paraded without arms, as he had
given up the garrison. Jn the mean time some of
my officers had given orders, and in consequence
thereof, sundry of the barrack doors were beat
down, and about one third of the garrison impris-
oned, which consisted of the said commander, a
Lieut. FeltLam, a conductor of artillery, a gunner,
two sergeants, and forty -four rank and file ; about
one hundred pieces of cannon, one thirteen inch
mortar, and a number of swivels. This surprise
was carried into execution in the grey of the morn-
ing of the tenth day of May, 1 775. The sun seem-
ed to rise that morning with a superior lustre ; and
Ticonderoga and its dependencies smiled on its
conquerors, who tossed about the flowing bowl,
and wished success to Congress, and the liberty
and freedom of America. Happy it was for me,
at that time, that the then future pages of the book
of fate, which afterwards unfolded a miserable

* If the Colonel has expressed a little of his usual severity in
this place, he might have remarked also, that neither of the author-
ities he mentioned were much known in a British camp.

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16

ETHAN ALLEN'S

scene of two years and eight months imprisonment,
were hid from my view.

But to return to my narration: Col. Warner,
with the rear guard, crossed the lake, and joined
me early in the morning, whom I sent off, without
loss of time, with about one hundred men, to take
possession of Crown Point, which was garrisoned
with a Serjeant and twelve men ; which he took
possession of the same day, as also of upwards of
one hundred pieces of cannon. But one thing
now remained to be done, to make ourselves com-
plete masters of lake Champlain ; this was to pos-
sess ourselves of a sloop of war, which was then
lying at St. John's ; to effect which, it was agreed
in a council of war, to arm and man out a certain
schooner, which lay at South Bay, and that Capt.
(now general) Arnold* should command her, and
that I should command the*batteaux. The neces-
sary preparations being made, we set sail from

* This name, which now calls to mind the idea of treason, at
every mention of it, is " damned to everlasting fame." His early
history, with his conduct during the revolution, is probably fami-
liar to every school boy. His subsequent life is thus described by
Dr. Allen, in his American Biographical Dictionary.

" From the conclusion of the war till his death. General Arnold
resided chiefly in England. In 1786 he was at St. Johns, New
Brunswick, engaged in trade and navigation, and again in 1790.
For some cause he became very unpopular ; in 1792 or 1793, was
hung in effigy » and the mayor found it necessary to read the riot

NARRATIVE.

17

Ticonderoga, in quest of the sloop, which was
mudh larger, and carried more guns and heavier
metal than the schooner. General Arnold, with
the schooner, sailing faster than the batteaux, ar-
rived at St. Johns; and by surprise, possessed
himself of the sloop, before I could arrive with the

act, and a company of troops was called out to qrell the mob. Re-
pairing to the West Indies in 1794, a French fleet anchored at the
same island ; he became alarmed least he should be detained by
the American allies and passed the fleet concealed on a raft of
lumber, lie died in Gloucester place, London, June 14, 1801. —
He married Margaret, the daughter of Edward Shippen of Phila-
delphia, chief justice, and a loyalist. General Green, it is said,
was his rival. She combined facinatinjj manners with strenorth of
mind. She died at London, August 24, 1804, aged 43. His sons
were men of property in Canada in 1829. — His character presents
little to be commended. His daring courage may indeed excite
admiration ; but it was a courage without reflection and without
principle. He fought bravely for his country and he bled in her
cause ; but his country owed him no returns of gratitude, for his
subsequent conduct proved, that he had no honest regard to her
interests, but was governed by selfish considerations. His progress
from self-indulgence to treason was easy and rapid. He was vain
and luxurious, and to gratify his giddy desires he must resort to
meanness, dishonesty, and extortion. These vices brought with
them disgrace ; and the contempt, into which he fell, awakened a
spirit of revenge, and left him to the unrestrained influence of his
cupidity and passion. Thus from the high fame, to which his bra-
very had elevated him, he descended into infamy. Thus too
he furnished new evidence of the infatuation of the human mind in
attaching such value to the reputation of a soldier, which may be
obtained, while the heart is unsound and every moral sentiment is
entirely depraved."

'^1

18

ETHAN ALLEN S

I

batteaux : He also made prisoners of a serjeairt
and twelve men, who w ere garrisoned at that place.
It is worthy of" remark that as soon as General
Arnold had secured the prisoners on board, and
had made preparation for sailing, the wind, which
but a few hom^s before was fresh in the south,, and
well served to carry us to St. Johns, now shifted,
and came fresh from the north ; and in about one
hour's time. General Arnold sailed with the prize
and schooner for Ticonderoga. When I mel him
with my party, within a few miles of St. Johns, he
saluted me with a discharge of cannon, which I re-
turned with a volley of small arms. This being
repeated three times, I went on board the sloop
with my party, where several loyal Congress
healths were drank.

We were now masters of lake Champlain, and
the garrison depending thereon. This success I
viewed of consequence in the scale of American
politics ; for, if a settlement between the then col-
onies and Great Britain, had soon taken place, it
would have been easy to have restored these ac-
quisitions ; but viewing the then future consequen-
, ces of a cruel war, as it has really proved to be,
and the command of that lake, garrisons, artillery,,
&c., it must be viewed to be of signal importance
to the American cause, and it is marvellous to* me
that we ever lost the command of it. Nothing but

\

1

III

NA^

RATIVE.

19

taking a Burgoyne witli a whole British army,
could, in my opinion, atone for it ; and notwith-
standing such an extraordinary victory, we must
be obliged to regain the command of that lake
again, be the cost what it will ; by doing this Can-
ada will easily be brought into union and con-
federacy with the United States of America. Such
an event would put it out of the power of the west-
ern tribes of Indians to carry on a war with us,
and be a solid and durable bar against any further
inhuman barbarities committed on our frontier in-
habitants, by cruel and blood-thirsty savages ; for
it is impossible for them to carry on a war, except
they are supported by the trade and commerce of
some civilized nation ; which to them would be
impracticable, did Canada compose a part of tho^
American empire.

Early in the fall of the year, the little army un-
der the command of the Generals Schuyler and
Montgomery, were ordered to advance into Can-
ada. I *was at Ticonderoga, when this order
arrived ; and the Generals, with mo^t of the field
officers, requested me to attend them in the expe-
dition; and, though at that time I had no commis-
sion from Congress, yet they engaged me, that I
should be considered as an officer, the same as
though I had a commission ; and should, as occa-
sion might require, command certain detachments

|:

20

t ,

ETHAN ALLEN S

<«

t2>

of the army. This I considered as an honorable
offer, and did not hesitate to comply with it, and
advanced with the army to the fsle-aux-Noix ; *
from whence I was ordered by the General, to go
in company with Major Brown, and certain inter-
preters, through the woods into Canada, with
letters to the fJanadians, and to let them know
that the design of the army was only against the
English garrisons, and not the country, their liber-
ties, or religion ; and having, through much danger,
negotiated this business, I returned to the Isle-aux-
Noix in the fore part of September, when Gen.
Schuyler returned to Albany ; and in consequence
the command devolved upon General Montgomery,
whom 1 assisted in laying a line of circumvallation
round the fortress of St. Johns.f Alter which I
was ordered, by the General, to make a second
tour into Canada, upon nearly the same design as

* A small island, containing about 85 acres, ten miles north of
the boundary lines of the States of New- York -nd Verrnont. It is
strongly fortified, and completely commands the water communi-
cation from lake Champlain. Here the British had a small gar-
rison.

t St. Johns is a thriving village, in the County of Chambly,
situated at the north end of lake Champlain, on the west bank of
the Sorel river, twenty-eight miles southward of Montreal. It is
the port of entry and clearance, between the United States and
Canada. It is now connected with the St. Lawrence river by a
rail-road. f

befc
sign
cour
choc
whic
for tj
politi
ceed

Sore]
whicj
itics ;
the ri
the f
good
guan

some

ing

with

gueuil

deten

I but hi

NARRATIVE.

21

hie

and

. . *
>■ »

) go

ler-

;vith

now

; the

ber-

iger,

aux-

Gen.

ence

nery,

ation

ichi

cond

gn as

[lorth of
. It is
) I muni-
all gar-

hambly,
bank of
il. It is
ates and
ver by a

before ; and withal to observe the disposition, de-
signs and movements of the inhabitants of the
country. This reconnoiter I undertook reluctantly,
choosing rather to assist at the seige of St. Johns,
which was then closely invested ; but my esteem
for the general's person, and opinion of him as a
politician and brave ofHccr, induced me to pro-
ceed.

I passed through all the parishes on the river
Sorel,* to a parish at the mouth of the same,
which is called by the same name, preaching pol-
itics ; and went from thence across the Sorel to
the river St. Lawrence, and up the river through
the parishes to Longueuil, and so far met with
good success as an itinerant. In this round my
guard were Canadians, my interpreter, and
some few attendants excepted. On the morn-
ing ol the 24th day of September, I set out
with my guard of about eighty men, trom Lon-
gueuil, to go to Laprairie ; t from -whence I
[determined to go to General Montgomery o camp ;
I but had not advanced two miles before I met with

*

* Sorel or Richelieu River, the outlet of Lake Champlain, which
lafter a course of about 69 miles north, empties into the St. Law-
rence, in north lat. 46°. 10'. and lon(r.72^ 25'. west. Sorel Fort, built
|by the French, is at the western point of the mouth of Aa river.

t Laprairie, a populous little village, on the river St. Lawrence,
in Canada, eighteen miles north of St. Johns, £ind nine south-west
)f Montreal.

I v

22

ETHAN ALLEN S

Major Brown, who ha« since been advanced to
the rank of a Colonel, who desired me to halt,
saying that he had something of importance to
communicate to me and my confidants ; upon
which I halted the party, and went into a house,
and took a private room with him and several of
my associates, where Col. Brown proposed that,
" provided I would return to Longueuil, and pro-
cure some cjtnoes, so as to cross the river St.
Lawrence a httle north ot Montreal, he would cross
it a little to the south of the town, with near two
hundred men, as he had boats sufficient ; and
that we could make ourselves m.asters of Montreal."
This plan w^as readily approved by me and those
in council ; and in consequence of which I re-
turned to Longueuil, collected a few canoes, and
added about thirty English- Americans to my par-
ty, and crossed the river in the night of the 24th,
agreeably to the before proposed plan.

My whole party at this time, consisted of about
one hundred and ten men, near eighty of whom
were Canadians. We were most of the night
crossing the river, as we had so few canoes that
they had to pass and repass three timec, to carry
my party across. Soon after day-break, I set a
guard between mc and the town, with special
orders to let no person whatever pass or repass
them, another guard on the other end of the road,

NARRATIVE.

23

dto

halt,

e to

ipon

)use,

alof

that,

pro-
!r St.
cross
r two
; and
real."
those

I re-
3, and

par-

24th,

I about

rhom

night

s that

carry

set a

pecial

(repass

road*

with like directions ; in the mean time, J recon-
noitered the best ground to make a defence,
expecting Col. Brown's party was landed on the
other side of tho town, he having, the day before,
agreed to give three huzzas with his men early in
the morning, which signal I was to return, that
we might each know thu^ both parties were land-
ed ; but the sun, by this time, being nearly two
hours high, and the sign failing, 1 began to con-
clude myself to be in a premunire, and would
have crossed the river back again, but I knew the
enemy would have discovered such an attempt ;
and as there could not more than one third part of
my troops cross at one time, the other two-thirds
Iwould of course fall into their hands. This I could
ot reconcile to my own feelings as a man, much
ess as an officer: I therefore concluded to main-
ain the ground, if possible, and all to fare alike,
n consequence of this resolution, I despatched
wo messengers, one to Laprairie, to Col. Brown,
nd the other to PAssomption, a French settle-
ent, to Mr. Walker, #ho was in our interest,
equesting their speedy assistance, giving them,
t the same time to understand my critical situa-
ion. In the mean time, sundry persons came to
y guards, pretending to be friends, but were by
em taken prisoners and brought to me. These
ordered to confinement, until their friendship

I:

"V

24

ETHAK ALLEN S

".I

;%.'

ii

11

could be further confirmed ; for I was jealous
they v\ ere spies, as they proved to be afterwards.
One of the principal of them making his escape, ex-
posed the weakness of my party, which was the
final cause of my misfortune ; for I have been
since informed that Mr. Walker, agreeably to my
desire, exerted himself, and had raised a con-
siderable number of men for my assistance, which
brought him into difficulty afterwards, but upon
hearing of my misfortune, he disbanded' them

agam.

^ The town of Montreal was in a great tumult.
General Carleton and the royal party, made every
preparation to go on board their vessels of force,
as I was afterwards informed, but the spy esca-
ped from my guard to the town, occasioned an
alteration in their policy, and emboldened Gen.
Carleton to send the force which he had there
collected, out against me. 1 had previously cho-
sen my ground, but when I saw the number of
the enemy as they sallied out of the town, I per-
ceived it would be a d*^^ of trouble, if not of|
rebuke ; but I had no chance to flee, as Montreal
was situated on an island, and the St. LawranceJ
cut off my communication to General Montgomery's!
camp. I encouraged my soldiery to bravely de-
fend themselves, that we should soon have help,
and that we should be able to keep the groundJ

NARRATIVE.

25

bus
irds.
ex-
; the
been
)iny
con-
i^hich
upon
them

imult.
every
force,
esca-
ed an
Gen.
there
T cho-
Der of
per-
lot ofi
)ntreal
/ranee I
nery's'
ly de-
help,!
round,!

if no more. This, and much more, I affirmed
with the greatest seeming assurance, and which
in reaUty I thought to be in some degree prob-
able.

The enemy consisted of not more than forty
regular troops, together with a mixed multitude,
chiefly Canadians, with a number of English who
hved in town, and some Indians ; in all to the num-
ber of near five hundred.

The reader will notice that most of my party
were Canadians ; indeed it was a motley parcel of
soldiery which composed both parties. However,
the enemy began to attack from wood-piles, ditch-
es, buildings, and such like places, at a consider-
able distance, and I returned the fire from a situ-
ation more than equally advantageous. The at-
tack began between two and three o'clock in the
afternoon, just before w^hich I . dered a volunteer
by the name of Richard Young, with a detach-
ment of nine men as a flank guard, which, under
the cover of the bank of the river, could not only
annoy the enemy, but at the same time, serve as a
flank guard to the left of the main body.

The fire continued for sometime on both sides ;
and I was confident that such a remote method of
attack could not carry the ground, provided it
should be continued till night : but near half the
body of the enemy began to flank round to my

I' .

I: )■ 'I

m

i

.)»■

i,

!'

26

ETHAN Allen's

I

i!

I (

I

.«'!«•

right ; upon which I ordered a volunteer, by the
name of John Dugan, who had lived many years in
Canada, and understood the French language, to
detach about fifty of the Canadians, and post him-
self at an advantageous ditch, which was on my
right, to prevent my being surrounded: He ad-
vanced with the detachment, but instead of occu-
pying the post, made his escape, as did likewise
Mr. Young upon the left, with their detachments.
I soon perceived that the enemy was in possession
of the ground, which Dugan should have occupied.
At this time 1 had but about fortv i'lve men with
me ; some of whom were wounded ; the enemy
kept closing round me, nor was it in my power to
prevent it ; by which means, my situation, which
was advantageous in the first part of the attack,
ceased to be so in the last ; and being almost en-
tirely surrounded with such vast, unequal numbers,
I ordered a retreat, but found that those of the
enemy, who were of the country, and their In-
dians, could run as fast as my men, though the
regulars could not. Thus I retreated near a mile,
and some of the enemy, with the savages, kept
flanking me, and others crowded hard in the rear.
In fine, I expected, in a very short time , to try the
w^orld of spirits ; for I was apprehensive that no
quarter would be given to me, and therefore had
determined lo sell my hfe as dear as I could. One

'■«.■

% i

NARRATIVE

27

the

3 in
to

im-

my

ad-

:cu-

tvise

mts.

;slon

3ied.

with

lemy

er to
hich

tack,
t en-

ibers,

f the

ir In-
the
mile,
kept
rear.

l-ythe
at no
•e had
. One

1

of the enemy's officers, boldly pressing in the rear,
discharged his fusee at me ; the ball whistled near
me, as did many others that day. I returned the
salute, and missed him, as running had put us both
out of breath ; for I conclude we were not fright-
ened : I then saluted him w .i my tongue in a
harsh manner, and told him that, inasmuch as his
numbers were so far superior to mine, I would
surrender provided I could be treated with honor,
and be assured of good quarter for my self and the
men who were with me ; and he answered I should;
another officer, coming up directly after, confirmed
the treaty ; upon which I agreed to surrender with
my party, which then consisted of thirty-one effec-
tive men, and seven wounded. I ordered them
to ground their arms, which they did.

The officer I capitulated with, then directed me
and my party to advance towards him, which was
done ; 1 handed him my sword, and in half a min-
ute after, a savage, part of whose head was shaved,
being almost naked and painted, with feathers in-
termixed with the hair of the other side of his
head, came running 'o nie with an incredible
swiftness ; he seemed to advance with more than
mortal speed ; as he approached near me, his hell-
ish visage was beyond all description; snake's
eyes appear innocent in comparison of his ; his

> I

< I

it

•4»f

\>\

\\

*

a"^

!'

28

ETHAN Allen's

1^'!

■-!

I: t

features extorted ;* malice, death, murder, and the
wrath of devils and damned spirits are the em-
blems of his countenance ; and in less than twelve
feet of me, presented his firelock ; at the instant
of his present, I twitched the officer, to whom I
gave my sword, between me and t'le savage ; but
he flew round with great fury, trying to single me
out to shoot me without killing the officer ; but by
this time I was nearly as nimble as he, keeping the
officer in such a position that his danger was my
defence ; but, in less than half a minute, I was
attacked by just such another imp of hell : Then
I made the officer fly around with incredible velo-
city, for a few seconds of time, when I perceived
a Canadian, who had lost one eye, as appeared
afterwards, taking my part against the savages;
and in an instant an Irishman came to my assist-
ance with a fixed bayonet, and drove away the
fiends, swearing by Jasus he would kill them.
This tragic scene composed my mind. The es-
caping from so awful a death, made even imprison-
ment happy ; the more so as my conquerors on
the field treated me with great civility and polite-
ness. ^ " >

The regular officers said that they were very

'••..' ■ • ' i . \ r'- :■ ., ■ ;

. "• , ',:^ ■ . ■ ■■ V . ' - ■ .' ,•„>■■ ■ -'■ V J ■

* Probably meant to be distorted ; though, from the description
it would appear that his visage had been extorted from some " Gor-
gon or chimccra dire.

WOIJ

■^

w^

NARRATIVE.

29

happy to see Colonel Allen: I answered tlierti,
that I should rather choose to have seen them
at General Montgomery's camp. The gentlemen
replied, that they gave full credit to what I said,
and as I walked to the town, which was, as I
should guess, more than two miles, a British of-
ficer walking at my right hand, and one of the
French noblesse at my left ; the latter of which,
in the action, had his eyebrow carried away by
a glancing shot, but was nevertheless very mer-
ry and facetious, and no abuse was offered me
till I came to the barrack yard at Montreal, where
I met general Prescott, who asked me my name,
which 1 told him : He then asked me, whether I
was that Col. Allen, who took Ticonderoga. I
told him I was the very man: Then he shook his
cane over my head, calling many hard names,
among which he frequently used the word rebel,
and put himself in a great rage. I told him he
would do well not to cane me, for I was not ac-
customed to it, and shook my fist at him, telling
him that was the beede of mortahty for him, if he
offered to strike ; upon which Capt. M^Cloud of
the British, pulled him by the skirt, and whisper-
ed to him, as he afterwards told me, to this im-
port; that is was inconsistent with his honor to
strike a prisoner. He then ordered a sergeant's
command with fixed bayonets to come forward.

.' i '1

f •!

I

!*

30

EATHAN ALLEN S

!i

m

. I'

i

and kill thirteen Canadians, which were includ-'
ed in the treaty aforesaid.

It cut me to the heart to see the Canadians in
so hard a case, in consequence of their having been
true to me ; they were wringing their hands, say-
ing their prayers, as I concluded, and expected
immediate death. I therefore stepped between
the executioners and the Canadians, opened my
clothes, and told Gen. Prescott to thrust his bay-
onet into my breast, for I was the sole cause of
the Canadians taking up arms.

The guard, in the mean time, rolling their eye-
balls from the General to me, as though impatient-
ly waiting his dread commands to sheath their
bayonets in my heart ; I could, however, plainly
discern, that he was in a suspense and quandary
about the matter: This gave me additional hopes
of succeeding ; for my design was not to die, but
to save the Canadians by a finesse. The general
ytood a minute, when he made me the following
reply ; "I wiH not execute you now ; but you shall
grace a halter at Tyburn, God damn you." : ■..

I remember I disdained his mentioning such a
place; I was, notwithstanding, a little pleased
with the expression, as it significantly conveyed to
me the idea of postponing^ the present appearance
of death ; besides his sentence was by no means
final, as to " gracing a halter," although I had

K

NARRATIVE. 31

anxiety about it, after I landed in England, as the
reader will find in the course of this history. Gen.
Prescott then ordered one of his officers to take
me on board the Gaspee schooner of war, and
confine me, hands and feet, in irons,which was done
the same afternoon I was taken.

The action continued an hour and three quar-
ters, by the watch, and I know not to this day
how many of my men were killed, though I am
certain there were but few. If I remember right,
7 were wounded ; one of them, Wm. Stewart, by
name, was wounded by a savage with a tomahawk,
after he was taken prisoner and disarmed, but
was rescued by some of the generous enemy ;
and so far recovered of his wounds, that he after-
wards went with the other prisoners to England.

Of the enemy, were killed a major Garden, who
had been wounded in eleven different batdes, and
an eminent merchant, Patterson, of Montreal, and
some others, but I never knew their whole loss,
as their accounts were different. I am apprehen-
sive that it is rare, that so much ammunition
was expended, and so little execution done by it ;
though such of my party as stood the ground, be-
haved with great fortitude, much exceeding that
of the enemy, but were not the best of marks-
men, and, I am apprehensive, were all killed or ! j [|
taken ; the wounded were all put into the hospital

'■ i ;l

I, •

) ''■

HI

i I

t

f^

82

1^^

ETHAN ALLEN .S

I

at Montreal, and those that were not, were put
on board of different vessels in the river, and
shackled together by pairs, viz. two men fastened
together by one hand-cuff, being closely fixed to
one wrist of each of them, and treated with the
greatest severity, nay as criminals.

I now come to the description of the irons,
which were put on me : The. hand-cuff was of the
common size and form, but my leg irons, I should
imagine would weigh thirty pounds ; the bar was
eight feet long, and very substantial ; the shackles,

which encompassed my ancles, were very tight.
I was told by the officer, who put them on, that
it was the king's plate, " and I heard other of their
officers say, that it would weigh forty weight.
The irons were so close upon my ancles, that I
could not lay down in any other manner than on
my back. 1 was put into the lowest and most
wretched part of the vessel, where I got the favor
of a chest to sit on ; the same answered for my bed
at night ; and having procured some Httle blocks
of the guard, who day and night, with fixed bay-
onets, watched over me, to lie under each end of
the large bar of my leg irons, to preserve my
ancles Irom galling, while I sat on the chest, or
lay back on the same, though most of the time,
night and day, I sat on it ; but at length, having
a desire to lie down on my side, which the close-

Ihj

usa^

wro

cess

wen

I

boai

ring

of e

NARRATIVE.

33

ness of my irons forbid, I desired the captain to
loosen them for that purpose; but was denied the
favor. The captain's name was Royal, who did
not seem to be an ill-natured man ; but oftentimes
said, that his express orders were to treat me
with such severity, which was disagreeable to his
own feelings ; nor did he ever insult me, though
many others, who came on board did. One of
the officers, by the name of Bradley, was very
generous to me ; he would often send me victuals
from his own table ; nor did a day fail, but he
sent me a good drink of grog.

The reader is now invited back to the time'I
was put into irons. I requested the privilege to
write to General Prescott, which was granted. I
reminded him of the kind and generous manner
of my treatment of the prisoners I took at Ticon-
deroga ; the injustice and ungentleman-like usage
I had met with from him, and demanded better
usage, but received no answer from him. I soon after
wrote to Gen. Carleton, which met the same suc-
cess. In the mean while, many of those who
were permitted to see me, were very insulting.

I was confined in the manner 1 have related, on
board the Gaspee schooner, about six weeks ; du-
ring which time I was obliged to throw out plenty
of extravagant language, which answered certain

purposes, at that time, better than to grace a
history.

* i

m
f 1

I \ i

■■•»r=

(.

34

ETHAN ALLEN 3

1-

I •

To give an instance ; upon being insulted, in a
fit of anger, I twisted oft' a nail with my teeth,
which I took to be a ten-penny nail ; it went
through the mortise of the bar of my hand cuff,
and at the same time I swaggered over those who
abused me ; particularly a Doctor Dace, who told
me that 1 was outlawed by New-York, and de-
served death for several years past ; was at last
fully ripened for the halter, and in a fair way to
obtain it. When I challenged him, he excused
himself, in consequence, as he said, of my being
a criminal ; but I flung such a flood of language at
him that it shocked him and the spectators, for
my anger was very great. I heard one say, damn
him, can he eat iron? After that, a small padlock
was fixed to the hand-cufl*, instead of the nail ;
and as they were mean-spirited in their treatment
to me, so it appeared to me, that they were
equally timorous and cowardly. » '

1 was after seat,, with the prisoners taken with
me, to an armed vessel in the river, which lay off
against Quebec, under the command of Capt.
M'Cloud, of the British, who treated me in a very
generous and obliging manner, and according to
my rank ; in about twenty-four hours 1 bid him
farewell with regret; but my good fortune still con-
tinu :d. The name of the Captain of the vessel I
was put on board, was Littlejohn ; who, with hia

,«f%. 1

NARRATIVE.

35

officers, behaved hi a polite, generous, and friend-
Iv manner. I lived with tlieni in the cabin, and
fared on the best, my irons being taken of!*, con-
trary to the order he had received from the com-
manding officer; but Capt. Little John swore, that
a brave man should not be used as a rascal, on board
his ship.

Thus I found myself in possession of happiness
once more, and the evils \ had lately suffered,
gave me an uncommon relish lor it.

Capt. Litdejohn used to go to Quebec almost
every day, in order to pay his respects to certain
genUemen and ladies ; being there on a certain
day, he happened to meet with some disagreeable
treatment, as he imagined, from a Lieut, of a man
of war, and one word brought on another, untill *^
the Lieutenant challenged him to a duel on the
plains of Abraham. Capt. Litdejohn was a gen-
deman, who entertained a high sense of honor, and
could do no le.-s than accept the challenge.

At nine o'clock the next morning they were to
fight. The Captain returned in the evening, and
acquainted his Lieutenant and me with the affair. .
His Lieutenant was a high blooded Scotchman, as
well as himself, who replied to his Captain that he
should not want for a second. With this 1 inter-
rupted him and gave the Captain to understand,
that since an opportunity had presented, I would'

*

■T*- •"•''

H

\l

I

m

I'l

36

ETHAN ALLEN S

■!'!•

U:] !.5

be glad to testify my gratitude to him, by acting
the p?rt ol a faithf'i] second ; on which he gave
me his hand, and said that he wanted no better
man. Says he, I am a King's officer, and you a
prisoaer under my care ; you must, therefore, go
with me, to the place appointed in disguise, and
added further ; 'Yju must engage me, upon
the honor ot a gentleman, that whether I die or
live, or whatever happens, provided you live,
that vou will return to myLieutenc it on board this
ship.' All this I solemnly engaged him. The
combatants were to discharge each a pocket pistol,
and then to fall on with their iron-hilted muckle
w^hangers ; and one of that sort was allotted for
me; but some British officers, who interpose!
early in the morning, settled the controversy with-
out fighting. . ,.

Now having enjoyed eight or nine days' hap-
piness, from the polite and gene^'ous treatment of
Captain Litdejohn and his officers, I was obliged
to bid them farew^ell, parting with them in as
friendly a manner as we had lived together, which,
to the best of my memory, was the eleventh of No-
vember : when a detachment of General Arnold's
^ litde army appeared on Po^nt Levi,* opposite

wa

* Levi, a point of land in the river St. Lawrence, opposite to il>e
city of Quebec.

-*!•

\

• .'wn

NARRATIVE.

37

-4:-

QuebeCjV ho had pei ibrmed an extraordinary march

through a wilderness country, with design to have

surpn^ed the capital of Canada ; I was then taken

on board a vessel called the Adamant, together
with the prisoners taken with me, and put under

the power of an English Merchant from London,
whose name was Brook Watson : a man of mali-
cious and cruel disposition, and who was probably
excited, in the exercise of his malevolence, by a
junto of tories, who sailed with him to England ;
among vyhom were Col. Guy Johnson, Col. Closs,
and their attendants and associates, to the nuaiber
of about thirty.

All the ship's crew. Col. Closs, in his personal
behavior excepted, behaved towards the prison-
ers with that spirit of bitterness, which is the
peculiar characteristic of tories, when they hrive
the friends of America in their power, measuring
their loyalty to the English King by the barbarity,
fraud and deceit which they exercise towards the
whigs. ' 4

A small place in the vessel, enclosed with white
oak plank, was assigned for the prisoners, and
for me among the rest. I should imagine that it
was . not more than tw^enty feet one way, and
twenty-two the other. Into this place we were
all, to the number of thirty-four, thrust and hand-
cuffed, two prisoners more being added to our

.' ^

w

38

ETHAN ALLEN'S

I i. I'

Hi'

«'■!•

k:!.

1^

\%.

number, Jind were provided with two excrement
tubs ; in this circumference we were obliged to
eat and perform the offices of evacuation, during
the voyage to England; and were insulted by
every black-guard sailor and tory on board, in
the cnielest manner ; but what is the most surpri-
sing is, that not one of us died in the passage.
When 1 was first ordered to go into the filthy in-
closure, through a small sort of door, I positively
refused, and endeavored to reason the before
named Brook Watson oiit of a conduct ^v '. ro-
gatory to every sentiment of honor and humanity,
but all to no purpose, my men being forced in the
den already ; and the rascal who had the charge
of the prisoners commanded me to go immediately
in among the rest. He further added that the
place was good enough for a rebel ; that it was
impertinent for a capital offender to talk of honor
or humanity; that any thing short of a halter wa*^
too good for me ; and that that would be my poi-
, tion soon after I landed in England ; for which
purpose only I was sent thither. About the same
time a lieutenant among the tories, insulted me in
a grievous manner, saying that I ought to have
been executed for my rebellion against New-Yo- ' ,
and spit in my face ; upon which, though I wac
hand-cu;Ted, I sprang at him with both hands, and
knocked him partly down, but he scrambled along

.1L

V-*"V

":%■:

c^

NARRATIVE.

39

y.
f

into the cabjn, and I after him ; there he got un-
der the protection of some men with fixed
bayonets, who were ordered to make ready to
drive me into the place aforementioned. I chal-
lenged him to fight, notwithstanding the impedi-
ments that were on my hands, and had the exalted
pleasm'e to sej the rascal tremble for fear; his
name I have forgot, but Watson ordered his guard
to get me into the place with the other prisoners,
dead or alive ; and I had almost as lieve die as do
it, standing it out until they environed me round
with bayonets ; and brutish, prejudiced, abandoned
wretches they were, from whom I could expect
nothing but death or wounds ; however I told them,
thr.t they were good honest fellows ; that I could
not blame them ; that I was only in dispute with
a calico merchant, who knew not how to behave
towards a gentleman of the military estabUshment*
This was spoken rather to appease them for . my
own preservation, as well as to treat Watson with
contempt ; but still I found they were determined
to force me into the wretched circumstances,
which their prejudiced and depraved minds h<.d
prepared for me ; therefore, rather than die, I sub-
mitted to their indignities, being drove with bayon-
ets into the filthy dungeon with the other prisoners,
where we were denied fresh water, except a
small allowance, which was very inadequate to

■ k

M

1

.i

[y

40

ETHAN Allen's

m

i«l'

our wants ; and in consequence of the stench of
the place, each of us was soon followed with a
diarrhoea and fever, which occasioned an intoler-
able thirst. When we asked for water, we were,
most commonly, instead of obtaining, it insulted
and derided ; and to add to all the horrors of the
place, it was so dark that we could not see each
o*her, and were overspread with body lice. We
had, not.< >-tanding these severities, full allow-
ance of salt provisions, and a gill of rum per day ;
the latter of which was of the utmost service to
us, and, probably, w^as the means of saving several
of our lives. About forty days we existed in this
manner, when the land's end of England was
discovered from the mast head ; soon after which,
the prisoners were taken from their gloomy abode,
being permitted to see the light of the sun, and
breathe fresh air, which to us was very refreshing.
The day following we landed at Falmouth.

A few days before I was taken prisoner, I shift-
ed my clothes, by which I happened be taken in
a Canadian dress, viz : a short fawn-skin jacket,
double-breasted, an undervest and breeches of
sagathy, worsted stockings, a decent pair of shoes,
two plain shirts, and a red worsted cap ; this was
all the clothing I had, in which I made my appear-"
ance in England. ;: ..: ' j; ;::;!>

When the prisoners were landed, multitudes of

m

#

"•SIS'"

NARRATIVE.

41

the citizens of Falmouth, excited by curiosity,
crowded to see us, which was equally gratifying to
us. I saw numbers on the tops of houses, and the
rising adjacent grounds were covered with them, of
both sexes. The throng was so great, that the
king's officers were obliged to draw their swords,
and force a passage to Pendennis castle, which was
near a mile from the town, where we were closely
confined, in consequence of orders from General
Carleton, who then commanded in Canada.

The rascally Brook Watson then set out for
London in great haste, expecting the reward of
of his zeal ; but the ministry received him, as I
have been since informed, rather coolly ; for the'
minority in parliament took advantage, arguing that
the opposition of America to Great Britain, was
not a rebellion : If it is, say they, why do you not
execute Col. Allen according to law? But the
majority argued that I ought to be executed, and
that the opposition was really a rebellion, but that
policy obliged them not to do it, inasmuch as the
Congress had then most prisoners in their power ;
so that my being sent to England, for the purpose
of being executed, and necessity restraining them,
was rather a foil on their laws and authority, and
they consequenriy disapproved of my being sent
thither. But I had never heard the least hint of
those debates, in parliament, or of the working of

I '1

; i
i

'$.

;,:i'

( [

h

f .:

p

I

i ^ i

42

ETHAN Allen's

liW

1.;

their policy, until sometime after I left Eng-
land.

Consequently the reader will readily conceive 1
was anxious about my preservation, knowing that
I was in the power of a haughty and cruel nation,
considered as such. Therefore, the first proposi-
tion which I determined in my own mind was, that
humanity and moral suasion would not be consult-
ed in the determining of my fate ; and those that
daily came in great numbers out of curiosity, to
see me, both gentle and simple, united in this,
that I would be hanged. A gentleman from Amer-
ica, by the name of Temple, and who was friendly
to me, just whispered me in the ear, and told me
that bets were laid in London, that I would be
executed ; he likewise privately gave me aguinea>
but durst say but httle to me.
'. However^ agreeably to my first negative propo-
sition, that moral virtue would not influence my
destiny, 1 had recourse to stratagem, which I was
in hopes would move in the circle of their policy.
I requested of the commander of the castle the
privilege of writing to Congress, who, after con-
sulting with an officer that lived in town, of a su-
perior rank, permitted me to write. 1 wro*e, in
the fore part of the letter, a short narrative of my
ill-treatment; but withal let them know that,
though I was treated as a criminal in England,

*■./'

??•*

NARRATIVE.

43

,.!i
%

and continued in irons, together with those taken
with me, yet it was in consequence of the orders
which the commander of the castle received from
General Carleion ; and therefore desired Congress
to desist from matters of retahation, until they
should know the result of the government in Eng-
land, respecting their treatment towards me, and
the prisoners with me, and govern themselves ac-
cordingly,-with a particular request, that if retalia-
tion should be found necessary, it might be exer-
cised not according to the smallness of my char-
acter in America, but in proportion to the import-
ance of the cause for which I suffered. This is,
according to my present recollection, the substance
of the letter, inscribed, — " 7 o the illustrious
Continental Congress,'*^ This letter was w^iitten
whh a view that it should be sent to the
ministry at London, rather than to Congress,
with a design to intimidate the haughty Eng-
lish government, and screen my neck from the
halter.

The next day the officer, from whom I obtained
license to write, came to see me, and frowned on
me on account of the impudence of the letter, as
he phrased it, and further added, 'Do you think
that we are fools in England, and would send your
letter to Congress, with instructions to retahate on
our own people ? 1 have sent your letter to Lord

i.i

' ;i

44

EATHAN ALLEn'3

i I

i '"it

t

m

ni

North.' This gave me inward satisfaction, though
I carefully concealed it with a pretended resent-
ment, for I found I had come Yankee over him,
and that the letter had gone to the identical per-
son I designed it for. Nor do 1 know, to this day,
but that it had the desired effect, though I have
not heard any thing of the letter since.

My personal treatment by Lieutenant Hamilton,
who commanded the castle, was very generous.
He sent me every day a fine breakfast and dinner
from his own table, and a bottle of good wine.
Another aged gentleman, whose name I cannot
recollect, sent me a good supper. But there was
no distinction in public support between me and
the privates ; we all lodged on a sort of Dutch
bunks, in one common appartment, and were
allowed straw. The privates were well supplied
with fresh provisions, and with me, took eflfectual
measures to rid ourselves of lice.

I could not but feel, inwardly, extremely anx-
ious for my fate. This, I however, concealed from
the prisoners, as well as from the enemy, who
were perpetually shaking the halter at me. I
nevertheless treated them with scorn and con-
tempt ; and having sent my letter to the ministry,
could conceive of nothing more in my power but
to keep up my spirits, behave in a daring, soldier-
like manner, that I might exhibit a good sample

NARRATIVE.

45

lough
scnt-

him,
I per-
; day,

have

lilton,
3rous.
linner
wine.
;annot
e was
e and
Dutch
were
3pUed
ectual

of American fortitude.* Such a conduct, I judged
would have a more probable tendency to my
preservation than concession and timidity. This
therefore, was my deportment ; and I had lactly
determined, in my mind, that if a cruel death
must inevitably be my portion, I would face it
undaunted ; and, though I greatly rejoice that I re-
turned to my country and friends, and to see the
power and pride of Great Britain humbled ; yet I
am confident I could then have died without the
least appearance of dismay.

I now clearly recollect that my mind was so
resvolved, that I would not have trembled or shewn
the least fear, as I was sensible it could not alter
my fate, nor do more than reproach my memory,
make my last act despicable to my enemies, and
eclipse the other actions of my Hfe. For I rea-
soned thus, that nothing was more common than
for men to die with their friends around them,
weeping and lamenting over them, but not able
to help them, which was in reality not different in
the consequence of it from such a death as I was

S i ',

1 .,

t

»

t ■

I

* The British must doubtless have had a high idea of the personal
prowess of Mr, Allen ; and however superior their regular discipline
I might have appeared in their own eyes, yet they could not but
respect his courage. To this intrepid spirit, and the esteem it
must have excited, the Colonel probably owes his complimentary
meals and his daily bottle of wine,

ois

4 ■

M

..>

f'

46

ETHAN ALLEN S

■for

*^.

apprehensive of; and, as death was the natural
consequence of animal life to which the laws of
nature subject mankind, to be timorous and un-
easy as to the event anu manner of it, was incon-
sistent with the character of a philosopher and
soldier. The cause I was engaged in, I ever
viewed worthy hazarding my life for, nor was I,
in the most critical moments of trouble, sorry that
I engaged in it ; and, as to the world of spirits,
though I knew nothing of the mode or manner of
it, 1 expected nevertheless, when I should arrive
at such a world, that I should be as. well treated
as other gentlemen of my merit.

Among the great numbers of people, who came
to the castle to see the prisoners, some gentlemen
told me that they had come fifty miles on purpose
to see me, and desired to ask me a number of
questions, and to make free with me in conversa-
tion. I gave for answer that I chose freedom in
every sense of the word. Then one of them asked
me what my occupation in life had been ? I an-
swered him, that in my younger days I had studied
divinity, but was a conjuror by profession. He
replied, that I conjured wrong at the time I was
taken ; and I was obliged to own, that I mistook
a figure at that time, but that I had conjured them
out of Ticonderoga. This was a place of great
notoriety in England, so that the joke seemed to
go in my favor.

It

of cl

casth

men

lofte

on th

ingtl

times

and 1

did, i

from

me \\

in coi

Howe

at oni

bowl :

self n

le

ed th

dema

great

cans ^

not b(

acoep

vince

bear t

that I

I then

•4-

NARRATIVE.

47

atural
ivvs of
d un-
incon-
ir and
I ever
was I,
y that
spirits,
iner of
arrive
reated

came
lemen
arpose
ber of
versa- 1
lorn in
asked

I an-
tudied
He

I was
istook
I them

great
nedto

It was a common thing for me to be taken out
of close confinement, into a spacious green in the
castle, or rather parade, where numbers of gentle-
men and ladies were ready to see and hear me.
I often entertained such audiences with harangues
on the impracticability of Great Britain's conquer-
ing the then colonies of America. At one of these
times I asked a gendeman for a bowl of punch,
and he ordered his servant to bring it, which he
did, and offered it to me, but [ refused to take it
from the hand of his servant ; he then gave it to
me with his own hand, refusing to drink with me
inconsequence of my being a state criminal: —
However, I took the punch and drank it all down
at one draught, and handed the gentleman the
bowl: this made the spectators as well as my-
self merry.

I expatiated on American freedom. This gain-
ed the resentment of a young, beardless gende-
deman of the company, who gave himself very
great airs, and replied that he *knew the Ameri-
cans very well, and was certain that they could
not bear the smell of powder.' I replied, that I
accepted it as a challenge, and was ready to con-
vince him on the spot, that an American could
bear the smell of powder ; at which he answered
that he should not put himself on a par with me.
I then demanded of him to treat the character of

%

1 1'

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i
t

I

I

t

^

i'.*

I'V

^^ ^ I

48

ETHAN ALLEN'S

the Americans with due respect. He answered
that I was an Irishman ; but I assured him that I
was a lull blooded Yankee, and in fine bantered
him so much, that he left me in possession of the
ground, and the laugh went against him. Two
clergymen came to see me, and, inasmuch as they
behaved with civility, I returned them the same.
We discoursed on several parts of moral philoso-
phy and Christianity ; and they seemed to be sur-
prised that I should be accjuainted with such top-
ics, or that I should understand a syllogism, or reg-
ular mode of argumentation. I am apprehensive
my Canadian dress contributed not a T le to the
surprise, and excitement of curiosity. .^ see a
gentleman in England regularly dressed and well
behaved would be no sight at all ; but such a reb-
el as they were pleased to call me, it is probable^
was never before seen in England.

The prisoners were landed at Falmouth a few
days before Christmas, and ordered on board of
the Solebay frigate, Capt. Symonds, on the eighth
day of January, 1776, when our hand irons were
taken off. This remove was in consequence, as 1
have been since informed, of a writ of habeas cor-
pus, which had been procured by some gentlemen
in England, in order to obtain me my liberty.

The Solebay, with sundry other men-of-war,
and about forty transports, rendezvoused at the

r

r

NARRATIVE.

49

wered
that I
itered
of the

J WO

s they

same.

iiiloso-

le sur-

h top-

t)r reg-

ensive

to the

see a

id well

a reb-

obable,

a few
)ard of

eighth
s were

cove of Cork in Ireland, to take in provisions and
water. « »

When we were first brought on board, captain
Symonds ordered all the prisoners, and most of the
hands on board to go on the deck, and caused to be
read in their henring, a certain code of laws or
rules, or the regulation and ordering of their be-
havior ; and then in a sovereign manner, ordered
the prisoners, me in particular, off the deck, or..,'
never to come on it again ; for, said he, this is a
place for gentlemen to walk. So I went off, an
officer following me, who told me that he would
shew me the place allot led for me, and took me
down to the cable tier, saying to me this is your
place.

Prior to this I had taken cold, by which I was
in an ill state of health, and did not sav much to
the officer ; but stayed there that night, consulted
my policy, and I found I was in an evil case ;
that a captain of a man-of-war was more arbitrary
than a king, as he could view his territory with a
look of his eye, and a movement of his finger
commanded obedience. I felt myself more des-
ponding than I had done at any time before ; for
I concluded it to be a government scheme, to
do that clandestinely which policy forbid to be
done under sanction of any public justice and
law.; .,■■ ■ '■'•v'^i'.; '.,.' ,, . -• ;■• .' ii '■

w

( \

^"

M'

50

ETHAN ALLEN'S

]'

•!■ •■'

|:;..f

I 1

However, two days after, I shaved and cleansed
myself as well as I could, and went on deck. The
captain, spoke to me in a great rage, and said :
*did I not order you not to come on deck? ' I
answered him, that at the same time he said,
* that it was the place for gentlemen to walk ; that
I was Colonel Allen, but had not been properly
introduced to him.' He replied, G — d damn you,
sir, be careful not to walk the same side of the deck
that I do. This gave me encouragement, and
ever after that I walked in the manner he had
directed, except whun he, at certain times after-
wards, had ordered me off in a passion, and I then
would directly afterwards go on again, telling him
to command his slaves ; that 1 was a gentleman
and had a right to walk the deck ; yet when he
expressly ordered me off, I obeyed, not out of
obedience to him, but to set an example to the
ship's crew, who ought to obey him.

To walk to the windward side of the deck is,
according to customs, the prerogative of the captain
of the man-of-war, though he, sometimes, nay
commonly, walks with his lieutenants, when no
strangers are by. When a captain from some
other man-of-war, comes on board, the captains
walk to the windward side, and the other gentle-
men to tbf; leeward. ' " "' ^ "«^ - -^

It was but a few nigh is I lodged in the cable

in

insed

The

said :

kr I

said,
; that
►perly
i you,
sdeck
, and
5 had
after-
l then
g him
leman
len he
out of
to the

ick is,
aptain
), nay
en no
some
ptains
entle-

J7, : -

vi ■

"TC'

n

&

ATARRATIVE.

51

cable

tier, before I gained an acquaintance with the mas-
ter of arms, his name was Gillegan, an Irishman,
who was a generous and well disposed man, and
in a friendly manner made me an offer oi living
with him in a htde birth, which was allotted him
between decks, and enclosed with canvass; his
preferment on board was about equal to that of
a Serjeant in a regiment. I was comparatively
happy in the acceptance of his clemency, and
liv^ecl with him in friendship till the frigate anchored
in the harbor of Cape Fear, North Carolina, in
America. ;; - • ^ . „ ; ,

Nothing of material consequence happened till
the fleet rendezvoused at the cove of Cork, except
a violent storm which brought old hardy sailors to
their prayers. It w'as soon rumored in Cork that
I was on board the Solebay, with a number of
prisoners from America ; upon which Messrs.
Clark & Hays, merchants in company, and a
number of other benevolently disposed gentlemen,
contributed largely to the relief and support of the
prisoners, who were thirty four in number, and
in very needy circumstances. A suit of clotties
from head to foot, including an overcoat or sur-
tout, and two shirts were bestowed upon each of
them. My suit I received in superfine broadcloths,
sufficient for two jackets and two pair of breeches,
overplus of a suit throughout, eight fine Holland

'l I

M

li' >

m

52

ETHAN ALLEN^S

shirts and stocks ready made, with a number of
pairs of silk and worsted hose, two pair of shoes,
two beaver hats, one of which was sent me richly
laced with gold, by James Bonwell. The Irish
gendemen furthermore made a large gratuity of
wines of the best sort, spirits, gin, loaf and brown
sugar, tea and chocolate, with a large round of
pickled beef, and a number of fat turkies, with
many other articles, for my sea stores, too tedious
to mention here. To the privates they bestowed
on each man two pounds of tea, and six pounds
of brown sugar. These articles were received
on board at a time when the captain and first
lieutenant were gone on shore, by the permission
of the second lieutenant, a handsome young gen-
tleman, who was then under twenty years of
age ; his name was Douglass, son of admiral Doug-
lass, as I was informed. ^ - s
'As this munificence was so unexpected and
plentiful, I may add needful, it impressed on my
mind the highest sense of gratitude towards my
benefactors ; for I was not only supplied with the
necessaries and conveniences of hfe, but with the
grandeurs and superfluities of it. Mr. Hays, one
of the donators before-mentioned, came on board,
^nd behaved in the most obliging manner, telling
me that he hoped my troubles were past ; for that
the gentlemen of Cork determined to make my

■I

sea
bay
tos
Anc

fifty

the
the
but
•onl}
gen.
gem
exc(
T
natii
env^

■

isg(

not

Irek

befo

v/as

whi(

Dou

able

till t

seqi

and

and

Our

ulfeL,

•7 1

NARRATIVE.

53

sea stores equal to those oF the captain of the Sole-
bay; he made an offer of live stock and wherewith
to support them ; but I knew this would be denied.
And to crown all, did send me by another person,
fifty guineas, but I could not reconcile receiving
the whole to my own feelings, as it might have
the appearance of avarice ; and therefore received
but seven guineas oaly, and am confident, not
only from the exercise of the present well timed
generosity, but from a large acquaintance with
gentlemen of this nation, that as a people they
excel in liberality and bravery.

Two days after the receipt of the aforesaid do-
nations, captain Symonds came on board, full of
envy towards the prisoners, and swore' by all that
is good, that the damned American rebels should
not be feasted at this rate, y the damned rebels of
Ireland ; he therefore took away all my liquors
before-mentioned, except some of the wint which
V7as secreted, and a two gallon jug of old sp rits
which was reserved for me per favor of lieutenant
Douglass. The taking of my liquors was abomin-
able in his sight ; he therefore spoke inmv ' ehalf,
till the captain was angry with him ; ana m con-
sequence, proceeded and took av.ray all the tea
and sugar, which had been given to the prisoners,
and confiscated it to the use of the ship's crew.
Our clothing was not taken away, but the privates

1 1

i^

t M

54

EATHAN ALLEN S

hi

m

were forced to do duty on board. Soon after this
there came a boat to the side of the ship, and
captain Symonds asked a gentleman in it, in my
hearing, what his business was? who answered
that he was sent to deliver some sea stores to Co).
Allen, which if I remember right, he said were sent
from Dublin ; but the captaii damned him heartily,
ordering him away from the ship, and would not
suffer him to deliver the stores. I was further-
more informed that the gentlemen in Cork,
requested of captain Symonds, that I might be
allowed to come into the city, and that they would
be responsible I should return to the frigate at a
given time, which was denied them.

We sailed from England the 8th day of January,
and from the cove of Cork the 12th day of Feb'y.
Just before we sailed, the prisoners with me were
divided, and put on board thrc^j different ships of
war. This gave me some uneasiness, for they
were to a man zealous in the cause of liberty, and
behaved with a becoming fortitude in the various
scenes of their captivity ; but those, who were
distributed on board other ships of war were much
better used than those who tarried with me,
as appeared afterwards- When the fleet, con-
sisting of about forty-five sai;, including five men
of war, sailed from the cove with a fresh breeze,
the appearance was beautiful, abstracted from the

till

.ii

'"scMfmii.ii

NARRATIVE.

55

>

ir this
•, and
in my
ivered
dCoI
e sent
artily,
Id not
rther-
Cork,
rhihe
would
;e at a

riuary,
Feb'v.
) were
lips of

they
;y,and
arious

were
smuch
h me,
, con-
e men
Teeze,
Dm the

;l

unjust and bloody designs they had in view. We
had not sailed many days, before a mighty storm
arose, which lasted near twenty-four hours with-
out intermission. The wind blew with relendess
fury, and no man could remain on deck, except
he was lashed fast, for the wavfes rolled over the
deck by turns, with a forcible rapidity and every
soul on board was anxious for the preservation of
the ship, alias, their Uves. In this storm the Thun-
der-bomb man of war sprang a leak, and was
afterwards floated to some part to the coast of
England, and the crew saved. We were then
said to be in the Ba^ of Biscay. After the storm
abated, I could plainly discern the prisoners were
better used for some considerable time, i '

Nothing of consequence happened after this,
till we had sailed to the island of Madeira, except
a certain favor I had received of captain Symonds,
in consequence of an application I made to him
for the privilege of his tailor to make me a suit
of clothes of the cloth bestowed on me in Ireland,
which he generously granted, I could then walk
the deck with a seeming better grace. When we
had reached Madeira, and anchored, sundry gen-
tlemen with the captain went on shore, who I
conclude, gc ve the rumor that I was in the frigate ;
upon which I soon after found that Irish generosity
was again excited ; for a gentleman of that nation

rii

i: «

i: t

66

ETHAN ALLEN'3

I II
■'ti

sent his clerk on board, to know of me if I would
accept a sea store from him, particularly wine.
This matter I made known to the generous lieu-
tenant Douglass, who readily granted me the
favor, provided the articles could be brought on
board, during the time of his command ; adding
that it would be a pleasure to him to serve me,
notwithstanding the opposition he met with before.
So I directed the gentleman's clerk to inform him
that I was greatly in need of so signal a charity,
and desired the young gentleman to make the
the utmost despatch, which he did ; but in the
meantime, captain Symonds and his oflScers came
on board, and immediately made ready for sailing ;
the wind at the same time being fair, set sail when
the young gendeman was in fair sight with the
aforesaid store. "^ ''- ^' "^^' ""' '^^^*''^^ oi.u :m. ro.
.The reader will doubtless recollect the seven
guineas I received at the cove of Cork. These
enabled me to purchase of the purser what I
wanted, had not the Captain strictly forbidden it,
though I made sundry applicalions to him for that
purpose; but his answer to me, when I was sick,
was, that it was no matter how soon I was dead,
and that he was no ways anxious to preserve the
lives of rebels, but wished them all dead ; and
indeed that was the language of most of the ship's
crew. I expostulated not only with the captain,

■'S

\

NARRATIVE*

57

Wine.

lieu- ^
e the
jht on
idding
^e me,
)efore.
m him
barity,
ke the
in the
I came
ailing ;

when
ith the

sevi^n
These
vhat I
den it,
Dr that
s sick,

dead,

ve the

and

ship's
iptain.

but with other gentlemen on board, on the unrea-
sonableness of such usage; inferring that, inas-
much as the government in England did not pro-
ceed against me as a capital offender, they should
not ; for that they were by no means empowered
by any authority, either civil or military, to do so ;
for the English government had acquitted me by
sending me back a prisoner of war to America,
and that they should treat me as such. I further
drew an inference of impolicy on them, provided
they should by hard usage, destroy my life ; inas-
much as I might, if living, redeem one of their
officers ; but the captain replied, that he needed
no directions of mine how to treat a rebel ; that
the British would conquer the American rebels,
hang the Congress, and such as promoted the
rebellion, me in particular, and retake their own
prisoners ; so that my life was of no consequence
in the scale of their policy. I gave him for an-
swer that if they stayed till they conquered Ame-
rica, before they hanged me, 1 should die of old
age, and desired that till such an event took place,
he would at least allow me to purchase of the
purser, for my own money, such articles as I
greatly needed ; but he would not permit it, and
when 1 reminded him of the generous and civil
usage that their prisoners in captivity in America
let with, he said that it was not owing to their

m

68

EATHAN Allen's

H t

goodness, but to their timidity ; for, said he, they
expect to be conquered, and therefore dare not
misuse our prisoners ; and in fact this was the
h nguage of the British officers, till Burgoyne was
taken ; * happy event ! and not only of the officers
but the whole British army. I appeal to all my
brother prisoners, who have been with the British
in the southern department, for a confirmation of
what I have advanced on this subject. The
surgeon of the Solebay, whose name was North,
was a very humane, obliging man, and took the
best care of the prisoners who were sick.

The third day of May we cast anchor in the
harbor of Cape Fear, in North Carolina, as did

* It was the plan of the British generals, to push a body of
troops from New- York, to join General Burgoyne at Albany, and
by establishing a line of British posts on the Hudson, to intercept
the intercourse between the New England and Southern States.
While General Burgoyne was attempting to advance towards Al-
bany, General Clinton with a force of three thousand men took
possion of Fort Montgomery, after severe loss. General Vaughan,
with a body of troops, on board of armed ships, sailed up the Hud-
son, as far as Livingston's manor, where he landed a party, burnt
a large house belonging to one of the family; then sent a party to
the opposite shore and laid in ashes the town of Kingston. Bui
General Burgoyne, despairing ojf the junction between his army
and the division from New-York, surrounded by a superior army,
and unable to retreat, consented to capitulate, and on the 17th
of October, surrendered to the American General. The detach-
ment under General Vaughan returned to New- York and the plaa
of the British commanders was totally frustrated. . *.

NAURATIVE.

59

;, they
-e not
[iS the
[16 was
)fficers
all my [j
British
tion of
The
North,
)ok the

in the
as did

.'■>■ ii?- ''.

I body of
)any, and

intercept
■n States,
ivards Al-
men took
Vaughan,
the Hud-
■ty, burnt
I party to
ton. Bui
his army
rior army,

the 17th
18 detach-
l the plan

Sir Peter Parker's ship, of 50 guns, a little back of
the bar ; for there was not depth of water for him
to come into the harbor. These two men of war,
and fourteen sail of transports and others, came
after, so that most of the fleet rendezvoused at
Cape Fear, for three weeks. The soldiers on
board the transports were sickly, in consequence
of so long a passage ; add to this the small-pox
carried off' many of them. They landed on the
main, and formed a camp ; but the riflemen an-
noyed them, and caused them to move to an
island in the harbor ; but such cursing of riflemen
I never heard.

A detachment of regulars was sent up Bruns-
wick river ; as they landed, they were fired on by
those marksmen, and they came back next day
damning the rebels for their unmanly way of fight-
ing, and swearing that they would give no quarter,
for they took sight at them, and were behind tim-
ber skulking about. One of the detachments said
they lost one man ; but a negro man who was
with them, and heard what was said, soon after
told me that he helped to bury thirty-one of them ;
this did me some good to find my 'ountrymen
giving them battle ; for I never heard such swag-
gering as among Gen. Clinton's httle army who
commanded at that time ; and I am apt to think
there were four thousand men, though not two

■'M.

It

1 ^

60

ETHAN ALLEN S

ah^2

Ji!

thirds of them fit for duty. I heard numbers of* ji^e
them say, that the trees in America should hang | ^ot
well with fruit that campaign for they would give
no quarter. This was in the mouths of most who
I heard speak on the subject, officer as well as | ble
soldier. 1 wished at that time my countrymen
knew, as well as I did, what a murdering and cruel
enemy they had to deal with ; but experience has H
since taught this country, what they are to ex-
pect at the hands of Britons when in their power.
The prisoners, who had been sent on board
different men of war at the cove of Cork, were
collected together, and the whole of them put on I,
board the Mercury frigate, capt. James Montague,
except one of the Canadians, who died on the
passage from Ireland, and Peter Noble, who made
his escape from the Sphynx man-of-war in this
harbour, and, by extraordinary swimming, got safe
home to New-England, and gave intelligence of
the usage of his brother prisoners. The Mercury
set sail from this port for Halifax, about the 20th
of Mav, and Sir Peter Parker was about to sail
with the land forces, under the command of Gen.
Clinton, for the reduction of Charleston, the capitol
of South-Carolina, and when I heard of his defeat
^in Halifax, it gave me inexpressible satisfaction.
I now found myself under a worse captain than
Symonds ; for Montague was loaded with preju-

h.,

'''<n

NARRATIVE.

61

ibers of
Id hang
lid give
)st who
well as !
trymen
id cruel
nee has
lo ex-
power,
board
:, were
put on
intague,
on the

0 made ;
in this

E^ot safe j I
ence of||
lercury
de 20th
to sail [|
.^f Gen.

1 capitol
5 defeat
iction.
in than
i preju-

dices against every body, and every thing that was
not stamped with royalty; and being by nature
under witted, his wrath was heavier than the
others, or at least his mind was in no instance lia-
ble tc be diverted by good sense, humour or bra-
very, of which Symonds was by turns susceptible,
A Capt. Francis Proctor was added to our num-
ber of prisoners when we were first put on board
this ship. This gentleman had formerly belonged
to the English service. The Captain, and in fine,
all the gentlemen of the ship, were very much in-
sensed against him, and put him in irons with-
out the least provocation, and he was continued
in this miserable situation about three months. In
this passage the prisoners were mfected with the
scurvy, some more and some less, but most of
them severely. The ship's crew was to a great
degree troubled with it, and I concluded that it
was catching. Several of the crew died with it
on their passage. I was weak and feeble in con-
sequence of so long and cruel a captivity, yet had
but little of the scurvy.

The purser was again expressly forbid by the
captain to let me have any thing out of his store ;
upon which I went upon deck, and in the hand-
somest manner requested the favor of purchasing
a few necessaries of the purser, which was deni-
ed me; he further told me, that I should be

1 i!

H

V

pi'

1)

It

62

ETHAN ALLEN'S

hanged as soon as I arrived at Halifax. I tried
to reason the matter with him, but found him
proof against reason ; I also held up his honor to
view, and his behavior to me and the prisoners in
general, as being derogatory to it, but found his
honor impenetrable. I then endeavored to touch
his humanity, but found he had none ; for his pre-
possession of bigotry to his own party, had con-
firmed him in an opinion, that no humanity was
due to unroyalists, but seemed to think that hea-
ven and earth were made merely to gratify the
King and his creatures ; be uttered considerable
unintelligible and grovelling ideas, a little tinctur-
ed with monarchy, but stood well to his text oi'
hanging me. He afterwards forbade his surgeon
to administer any help to the sick prisoners. I
was every night shut down in the cable tier, with
the rest of the prisoners, and we all lived misera-
bly while under his power. But I received some
generosity from several of the midshipmen, who
in degree alleviated my misery ; one of their names
was Putrass, the names of the others I do not re-
collect; but they were obligedto be private in the
bestowment of their favor, which was sometimes
good wine bitters, and at others a generous drink
of grog. ' -

Sometime in the first week of June, we came
to anchor at the Hook off New York, where we

'■>.

;■*

-K

y%

NAERATIVE.

63

remained but three days ; in which time governor
i Tryon, Mr. Kemp, the old attorney general of
1 New -York, and several other perfidious and over
'■ grown tories and land-jobbers, came on board.
Tryon viewed me wii'i a stern countenance, as 1
was walking on the leeward side the deck with
the midshipmen ; and he and his companions were
walking with the captain and lieutenant, on the
windward side of the same, but never spoke to
me, though it is altogether probable that he thought
of the old quarrel between him, the old govern-
ment of New York, and the Green-Mouniain Boys.
Then they went with the captain into the cabin,
and the same afternoon returned on board a ves-
sel, v'here at that time they took sanctuary from
the resentment of their injured country. What
passed between the officers of the ship and these vi-
siters 1 know not ; but this I know that my treatment
from tjie officers was more severe afterwards.

We arrived at Halifax not far from the middle
of June, where the ship's crew, which was infested
with the scurvy, were taken on shore, and shallow
trenches dug, into which they were put, and partly
covered with earth. Indeed every proper mea-
sure was taken for their relief. The prisoners were
not permitted any sort of medicine, but were put
on board a sloop which lay in the harbor, near the
town of Halifax, surrounded with several men of

I

64

TTHAN ALLKn's

^1:

!:> 5

I I.

war and their tenders, and a guard constantly set
over them, night and day. The sloop we had whol-
ly to ourselves except the guard who occupied the
forecastle ; here we were cruelly pinched with
hunger ; it seemed to me that we had not more
than one third of the common allowance. We
were ail seized with violent hunger and faitness ;
we divided our scanty allowance as exact as possi-
ble. I shared the same fate with the rest, and though
they offered me more than an even share, I refu-
sed to accepi it, as it was a time of substantial
distress, which in my opinion I ought to partake
equally with the rest, and set an example of virtue
and fortitude to our litde commonwealth.

1 sent letter after letter to captain Montague,
who still had the care of us, and also to his lieu-
tenant, whose name I cannot call to mind, but
could obtain no answer, much less a redress of
grievances ; and to add to the calamity, ijear a
dozen of the prisoners were dangerously ill of the
scurvy. I wrote private letters to the doctors,
to procure, if possible, some remedy for the sick,
but in vain. The chief physician came by in a
boat, so close that tie oars touched the sloop that
we were in, and 1 uttered my complaint in the
genteelest manner to him, but he never so much
as turned his head, or made me any answer, though
I continued speaking till he got out of hearing.

a/j

I pr

H whi

I vesr

I site

i to t

I ofh
m my

'■■▼- .— 'y

"l. WTTT

NARRATIVE.

65

ly set
vvhol-
id the
I with
more
We
Lness ;
possi-
hoiigh
[ refu-
itantial
lartake
' virtue

itague,
s heu-
d, but

ess of
15 ear a

of the
octors,
le sick,
)y in a
op that

in the
much
though
earing.

Ouf cause then became deplorable. Still I kept
writing to the captain, till he ordered the guards,
as they told me, not to bring any more letters
from me to him. In the meantime an event hap-
pened wordi relating.. One of the men almost
dead with the scurvy, lay by the side of the sloop,
and a canoe of Indians coming by, he purchased
two quarts of strawberries, and ate them at once,
and it almost cured him The money he gave for
them, was all the money he had in ihe \vorld.
After that we tried every way to procure more of
that fruit, reasoning from analogy that they might
have the same effect on others infested with the
same disease, but could obtain none.

Meanwhile the doctor's mate of the Mercury
came privately on board the prison sloop and*
presented me with a large vial of smart drops,
which proved to be good for the scurvy, though
vegetables and some other ingredients were requi-
site for a cure ; but the drops gave at least a check
to the disease. This was a well-timed exertion
of humanity, but the doctor's name has slipped
my mind, and in my opinion, it was the means of
saving the hves of several men.

The guard, which was set over us, was by this
time touched with the feelings of compassion ;
and I finally trusted one of them with a letter of
complaint to governor Arbuthnot, of Halifax, which

I ».

;*

' T3W"

-TT iji ■ 1 1 pw f^ f, |"J| H inni inji v*i ^■■.■T^"l !■•

■>» I.

66

ETHAN ALLEN'S

i"' i

he found means to communicate, and which had
the desired effect ; for the governor sent an officer
and surgeon on board the prison sloop, to know
the truth of the complaint. The officer's name
was Russell, who held the rank of lieutenant, and
treated me in a friendly and polite manner, and
was really angry at the cruel and unmanly usage the
prisoners met with ; and with the surgeon made
a true report of matters to governor Arbuthnot,
who, either by his order or influence, took us
next day from the prison sloop to Halifax jail,
where 1 first became acquainted with the now Hon.
James Lovel, one of the mem.bers of Congress
for the state of Massachusetts. The sick were
taken to the hospital, and the Canadians, who
were effective, were employed in the King's
works ; and when their countrymen were recovered
from the scurvy and joined them, they all deserted
the king's employ, and were not heard of at Hali-
fax, as long as the remainder of the prisoners
continued there, which was till near the middle of
October. We were on board the prison sloop about
six weeks, and w^ere landed at Halifax near the
middle of August. Several of our English-Am.er-
ican prisoners, who were cured of the scurvy at
the hospital, made their escape from thence,
and after a long time reached their old habita-
tions.

NARRATIVE.

67

bhad
)fficer
know
name
t, and
r, and
ge the
made
ithnot,
ok us
X jail,
I Hon.
ngress
were
who
Kuig's
3vered
iserted
t HaU-
soners
ddle of
D about
ear the
Amer-
arvy at
thence,
habita-

r

I

I had now but thirteen with me, of those who
were taken in Canada, and remained in jail with
me in Halifax, who, in addition to those that were
imprisoned before, made our number about thirty-
four, who were all locked up in one common large
room, without regard to rank, education or any
other accomplishment, where we continued from
the setting to the rising sun ; and, as sundry of
them were infected with the jail and other dis-
tempers, the furniture of this spacious room con-
sisted principally of excrement tubs. We petitioned
for a removal of the sick into the hospitals, but
were denied. We i emonstrated against the ungen-
erous usage of being confined with the privates, as
being contrary to the laws and customs of nations,
and particularly ungrateful in them in consequence
of the gentleman-like usage which the British im-
prisoned officers met with in America ; and thus
we wearied ourselves, petitioning and remonstra-
ting, but to no purpose at all ; for general Massey,
who commanded at HaUfax, was as inflexible as
the devil himself, a fine preparative this for Mr.
Level, member of the Continental Congress.

Lieutenant Russell, whom 1 have mentioned
before, came to visit me in prison, and assured
me that he had done his utmost to procure my
parole for enlargement ; at which a British captain,
U'ho was then town-major, expressed compassion

1 1

,^lSi._

68

ETHAN Allen's!

nil!

fv' ' ) ■ '

h I:

for the gentlemen confined in the filthy place, and
assured me that he had used his influence to pro-
cure their enlargement ; his name was near like
Ramsey. Among the prisoners there were five
in number, who had a legal claim to a parole, viz.
James Level, Esq., captain Francis Proctor, a Mr.
Rowland, master of a continental armed vessel, a
Mr. Taylor, his mate, and myself.

As to the article of provision, we were well ser-
ved, much better than in any part ol my captivi-
ty; and since it was Mr. LovePs misfortunes and
mine to be prisoners, and in so wretched circum-
stances, I was happy that we were together as a
mutual support to each other, and to the unfortu-
nate prisoners with us. Our first attention was
the preservation of ourselves and injured little re-
public ; the rest of our time we devoted inter-
changeably to politics and philosophy, as patience
was a needful exercise in so evil a situation, but
contentment mean and impracicable.

I had not been in this jail many days, before
a worthy and charitable woman, by the name of
Mrs. Blacden, supplied me with a good dinner of
fresh meats every day, with garden fruit, and
sometimes with a bottle of wine: notwithstanding
which I had not been more than three weeks in
this place before I lost all appetite to the most de-
licious food, by the jail distemper, as also did

NARRATIVE.

69

, and
) pro-
r like
3 five
. viz.
a Mr.
isel, a

11 ser-
aptivi-
5s and
[rcum-
3r as a
nfot-tu-
)n was
tie re-
inter-
citience
)n, but

before
ame of
nner of
it, and
anding
eeks in
ost de-
Iso did

%

'<€

sundr}^ of the prisoners, particularly a sergeant
Moore, a man of courage and fidelity. 1 have
several times seen him hold the boatswain of the
Solebay frigate, when he attempted to strike him,
and laughed him out of conceit of using him as a
slave. ,

A doctor visited the sick, and did the best, as I
suppose, he could for them, to no apparent pur-
pose. I grew weaker and weaker, as did the rest.
Several of them could not help themselves. At
last I reasoned in my own mind, that raw onion
would be good. I made use of it, and found im-
mediate relief by it, as did the sick in general, par-
ticularly sergeant Moore, whom it recovered almost
from the shades ; though I had met w- ith a liuls
revival, still I found the malignant hand of Britain
had greatly reduced my constitution with stroke
upon stroke. Esquire Level and myself used
every argument and entreaty that could be well
conceived of in order to obtain gentleman-like
usage, to no purpose, f then wrote Gen. Massey
as severe a letter as I possibly could with my friend
Level's assistance. The contents of it was to give
the British, as a nation, and him as an individual,
their true character. This roused the rascal, for
he could not bear to see his and the nation's de-
formity in that transparent letter, which I sent him';
he therefore put himself in a great rage about it,

lit

If 'if

)t

70

ETHAN ALLEN'S

hi

4

and showed the letter to a number of British offi-
cers, particularly to captain Smith of the Lark
frigate, who, instead of joining with him in disap-
probation, commended .the spirit of it ; upoa
which general Massey said to him do you take
the part of a rebel against me ? Captain Smith
answered that he rather spoke his sentiments, and
there was a dissention in opinion between them.
Some officers took the part of the general, and
others of the captain. This I was informed of by
a gentleman who had it from captain Smith.

In a few days after this, the prisoners were or-
dered to go on board of a man of war, which was
bound for New-York ; but two of them were not
able to go on board, and were left at Halifax ; one
died; and the other recovered. This was about
the 12th of October, and soon after we had got
on board, the captain sent for me in particular to
come on the quarter deck. I went, not knowing
that it was captain Smith, or his ship, at that time,
and expected to meet the same rigorous usage I
had commonly met with, and prepared my mind
accordingly ; but when I came on deck, the cap-
tain met me with his hand, welcomed mc to his
ship, invited me to dine with him that day, and
assured me that I should be treated as a gentle^
man, and that he had given orders, that I should
be treated with respect by the ship's crew. This

TT^

NARRATIVE.

71

sh offi-

i Lark

disap-

upoQ

)u take

Smith

ts, and

1 them.

aJ, and

dof by

I.

ere or-
ch was
ere not
X ; one
i about
lad got
3ular to
nowing
at time,
usage I
y mind
be cap-
to his
ly, and
gentle'
should
. This

I was so unexpected and sudden a transition, that
i it drew tears from my eyes, which all the ill usage
: 1 had before met with, was not able to produce,
nor could I at first hardly speak, but soon recov-
, ered myself and expressed my gratitude for so
unexpected a favor ; and let him know that I felt
, anxiety of mind in reflecting that his situation and
I mine was such, that it was not probable that it
I would ever be in my power to return the favor.
I Captain Smith replied, that he had no reward in
Iview, but only treated me as a gentleman ought
I to be treated ; he said this is a mutable world,
I and one gentleman never knows but it may be in
his power to help another. Soon after I found
this to be the same captain Smith who took my
J part agamst general Massey ; but he never men-
ftioned any thing of it to me, and 1 thought it
|impolite in me to interrogate him, as to any dis-
putes which might have arisen between him and
the general on my account, as I was a prisoner,
and that it was at his option to make free with me
on that subject, if he pleased ; and if he did not,
I might take it for granted that it would be un-
pleasing for me to query about it, though I had a
strong propensity to converse with him on that
ubject.

I dined with the captain agreeable to his invita-
ion, and oftentimes with the lieutenant, in the

' "I

72

ETHAN ALLEN'S

W I

gun-room, but in general ate and drank with my
friend Lovel and the other gendemen who were
prisoners with me, where I also slept.

We had a little berth enclosed with canvas, be-
tween decks, where we enjoyed ourselves very
well, in hopes of an exchange ; besides, our
friends at Halifax had a litde notice of our depar-
ture, and supplied us with spirituous liquor, and
many articles of provision for the cost. Captain
Burk, having been taken prisoner, was added to
our company, (he had commanded an American
armed vessel) and was generously treated by the
captain and all the officers of thj^ ship, as v/ell as
myself. We now had in all near thirty prisoners
on board, and as we were sailing along the coast,
if I recollect right, off Rhode -Island, captain
Burk, with an under officer of the ship, whose
name I do not recollect, came to our little berth,
proposed to kill captain Smith and the principal
officers of the frigate and take it ; adding that
there were thirty-five thousand pounds sterling in
the same. Captain Burk likewise averred that a
strong party out of the ship's crew was in the
conspiracy, and urged me, and the gentleman that
was with me, to use our influence with the private
prisoners, to execute the design, and take the
ship w^th the cash into one of our own ports.

Upon which I replied, that we had been too

:-?•

NARRATIVE.

73

ith my
D were

as, be-
very
our
depar-
)r, and
Captain
Ided to
[lerican
by the
well as
^isoners
e coast,
captain
, whose
e berth,
)rincipal
ing that
3rling in
d that a
IS in the
nan that
5 private
take the
orts.
)een too

I

well used on board to murder the officers ; that I
could by no means reconcile il to my conscience,
and that, in fact, it should not be done ; and while
I was yet speaking, my friend Lovel confirmed
what I had said, and farther pointed out ther un-
gratefulness of such an act ; that it did not fall
short of murder, and in tine all the gentlemen in
the berth opposed captain Burk and his colleague.
But they strenuously urged that the conspiracy
would be found out, and that it would cost them
their lives, provided they did not execute their
design. I then interposed spiritedly, and put an
end to further argument on the subject, and told
them that they might depend upon it, upon my
honor, that I would faithfully guard captain Smith's
life. If they should attempt the assault, 1 would
assist him, for the}^ desired me to remain neuter, and
that the same honor that guarded captain Smith's
life, would also guard theirs ; and it was agreed
by those present not to reveal the conspiracy, to
the intent that no man should be put to death, in
consequence of what had been projected; and
captain Burk and his colleague went to stifle the
matter among their associates. I could not help
calling to mind what captain Smith said to me,
when I first came on board : " This is a mutable
world, and one gentleman never knows but that
it may be in his power to help another." Captain

f H

ii

: n

It '

I'l

74

t:THAN ALLEN'S

Smith and his officers still behaved with their usual
courtesy, and I never heard any more of the
conspiracy.

We arrived before New-York, and cast anchor
the latter part of October, where we remained
several days, and where captain Smith informed
me, that he had recommended me to admiral
Howe and general Sir Wm. Howe, as a gentle-
man of honor and veracity, and desired that I
might be treated as such. Captain Burk was then
ordered on board a prison-ship in the harbor. I
took my leave of cap* n Smith, and with the
other prisoners, was sent on board a transport
ship, which lay in the harbor, commanded by
captain Craige, who took me into the cabin with
him and his lieutenant. 1 fared as they did, and
was in every respect well treated, in consequence
of directions from captain Smith. In a few weeks
after this I had the happiness to part with my
friend Lovel, for his sake, whom the enemy af-
fected to treat as a private ; he was a gentleman
of merit, and liberally educated, but had no com-
mission ; they maligned him on account of his
unshaken attachment to the cause of his country.
He was exchanged for a governor Philip Skene of
of the British. I was continued in (his ship till
the latter part of November, where I contracted
an acquaintance with the captain of the British ;

!■'.

i

NARRAtlVE.

75

usual
)f the

inchor
fiained
ormed
dniiral
gentle-
that I
IS then
)or. I
ith the
msport
led by
in with
id, and
quence
weeks
ith my
emy at-
[itleman
no com-
t of his
country.
5kene of
ship till
ntracted
British ;

his name has slipped my memory. He was what
we may call a genteel, hearty fellow. I remember
an expression of his over a bottle of wine, to this
import : " That there is a greatness of soul for
personal friendship to subsist between you and
me, as we are upon opposite sides, and may at
another day be obliged to face each other in the
field." I am confident that he was as faithful as
any officer in the British army. At another sit-
ting he offered to bet a dozen of wine, that fort
Washington would be in the hands of the British
in three days. I stood the bet, and would, had
I known that that would have been the case ; and
the third day afterwards we heard a heavy
cannonade, and that day the fort was taken sure
enough. Some months after, when I was on
parole, he called upon me with his usual humor,
and mentioned the bet. I acknowledged I had
lost it, but he said he did not mean to take it
then, as I was a prisoner ; that he would another
day call on me, when their army came to Ben-
nington. I replied, that he was quite too generous,
as i had fairly lost it ; besides, the Green-Moun-
tain-Boys would not suffer them to come to
Bennington. This was all in good humor. I
should have been glad to have seen him after the
defeat at Bennington, but did not. It was cus-
tomary for a guard to attend the prisoners, which

!•:,

• I

ETIIAW ALLEr^'s

was often changed. One

iposed of tor

Ht' ..'li

was com]

from Connecticut, in the vicinity of Fairfield and
Green Farms. The sergeant's name was Iloit.
They were very full of their invectives against the
country, swaggered of their loyalty to their king,
and exclaimed bitterly against the " cowardly
y^nkees," as they were pleased to term them,
but finally contented themselves with saying, that
when the country was overcome, they should be
v/ell rewarded for their loyalty out of the estates
of the whigs, which would be confiscated. This
I found to be the general language of the tories,
after I arrived from England on the American
coast. 1 heard sundry of them relate, that the
British generals had engaged them an ample re-
ward for their losses, disappointments and expen-
ditures, out of the forfeited rebels' estates. This
language early taught me what to do with tories'
estates, as far as my influence can go. For it is
really a game of hazard between whig and tory.
The whigs must inevitably have lost all, in conse-
quence of the abilities of the tories, and their
good friends the British ; and it is no more than
right the tories should run the same risk, in con-
sequence of the abilities of the whigs. But of
this more will be observed in the sequel of this
narrative. * V

I

I

t(

S(

a|

Ci

SI

Itl

A-

' tories
\{\ and
J Hoit.

nst the
r king,
wardly
1 them,
ig, that
5uld be
estates
This
e tories,
inerican
hat the
nple re-
[ expen-
;. This
h tories'
For it is
,nd tory.
n conse-
id their
ore than
, in con-
But of
I of this

>^

.*^

NARUATIVE.

77

Some of the last days of November, the prison-
ers were landed at New-York, and I was admitted
to parole with the other officers, viz: Proctor,
Howland and Taylor. The privates were put into
filthy churches in New-York, with the distressed
prisoners that were taken at Fort Washington ;
and the second night, sergeant Roger Moore, who
was bold and enterprising, found means to make his
escape with every of the remaining prisoners that
were taken with me, except three, who were soon
after exchanged. So that out of thiriy-one prison-
ers, who went with me the round exhibited in these
^sheets, two only died with the enemy, and three
only were exchanged ; one of whom died after be
came within our lines ; all the rest, at dilferent
times, made their escape i'rom the enemy.

I now found myself on i)arole, and restricted
to the limits of the city of New- York, where I
soon projected means to live in some measure
agreeably to my rank, though I was destitute of
cash. My constitution was almost worn out by
such a long and barbarous captivity. The enemy
gave out that I was crazy, and wholly unmanned,
but my vitals held sound, nor was I delirious any
more than I had been from youth up ; but my
extreme circumstances, at certain times, rendered
it politic to act in some measure the madman ;
and in consequence of a regular diet and exercise,

'M

78

ETHAN Af-LEN fT

!■;'

^'I'

my blood recruited, and my nerves in a great
measure recovered their former tone, strength
and usefulness, in the course of six months.

I next invite the reader to a retrospective sight
and consideration of the doleful scene of inhuman-
ity, exercised by general Sir William Howe, and
the army under his command, towards the prison-
ers taken on Long-Island, on the 27th day of Aug.
1776; sundry of whom were, in an inhuman and
barbarous manner, murdered after they had sur-
rendered their arms ; pariicularly a general Ode),
or Woodhull, of the militia, who was hacked to
pieces with cutlasses, when alive, bj the light
horsemen, and a captain Fellows, of the conti-
nental army, who was thrust through with a
bayonet, of which wound he died instantly. Sun-
dry others were hanged up by the neck till they
were dead ; five on the limb of a white oak tree,
and without any reason assigned, except that they
were fighting in defence of the only blessing worth
preserving. And indeed those who had the mis-
fortune to fall into their hands at Fort Washington,
in the month of November following, met with
but very little better usage, except that they were
reserved from immediate death to famish and die
with hunger ; in fine, the word rebel, applied to
any vanquished persons, without regard to rank,
who were in the continental service, on the 27th of

w

^AllRATIVE.

79

grea!
^ngth

sight
iman-
, and
rison-
■ Aug.
n and
d sur-
Odel,
ked to

light

conti-

vith a

Sun-
11 they
k tree,
it they
r worth
le mis-
ington,
;t with
y were
and die
plied to

0 rank,

27tb of

August aforesaid, was thought, by the enemy, suf-
ficient to sanctify whatever cruelties they were
pleased to inflict, death itself not excepted ; but
to pass over particulars which would swell my
my narrative far beyond my design.

The private soldiers, who were brought to New
York, were crowded into churches, and environed
with slavish Hessian guards, a people of a strange
language, who were sent to America for no other
design but cruelty and desolation ; and at others,
by merciless Britons whose mode of communica-
ting ideas being intelligible in this country, served
only to tantalize and insult the helpless and per-
ishing ; but above all, the hellish delight and tri-
umph of the tories over them, as they were dying
by hundreds. This was too much for me to bear
as a spectator ; for I saw the tories exulting ovei'
the dead bodies of tlieir murdered countrymen. I
have gone into the churches, and seen sundry of
the prisoners in the agonies of death, in con-
sequence of very hunger, and others speechless,
and very near death, biting pieces of chips ;
others pleading for God's sake, for something
to cat, and at the same time, shivering with
the cold. Hollow groans saluted my ears, and
despair seemed to Se imprinted on every of their
countenances. The filth in these churches, in
amsequence of the fluxes, was almost beyond de-

I ,'

80

ETHAx Allen's

scription The floors were covered with excre-
ments. I have carefully sought to direct my steps
so as to avoid it, but could not. They would beg
for God's sake for one copper, or morsel of bread.
I have seen in one of these churches seven dead,
at the same time, lying among the excrements of
their bodies. ^

It was a common practice with the enemy, to
convey the dead from these filthy places, in carts,
to be slightly buried, and I have been whole gangs
of tories making derision, and exulting over the
dead, saying, there goes another load of damned
rebels. I have observed the British soldiers to be
full of their black guard jokes, and vaunting on
those occasions, but they appeared to me less
malignant than tories.

The provision dealt out to the prisoners was by
no means sufficient lor the support of life. It was
deficient in quantity, and much more so in quafity.
The prisoners often presented me with a sample
of their bread, which I certify was damaged to
that degree, that it was loathsome and unfit to be
eaten, and I am bold to aver it, as my opinion,
that it had been condemned, and was of the very
worst sort. I have seen and been fed upon dam-
aged bread, in the course of my captivity, and
observ«;d the quality of such bread as has been
condemned by the enemy, among which was very!

i;-'

NARRATIVE.

81

xcre-

steps
d beg
)read.
dead,
jnts of

my,

to

. carts,
gangs
er the
amned

[s to be
iting on
ne less

was by
It was

quality.
. sample
aged to
fit to be
opinion,
the very
>on dam-
Ity, and
las been
was very

little so effectually spoiled as what was dealt out
to these prisoners. Their allowance of meat (as
they told me) was quite trifling, and of the basest
sort. I never saw any of it, but was informed,
that bad as it was, it was swallowed almost as
quick as they got hold of it. I saw some of them
sucking bones after they were speechless ; others,
who could yet speak, and had the use of their
reason, urged me, in the strongest and most
pathetic manner, to use my interest in their be-
half; for you plainly see, said they, that we are
devoted to death and destruction ; and after 1 had
examined more particularly into their truly deplo-
rable condition, and had become more fully
apprized of the essential facts, I was persuaded
that it was a premeditated and systematical plan
of the British council, to destroy the youths of
our land, with a view thereby to deter the coun-
try, and make it subanit to their despotism ; but
that I could not do them any material service, and
that, by any public attempt for that purpose, I
might endanger myself by frequenting places the
most nauseous and contai^^ious that could be con-
ceived of. I refrained going into churches, but
frequently conversed with such of the prisoners
as were admitted to come out into the yard, and
found that the systematical usage still continued.
The guard would often drive me away with their

82

ETHAN ALLEN'S

§

I

fixed bayonets. A Hessian one day followed me
five or six rods, but by making use of my legs, I
got rid of the lubber. Sometimes I could ob-
tain a little conversation, notwithstanding their
severides.

I was in one of the church yards, and it was
rumored among those in the church, and sundry
of the prisoners came wirh their usual complaints
to me, and among the rest a large boned, tall
young man, as he told me, from Pennsylvania,
who was reduced to a mere skeleton ; he said he
was glad to see me before he died, which he ex-
pected to have done last night, but was a little
revived ; he furthermore inlormed me, that he
and his brother had been urged to enlist into the
British, but both had resolved to die first ; that his
brother had died last night, in consequence of
that resolution, and that he expected shortly to
follow him ; but I made the other prisoners stand
a htde off, and told him wilh a low voice to en-
list ; he then asked, whether it was right ia the
sight of God ! I assured him that it was, and that
duty to himself obliged him to deceive the British
by enlisting and deserting the first opportunity ;
upon which he answered with transport that he
would enlist. I charged him not to mention my
name as his adviser, lest it should get air, and 1
should be closely confined, in consequence of it,

Th
ere
mit
ser

allj
the

it s
exe
but
tern
to b
opej
grar
rner
ham
land
pub

NARRATIVE.

83

J me

gs, I
ob-

their

t was
undry
)laints
d, tall
vania,
aid he
le ex-
a little
lat he
ito the
hat his
mce of
)rtly to
5 stand
to en-
i in the
nd that
British
tunity ;
that he
tion rny
', and 1
3e of it

The integrity of these suffering prisoners is hardly
credible. Many hundreds, I am confident, sub-
mitted to death, rather than to enlist in the British
service, which, I am informed, they most gener-
ally were pressed to do. I was astonished at
the resolution of the two brothers particularly ;
it seems that they could not be stimulated to such
exertions of heroism from ambition, as they were
but obscure soldiers ; strong nideed must the in-
ternal principle of virtue be, which supported them
to brave death, and one of them went through the
operation, as did many hundred others. I readily
grant that instances of pubhc virtue are no excite-
ment to the sordid and vicious, nor, on the other
hand, will all the barbarity of Britain and Hesh-
land awaken them to a sense of their duty to the
public; but these things will have their proper
effect on the generous and brave. The officers
on parole were most of them zealous, if possible,
to afford the miserable soldiery relief, and often
consulted with one another on the subject, but to
no effect, being destitute of the means of subsis-
tence, which they needed ; nor could the officers
project any measure, which they thought would
alter their fate, or so much as be a means of getting
them out of those filthy places to the privilege of
iresh air. Some projected that all the officers
.should go in procession to general Howe, and

. IS

t

84

EIHAN AI.LEn's

f'l

plead the cause of the perishing soldiers ; but this
proposal was negatived for the following reasons,
viz : because that general Howe must needs be
well acquainted, and have a thorough knowledge
of the state and condition of the prisoners in
every of their wretched apartments, and that much
more particular and exact than any officer on pa-
role could be supposed to have, as the general
had a return of the circumstances of the prison-
ers, by his own officers, every morning, of the
number which were alive, as also the number
which died every twenty -four hours ; and conse-
quently the bill of mortality, as collected from
the daily returns, lay before him with all the
material situations and circumstances of the pris-
oners ; and provided the officers should go in
procession to general Howe, according to the
projection, it would give him the greatest afTroiit,
and that he would either retort upon them, that ii
was no part of their parole to instruct him in his
conduct to prisoners ; that they were nmtining
against his authority, and by affronting him, had
forfeited their parole ; or that, more probably,
instead of saying one word to them, would order
them all into as wretched confinement as the sol-
diers whom they sought to relieve ; for, at that
time, the British, fi'om the general to the private
sentinel, were in full confidence, nor did thev so

NARRATIVE*

85

much as hesitate, but that they should conquer the
country. Thus the consultation of the officers
was confounded and broken to pieces, in con-
sequence of the dread, which at that time lay on
their minds, of oflending Gen. Howe; for they
conceived so murderous a tyrant would not be too
good to destroy even the officers, on the least pre-
tence of an affi'ont, as they were equally in his
power with the soldiers; and, as Gen. Howe per-
fectly understood the condition of the private
soldiers, it was argued that it was exactly such
as he and his council had devised, and as he meant
to destroy them it would be to no purpose for them
to try to dissuade him from it, as they were help-
less and liable to the same fate, on giving the least
affront ; indeed anxious apprehensions disturbed
them in their then circumstances.

Mean time mortality raged to such an intolera-
ble degree among the prisoners, that the very
school boys in the streets knew the mental design
of it in some measure; at least, they knew that
they were starved to death. Some poor women
contributed to their necessity, till their children were
almost starved, and all persons of common under-
standing knew that they were devoted to the cru-
elest and worst of deaths. ]t was also proposed
by some to make a written representation of the
condition of the soldiery, and the officers to sign
8

86

ETHAN ALLEN'S

it, and that it should be couched in such terms, as
though they were apprehensive that the General
Avas imposed upon by his oflicers, in their daily
returns to him of the state and condition of" the pris-
oners ; and that therefore the officers, moved with
compassion, were constrained to communicate to
him the facts relative to them, nothing doubting
but that they would meet with a speedy redress ;
but this proposal was most generally negatived
also, and for much the same reason offered in the
other case ; for it was conjectured that Gen.
Howe's indignation would be moved against such
officers as should attempt to whip him over his
officers' backs ; that he would discern that himself
was really struck at, and not the officers who
made the daily returns ; and therefore self-preser-
vation deterred the officers from either petitioning
or remonstrating to Gen. Howe, either verbally or
in writino; ; as also the consideration that no valu-
able purpose to the distressed would be ob-
tained.

I made several rough drafts on the subject, one
of which I exhibited to the colonels Magaw, Miles
and Atlee, and they said that they would consider
the matter ; soon after 1 called on them, and some
of the gendemen informed me that they had writ-
ten to the general on the subject, and I concluded
that the gentlemen thought it best that they should

.i.

NAflRATIVE.

87

7, as
leral
[I ally

pris-
Iwith
ie to
.ting

write without me, as there was such spirited
aversion subsisting between the British and me.

In the mean time a colonel Hussecker, of the
continental army, as he then re[)orted, was taken
prisoner, and brought to New-York, who gave
out that the country was almost universally sub-
milting to the English king's authority, and that
there would be little or no more opposition to
Great-Britain. This at first gave the odicers a
little shock, but in a few days they recovered
themselves ; for this colonel Hussecker, being a
German, was feasting with general De Ileister,
his countryman, and from his conduct they were
apprehensive that he was a knave ; at least he
was esteemed so by most of the officers ; it was
nevertheless a day of trouble. The enemy blas-
phemed. Our htde army was retreating in New-
Jersey, and our young men murdered by hun-
dreds in New-York. The army of Britain and
Heshland prevailed for a little season, as though
it was ordered by Heaven to shew, to the latest
posterity, what the British would have done if
they could, and what the general calamity must
have been, in consequence of their conquering the
country, and to excite every honest man to stand
forth in the defence of liberty, and to establish
the independency of the United States of Americai
forever. But this scene of adverse fortune did

i\

ft

88

ETHAN ALLEN'3

I ' !

not discourage a Washington. The ilhistrious
American hero remained immoveable. In liber-
ty's cause he took up his sword. Tiiis reOeclion
was hi.s support and consolation in the day of his
humiliation, when he retreated before the enemy,
through New-Jersey into Pennsylvania. Their
triumph only roused his indignation ; and the im-
portant cause of his country, which lay near his
heart, moved him to cross the Delaware again,
and take ample satisfaction on his pursuers. No
sooner had he circumvallated his haughty foes,
and appeared in terrible array, but the host of
Heshland fell. This taught America the intrinsic

wortn or "perseVGrrtiiCG, sncl thc generous sons of

freedom Hew to the standard of their common
safeguard and defence ; from which time the arm
of American liberty hath prevailed.*

<\ K

* The American army being greatly reduced by the loss of men
taken prisoners, and by the departure of men whose inlistments
had expired, General Wasliington was oblig-ed to retreat towards
Philadelphia ; General Howe, exulting in his successes, pursued
him, notwithstanding the weather was severely cold. To add to
the disasters of the Americans, General Lee was surprised and
taken prioner at Basken ridge. In tliis gloomy state of aflairs,
many persons joined the British cause and took protection. But
a small band of heroes checked the tide of British success. A
division of Hessians had advanced to Trenton, where they reposed
in security. General Washington was on the opposite side Oi'the
Delaware, with about three thousand men, many of whom were
without shoes or convenient clothing ; and the river was covered

I

%

NARRATIVE.

89

This surprise and capture of the Hessians
enraged the enemy, who were still vastly more nu-
merous than the continental troops. They there-
fore collected, and marched from Princetown, to
attack general Washington, who was then at
Trenton, having previously left a detachment from
their main body at Princetown, for the support of
that place. This was a trying time, for our wor-
thy general, though in possession of a late most
astonishing victory, was by no means able to
withstand the collective force of the enemy ; but
his sagacity soon suggested a stratagem to effect
that which, by force, to him was at that time
impracticable. He therefore amused the enemy
with a number of fires, and in the night made a
forced march, undiscovered by them, and next
m 'rning fell in ^vuh their rear-guard at Princetown,
an killed and ti.ok must ol them prisoners. 'Vhe
main body too late perceived their rear was at-
tacked, hurried back with all speed, but to their
mortification, f( und that they were out-generalled
and baffled by general Washington, who was

t\\

with floaLiiiO' ice. But the general knew the importance of striking
.some succc:^.'iful blow, to animate the expiring hopes'of the coun-
try; and . r. ihe night of December 25ih, crossed the river, ind
fell upon the enemy by surprise, and took the whole body con d-
tin-j of about nine hundred men. A few were killed, among whmn
was colonel Rahl the commander.

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ETHAN alien's

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retired with his little army towards Morristowiij
and was out of their power. ^ These repeated
successes, one on the back of the other, cha'^riried
the enemy prodigiously, and had an amazing
operation in the scale of American politics, and
undoubtedly was one of the corner stones, on which
their fair structure of Independency has been
fabricated, ior the country at no one time has ever
been so much dispirited as just before the morn-
ing of this glorious success, which in part dispelled
the gloomy clouds of oppression and slavery,
which lay pending over America big with the
ruin of this and future genei'ations, and enlightened

1:

* Oil the 2d of Januar}% 1777, lord Cornwall is appeared near
Trenton, with a strong body of troope. Skirmishing look place
and impeded the march of the British army, until ilio Americans
had secured their artillery and bagga|fe ; wlien ilipy retired to the
southward of the creek, and repulsed- the enemy in their attempt
to pass the bridge. As general Washington's force was not suffi-
cient to meet the enemy, and his situation was critical, he deter-
mined, with the advice of a council of war, to attempt a stratagem.
He gave orders for the troops to light fires in their camp, (which were
intended to deceive t^^e enemy,) and be prepared to march. Accord-
ingly at twelve o'clock at night the troops left the ground, and by
a circuitous march, eluded the vigilance of the enemy, and early in
the morning appeared at Princeton. A smart action ensued, but
the British troops gave way. A party took refuge in the college,
a building with strong stone walls, but were forced to surrender.
The enemy lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, about five hun-
dred men. The Americans lost but few men ; but among them
-Mi/as a most valuable officer,- general Mercer.

sar

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NARRATIVE.

91

(■li

i

117

11 ear

(lace

and spirited her sons to redouble their blows on a
merciless, and haughty, and I rnay add perfidious
enemy.

Farthermore, this success had a mighty eflect
on general Howe ;ind his council, and roused
them to a sense of their own weakness, and con-
vmced them that they were neither omniscient
nor omnipotent. Their obduracy and death-de-
signing malevolence, in some measure, abated
or was suspended. The prisoners, who were
condemned to the most wretched and cruelest of
deaths, and who survived to this period, though
most of them died before, were immediately or-
dered to be sent within Gen. Washington's lines
for an exchange, and, in consequence of it, were
taken out of their filthy and poisonous places of
confinement, and sent from New-York to their
friends in haste ; several of them fell dead in the
streets of New-York, as they attempted to walk
to the vessels in the harbor, for their intended
embarkation. What numbers lived to reach the lines
I cannot ascertain, but, from concurrent represen-
tations which 1 have since received from num-
bers of people who lived in and adjacent to such
parts of the country, where they were received
Irom the enemy, I apprehend that most of them
died in consequence of the vile usage of th^
enemy. Some who were eve witnesses of that

i>

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ETHAN ALLEN 3

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scene of mortality, more especially in that part
which continued after the exchange took place,
are of opinion, that it was partly in consequence
of a slow poison ; but this I refer to the doctois
that attended them, who are certainly the best
judges.

Upon the best calculation I have been able to
make from personal knowledge, and the many
evidences I have collected in support of the facts,
I learn that, of the prisoners taken on Long- Island,
Fort Washington, and some few others, at differ-
ent tiL.es and places, about two thousand perished
with hunger, cold and sickness, occasioned by the
filth of their prisons, at New-York, and a number
more on their passage to the continental lines.
Most of the residue, who reached their friends,
having received their death wound, could not be
restored by the assistance of physicians and
friends; but like their brother prisoners, fell a sac-
rifice to the relentless and scientific barbarity of
Britain. I took as much pains as my circumstan-
ces would admit of, to inform myself not only of
matters of fact, but likewise of the very design and
aims of General Howe and his council. The lat-
ter of which I predicated on the former, and sub-
mit it to the candid public.

And lastly, the aforesaid success of the Ameri-
can arms had a happy effect on the continental

nr — r-

HTTT^-

NARRATIVE.

93

olficers, who were on parole at New-York. A
number of us assembled, but not in a public man-
ner, and with lull bowls and glasses, drank Gen.
Washington's health, and were not unmindtlil of
Congress and our worthy friends on the continent,
and almost forgot that w^e were prisoners.

A few days after this recreation, a British officer
of rank and importance in their army, whose name
I shall not mention in this narrative, for cerlain
reasons, though I have mentioned it to some of
my close friends and confidants, sent forme to his
lodgings, and told me, " That faithfulness, though
in a wrong cause, had nevertheless recommended
me to Gen. Sir William Howe, who was minded
to iiiake me a colonel ol a regiment of new levies,
alias tories, in the Briiibli service ; and proposed
that 1 should go with him, and some other officers,
to England, who would embark for that purpose
in a few days, and there be introduced to Lord G.
Germaine, and probably to the King; and that
previously I should be clothed equal to such an
introduction, and, instead of paper rags, be paid in
hard guineas; after this, should embark with Gen.
Burgoyne, and assist in the reduction of the coun-
try, which infallibly would be conquered, and,
when that should be done, I should have a large
tract of land, either in the New-Hampshire grants,
or in Connecticut, it would make no odds, as the

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ETHAN Allen's

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country would be forfeited to the crown." I then
replied, "That, if by faithfulness I had recom-
mended myself to Gen. Howe, I should be loth, by
unfaithfulness, to lose the General's good opinion;
besides, that I viewed the offer of land to be sim-
ilar to that which the devil offered Jesus Christ,
"To give him all the kingdoms of the world, if he
w^ould fall down and worship him ; when at the
same time, the damned soul had not one foot of
land upon earth." This closed the conversation,
and the genUeman turned from me with an air of
dislike, saying, that I w^as a bigot ; upon which I
retired to my lodgings.*

Near the last of November, 1 was admitted to
parole in New-York, with many other American
officers, and on the 22d day of January, 1777,
was with them directed by the British commissary
of prisoners to be quartered on the westerly part
of Long-Island, and our parol continued. During
my imprisonment there, no occcurrences worth
observation happened. I obtained the means of
living as well as I desired, which in a great

*This conduct of Colonel Allen, though springing from duty,
ought not to be passed over without tributary praise. The refusal
of such an offer and in such circu" stances, was highly meritorious.
Though the man of strict honor, and rigid integrity, deems the
plaudit of his own conscience an ample reward for his best actions,
it is a pleasing employment, to those who witness such actions, to
record thern. It is an incentive to others to ' go and do likewise.''

Burgc

short

comi

advic^

The

disad\

at Slvl

Ihey

lost

liarraj

coloni

in wl|

with

■■

NAUR ATI VE.

95

then
com-
h, by
lion ;

sim-
hrist,

if he
at the

DOt of

ation,

air of

hich I

ted to
lerican

1777,
lissary
y part
During

worth
jans of

great

)m duty,
e refusal
ritorious.
eems the
it actions,
3tions, to
kewise.'"

measure repaired my constitution, which had been
greatly injured by the severities of an inhuman
captivity. 1 now began to feel myself composed,
expecting either an exchange, or continuance in
good and honorable treatment ; but alas ! my vision-
ary expectations soon vanished. The news of
the conquest of Ticonderoga by general Bur-
goyne,* and the advance of his army into the
country, made the haughty Britons again feel their
importance, and ^vith that, their insatiable thirst
for cruelty.

The private prisoners at New-York, and some
of the officers on parole, felt the severity of it.
Burgoyne was to them a demi-god. To him
they paid adoration : in him the tories placed

* In Jane, 1777, the British army, amounti.'ig to several thou-
sand men, besides Indianc and Canadians, commanded by general
Burgoyne, crossed the lake and laid siege to Ticonderoga. In a
short time, the enemy gained possession of Sugar Hill, which
commanded the American lines, and general St. Clair, with the
advice of a council of war, ordered the posts to be abandoned.
The retreat of the Americans was conducted under every possible
disadvantage — part of their force embarked in batteaux and landed
at Skenesborough — a part marched by the way of Castleton ; but
they were obliged to leave their heavy cannon, and on their march,
lost great part of their baggage and stores, while their rear was
harrassed by the British troops. An action *ook^ place between
colonel Warner, with a body of Americans, and general Frazer,
in which the Americans were defeated, after a brave resistance,
with the loss of a valuable officer, colonel Francis.

I'
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ETHAN Allen's

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their confidence, " and forgot the Lord their
God," and served Howe, Biirgoyne and Kny-
phausen,^ ** and became vile in their own imagina-
tion, and their foolish hearts were darkened,"
professing to be or^at politicians and relying on
foreign and merciless invaders, and widi them
seeking the ruin, bloodshed and destruction of
their country; " became fools," expecting with
them t^ share a dividend in the confiscated estates
of their neighbors and countrymen who fought
for the whole country, and the religion and liber-
ties thereof. " Therefore, God gave them over
to strong delusions, to believe a lie, that they
all might be damned,"

The 25th day of August, I was apprehended,
and, under pretext of artful, mean and pitiful
pretences, that I had infringed on my parole,
taken from a tavern, where there were more than
a dozen oflficers present and, in the very place
where those officers and myself were directed to
be quartered, put under a strong guard and taken
to New-York, where I expected to make my
defence before the commanding officer ; but, con-
trary to my expectations, and without the least
solid pretence of justice or a trial, was again en-
circled with a strong guard with fixed bayoneis,
and conducted to the provdst-goal in a lonely

* Knyphausen, a Hessian general.

NARRATIVE*

97

i;ina-
ed,"
on
icm
11 of
with
tates

apartment, next above the dungeon, and was
denied all manner of subsistence either by pur-
chase or allowance. The second day I offered a
guinea for a meal of victuals, but was denied it,
and the third day I offered eight Spanish milled
dollars for a like favor, but was denied, and all I
could get out of the sergeant's mouth, was that
by God he would obey his orders. I now per-
ceived myself to be again in substantial trouble.
In this condition 1 formed an oblique acquaintance
with a Capt. Travis, of Virginia, who wjis in the
dungeon below me, through a little hole which
was cut with a pen-knife, through the floor of my
apartment which communicated with the dun-
geon ; it was a small crevice, through which I could
discern but a very small part of his face at once,
when he applied it to the hole ; but from the dis-
covery of him in the situation which we were both
then in, I could not have known him, which
I found to be true by an after acquaintance. I
could nevertheless hold a conversation with him,
and soon perceived him to be a gentleman of high
spirits, who had a high sense of honor, and felt as
big, as though he had been in a palace, and had
treasures of wrath in store against the British.
In fine I was charmed with the spirit of the man ;
he had been near or quite four months in that
dungeon, with murderers, thieves, and every
9

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98

ETHAN Allen's

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species of criminals, and all for the sole crime of
unshaken fidelity to his country ; but his spirits
were above dejection, and his mind unconquerable.
I engaged to do him every service in my power?
and in a few weeks afterwards, with the united
petitions of the officers in the provost, procured
his dismission from the dark mansion of fiends to
the apartments of his petitioners.

And it came to pass on the 3d day, at the going
down of the sun, that I was presented with a
piece of boiled pork, and some biscuit, which the
sergeant gave me to understand, was my allow-
ance, and I fed sweetly on the same ; but I indul-
ged my ^.ppetite by degrees, and in a few days
more, was taken from that apartment, a-nd con-
ducted to the next loft or story, where there were
above twenty continental, and some militia officers,
who had been taken, and imprisoned there, besides
some private gentlemen, who had been dragged
from their own homes to that filthy place by tories.
Several of every denomination mentioned, died
there, some before, and others after I was put
there. ^

^ The history of the proceedings relative to the
provost only, were I particular, would swell a
volume larger than this whole narrative. I shall
therefore only notice such of the occurrences which
are mostly extraordinary.

NARRATIVE.

99

Capt. Vandyke bore, with an uncommon for-
titude, near twenty months' confinement in this
place, and in the mean time was very servic able
to others who were confined with him. The al-
legation against him, as the cause of his confine-
ment, was very extraordinary, lie was accused
of setting fire to the city of New-York, at the time
the west part of it was consumed, when it was a
known fact, that he had been in the provost a
week before the fire broke out ; and in like manner,
frivolous were the ostensible accusations against
most of those who were there confined ; the case
of two miliua ofl^icers excepted, who were taken
in their attempting to escape from their parole ^
and probably there may be some other instances
which might justify such a confinement.

Mr. William Miller, a committee man, from
West Chester county, and state of New York,
was taken from his bed in the dead of the night
by his tory neighbors, and was starved for three
days and nights in an apartment of the same gaol ;
add to this the denial of fire, and that in a cold
season of the year, in which time he walked day
and night, to defend himself against the frost, and
when he complained of such a reprehensible con-
duct, the w^ord rebel or committee man was deem-
ed by the enemy a sufficient atonement for any
inhumanity that they could invent or inflict. He

■ ■
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tl,

100

ETHAN ALLEN S

W:

was a' man of good natural understanding, a close
and sincere friend to the liberties of America, and
endured fourteen months' cruel imprisonment with
that magnanimity of soul, which reflects honor on
himself and country.

Major Levi Wells, and Capt. OziasBissel, were
apprehended and taken under guard from their
parole on Long-Island, to the provost, on as fal-
lacious pretences as the former, and were there
continued till their exchange took place which was
near five months. Their fidelity and zealous at-
tachment to their country's cause, which was more
than commonly conspicuous was undoubtedly the
real cause of their confinement.

Major Brinton Payne, Capt. Flahaven, and
Capt. Randolph, who had at different times dis-
tinguished themselves by their bravery, especially
at the several actions, in which they were taken,
were all the provocation they gave, for which they
suffered about a year's confinement, each in the
same filthy gaol.

A few weeks after my confinement, on the like
fallacious and wicked pretences, was brought to
the same place, from his parole on Long- Island,
1||lajor Otho Holland Williams now a full Col. in
the continental army. In his character are united
the gentleman, officer soldier, and friend ; he
walked through the piison with an air of great dfs-

NARRATlVi:.

101

dain^ said he, "Is this the treatment which gen-
tlemen of the continental army are to expect from
the rascally British, when in their power? Hea-
vens forbid it!" He v^s continued tliere about
five months, and then exchanged for a British Ma-
jor.

John Fell, Esq. now a member of Congress for
the state of New-Jersey, was taken from his own
house by a gang of infamous tories, and by order
of a British General was sent to the pro^'ost, where
he was continued near one year. The stench of
the gaol, which was very loathsome and unhealthy,
occasioned a hoarseness of the lungs, which pro-
ved fatal to many who were^ there confined, and
reduced this gentleman near to the point of death;
he was indeed given over by his friends who were
about him, and himself concluded he must die. I
could not endure the thought that so worthy a
friend to America should have his life stolen from
him in such a mean, base, and scandalous manner,
and that his family and friends should be bereaved
of so great and desirable a blessing, as his lurtheV
care, usefulness and example, might prove to them.
I therefore wrote a letter to George Robenscn, .
who commanded in town, and being touched ^vith.'
the most sensible feelings of humanity, which dic-
tated my pen to paint dying distress in such lively
colors that it wrought conviction evd on the ob-
9*

1'*

¥

102

ETHAN Allen's

6 '!

1 ilfti

W I'

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duracy of a British General, and produced his or-
der to remove the now honorable John Fell, Esq.
out of a gaol, to private lodgings in town ; in con-
sequence of which he slovwily recovered his health.
There is so extraordinary a circumstance which
intervened concerning this letter, that it is worth
noticing.

Previous to sending it,. I exhibited the same to
the gentleman on whose behalf in" was written, for
his approbation, and he forbid me to send k in the
most positive and explicit terms ; his reason was,
**That the enemy knew, by every morning's re-
port, the condition of all the prisoners, mine rn
particular, sls I have been gradually coming to my
end for a considerable time, and they very well
knew it, and likewise determined it should be ac-
comphshed, as they had served many others ; that,
to ask a favor, would grve the merciless enemy
occasion to triumph over me m my last moments,
and therefore I will ask no favors from them, bat
resign myself to my supposed fate." But the let-
ter I sent without his knowledge, and I cx)nfess I
had but little expectations from ft, yet could not
be easy till I had sent it. It may be worth a re-
mark, that this gendeman was an Englishman
born, and from the beginning of the revolution has
invariably asserted and maintained the cause af
liberty.

ke

ire

1JARRATIV2.

103

The British have made so extensive an improve-
ment of the provost during the present revohition
till of late, that a very short definition will be suf-
ficient lor the dullest apprehensions. It may be
with propriety called the British inquisition, and
calculated to support their oppressive measures
and designs, by suppressing the spirit of liberty ;
as also a place to confine the criminals, and most
infamous wretches of their own army, where
many gentlemen of the American army, and citi-
zens thereof, were promiscuously confined, with
every species of criminals ; but they divided into
different apartments, and kept at as great a re-
move as circumstances permited ; but it was nev-
ertheless at the option of a villainous sergeant, who
had the charge of the provost, to take any gentle-
man from their room, and put them into the dun-
geon, which was often the case. At two different
times I was taken down stairs for that purpose,
by a file of soldiers with fixed bayonets, and the
sergeant brandishing his sword at the same time,
and having been brought to the door of the dun-
geon, I there flattered the vanity of the sergeant,
whose name was Keef, by which means I procured
the surprizing favor to return to my companions;
but some of the high mettled young gentlemen
could not bear his insolence, and determined to
keep at a distance, and neitherplease nor displease

. I

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■k^

!■

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104

ETHAN ALLEN^S

I i

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the villain, but none could keep clear of his abuse j
however, mild measures were the best ; he did
not hesitate to call us damned rebels,' and use us
with the coarsest language. The Capts. Flaha^
ven, Randolph and Mercer, were the objects of
his most flagrant and repeated abuses, who were
many times taken to the dungeon, and there con-
tinued at his pleasure. Capt. Flahaven took cold
in the dungeon, and was in a declining state of
health, but an exchange delivered him, and in all
probability saved his life. It was very mortifying
to bear with the insolence of such a vicious and
ill-bred, imperious rascal. Remonstrances against
him w^ere preferred to the commander of the town,
but no relief could be obtained, for his superiors
were undoubtedly w^ell pleased with his abusive
conduct to the gentlemen, under the severities of
his power; and remonstrating against his infernal
conduct, only served to confirm him in authority ;
and for this reason 1 never made any remonstran-
ces on the subject, but only stroked him, for I
knew that he was but a cat's paw in the hands of
the British ofl[icers, and that, if he should use us well,
he w'ould immediately be put out of that trust, and
a worse man appointed to succeed him ; but there
was no need of making any new appointment ; for
Cunningham, their provost marshall, and Keef, his
deputy, were as great rascals as their army could

qui:

press)
read(
matt^
very

it;*

■'\

NARRATIVE.

105

boast of, except one Joshua Loring, an infamous
tory, who was commissary of prisoners ; nor can
any of these be supposed to be equally criminal
with Gen. Sir William Howe and his associates,
who prescribed and directed the murders and cru-
elties, whch were by them perpetrated. This
Loring is a monster ! — There is not his like in
human shape. He exhibits a smiling counte-
nance, seems to wear a phiz of humanity, but has
been instrumentally capable of the most consumate
acts of wickedness, which were first projected by an
abandoned British council clothed with the authori-
ty of a Howe, murdering premeditatedly, in cold
blood,near or quite two thousand helpless prisoners
and that in the most clandestine, mean and shame-
full manner, at New-York- He is the most mean
spirited, cowardly, deceitful, and destructive ani-
mal in God's creation below, and legions of infer-
nal devils, with all their tremendous horrors, are
impatiently ready to receive Howe and him, with
all their detestable accomphces, into the most ex-
quisite agonies of the hott'^st region of hell fire.*
The 6th day of July, 1777, Gen. St. Clair, and

;1'

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*The publisher would suppress some of the language and ex-
pressions Col. Allen occasionally makes use of, but presuming the
reader to make all reasonable allowance, both for the style and the
matter, it was thought most eligible to give the narrative in the
very dress furnished by the author.

y

106

ETHAN ALLEN^S

/

the army under his command, evacuated Ticon-
deroga, and retreated with the main body through
Hubbarton into Castleton, which was but six miles
distant, when his rear-guard, commanded by Col.
Seth Warner, was attacked at Hubbarton by a
body of the enemy of about two thousand, com-
manded by General Fraser. Warner's command
consisted of his own and two other regiments, viz.
Francis's and Hale's, and some scattering and en-
feebled soldiers. His whole number, according
to information, was near or quite one thousand ;
part of which were Green Mountain Boys, about
seven hundred out of the whole he brought into
action. The enemy advanced boldly, and the two
bodies formed within about sixty yards of each
other. Col, Warner having formed his own re-
giment, and that of Col. Francis's did not wait for
the enemy, but gave them a heavy fire from his
whole line, and they returned it with great brave-
ry. It was by this time dangerous for those
of both parties, who were not prepared for the
world to come ; but Colonel Hale being apprised
of the danger, never brought his regiment to the
charge, but left Warner and Francis to stand the
blowing of it, and fled, but luckily fell in with an
inconsiderable number of the enemy, and to his
eternal shame, surrendered himself a prisoner.
The conflict was very bloody. Col. Francis

hej

Mo

off,

theij

molj

they

\

>fARRATIV£.

107

m-

:oi.

y a

3m-
and
viz.
I en-
ding
and;
ibout

into

two

each
re-
ait for
m his
)rave-

those

lor the
prised
to the
nd the
I'ith an
to his
mer.
?rancis

fell in the same, but Col. Warner, and the officers
under his command, as also the soldiery, behaved
with great resolution. The enemy broke, and
gave way on the right and left, but formed again,
and renewed the attack ; in the mean time the
British granadiers, in the center of the enemy's
line, maintained the ground, and finally carried it
with the point of the bayonet, and Warner retreat-
ed with reluctance. Our loss wa? about thirty
men killed, and that of the enemy amounting to
three hundred killed, including a Major Grant.
The enemy's loss I learnt from the confession of
their own officers, when a prisoner with them. I
heard them likewise complain, that the Green
Mountain Boys took sight. . The next movement
of ihe enemy, of any material consequence, was
their investing Bennington,* with a design to de-
molish it, and subject its Mountaineers, to which
they had a great aversion, with one hundred and

* The Americans had collected a quantity of stores at Bennington ;
to destroy which as well as to animate the royalists and intimidate
the patriots, general Burgoyne detached colonel Baum, with five
hundred men and one hundred Indians. Colonel Breyman was
gent to reinforce him, but did not arrive in time. On the 16th of
August, general Stark, with about eight hundred !?rave militia men,
attacked colonel Baum, in his entrenched camp about six miles from
Bennington, and killed or took prisoners nearly the whole detach-
ment. The next day colonel Breyman was attacked and defeated.
In these actions, the Americans took about seven hundred prison-

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*

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108

ETHAN Allen's

i

fifty chosen men, including tories, with the high-
est expectation of success, and having chosen an
eminence of strong ground, fortified it with slight
breast works, and two pieces of cannon ; but the
government of the young state of Vermont, being
previously jealous of such an attempt of the ene-
my, and in due time had procured a number of
brave militia from the government of the state of
New-Hampshire, who, together with the militia of
the north part of Berkshire county, and state of
Massachusetts, and the Green Mountain Boys,
constituted a body of desperadoes, under the
command of the intrepid general Stark, who in
number were about equal to the enemy. Colonel
Herrick, who commanded the Green Mountain
Rangers, and who was second in command, being
thoroughly acquainted with the ground where
the enemy had fortified, proposed to attack them
in their works" upon all parts, at the same time.
This plan being adopted by the general and his
council of war, the Htde militia brigade of undis-
ciplined heroes, with their long brown firelocks,
the best security o^ a free people, without either

er?, and these successes served to revive Iho spirits of the people.
This success however was in part counterbalanced by the advan-
tages gained on the Mohawk by colonel St. Leger ; but this officer,
attacking fort Stan wix, was repelled, and obliged to abandon the |
attempt

fft:

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Karrative.

109

[ an
iighi

the
leing
ene-
er of
,te of
tla of
ate of
Boys,
T the
vho m
olonel
untaln
, beini^
where
i them
e time,
and his

undis-
-elocks,
t either

;he people,
the advan-
this officer,
.bandon the |

cannon or bayonets, was, on the 1.6th day of
August, led on to the attack by their bold com-
manders, in the face of the enemy's dreadful fire,
and- to the astonishment of the world, a«d bur-
lesque of discipline, carried every part of their
lines in less than one quarter of an hour after the
attack became general, took their cannon, killed
and captivated more than two-thirds of their num-
ber, which immortalized general Stark, and made
Bennington famous to posterity*

Among the enemy's slain was found colonel
Baum, their commander, a colonel Pfester, who
headed an infamous gang of tories, and a large
part of his command ; and among the prisoners was
major Meibome, their second in command, a num-
ber of British and Hessian officers, surgeons, &e.
and more than one hundred of the aforemen-
tioned Pfester's command. The prisoners being
collected together, were sent to the meeting-
house in the town, by a strong guard, and Gen.
Stark not imagining any present danger, the
militia scattered from him to rest and refresh them-
selves ; in this situation he was on a sudden at-
tacked by a reinforcement of one thousand and
one hundred of the enemy, commanded by a
governor Skene, with two field pieces. They
advanced in regular order, and kept up an inces-
sant fire, especially fi'om their field pieces, and the
10

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ETHAN ALLEN^S

remaining njilitia retreating slowly before them, dis-»
puted the ground inch by inch. The enemy were
heard to halloo to them, saying, stop Yankees ! In
the meantime, Col. Warner, with about one hun-
dred and thirty men of his regiment, who were not in
the first action, arrived and attacked the enemy
with great fury, being determined to have ampb
revenge on account of the quarrel at Hubbardtonj
which brought them to a stand, and soon after
general Stark and colonel Herrick, brought on
more of the scattered militia, and the action became
general ; in a few minutes the enemy were forced
from their cannon, gave way on all parts and fled,
and the shouts of victory were a second time pro-
claimed in favor of the mihtia. The enemy's loss
in killed and prisoners, in these two actions,
amounted to more than one thousand and two
hundred men, and our loss did not exceed fifty
men. This was a bitter stro-ke to the enemy, but
their pride would not permit them to hesitate but
that they could vanquish the country, and as a
specimen of their arrogancy, I shall insert general
Burgoyne's proclamation : — . . . '■

" By John Burgoyne, Esq. Lieutenant-General of his
Majesty's armies in Am«irica, Colonel of the Queen's re-
giment of light dragoons, Governor of Fort William in
North-Britain, one of the Representative^ of the Com-
ra,on8 of .Great Britain, in Parliament, and commanding

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an army and fleet employed on an expedition from Can-
ada, &.C. &.C. &,c.

"The forces entrusted to my command are designed
to act in concert and upon a common principle, with
the numerous armies and fleets wliich already display in
every quarter of America, the power, the justice, and,
when f)roperly sought, the merry of the King.

" The cause, in which the British arms are thus ex-
erted, applies to the most atl'ecting interests of the hu-
man heart ; and the military servants of the crown, at
first called forth for the sole purpose of restoring the
rights of the constitution, now combine with love of
their country, and duty to their sovereign, ihe other ex-
tensive incitements which spring from a due sense of
the general privileges of mankind. 'J'o the eyes and
ears of the temperate part of the public, and to the
breasts of sutLring thousands in the provinces, be the
melancholy appeal, whether the present unnatural rebel-
lion has not been made a foundation for the completest
system of tyranny that ever God, in his displeasure, suf-
fered for a time to be exercised over a froward and stub-
born generation.

" Arbitrary imprisonment, confiscation of property,
persecution and torture, unprecedented in the imjuisi-
tions of ihe Romish Clmrch, are among the palpable
enormities that verify the affirmative. These are inflic-
ted by assemblies and committees, wiio dare to profess
themselves friends to liberty, upon the most quiet sub-
jects, without distinction of age or sex, for the sole
crime, often for the sole suspicion, of having adhered in
principle to the government under which they were born,
and to which, by every tie, divine and human, they owe
allegiance. To consummate these shocking proceedings,
the profanation of religion is added to the most profligate
prostitution of common reason ; the consciences of men
^re set at nought ; and multitudes are compelled not

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113

ETHAN Allen's

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only to bear arms, but also to swear subjection to an
usurpation they ablior.

•* Animated by these considerations, at the head of
troops in the full powers of health, discipline, and valor;
determined to strike where necessary, and anxious to
spare where possible, I by these presents invite and ex-
hort all persons, in all places where the progress of this
army may point ; and by the blessing of God I will ex-
tend it far to maintnin such a conduct as may justify me
in protecting their lands, habitations and families. The
intention of this address is to hold forth security, not
depredation to the country. To those whom spirit and
principle may induce to partake of the*glorious task of
redeeming their countrymen from dungeons, and re-es-
tablishing the blessings of legal government, I offer en-
couragement and employment ; and upon the first intel-
ligence of their associations, I will find means to assist
their undertakings. The domestic, the industrious, the
infirm, and even the timid inhabitants I am desirous to
protect, provided they remain quietly at their houses ;
that they do not suffer their cattle to be removed, nor
their corn or forage to be secreted or destroyed ; that
they do not break up their bridges or roads : nor by any
other act, directly or indirectly, endeavour to obstruct
the operations of the king's troops, or supply or assist
those of the enemy. Every species of provision brought
to my camp, will be paid for at an equitable rate, and
in solid coin. ^,> >,

" In consciousness of christmnity, my royal master's
clemancy, and the honor of soldiership, I have dwelt
upon this invitation, and wished for more persuasive
terms to give it impression. And let not people be led
to disregard it by considering their distance from the im-^
mediate situation of my camp. — I have but to give
stretch to the Indian forces under my direction, and they
amoMnt to. thousands, to, or ertajie the hardened enemies

€<

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IVARRATIVE.

113

r

of Great Britain and America : I consider them the same
wherever they may kirk.

*' If, notwiilistaii(liij«^ these endeavours, and sincere
inclinations to eftect them, the phrensy of hostility should
remain, 1 trust I shall stand acquitted in the eye's of God
and man, in denouncirig and executing the venj^cance
of the state against the wilful outcasts. The messen-
gers of justice and of wrath await them in the Held ; and
devastuiion, famine, and every concomitant horror that
a reluctant but iudispensible prosecution of military
duty must occasion, will bear the way to their return.

J. BURGOYNE.

" By order of his Excellency the Lieut. General,

Robert Kingston, »Scc.
*' Camp near Ticonderoga, 4th July, 1777."

Gpn. Burgoyne was still the toast, and the scr
verities towards the prisoners were in great mea-
sure increased or diminished, in proportion to the
expectation of conquest. His very ostentatious
Proclamation was in the hand and mouth of most
of the soldiery, especially the tories, and from it,
their faith was raised to assurance. I wish my
countrymen in general could but hav€ an idea of
the assuming tyranny, and haughty, malevolent,
and insolent behavior of the enemy at that time ;
and from thence discern the intolerable calamities
which this country have extricated themselves
from by their public spiritedness and bravery. The

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114

ETHAN ALLEN^S

dowiifall of Gen. Burgoync,* and surrender of hid
whole army, dashed the aspiring hopes and ex-
pectations of the enemy, and brought low the im-
perioui? spii-it of an opulent, puissant and haughty
nation, and made the tories bite the ground with
anguish, exalting the valor of the free-born sons
of America, and raised their fiiine and that of their
brave commanders to the clouds, and immortaliz-
ed Gen. Gates with laurels o( eternal duration.
No sooner had the knowledge of this interesting
and mighty event reached His Most Christian Ma-
jesty, who in Europe shines with a superior lustre
in goodness, policy and arms, but the illustrious
potentate, auspiciously influenced by Heaven to

* Gerieral Biirgoyne, after collecting his fprces and stores, cross-
ed the Hudson ivith a view to penetrate to Albany. But the Amer-
ican arnny being reinforced daily, held him in check at Saratoga.
General Gates now took the command, and was aided by the gen-
erals Lincoln and Arnold. On the 19th of September, the Amer-
icans attacked the British army, and with, such bravery, that the
enemy could boast of no advantage, and night put an end to the
action. The loss of the enemy was about five hundred. General
Burgoyne was confined in a narrow pass — having the Hudson on
on one side and impassible woods on the other — a body of Ameri-
cans was in his rear— his boats he had ordered to be burnt, and he
conld not retreat — while an army of thirteen thousand men oppos-
ed him in front. On the 7th of October, the armies came to a sec-
ond action, in which the British lost General Frazer, with a great
number of officers and men, and were driven within their lines,.
On the part of the Americans the loss was not great, but generals
Lincoln and Arnold were wounded. ' '

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NARnAnVE.

115

promote the reciprocui interest anil bnppincss of
the ancient kingdom of Frunce, anil (he new and
rising states of America, passed tiie ^rrat and de-
cisive decree, that the United States of America,
should be free and independent, ''-^aunt no more.
Old En^];hind ! consider you are but an island !
and that your power has been continued longer
than the exercise of your humanity. Order your
broken and vanquished battalions to retire from
America, the scene of your cruelties. Go home
and repent in dust and sackcloth for your aggra-
vated crimes. The cries of bereaved parents,
widows and orphans, reach the heavens, and you
are abominated by every friend to America. Take
your friends the tories with you, and be gone, and
drink deep of the cup of humiliation. Make peace
with the princes of the house of Bourbon, for you
are in no condition to wage war with them. Your
veteran soldiers are talien in America, and your
glory is departed. Be quiet and pay your debts,,
especially for the hir^ ^f the Hessians. There is
no other way for you to get into credit again, but
by reformation and plain honesty, which you have
despised ;. for your power is by no means suffi-
cient to support your vani.ty. I have had oppor-
tunity to see a great deal of it, and felt its severe
effects, and learned lesoons of wisdom and policy,.
when I wore your heavy irons, and bore your biu

il

116

ETHAN ALLEN S

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ter revHin-^. and reproaches. I have sorriething
of a smattering of philosophy, and understand hu-
man nature in all its stages tolerably well ; am
thoroughly acquainted with your national crimes,
and assure you that they not only cry aloud for
Heaven's vengeance, but excite mankind to rise
up against you. Virtue, wisdom and policy are
in a national sense, always connected with power,
or in other words, power is their offspring, and
such power as is not directed hj virtue, wisdom
and policy never fails finally to destroy itself as
yours has done. — It is so in the nature of things,
and unfit that it would be otherwise ; for if it was
not so, vanity, injustice, and oppression, might
reign triumphant forever. I know you have indi-
viduals, who still retain their virtue, and conse-
quently their honor and humanity. Those I real-
ly pity, as they must more or less suffer in the
calamity, in which the nation is plunged headlong ;
but as a nation I hate and despise you.

My affections are Frenchified. 1 glory in Louis-
the sixteenth, the generous and powerful ally of
these states ; am fond of a connection with so en-
terprising, learned, polite, courteous and com-
mercial a nation, and am sure that I express the
sentiments and feelings of all the friends to the
present revolution. I begin to learn the French
tongue,, and recommend it to my countryraen,^

NARRATIVE.

117

before Hebrew, Greek or Latin, (provide ! but one
of them only are to be attended to) for the trade
and commerce of these estates in future must inev
itably shift its channel from England to France,
Spain and Portugal ; and therefore the statesman,
politician and merchant, need be acquainted wi^h
their several languages, particularly the French,
which is much in vogue in most parts of Europe.
Nothing could have served so effectually to illumin-
ate, polish and enrich these states as the present rev-
olution, as well as preserve their liberty. Man-
kind are naturally too national, even to a degree
of bigotry, and commercial intercourse with foreign
nations, has a great and necessary tendency to
improve mankind, and erase the superstition of
the mind by acquainting them that human nature,
policy and interest, are the same in all nations,
and at the same time they are bartering commodi-
ties for the conveniences and happiness of each
nation, they may reciprocally exchange such part
of their customs and manners as may be benefi-
cial, and learn to extend charity and good will to
the whole world of mankind. I was confined in
the piovost-goal at New-York, the 26th day of
August, and continued there to the 3d day of
May, 1778, when I was taken out under guard,
and conducted to a sloop in the harbor at New*
York, in which I was guarded to Staten-Island,

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118

ETHAN Allen's

I'i 11

to general Campbell's quarters, where I was ad-
mitted to eat and drink with the general and
several other of the British field officers, and
treated for two days in a polite manner. As I
was drinking wine with them one evening, I made
an observation on my transition from the provost
criminals to the company of gentlemen, adding that
I was the same man still, and should give the
British credit, by him (speaking to the general) for
two days good usage. • -

The next day colonel A rchibald Campbell, who
was exchanged for me, came to this place, con-
ducted by Mr. Boudinot, the then American
commissary of prisoners, and saluted me in a
handsome manner, saying that he never was more
glad to see any gCiitleman in his life, and I gave
him to understand that 1 was equally glad to see
him, and was apprehensive that it was from the
same motive. The gendemen present laughed
at the fancy, and conjectured that sweet liberty
was the foundation of our gkdness : so we took
a glass of wine together, and then I was accom-
panied by" general Campbell, colonel Campbell,
Mr. Boudinot and a number of British officers, to
the boat which was ready to sail to Elizabeth-
town-point. Meanwhile I entertained them with
a rehearsal of the cruelties exercised towards our
prisoners ; and assured them that I should use my

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IfARRA'TIVE.

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influence, that their prisoners should be treated, in
future, in the same manner, as they should in future
treat ours ; that I thought it was right in such ex-
treme cases,that their example should be applied to
their own prisoners ; then exchanged the decent
ceremonies of compliment, and parted. I saiU
to the point aforesaid, and, in a transport of joy,
landed on libery ground, and as 1 advanced into
the county, received the acclamations of a grate-
ful people. ' , "^

I soon fell into company with colonel Shelden,
of the light horse, who in a polite and obliging
manner accompanied me to head quarters, Valley
Forge, where I was courteously received by Gen.
Washington, wdth pecuHar marks of his approba*
tion and esteem, and was introduced to most of
the generals, and many of the principal officers
of the army, w^ho treated me with respect, and
after having offered general Washington my fur-
ther service in behalf of my country, as soon as
my health, which was very much impaired, would
admit, and obtain his licence to return home, I
took my leave of his excellency, and set out from
Valley Forge with general Gates and his suit for
Ffehkill, where we arrived the latter end of May,
In this tour the general was pleased to treat me
with the familiarity of a companion, and gener-
osity of a lord, and to him I made known some

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ETHAN Allen's NARRAtiVli:.

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striking circumstances which occurred in the
•^ course of my captivity. I then bid farewell to my
*• noble general and the gentlemen of his retinue,
''tnd set out for Bennington, the capital of the
Green Mountain Boys, where I arrived the evening
t^he last day of May to their great surprise ; for
I^as thought to be dead, and now both their joy
and mine was complete. Three cannon were
fired that evening, and next morning colonel Her-
rick gave orders, and fourteen more were dis-
charged, welcoming me to Bennington, my usual
place of abode ; thirteen for the United States,
and one for Young Vermont.

After this ceremony was ended we moved^the
flowing bowl, and rural felicity, sweetened with
friendship, glowed in each countenance, and with
loyal healths to the rising States of America, con-
clude^ that evening, and, with the same loyal
spirit, I now conclude my narrative.

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