ETHAN ALLEN.

FOOTNOTES[1]“There, at about two in the morning, a peal from the belfry of the meeting-house” called the inhabitants.—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 27, p. 290. “There, in the morning hours, men ... were hiding what was left of cannon and military stores.”—Idem, ch. 28, p. 297.[2]“The attempt had for several weeks been expected; ... in consequence, the committee of safety removed a part of the public stores and secreted the cannon.”—Idem, ch. 27, p. 288.[3]“Red-coats,” a nickname given to the British soldiers, who wore red coats.[4]“About seven o’clock the British marched ... under the brilliant sunshine into Concord.... The Americans ... therefore retreated ... till ... they gained high ground about a mile from ... the town.... There they waited for aid.... Between nine and ten the number had increased to more than four hundred ... from Bedford, ... Westford, ... from Littleton, from Carlisle, and from Chelmsford.”—Idem, ch. 28, pp. 298, 299.[5]“The Americans had as yet received only uncertain rumors of the morning’s events at Lexington.”—Idem, p. 300.[6]“The Americans saw before them ... British troops ... occupying their town.”—Idem.[7]“Sixty barrels of flour were broken in pieces; ... five hundred pounds of ball were thrown into a mill-pond. The liberty-pole and several carriages for artillery were burned; and the court-house took fire.”—Idem.[8]“At the sight of fire in the village, the impulse seized them ‘to march into the town for its defence.’”—Idem.[9]This is literally true. See description of the circumstances.—Idem.[10]“James Hosmer urged to dislodge the enemy at the North Bridge.... Capt. Isaac Davis, of Acton, said: ‘I have not a man that is afraid to go.’”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., pp. 526, 527.[11]“Barrett, the colonel, ... then gave the order to advance, but ‘not to fire’ unless attacked.... Davis, looking at the men of Acton, ... cried: ‘March.’ His company ... led the way towards the bridge, he himself at their head, and by his side Major John Buttrick, of Concord, with John Robinson, ... lieutenant-colonel, ... but on this day a volunteer without command.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 302.[12]“In double file with trailed arms.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 527.[13]“The British began to take up the planks.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 302.[14]“Major Buttrick called on them to desist.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 190.[15]“A volley followed, and Isaac Davis and Abner Hosmer ... fell dead.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 303.[16]“Buttrick ... cried aloud: ... ‘Fire, fellow-soldiers, for God’s sake, fire!’... Two of the British fell.”—Idem.[17]“The British retreated in disorder toward the main body.”—Idem.[18]“In ... Concord, Smith ... showed by marches and counter-marches, his uncertainty of purpose. At last ... he left the town, to retreat the way he came.”—Idem, p. 304.[19]“The minute-men and militia ... ran over the hills, ... placed themselves in ambush, ... reinforced by men who were coming in from all around, and ... the chase of the English began. Among the foremost were the minute-men of Reading, ... of Billerica, ... the ... Sudbury company. The men from Woburn came up in great numbers and well armed.”—Idem, pp. 304, 305.[20]“Of the Americans, there were never more than four hundred together at any one time; but, as some grew tired, others took their places.”—Idem., p. 308. The first detachment of British troops numbered “not less than eight hundred.”—Idem, ch. 27, p. 288.[21]“Every piece of wood, every rock ... served as a lurking-place ... ‘the road was lined’ by an uninterrupted fire from behind stone walls and trees.”—Idem, p. 305.[22]“Two waggons, sent out to them with supplies, were waylaid and captured by Payson, the minister of Chelsea. From far and wide minute-men were gathering. The men of Dedham, ... from Essex, and the lower towns, ... The company from Danvers, ... lost eight men.... Below West Cambridge, the militia from Dorchester, Roxbury, and Brookline came up.”—Idem, pp. 307-9.[23]Lord Percy reinforced them with “about twelve hundred men.”—Idem, ch. 28, p. 306.[24]“West Cambridge, where Joseph Warren and William Heath, ... the latter a provincial general officer, gave ... organization to the resistance, and the fight grew sharper.”—Idem, p. 308.[25]“The Americans pressed upon the rear of the fugitives, whose retreat could not have been more precipitate ... had Pickering with his fine regiment from Salem and Marblehead been alert enough to have intercepted them in front ... they must have surrendered.”—Idem, p. 309.[26]SeeLossing’s Field Book, vol. 1, p. 528, etc.; alsoBancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 308.[27]According to Lossing, the British lost sixty-five killed, one hundred and eighty wounded, and twenty-eight prisoners; the Americans fifty-nine killed, thirty-one wounded, and fifty missing.—SeeLossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. 1, p. 530. “The loss of the British in killed, wounded, and missing was two hundred and seventy-three.... Forty-nine Americans were killed, thirty-nine wounded, and five missing.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 309.[28]“The guns of the ships of war ... saved them ... while they were ferried across Charles River.”—Idem.[29]Mrs. Moulton extinguished the fire at the Concord court-house.—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 526.[30]“Heedless of his own danger, Samuel Adams ... exclaimed: ‘Oh! what a glorious morning is this!’ for he saw that his country’s independence was ... hastening on.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 27, p. 296. “Adams and Hancock, whose proscription had already been divulged ... were compelled by persuasion to retire toward Woburn.”—Idem, p. 292.

[1]“There, at about two in the morning, a peal from the belfry of the meeting-house” called the inhabitants.—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 27, p. 290. “There, in the morning hours, men ... were hiding what was left of cannon and military stores.”—Idem, ch. 28, p. 297.

[2]“The attempt had for several weeks been expected; ... in consequence, the committee of safety removed a part of the public stores and secreted the cannon.”—Idem, ch. 27, p. 288.

[3]“Red-coats,” a nickname given to the British soldiers, who wore red coats.

[4]“About seven o’clock the British marched ... under the brilliant sunshine into Concord.... The Americans ... therefore retreated ... till ... they gained high ground about a mile from ... the town.... There they waited for aid.... Between nine and ten the number had increased to more than four hundred ... from Bedford, ... Westford, ... from Littleton, from Carlisle, and from Chelmsford.”—Idem, ch. 28, pp. 298, 299.

[5]“The Americans had as yet received only uncertain rumors of the morning’s events at Lexington.”—Idem, p. 300.

[6]“The Americans saw before them ... British troops ... occupying their town.”—Idem.

[7]“Sixty barrels of flour were broken in pieces; ... five hundred pounds of ball were thrown into a mill-pond. The liberty-pole and several carriages for artillery were burned; and the court-house took fire.”—Idem.

[8]“At the sight of fire in the village, the impulse seized them ‘to march into the town for its defence.’”—Idem.

[9]This is literally true. See description of the circumstances.—Idem.

[10]“James Hosmer urged to dislodge the enemy at the North Bridge.... Capt. Isaac Davis, of Acton, said: ‘I have not a man that is afraid to go.’”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., pp. 526, 527.

[11]“Barrett, the colonel, ... then gave the order to advance, but ‘not to fire’ unless attacked.... Davis, looking at the men of Acton, ... cried: ‘March.’ His company ... led the way towards the bridge, he himself at their head, and by his side Major John Buttrick, of Concord, with John Robinson, ... lieutenant-colonel, ... but on this day a volunteer without command.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 302.

[12]“In double file with trailed arms.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 527.

[13]“The British began to take up the planks.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 302.

[14]“Major Buttrick called on them to desist.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 190.

[15]“A volley followed, and Isaac Davis and Abner Hosmer ... fell dead.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 303.

[16]“Buttrick ... cried aloud: ... ‘Fire, fellow-soldiers, for God’s sake, fire!’... Two of the British fell.”—Idem.

[17]“The British retreated in disorder toward the main body.”—Idem.

[18]“In ... Concord, Smith ... showed by marches and counter-marches, his uncertainty of purpose. At last ... he left the town, to retreat the way he came.”—Idem, p. 304.

[19]“The minute-men and militia ... ran over the hills, ... placed themselves in ambush, ... reinforced by men who were coming in from all around, and ... the chase of the English began. Among the foremost were the minute-men of Reading, ... of Billerica, ... the ... Sudbury company. The men from Woburn came up in great numbers and well armed.”—Idem, pp. 304, 305.

[20]“Of the Americans, there were never more than four hundred together at any one time; but, as some grew tired, others took their places.”—Idem., p. 308. The first detachment of British troops numbered “not less than eight hundred.”—Idem, ch. 27, p. 288

[21]“Every piece of wood, every rock ... served as a lurking-place ... ‘the road was lined’ by an uninterrupted fire from behind stone walls and trees.”—Idem, p. 305.

[22]“Two waggons, sent out to them with supplies, were waylaid and captured by Payson, the minister of Chelsea. From far and wide minute-men were gathering. The men of Dedham, ... from Essex, and the lower towns, ... The company from Danvers, ... lost eight men.... Below West Cambridge, the militia from Dorchester, Roxbury, and Brookline came up.”—Idem, pp. 307-9.

[23]Lord Percy reinforced them with “about twelve hundred men.”—Idem, ch. 28, p. 306.

[24]“West Cambridge, where Joseph Warren and William Heath, ... the latter a provincial general officer, gave ... organization to the resistance, and the fight grew sharper.”—Idem, p. 308.

[25]“The Americans pressed upon the rear of the fugitives, whose retreat could not have been more precipitate ... had Pickering with his fine regiment from Salem and Marblehead been alert enough to have intercepted them in front ... they must have surrendered.”—Idem, p. 309.

[26]SeeLossing’s Field Book, vol. 1, p. 528, etc.; alsoBancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 308.

[27]According to Lossing, the British lost sixty-five killed, one hundred and eighty wounded, and twenty-eight prisoners; the Americans fifty-nine killed, thirty-one wounded, and fifty missing.—SeeLossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. 1, p. 530. “The loss of the British in killed, wounded, and missing was two hundred and seventy-three.... Forty-nine Americans were killed, thirty-nine wounded, and five missing.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 28, p. 309.

[28]“The guns of the ships of war ... saved them ... while they were ferried across Charles River.”—Idem.

[29]Mrs. Moulton extinguished the fire at the Concord court-house.—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 526.

[30]“Heedless of his own danger, Samuel Adams ... exclaimed: ‘Oh! what a glorious morning is this!’ for he saw that his country’s independence was ... hastening on.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 27, p. 296. “Adams and Hancock, whose proscription had already been divulged ... were compelled by persuasion to retire toward Woburn.”—Idem, p. 292.

Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775.

The bell that rang at LexingtonHad call’d our men to arms;And but their wives and children nowWere home to work the farms.But soon, like words men whisper forthNear foes who plot their death,From farm to farm bad news was borneOn hush’d and trembling breath.“Fill’d full of ‘red-coats,’[1]Boston seem’d,”They said, “a wounded preyThat yet drank in fresh draughts of blood[1]From fleets that fill’d the bay;“To check their march, like mushrooms grewOur earthworks, night by night;But, if attack’d, our men would notHave arms with which to fight.”[2]At Hartford our Assembly met,[3]And heard this; nor in vain.It sent men off to seize what fill’dThe fort on Lake Champlain.These pass’d to Pittsfield,[4]there were join’dBy Easton, Brown, and more;Then on to Bennington,[5]and thereCould muster full twoscore.Too few were they to brave a fortWell mann’d at every gun;Yet those who slight the light of starsBut seldom see their sun.The sun that dawn’d before them here,And brought them help indeed,Was Ethan Allen’s[5]blade, that flash’dHis mountain troops to lead.And thick as rills that rift in springEach bond the sun destroys,Came pouring over all those hillsHis grand Green Mountain Boys.Two hundred[6]hardy men they wereAs ever mountains rear’d;They fought with bears and frost at home,And naught abroad they fear’d.Erelong, a shout went ringing out;For all had made their choice,And all had chosen Allen chief;And “Forward!” call’d his voice.[7]But one who heard his order, spurr’dHis charger from the rear,And cried: “In me your leader see,[8]For Cambridge sent me here.”“And Cambridge, Cambridge, what would she?”Cried Mott[3]and Phelps, “Nay, Nay!—’Twas Hartford sent us forth, and weBade Allen lead the way.”“And we,” cried those Vermonters true,“We came with Allen here;And all agree that none but heShall lead the mountaineer.”The other hush’d when this he heard;And give them honor all:They faced the traitor Arnold[8]thus,Who thus began his fall.Give honor due to Allen too;High compliment it is,That, when the traitor train’d with him,He was no friend of his.Three days they tramp’d, then Allen said:“We near the lake I see.Let some go north and some go south,And some straight on with me.[9]“Let those that push for north and southRow off with all that floats,And make for Shoreham, where we allWill cross when come the boats.[9]“And let the others fall in lineBehind my lantern’s glare.Beyond, Ticonderoga waits;At morn, we breakfast there.”Then, down the hunter’s trail, our lineWound on as winds a snake,And, late at night, prepared to spring,Lay coil’d beside the lake.“Now off,” said Allen, “north and south,And hail each coming oar.”Alas, to think that Heaven aboveShould favor man no more!To north and south we scatter’d far,We listened o’er and o’er,But not a sound, from north or south,The empty breezes bore.A few there were could cross at last,—Alas, but all too few!Night sped, and Allen, by the fortCould count scarce eighty-two.[10]“My men,” he mutter’d,[11]“look—the dawn!—Before can cross the lakeOne boat again for other men,The day in full will break.“Yet note the wall. You know it well;Ten times our force, if seen,Though clad in mail, could never scaleThose cannon thick between.“And here the boats.—What vote you all?—Your guns lift up,—no breath.[11]The lake cross here?—or weapons there?Face cowardice?—or death?“Your guns all up?[12]your hearts all true?How well! Had one turn’d back,[13]Yon mounts were his no longer saveTo hedge and hide his track.“He easier might have faced, at home,When snows were all aflame,The sun! than wives and little onesWhose cheeks would fire with shame.“How oft have you, when driven offThe land you once had bought,[14]Too poor to buy again a homeFor those for whom you wrought;“How oft, when all was torn from you,[14]And you had urged in vainYour chartered rights, the common law,And all that God makes plain;“How oft then have you pray’d aloudThat Heaven would send you downA chance from off your country’s browTo hurl the hated crown!“That chance has come! But once for allCan dawn a day like this.And those who will not use their lightWill all life’s glory miss.“But if one win it, yonder sunSheds not a splendor fitWith which to rise above his name,Or earth that welcomes it!“Yes, earth! For they forgot, our lords,They dealt with Puritans,True sons of those whom Cromwell led,Whose right means every man’s;“Who take their individual illsFor proofs of general pain,And, where one prince has made them wince,Fight all, that man may reign.“And they forgot, that mountaineers,High rangers, like the Swiss,Would learn to value freedom’s worldBy looking down on this!“And yet should prove it! Ay, my men,To-day they all shall seeHow freemen, forced to care for self,Take care to keep it free.“Now quick, but quiet; start with steel—Nor fire till sure to hit—First through the gate, if through we may;If not, then over it.“I lead. You follow. Should I fall,Move on: my corpse may giveAt least a vantage ground! Move up:The cause, it is, must live!”Then Allen turn’d, and Arnold[15]too,His foremost rival still,Then Brown and Easton,—all the lineStole softly up the hill.[16]A startled sentry seized his gun,And aim’d at Allen’s face[17];The flint miss’d fire, and Allen rush’d,And wrench’d it from its place.The sentry dodg’d, and darted downA passage through the mound.[17]In pour’d our men; you might have thoughtThe sentry would be drown’d.Swift, one by one, by Allen led,They plung’d along the gloom:No fear of those who, just beyond,Might make the place their tomb.On ran the sentry; on, our men.—Their mountains gave no game,Nor guide so quick to apprehendThe grounds on which they came.At last, uploom’d in dusky light,And choking all the way,A man who poised his bayonet[17]To hold them all at bay.“Take heed!” he call’d. “We take it, man,”Hiss’d Allen, where he sped;Whose clashing sword had glanced the gun,And gash’d the soldier’s head.“Have mercy!” groan’d the wounded wretch.Said Allen: “Drop your gun.Hist, hist, my men! The walls are ours.Now seize the barrack—run!”No need to bid them! In a triceOur boys had crown’d their race;And closed, with shouts like thousands, roundThe startled sleeping-place.[18]Meantime, “The captain!” Allen cried;And scarce the word had said,Ere on a door he pounded loud[19]To rouse his foe from bed.It open’d partly, where behold!In robes as white as fleece,The chief, beside his blushing bride,A picture stood of peace.[20]“Surrender!”[20]order’d Allen then;“If not, by Him on high,Your garrison—without a hopeFor quarter from us—die!”The captain’s anger now had burstThe spell of night’s repose.“Surrender?” hiss’d he—then turn’d paleTo hear loud shouts that rose.“And who are you?” he stammer’d out.“And whose is this ado?And whose the name in which you comeAnd bid us yield to you?”“The name of Great Jehovah,[21]and”—Said Allen, drawing nigh,“The Continental Congress!”—thenHe flash’d his sword on high.“Jehovah?—Congress?” growl’d his foe;But, cow’d by Allen’s eye,[20]Jehovah, in the man, at least,He did not dare defy.The day was won; the garrisonFiled out across the green.More generous welcome where they came,I think were seldom seen.Not one who bore a cumbering gunOr lugg’d a weighty sword,But we to ease him of his load,Would our relief afford.Alack, we stack’d our shoulders full,Relieving them of care,Then proved our good-will, Arab-like,By taking breakfast there.For days and days we never ceas’dAttending to them thus,Until, as pride escorts a bride,We walk’d them home with us.[22]And then the fort—ah me, to seeThe trouble rare it tookTo clear the space, and give the placeA less unfriendly look!Tenscore of cannon, mounds of flint,[23]And tons of guns and balls—We waited weeks, to find the meansTo cart them out the walls.But first, we mail’d a message home;And I have heard it said,In many a place, the floor was wetWith tears when it was read.At Cambridge, at the news, the airWith such a shout was rent,It almost equal’d there the roarOf guns our fort had sent.And Allen?—Allen lived and thrived,And conquer’d all that tract,Where Britain could not hold a fort[24]That once our boys attack’d.But war has tricks; and life has turns;Misfortunes find the true;And Allen once, across the sea,Was borne a prisoner too.[25]Yet heroes’ homes are human hearts,And England’s crowds would clingAbout the form of him they feltWas grander than their king.He came back home, and church bells rang—You might, in truth, have thought[25]A second Christmas day had come,And Saviour’s advent brought;—And guns were fired; and, hail’d with cheers,Vermont bade all men callThis bravest, brightest of her sons,The General of them all.[25]And all the people while he lived,They loved his eagle eye[26];And when he died—ah, friends, you knowSuch spirits cannot die!To-day, go search those mountain woodsAnd valleys, humbly trodBy souls whose pure, strong faith holds onTo country, home, and God;Ask men who own those towering trees,Or plant the hillock steep;The school-boys, bounding back from school,Or watching well the sheep;The housewives, where in thrifty homesThe generous meals are spread;The sisters, gently handing downThe Book when prayers are said;Ask all, who value aught they own,Whose fame all value most?—The flashing eye and flushing cheekWill figure him they boast.

The bell that rang at LexingtonHad call’d our men to arms;And but their wives and children nowWere home to work the farms.

The bell that rang at Lexington

Had call’d our men to arms;

And but their wives and children now

Were home to work the farms.

But soon, like words men whisper forthNear foes who plot their death,From farm to farm bad news was borneOn hush’d and trembling breath.

But soon, like words men whisper forth

Near foes who plot their death,

From farm to farm bad news was borne

On hush’d and trembling breath.

“Fill’d full of ‘red-coats,’[1]Boston seem’d,”They said, “a wounded preyThat yet drank in fresh draughts of blood[1]From fleets that fill’d the bay;

“Fill’d full of ‘red-coats,’[1]Boston seem’d,”

They said, “a wounded prey

That yet drank in fresh draughts of blood[1]

From fleets that fill’d the bay;

“To check their march, like mushrooms grewOur earthworks, night by night;But, if attack’d, our men would notHave arms with which to fight.”[2]

“To check their march, like mushrooms grew

Our earthworks, night by night;

But, if attack’d, our men would not

Have arms with which to fight.”[2]

At Hartford our Assembly met,[3]And heard this; nor in vain.It sent men off to seize what fill’dThe fort on Lake Champlain.

At Hartford our Assembly met,[3]

And heard this; nor in vain.

It sent men off to seize what fill’d

The fort on Lake Champlain.

These pass’d to Pittsfield,[4]there were join’dBy Easton, Brown, and more;Then on to Bennington,[5]and thereCould muster full twoscore.

These pass’d to Pittsfield,[4]there were join’d

By Easton, Brown, and more;

Then on to Bennington,[5]and there

Could muster full twoscore.

Too few were they to brave a fortWell mann’d at every gun;Yet those who slight the light of starsBut seldom see their sun.

Too few were they to brave a fort

Well mann’d at every gun;

Yet those who slight the light of stars

But seldom see their sun.

The sun that dawn’d before them here,And brought them help indeed,Was Ethan Allen’s[5]blade, that flash’dHis mountain troops to lead.

The sun that dawn’d before them here,

And brought them help indeed,

Was Ethan Allen’s[5]blade, that flash’d

His mountain troops to lead.

And thick as rills that rift in springEach bond the sun destroys,Came pouring over all those hillsHis grand Green Mountain Boys.

And thick as rills that rift in spring

Each bond the sun destroys,

Came pouring over all those hills

His grand Green Mountain Boys.

Two hundred[6]hardy men they wereAs ever mountains rear’d;They fought with bears and frost at home,And naught abroad they fear’d.

Two hundred[6]hardy men they were

As ever mountains rear’d;

They fought with bears and frost at home,

And naught abroad they fear’d.

Erelong, a shout went ringing out;For all had made their choice,And all had chosen Allen chief;And “Forward!” call’d his voice.[7]

Erelong, a shout went ringing out;

For all had made their choice,

And all had chosen Allen chief;

And “Forward!” call’d his voice.[7]

But one who heard his order, spurr’dHis charger from the rear,And cried: “In me your leader see,[8]For Cambridge sent me here.”

But one who heard his order, spurr’d

His charger from the rear,

And cried: “In me your leader see,[8]

For Cambridge sent me here.”

“And Cambridge, Cambridge, what would she?”Cried Mott[3]and Phelps, “Nay, Nay!—’Twas Hartford sent us forth, and weBade Allen lead the way.”

“And Cambridge, Cambridge, what would she?”

Cried Mott[3]and Phelps, “Nay, Nay!—

’Twas Hartford sent us forth, and we

Bade Allen lead the way.”

“And we,” cried those Vermonters true,“We came with Allen here;And all agree that none but heShall lead the mountaineer.”

“And we,” cried those Vermonters true,

“We came with Allen here;

And all agree that none but he

Shall lead the mountaineer.”

The other hush’d when this he heard;And give them honor all:They faced the traitor Arnold[8]thus,Who thus began his fall.

The other hush’d when this he heard;

And give them honor all:

They faced the traitor Arnold[8]thus,

Who thus began his fall.

Give honor due to Allen too;High compliment it is,That, when the traitor train’d with him,He was no friend of his.

Give honor due to Allen too;

High compliment it is,

That, when the traitor train’d with him,

He was no friend of his.

Three days they tramp’d, then Allen said:“We near the lake I see.Let some go north and some go south,And some straight on with me.[9]

Three days they tramp’d, then Allen said:

“We near the lake I see.

Let some go north and some go south,

And some straight on with me.[9]

“Let those that push for north and southRow off with all that floats,And make for Shoreham, where we allWill cross when come the boats.[9]

“Let those that push for north and south

Row off with all that floats,

And make for Shoreham, where we all

Will cross when come the boats.[9]

“And let the others fall in lineBehind my lantern’s glare.Beyond, Ticonderoga waits;At morn, we breakfast there.”

“And let the others fall in line

Behind my lantern’s glare.

Beyond, Ticonderoga waits;

At morn, we breakfast there.”

Then, down the hunter’s trail, our lineWound on as winds a snake,And, late at night, prepared to spring,Lay coil’d beside the lake.

Then, down the hunter’s trail, our line

Wound on as winds a snake,

And, late at night, prepared to spring,

Lay coil’d beside the lake.

“Now off,” said Allen, “north and south,And hail each coming oar.”Alas, to think that Heaven aboveShould favor man no more!

“Now off,” said Allen, “north and south,

And hail each coming oar.”

Alas, to think that Heaven above

Should favor man no more!

To north and south we scatter’d far,We listened o’er and o’er,But not a sound, from north or south,The empty breezes bore.

To north and south we scatter’d far,

We listened o’er and o’er,

But not a sound, from north or south,

The empty breezes bore.

A few there were could cross at last,—Alas, but all too few!Night sped, and Allen, by the fortCould count scarce eighty-two.[10]

A few there were could cross at last,—

Alas, but all too few!

Night sped, and Allen, by the fort

Could count scarce eighty-two.[10]

“My men,” he mutter’d,[11]“look—the dawn!—Before can cross the lakeOne boat again for other men,The day in full will break.

“My men,” he mutter’d,[11]“look—the dawn!—

Before can cross the lake

One boat again for other men,

The day in full will break.

“Yet note the wall. You know it well;Ten times our force, if seen,Though clad in mail, could never scaleThose cannon thick between.

“Yet note the wall. You know it well;

Ten times our force, if seen,

Though clad in mail, could never scale

Those cannon thick between.

“And here the boats.—What vote you all?—Your guns lift up,—no breath.[11]The lake cross here?—or weapons there?Face cowardice?—or death?

“And here the boats.—What vote you all?—

Your guns lift up,—no breath.[11]

The lake cross here?—or weapons there?

Face cowardice?—or death?

“Your guns all up?[12]your hearts all true?How well! Had one turn’d back,[13]Yon mounts were his no longer saveTo hedge and hide his track.

“Your guns all up?[12]your hearts all true?

How well! Had one turn’d back,[13]

Yon mounts were his no longer save

To hedge and hide his track.

“He easier might have faced, at home,When snows were all aflame,The sun! than wives and little onesWhose cheeks would fire with shame.

“He easier might have faced, at home,

When snows were all aflame,

The sun! than wives and little ones

Whose cheeks would fire with shame.

“How oft have you, when driven offThe land you once had bought,[14]Too poor to buy again a homeFor those for whom you wrought;

“How oft have you, when driven off

The land you once had bought,[14]

Too poor to buy again a home

For those for whom you wrought;

“How oft, when all was torn from you,[14]And you had urged in vainYour chartered rights, the common law,And all that God makes plain;

“How oft, when all was torn from you,[14]

And you had urged in vain

Your chartered rights, the common law,

And all that God makes plain;

“How oft then have you pray’d aloudThat Heaven would send you downA chance from off your country’s browTo hurl the hated crown!

“How oft then have you pray’d aloud

That Heaven would send you down

A chance from off your country’s brow

To hurl the hated crown!

“That chance has come! But once for allCan dawn a day like this.And those who will not use their lightWill all life’s glory miss.

“That chance has come! But once for all

Can dawn a day like this.

And those who will not use their light

Will all life’s glory miss.

“But if one win it, yonder sunSheds not a splendor fitWith which to rise above his name,Or earth that welcomes it!

“But if one win it, yonder sun

Sheds not a splendor fit

With which to rise above his name,

Or earth that welcomes it!

“Yes, earth! For they forgot, our lords,They dealt with Puritans,True sons of those whom Cromwell led,Whose right means every man’s;

“Yes, earth! For they forgot, our lords,

They dealt with Puritans,

True sons of those whom Cromwell led,

Whose right means every man’s;

“Who take their individual illsFor proofs of general pain,And, where one prince has made them wince,Fight all, that man may reign.

“Who take their individual ills

For proofs of general pain,

And, where one prince has made them wince,

Fight all, that man may reign.

“And they forgot, that mountaineers,High rangers, like the Swiss,Would learn to value freedom’s worldBy looking down on this!

“And they forgot, that mountaineers,

High rangers, like the Swiss,

Would learn to value freedom’s world

By looking down on this!

“And yet should prove it! Ay, my men,To-day they all shall seeHow freemen, forced to care for self,Take care to keep it free.

“And yet should prove it! Ay, my men,

To-day they all shall see

How freemen, forced to care for self,

Take care to keep it free.

“Now quick, but quiet; start with steel—Nor fire till sure to hit—First through the gate, if through we may;If not, then over it.

“Now quick, but quiet; start with steel—

Nor fire till sure to hit—

First through the gate, if through we may;

If not, then over it.

“I lead. You follow. Should I fall,Move on: my corpse may giveAt least a vantage ground! Move up:The cause, it is, must live!”

“I lead. You follow. Should I fall,

Move on: my corpse may give

At least a vantage ground! Move up:

The cause, it is, must live!”

Then Allen turn’d, and Arnold[15]too,His foremost rival still,Then Brown and Easton,—all the lineStole softly up the hill.[16]

Then Allen turn’d, and Arnold[15]too,

His foremost rival still,

Then Brown and Easton,—all the line

Stole softly up the hill.[16]

A startled sentry seized his gun,And aim’d at Allen’s face[17];The flint miss’d fire, and Allen rush’d,And wrench’d it from its place.

A startled sentry seized his gun,

And aim’d at Allen’s face[17];

The flint miss’d fire, and Allen rush’d,

And wrench’d it from its place.

The sentry dodg’d, and darted downA passage through the mound.[17]In pour’d our men; you might have thoughtThe sentry would be drown’d.

The sentry dodg’d, and darted down

A passage through the mound.[17]

In pour’d our men; you might have thought

The sentry would be drown’d.

Swift, one by one, by Allen led,They plung’d along the gloom:No fear of those who, just beyond,Might make the place their tomb.

Swift, one by one, by Allen led,

They plung’d along the gloom:

No fear of those who, just beyond,

Might make the place their tomb.

On ran the sentry; on, our men.—Their mountains gave no game,Nor guide so quick to apprehendThe grounds on which they came.

On ran the sentry; on, our men.—

Their mountains gave no game,

Nor guide so quick to apprehend

The grounds on which they came.

At last, uploom’d in dusky light,And choking all the way,A man who poised his bayonet[17]To hold them all at bay.

At last, uploom’d in dusky light,

And choking all the way,

A man who poised his bayonet[17]

To hold them all at bay.

“Take heed!” he call’d. “We take it, man,”Hiss’d Allen, where he sped;Whose clashing sword had glanced the gun,And gash’d the soldier’s head.

“Take heed!” he call’d. “We take it, man,”

Hiss’d Allen, where he sped;

Whose clashing sword had glanced the gun,

And gash’d the soldier’s head.

“Have mercy!” groan’d the wounded wretch.Said Allen: “Drop your gun.Hist, hist, my men! The walls are ours.Now seize the barrack—run!”

“Have mercy!” groan’d the wounded wretch.

Said Allen: “Drop your gun.

Hist, hist, my men! The walls are ours.

Now seize the barrack—run!”

No need to bid them! In a triceOur boys had crown’d their race;And closed, with shouts like thousands, roundThe startled sleeping-place.[18]

No need to bid them! In a trice

Our boys had crown’d their race;

And closed, with shouts like thousands, round

The startled sleeping-place.[18]

Meantime, “The captain!” Allen cried;And scarce the word had said,Ere on a door he pounded loud[19]To rouse his foe from bed.

Meantime, “The captain!” Allen cried;

And scarce the word had said,

Ere on a door he pounded loud[19]

To rouse his foe from bed.

It open’d partly, where behold!In robes as white as fleece,The chief, beside his blushing bride,A picture stood of peace.[20]

It open’d partly, where behold!

In robes as white as fleece,

The chief, beside his blushing bride,

A picture stood of peace.[20]

“Surrender!”[20]order’d Allen then;“If not, by Him on high,Your garrison—without a hopeFor quarter from us—die!”

“Surrender!”[20]order’d Allen then;

“If not, by Him on high,

Your garrison—without a hope

For quarter from us—die!”

The captain’s anger now had burstThe spell of night’s repose.“Surrender?” hiss’d he—then turn’d paleTo hear loud shouts that rose.

The captain’s anger now had burst

The spell of night’s repose.

“Surrender?” hiss’d he—then turn’d pale

To hear loud shouts that rose.

“And who are you?” he stammer’d out.“And whose is this ado?And whose the name in which you comeAnd bid us yield to you?”

“And who are you?” he stammer’d out.

“And whose is this ado?

And whose the name in which you come

And bid us yield to you?”

“The name of Great Jehovah,[21]and”—Said Allen, drawing nigh,“The Continental Congress!”—thenHe flash’d his sword on high.

“The name of Great Jehovah,[21]and”—

Said Allen, drawing nigh,

“The Continental Congress!”—then

He flash’d his sword on high.

“Jehovah?—Congress?” growl’d his foe;But, cow’d by Allen’s eye,[20]Jehovah, in the man, at least,He did not dare defy.

“Jehovah?—Congress?” growl’d his foe;

But, cow’d by Allen’s eye,[20]

Jehovah, in the man, at least,

He did not dare defy.

The day was won; the garrisonFiled out across the green.More generous welcome where they came,I think were seldom seen.

The day was won; the garrison

Filed out across the green.

More generous welcome where they came,

I think were seldom seen.

Not one who bore a cumbering gunOr lugg’d a weighty sword,But we to ease him of his load,Would our relief afford.

Not one who bore a cumbering gun

Or lugg’d a weighty sword,

But we to ease him of his load,

Would our relief afford.

Alack, we stack’d our shoulders full,Relieving them of care,Then proved our good-will, Arab-like,By taking breakfast there.

Alack, we stack’d our shoulders full,

Relieving them of care,

Then proved our good-will, Arab-like,

By taking breakfast there.

For days and days we never ceas’dAttending to them thus,Until, as pride escorts a bride,We walk’d them home with us.[22]

For days and days we never ceas’d

Attending to them thus,

Until, as pride escorts a bride,

We walk’d them home with us.[22]

And then the fort—ah me, to seeThe trouble rare it tookTo clear the space, and give the placeA less unfriendly look!

And then the fort—ah me, to see

The trouble rare it took

To clear the space, and give the place

A less unfriendly look!

Tenscore of cannon, mounds of flint,[23]And tons of guns and balls—We waited weeks, to find the meansTo cart them out the walls.

Tenscore of cannon, mounds of flint,[23]

And tons of guns and balls—

We waited weeks, to find the means

To cart them out the walls.

But first, we mail’d a message home;And I have heard it said,In many a place, the floor was wetWith tears when it was read.

But first, we mail’d a message home;

And I have heard it said,

In many a place, the floor was wet

With tears when it was read.

At Cambridge, at the news, the airWith such a shout was rent,It almost equal’d there the roarOf guns our fort had sent.

At Cambridge, at the news, the air

With such a shout was rent,

It almost equal’d there the roar

Of guns our fort had sent.

And Allen?—Allen lived and thrived,And conquer’d all that tract,Where Britain could not hold a fort[24]That once our boys attack’d.

And Allen?—Allen lived and thrived,

And conquer’d all that tract,

Where Britain could not hold a fort[24]

That once our boys attack’d.

But war has tricks; and life has turns;Misfortunes find the true;And Allen once, across the sea,Was borne a prisoner too.[25]

But war has tricks; and life has turns;

Misfortunes find the true;

And Allen once, across the sea,

Was borne a prisoner too.[25]

Yet heroes’ homes are human hearts,And England’s crowds would clingAbout the form of him they feltWas grander than their king.

Yet heroes’ homes are human hearts,

And England’s crowds would cling

About the form of him they felt

Was grander than their king.

He came back home, and church bells rang—You might, in truth, have thought[25]A second Christmas day had come,And Saviour’s advent brought;—

He came back home, and church bells rang—

You might, in truth, have thought[25]

A second Christmas day had come,

And Saviour’s advent brought;—

And guns were fired; and, hail’d with cheers,Vermont bade all men callThis bravest, brightest of her sons,The General of them all.[25]

And guns were fired; and, hail’d with cheers,

Vermont bade all men call

This bravest, brightest of her sons,

The General of them all.[25]

And all the people while he lived,They loved his eagle eye[26];And when he died—ah, friends, you knowSuch spirits cannot die!

And all the people while he lived,

They loved his eagle eye[26];

And when he died—ah, friends, you know

Such spirits cannot die!

To-day, go search those mountain woodsAnd valleys, humbly trodBy souls whose pure, strong faith holds onTo country, home, and God;

To-day, go search those mountain woods

And valleys, humbly trod

By souls whose pure, strong faith holds on

To country, home, and God;

Ask men who own those towering trees,Or plant the hillock steep;The school-boys, bounding back from school,Or watching well the sheep;

Ask men who own those towering trees,

Or plant the hillock steep;

The school-boys, bounding back from school,

Or watching well the sheep;

The housewives, where in thrifty homesThe generous meals are spread;The sisters, gently handing downThe Book when prayers are said;

The housewives, where in thrifty homes

The generous meals are spread;

The sisters, gently handing down

The Book when prayers are said;

Ask all, who value aught they own,Whose fame all value most?—The flashing eye and flushing cheekWill figure him they boast.

Ask all, who value aught they own,

Whose fame all value most?—

The flashing eye and flushing cheek

Will figure him they boast.

FOOTNOTES[1]The British forces, nicknamed “red-coats,” were reinforced after the battle of Lexington.—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book of the Rev., vol. i., p. 537.[2]“The provisional Assembly of Connecticut, after the battle of Lexington, concerted a plan to seize the munitions of war at Ticonderoga, for the use of the army ... at Cambridge and Roxbury.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book of the Rev., vol. i., p. 123.[3]“Ed. Mott and Noah Phelps ... committee to ascertain ... strength of ... fort and to raise men.... Sixteen men went with them.”—Idem.[4]“At Pittsfield Col. Easton and John Brown (afterwards Col.) joined them.... Col. Easton by the time he reached Bennington had enlisted forty of his men.”—Idem.[5]“At Bennington, they found Ethan Allen ... he sent the alarm through the hills ... about one hundred Green Mountain Boys and near fifty soldiers from Massachusetts ... rallied.”—Bancroft’s Hist. U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.[6]Lossing says in all about two hundred and seventy men went on the expedition.—Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124.[7]“The men unanimously elected Ethan Allen their chief.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 23, p. 339.[8]“Arnold joined them here with a commission from the Committee of Safety in Cambridge, and claimed the right to command. After Ticonderoga was taken, he assumed command, but his orders were not heeded. He then sent a written protest to Massachusetts, but this State sustained Allen.”—SeeLossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124, etc.[9]“It was arranged that Allen ... with the main body should march to Shoreham, opposite Ticonderoga; that Capt. Herrick should push to Skenesborough, ... seize all the boats there and join Allen at Shoreham, and that Capt. Douglas should go ... beyond Crown Point and secure all boats that way.”—Idem.[10]“With the utmost difficulty ... eighty-three men crossing the lake with Allen, landed near the garrison. The boats were sent back; ... if ... waited for their could be no surprise.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.[11]“As the first beams of morning broke ... Allen addressed them, ... ‘we must ... quit our pretentions to valor, or possess this fortress ... it is a desperate attempt, I do not urge it contrary to will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelocks.’”—Idem.[12]“At the word, every firelock was poised.”—Idem.[13]Allen “drew up his men in three ranks on the shore, ... and in a low, distinct tone harangued them.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124.[14]“The king in council had ... dismembered New Hampshire, and annexed to New York the country north of Massachusetts and west of Connecticut River ... it was, therefore, held by the royalists that the grants made under the sanction of the royal governor of New Hampshire were annulled. Many of the lands for which the king had received the price ... were granted anew, and the former purchasers were compelled to redeem them.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. v., ch. 10., p. 214. “Sixty-seven families in as many houses ... had elected their own municipal officers; founded three several public schools; set their meeting-house among the primeval forests ... called their village Bennington. The royal officers at New York disposed anew of that town, as well as of others near it, so that the king was known ... chiefly by his agents, who had knowingly sold his lands twice over.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. v., ch. 14., pp. 291, 292.[15]Allen led the party, “Arnold keeping emulously at his side.”—Idem, vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.[16]“They marched quickly but stealthily ... to the sally port.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124.[17]“The sentinel snapped his fusee at (Allen), but it missed, and he retreated within the fort under a covered way. The Americans followed, and were thus guided ... to the parade within the barracks. There another sentinel made a thrust ... but a blow upon the head from Allen’s sword made him beg for quarter.”—SeeIdem.[18]“The Americans rushed into the fort ... and raising the Indian war-whoop, ... formed on the parade in hollow square to face each of the barracks.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.[19]“Allen ... went ... to the door of the quarters of Capt. Delaplace, ... and giving three loud raps ... ordered him to appear, or the whole garrison should be sacrificed.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 125.[20]“Delaplace appeared in shirt and drawers, with the frightened face of his pretty wife peering over his shoulder.”—Idem.[21]“‘Deliver me the fort instantly!’ said Allen. ‘By what authority?’ asked Delaplace. ‘In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.’ answered Allen. Delaplace ... at sight of Allen’s drawn sword near his head ... gave up the garrison.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 340.[22]“The garrison of forty-eight men were surrendered prisoners of war, and ... sent to Hartford.”—SeeLossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 125.[23]“120 pieces of cannon, 50 swivels, 2 ten-inch mortars ... 10 tons of musket-balls, three cartloads of flints ... 100 stand of small-arms, 10 casks of powder, 2 brass cannon, 30 barrels of flour, 18 barrels of port, etc.”—SeeIdem.[24]“This success was followed by others; the capture of a sloop-of-war and St. John’s Fort.... In the autumn of the same year, he was twice sent into Canada to excite rebellion against the English government.”—Appleton’s Cyclopædia of Biography.[25]“Allen was sent to Canada in 1775; was taken prisoner and carried to England, where his appearance excited great interest. On his return, he was received with great demonstrations of joy in Bennington, and made Maj.-Gen. of Vermont. He died in 1789, aged fifty.”—SeeIdem.[26]Allen is said to have had a remarkably keen and expressive eye.

[1]The British forces, nicknamed “red-coats,” were reinforced after the battle of Lexington.—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book of the Rev., vol. i., p. 537.

[2]“The provisional Assembly of Connecticut, after the battle of Lexington, concerted a plan to seize the munitions of war at Ticonderoga, for the use of the army ... at Cambridge and Roxbury.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book of the Rev., vol. i., p. 123.

[3]“Ed. Mott and Noah Phelps ... committee to ascertain ... strength of ... fort and to raise men.... Sixteen men went with them.”—Idem.

[4]“At Pittsfield Col. Easton and John Brown (afterwards Col.) joined them.... Col. Easton by the time he reached Bennington had enlisted forty of his men.”—Idem.

[5]“At Bennington, they found Ethan Allen ... he sent the alarm through the hills ... about one hundred Green Mountain Boys and near fifty soldiers from Massachusetts ... rallied.”—Bancroft’s Hist. U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.

[6]Lossing says in all about two hundred and seventy men went on the expedition.—Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124.

[7]“The men unanimously elected Ethan Allen their chief.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 23, p. 339.

[8]“Arnold joined them here with a commission from the Committee of Safety in Cambridge, and claimed the right to command. After Ticonderoga was taken, he assumed command, but his orders were not heeded. He then sent a written protest to Massachusetts, but this State sustained Allen.”—SeeLossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124, etc.

[9]“It was arranged that Allen ... with the main body should march to Shoreham, opposite Ticonderoga; that Capt. Herrick should push to Skenesborough, ... seize all the boats there and join Allen at Shoreham, and that Capt. Douglas should go ... beyond Crown Point and secure all boats that way.”—Idem.

[10]“With the utmost difficulty ... eighty-three men crossing the lake with Allen, landed near the garrison. The boats were sent back; ... if ... waited for their could be no surprise.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.

[11]“As the first beams of morning broke ... Allen addressed them, ... ‘we must ... quit our pretentions to valor, or possess this fortress ... it is a desperate attempt, I do not urge it contrary to will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelocks.’”—Idem.

[12]“At the word, every firelock was poised.”—Idem.

[13]Allen “drew up his men in three ranks on the shore, ... and in a low, distinct tone harangued them.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124.

[14]“The king in council had ... dismembered New Hampshire, and annexed to New York the country north of Massachusetts and west of Connecticut River ... it was, therefore, held by the royalists that the grants made under the sanction of the royal governor of New Hampshire were annulled. Many of the lands for which the king had received the price ... were granted anew, and the former purchasers were compelled to redeem them.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. v., ch. 10., p. 214. “Sixty-seven families in as many houses ... had elected their own municipal officers; founded three several public schools; set their meeting-house among the primeval forests ... called their village Bennington. The royal officers at New York disposed anew of that town, as well as of others near it, so that the king was known ... chiefly by his agents, who had knowingly sold his lands twice over.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. v., ch. 14., pp. 291, 292.

[15]Allen led the party, “Arnold keeping emulously at his side.”—Idem, vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.

[16]“They marched quickly but stealthily ... to the sally port.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 124.

[17]“The sentinel snapped his fusee at (Allen), but it missed, and he retreated within the fort under a covered way. The Americans followed, and were thus guided ... to the parade within the barracks. There another sentinel made a thrust ... but a blow upon the head from Allen’s sword made him beg for quarter.”—SeeIdem.

[18]“The Americans rushed into the fort ... and raising the Indian war-whoop, ... formed on the parade in hollow square to face each of the barracks.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 339.

[19]“Allen ... went ... to the door of the quarters of Capt. Delaplace, ... and giving three loud raps ... ordered him to appear, or the whole garrison should be sacrificed.”—Lossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 125.

[20]“Delaplace appeared in shirt and drawers, with the frightened face of his pretty wife peering over his shoulder.”—Idem.

[21]“‘Deliver me the fort instantly!’ said Allen. ‘By what authority?’ asked Delaplace. ‘In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.’ answered Allen. Delaplace ... at sight of Allen’s drawn sword near his head ... gave up the garrison.”—Bancroft’s U. S., vol. vii., ch. 32, p. 340.

[22]“The garrison of forty-eight men were surrendered prisoners of war, and ... sent to Hartford.”—SeeLossing’s Pict. Field Book, vol. i., p. 125.

[23]“120 pieces of cannon, 50 swivels, 2 ten-inch mortars ... 10 tons of musket-balls, three cartloads of flints ... 100 stand of small-arms, 10 casks of powder, 2 brass cannon, 30 barrels of flour, 18 barrels of port, etc.”—SeeIdem.

[24]“This success was followed by others; the capture of a sloop-of-war and St. John’s Fort.... In the autumn of the same year, he was twice sent into Canada to excite rebellion against the English government.”—Appleton’s Cyclopædia of Biography.

[25]“Allen was sent to Canada in 1775; was taken prisoner and carried to England, where his appearance excited great interest. On his return, he was received with great demonstrations of joy in Bennington, and made Maj.-Gen. of Vermont. He died in 1789, aged fifty.”—SeeIdem.

[26]Allen is said to have had a remarkably keen and expressive eye.

Narragansett Bay, July 10, 1777.

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