Of the Capture of Ticonderoga: His Captivity and Treatment by the British
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13
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 circumstances, 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 them. It is an incentive to others to 'go and do likewise.'
14
In June, 1777, the British army, amounting to several thousand men, besides Indians and Canadians, commanded by general Burgoyne, crossed the lake and laid siege toTiconderoga. 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 post to be abandoned. The retreat of the Americans was conducted under every possible disadvantage – part of their mforce 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 harassed by the British troops. An action took place between colonel Warner, with a body of Americans, and general Frazer, in which the Americans were defeated, after a brave mresistance, with the loss of a valuable officer, colonel Francis.
15
Knyphausen, a Hessian general.
16
The publishers would suppress sortie of the language and expressions 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.
17
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 Breytnan was sent to reinforce him, but did not arrive in time. On the 16th of August, general Stark, with about eight hundred brave militia men attacked colonel Baum, in his entrenched camp about six miles from Bennington, and killed or took prisoners nearly the whole detachment. The next day colonel Breyman was attacked and defeated. In these actions, the Americans took about seven hundred prisoners, and these successes served to revive the spirits of the people. This success however was in part counterbalanced by the advantages gained on the Mohawk by colonel St. Leger; but this officer, attacking fort Stanwix, was repelled, and obliged to abandon the attempt.
18
General Burgoyne, after collecting his forces and stores, crossed the Hudson with a view to penetrate to Albany. But the American army being reinforced daily, held him in check at Saratoga. General Gates now took the command, and was aided by the generals Lincoln and Arnold. On the 19th of September, the Americans 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 one side and impassable woods on the other – a body of Americans was in his rear – the boats he had ordered to be burnt, and he could not retreat – while an army of thirteen thousand men opposed him in front. On the 7th of October, the armies came to a second 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.