Displaying 1 - 17 of 17
While I was wishing for an opportunity to signalize myself in its [my country's] behalf, directions were privately sent 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 Ticonderoga. This enterprise I cheerfully undertook; and, after first guarding all the several passes that led thither, to cut...
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have to inform you with pleasure unfelt before, that on break of day of the tenth of May, 1775, by the order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, took the Fortress of Ticonderoga by storm. The soldiery was composed of about one hundred Green Mountain Boys, and near fifty veteran soldiers from the Province of Massachusetts-Bay. The latter was under the command of Colonel James...
Date: 11 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have the inexpressible satisfaction to acquaint you that at day-break of the tenth instant, pursuant to my directions from sundry leading Gentlemen of Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut, I took the fortress of Ticonderoga, with about one hundred and thirty Green Mountain Boys. Colonel [James] Easton with about forty-seven valiant soldiers, distinguished themselves in the action. Colonel [...
Date: 11 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I make You a Present of a Major a Captain and Two Lieuts in the regular Establishment of George the Third I hope they may serve as ransoms for Some of our Friends at Boston and particularly for Capt [John] Brown of Rhodiseland a Party of men under the Command of Capt [Samuel] Herick has Took Possession Scanesborough Imprisoned Major [Philip] Sceene and Seized a Schooner of his, I Expect in Ten...
Date: 12 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Lakes George and Champlain, with the fortresses, artillery, &c., particularly the armed sloop of George the Third, with all water carriages of these Lakes, are now in possession of the Colonies. I expect the English Merchants, as well as all virtuous disposed gentlemen, will be in the interest of the Colonies. The advanced guard of the Army is now at...
Date: 18 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
An Abstract of the minutes of Council from the Continental Congress, signed Pr Mr Charles Thomson Secretary has just come to hand and tho' it approves of the taking the Fortresses on Lake Champlain and the Artillery &c. I am nevertheless much surprised that your Honours should recommend it to us to remove the Artillery to the South End of Lake George and there to make a stand, the Consequence...
Date: 29 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I am informed by Colonel [James] Easton that you are well satisfied with the economy and enterprising spirit of a number of the Sons of Liberty, who, animated with the glorious example of the brave action at Concord, were inspired to make those acquisitions to the United Colonies of which your Honours have received intelligence, viz: the sovereignty of Lake Champlain, and the fortresses thereon,...
Date: 9 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Colonel Ethan Allen; Major Samuel Elmore, of the Connecticut Farms; Colonel James Easton, of Pittsfield; Captain Seth Warner; Captain Hezekiah Balding, Captain Ebenezer Marvin, Captain Remember Baker, Captain George White; Captain James Noble, commandant at this place; Captain Amos Chapple; Captain Wait Hopkins; Captain Joseph McCracken; Captain John Grand; Captain Barnabus Barnum; Captain James...
Date: 10 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The third day of May we cast anchor in the harbor of Cape Fear, in North Carolina, as did sir Peter Parker's ship, of fifty 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...
Date: 20 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I now found myself under a worse capt than [Thomas] Symonds; for Montague2 was loaded with prejudices against every body, and every thing that was not stamped with royalty; and, being by nature underwitted, his wrath was heavier than the others, or at least his mind was in no instance liable to be diverted by good sense, humor or bravery, of which Symonds was by turns susceptible. A...
Date: 22 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I sent letter after letter to captain Montagu [James Montagu], who still had the care of us, and also to his lieutenant, whose name I cannot call to mind, but could obtain no answer, much less a redress of grievances; and to add to the calamity, near 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...
Date: 15 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In a few days after this, the prisoners were ordered 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 capt...
Date: 30 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Excellent Sir, I am now in the Parish of St Tuors four Leagues from Sorel to the South, have 250 Canadians under Arms. As I march they gather fast. These are the Object of taking the Vessels in Sorel, and Genl Carleton. These objects I pass by to assist the Army beseiging St Johns. If the Place be taken the Country is ours. If we miscarry in this, all other acthievements will profit but little. I...
Date: 20 September 1775
Volume: Volume 2
On the morning of the 24th day of September, I set out with my guard of about eighty men, from Longueil, to go to La Prairie; from whence I determined to go to Genl. Montgomery's camp; but had not advanced two miles before I met with Major [John] Brown, who has 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...
Date: 23 September 1775
Volume: Volume 2
My whole party, at this time, consisted of about one hundred and ten men, near eighty of whom were Canadians. We were the most of the night crossing the river, as we had so few canoes that they had to pass and re-pass three times, to carry my party across. Soon after day-break, I set a guard between me and the town with special orders to let no person whatever pass or re-pass them, and another...
Date: 24 September 1775
Volume: Volume 2
I was afterwards sent 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, I bid him farewell with regret; but my good fortune still continued. ー The name of the captain of the vessel I was put...
Date: 11 November 1775
Volume: Volume 2
The prisoners were... ordered on board of the Solebay frigate, Capt. [Thomas] Symonds, the eighth day of January, 1776, when our hand irons were taken off. This remove was in consequence, as I have been since informed, of a writ of habeas corpus, which had been procured by some gentlemen in England, in order to obtain me my liberty.
When we were first brought on board Capt. Symonds ordered all...
Date: 31 January 1776
Volume: Volume 3