Corporal 'Lige's Recruit: A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga

“Yes, sir.”

“Then go and rouse the lad; if he refuses to come, say to the father that Colonel Allen requires the services of the boy, and if he answers not what we make as a request, I will send a detachment to enforce a demand.”

Isaac obeyed promptly, not finding it a simple matter to make his way across the field in the darkness; but finally succeeding after one or two tumbles, each of which left their marks in the shape of a scratch or contusion, and with the first knock at the door he heard Farmer Beman’s voice asking as to who was there.

“It is Isaac Rice, sir, and Colonel Easton has sent me to say that Colonel Allen desires the attendance of Nathan at once.”

“What does he want him for?” the shrill voice of Mrs. Beman cried, and Isaac replied truthfully that he did not know, since no explanation had been made him.

Then could be heard the farmer, his wife, and son in what was evidently an altercation, until no less than five minutes had passed, at the end of which time young Nathan appeared in the doorway fully clad, as he asked impatiently:

“How much are they willing to give me for coming out in the night like this?”

“I think it would be well if you depended upon their generosity, otherwise it is in Colonel Allen’s power to force you to do as he asks,” Isaac replied curtly, and from the inside Farmer Beman shouted:

“Get you gone, boy, and do their bidding. If I again hear you demanding money for such services, your jacket shall be tanned with the stoutest hickory switch I can get hereabouts.”

One would have said young Beman was the most abused lad in the province of New York, as he followed Isaac down to the shore, alternately bewailing his ill-fortune because he had not given Captain Delaplace information of the coming of such a body of men, trusting to that officer’s generosity for a greater sum of money than was given him by Colonel Allen, and vehemently protesting he would not stir one step from the encampment without being well paid for his services. Colonel Easton, overhearing this threat, stepped directly in front of the grumbling lad and called for Corporal ’Lige, much to the surprise of both the boys, saying when the old soldier arrived:

“Corporal, it is Colonel Allen’s wish that this lad remain near him after we have landed on the other side, to show the way into the fort. He is not disposed to do so willingly, it seems, and it shall be your duty to see that the order be obeyed. If he attempts to escape, shoot him down; but give him gentle treatment so long as he complies with your requests.”

“I’ll take care of him, sir, that you may depend on,” the corporal said grimly, and from that instant Nathan Beman remained silent regarding his desire to be paid for acting the part of guide.

Because of having received this order the corporal was forced to relinquish his position as commodore of the fleet, and thus it was that he and his pupil were among the few who entered Ticonderoga early that morning.

Within five minutes after Nathan had apparently been subdued, word was passed for as many of the Green Mountain Boys as could be conveyed in the boats to embark at once, and almost at the same moment Colonel Easton, turning to the old man, said:

“It is your duty, Corporal ’Lige, to take passage in the same craft that carries our leader, for the lad of whom you have charge must be kept where Colonel Allen can speak to him at an instant’s notice.”

Had the men been allowed to follow their inclinations, the frail boats which formed the fleet would have been swamped even before they pushed off from the shore, for every member of the troop was eager to be with the first division, and it was only after considerable difficulty in the way of restraining the men that the different craft were properly and safely loaded.

When the corporal and the lad who was thus virtually held prisoner entered the boat where was Colonel Allen, Isaac followed as if it was his right so to do.

He could not fancy any position of affairs where he would be debarred from remaining with the man who had taken him “under his wing,” and it so chanced that in the excitement of embarking he passed aboard unheeded by who might have checked him.

The darkness of night was just giving way to the gray light of dawn when the little fleet put off from the shore, and without being really aware he did so, Isaac counted the number of those who were thus afloat.

Beside the officers, there were eighty-three, including himself and Nathan, and it was no longer reasonable to expect that those who had been sent to Skenesborough and Panton would arrive in time to be of assistance.

“Will they try to take the fort with so few?” he asked in a whisper of Corporal ’Lige, and the latter added emphatically:

“If all that is told of Colonel Allen be true, he wouldn’t hesitate to make an attempt single-handed.”

“But surely we cannot hope to do much, for fifty men behind a fort should be a much larger force than ours.”

“Savin’ and exceptin’ these men be surprised, as our leader counts them in Fort Ticonderoga will be,” the corporal replied, and then placed his finger on his lips that the lad should cease talking, for the order had been passed from boat to boat just before the fleet left the shore that no conversation be indulged in.

Nathan, sulky because of having been put in charge of the man whom he disliked, gave no apparent attention to anything.

In almost perfect silence the journey by water was made, and brought to an end just as the day was breaking, when, in obedience to signals rather than words, the men disembarked and were formed in three ranks close to the water’s edge.

Then it was that Colonel Allen advanced to where the men might hear when he spoke in the tone of ordinary conversation, and said with a calmness which in itself was impressive:

“There are but few of us here to undertake the work which was cut out; but yet each of you should be a match for any two whom we may meet. Should we delay until all the force can be ferried across, there will be no longer opportunity to surprise the garrison; therefore we must act for our comrades as well as ourselves, remembering that should we falter we cast shame on them also. Now, lads, it is my purpose to march into the fort, and I only ask that you follow where I lead.”

The officers stepped forward quickly to make certain there should be no cheering, and wheeling about with true military precision Colonel Allen started forward, Colonel Arnold by his side, and Corporal ’Lige with Nathan and Isaac directly in the rear.

Behind them came eighty of the Green Mountain Boys.

There was no command given.

Each of the men copied the movements of the leader, and noiselessly but rapidly they made their way up the heights toward the sallyport, Isaac’s face paling as he went, for he believed of a surety now was come the time when he should hear the clash of arms and find himself in the midst of combatants, each striving to take the other’s life.

On passing an angle at the rear of the fortification the entrance of a trench or covert-way was come upon and here they surprised a sentinel half asleep, leaning against the earthwork.

Awakened thus suddenly, and seeing what he might naturally suppose to be the advance guard of a large force directly upon him, he took hasty aim at Colonel Allen and pulled the trigger.

Involuntarily Isaac closed his eyes, believing their leader must be killed at such short range, but the weapon hung fire and the sentinel took to his heels through this trench, the attacking party following at full speed.

The fugitive led the way to the parade-ground within the barracks, where was found another sentinel, and he made a thrust with his bayonet at Colonel Easton, who was side by side with the leaders; but had hardly raised his weapon before a blow from the flat of Colonel Allen’s sword sent him headlong to the ground.

At this the men, unable longer to control themselves, gave vent to a tremendous shout, and without orders separated into two divisions, each bent on gaining possession of the barrack ranges.

As bees swarm out of their hives, so did the startled redcoats rush from the buildings, and it seemed to Isaac as if instantly each man appeared he was disarmed by one of the Green Mountain Boys, who, as fast as he secured a captive, marched him to the center of the parade-ground in order that he might not block up the entrance of the barracks.

Now was come the moment when Nathan’s services were required.

It was no longer possible to keep silence, for the shouts of the men must have aroused every one within the inclosure, and turning quickly, Colonel Allen cried in a loud voice:

“Get you before me with that lad, corporal and let him lead the way to the commandant’s quarters.”

Nathan did not require urging.

He understood that this man had come with serious purpose, and knew full well it might be dangerous for him to hang back.

Darting ahead as swiftly as the corporal would allow, he conducted Colonel Allen to the door of Captain Delaplace’s dwelling, and the leader gave three resounding knocks with the hilt of his sword, as he shouted:

“Surrender this fort, commandant! Surrender at once in order to save the lives of your men!”

The door was quickly opened in response to this demand, and a half-clad man, over whose shoulder could be seen the frightened face of a woman, appeared in the doorway.

Before he could speak Colonel Allen cried:

“I order you instantly to surrender, sir!”

“By whose authority do you make such demand?” the captain cried with dignity.

“In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!”