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

“He says if we had any idea of our duties as soldiers we should be less ready to advise and more eager to obey.”

“There’s a good deal of sense in that,” the corporal said thoughtfully; “but at the same time I claim matters are in such shape that we’re justified in making the proposition. When a body of men have got a commander what won’t stand up for himself, it’s time the rank and file took the matter in hand.”

“Is that what you call good soldiering?” Nathan Beman asked shrilly, and Isaac clutched his new friend by the arm frantically for it alarmed him that any one should dare ask such a bold question of the corporal.

The old man turned around angrily; opened his mouth as if to speak, and then, repenting of his purpose, faced the on-coming officers once more, much as if to say that such a question from such a questioner was not worthy of regard.

The group of officers advanced until they were standing at equal distances from each of the three factions, and Colonel Allen said, speaking slowly and distinctly, looking at the forces from Stockbridge and Pittsfield:

“It is no secret that you men are disgruntled because I have been chosen commander of the expedition. You are enlisted as militia from the province of Massachusetts and as enroled men have no voice in choosing a commander. Therefore I propose to make no explanation of the matter; but have taken this opportunity to address you in order to say that, by the advice and with the consent of the others in command, those of you who cannot obey such orders as may be given regardless of who is the leader, had best return home from this point. It shall not be counted against you as deserters, for the names of those who are unwilling to serve cheerfully will be stricken quietly from the rolls, without any mention whatever, dishonorable or otherwise. Colonel Arnold presents himself with due authority from the province of Massachusetts to take command of any troops not exceeding four hundred which may be raised for the purpose of attacking Fort Ticonderoga. Under all the circumstances he has decided to wave his claim of rank and act as volunteer until the purpose for which we have advanced be accomplished. Now, then, those of you who cannot obey my orders, step to the right.”

The Green-Mountain Boys began to raise shouts of approval, but their colonel checked them by saying sternly:

“Silence in the ranks! Let no man dare give voice to his approval or disapproval of what may occur in this encampment!”

It was as if Colonel Easton believed some of his men might take advantage of the opportunity, and stepping quickly to the side of Allen, he said:

“Lads, when the question came up last night as to who should lead this expedition, I cast the first vote for Colonel Allen. He is a soldier of much experience and great ability. It is my earnest desire that he take upon himself the responsibility of directing our movements, and whatsoever he orders shall be performed by me faithfully and promptly.”

Colonel Arnold made no attempt to address his men, and the three officers stood in silence several moments, after which Allen said:

“Because none of you have signified your desire to be relieved from the enlistment, we will suppose all are willing to go forward, and from now out there can be no excuse for insubordination or hesitation.”

This said, the officers withdrew once more, and now that their colonel was no longer there to check them the Green Mountain Boys set up a shout of triumph, which was answered by derisive yells from Corporal ’Lige’s troop, and apparent indifference by the men from Stockbridge.

“I reckon I may as well go home now,” Nathan said in a low tone to Isaac. “There don’t seem to be any chance of a row because the men are going to give in easy enough; but I’d like to see ’em find their way into the fort. It ain’t so easy as they’re countin’ on.”

“Who is this boy, Isaac?” Corporal ’Lige asked as he stepped toward the lads, apparently glad of an opportunity to disengage himself from those who had shown they were ready to obey his commands.

Isaac gave such explanation as was within his power, and the old man asked, addressing Nathan:

“What do you know about Fort Ticonderoga?”

The boy made reply much as he had to Isaac, and the corporal questioned him sharply:

“Have you been allowed to roam over the fortification at will?”

“There was no reason why I shouldn’t. I know all the boys who live in the fort, an’ after I finished what I went for, who’d stop us from goin’ ’round?”

“How many soldiers are there in the place?”

“Somewhere about fifty, I should think.”

“Women and children?”

“Yes, ’most twice as many, I reckon, though I never counted ’em.”

“And you say you know all the ins and outs of the fort?”

“Look here, how many times do you want me to tell you? Of course I do; but what’s that got to do with you?”

Nathan spoke in such a disrespectful tone that Isaac literally trembled lest the corporal should fall upon him in his wrath.

“Wait you here till I come back, an’ see to it that you don’t move from this spot.”

The corporal gave this command in his sternest tones, and without waiting for a reply hastened off in the direction where the officers had disappeared, while Nathan stood looking at his new acquaintance in mingled surprise and bewilderment.

“Now, what does that old man mean when he tells me to wait here? What right’s he got to order me ’round?”

“Don’t get disgruntled,” Isaac said imploringly. “I tell you he’s a great soldier, and you’ll see that his order means something, ’cause the corporal don’t make foolish talk.”

“Then, what was it I heard when I come up here an’ he was tellin’ the men what to do, but backed down after findin’ they were ready to follow him?”

“That part of it was all right. The time hadn’t come for him to carry out his plans, and he explained it. Couldn’t you hear him?”

“I heard what he said; but that didn’t deceive me.”

Then Isaac explained with many a detail why the old man was the ablest soldier in the encampment, and while he was trying to convince the skeptical Nathan, Corporal ’Lige returned, looking very important and mysterious.

“You’re to come with me,” he said tapping Nathan on the shoulder.

“Where?” the boy asked sharply.

“I said you were to come with me.”

“Well, you may say it again before I go. I want to know what you’re thinkin’ of doin’. I ain’t one of these make-believe soldiers that can be ordered ’round by such as you.”

During an instant the corporal glowered at the boy as if of a mind to chastise him for his too familiar words, and then Isaac interposed to save his new-found friend from what he feared would be most severe punishment.

“He’ll go with you, Corporal ’Lige; don’t be angry with him. You see he’s a stranger here, an’ doesn’t understand what – ”

“I understand enough not to go till I know what he’s about,” Nathan cried angrily, wrenching himself free from Isaac’s detaining grasp and leaping back a few paces.

The corporal clapped his hand to his side as if to raise a sword, and then realizing that he had no such weapon, said in a remarkably conciliatory tone:

“I told Colonel Allen that you were well acquainted with the interior of the fort, and he would speak with you a few moments.”

“Well, if you’d said that in the first place I would have been willing; but when you jumped down on me as if I was one of these recruits, I wasn’t goin’ to stand it.”

“If you are willin’ to come, follow me.”

“Am I to go with you?” Isaac asked pleadingly, and the corporal hesitated an instant before replying:

“Yes, lad, I don’t reckon it’ll do any harm, and it may give you an insight into the way we manage military affairs.”

CHAPTER VI. A SQUAD OF FOUR

Isaac was in high glee at thus being permitted to visit headquarters, for even though he went there only by permission of Corporal ’Lige and not because his presence was desired, it seemed to him that it was in a certain degree a recognition of the possible fact that he was really a soldier.