University of Vermont - Ariel Yearbook (Burlington, VT)

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THE ARIEL, 1907 19 Che flbaster of the flbist It 'Gale of jfort 'Giconberoga By JAMES BUCKI-IAM N ALL that I have read of American colonial history and tradition I can recall but one reference, and that an obscure one, to the strange Hermit of Mount Defiance. And yet in some respects no more patriotic figure adorns the annals of our great VVar for Independence. A weird, thoroughly romantic figure, certainly, is that of the I-Iermit, yet heroic in its large outlines, in its devotion and its sublime faith in the cause of American freedom. XV hat I have to tell about this romantic character is the story of my grandfather's grandfather, that came to me by word of mouth in my boy- hood, and has never yet appeared in any Written or printed document. I repeat it as my grandfather repeated it to meg he having received it from his grandfather one winter night as they sat in the glow of the great kitchen fireplace, with the northwest wind shrieking over the chimney of the Vermont farmhouse. ' My grandfather's grandfather was one of Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys, and lived next-door neighbor to that inflexible patriot in the then New I-Iampshire Grants, whither both had removed from Connecticut. On the day when the news of the Battle of Lexington reached the Grants, Allen, on a foaming horse, drew rein at my ancestor's door, and exclaimed: By the God of heaven, Lewis, the British have fired on our patriots and the war has begun! I-Ienceforth every American heart is red with that martyr' blood, and by great Jehovah! we will wash out the stain in the blood of the slayer! I Then the fiery patriot instructed his subordinate to carry word to the Green Mountain Boys, as far to the southwest as Skeensboro, that

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l 18 THE,ARIEL, 1907 'f Horrors in Architecture and so-called XIVOFBS of Art in Bronze in the City of New York, 1886. W'hy Burnside did not Renew the Attack at Fredericksburg, 1892. Early Coast Operations in North Carolina, 1893. . Better than Men. QReviewed in U. V. M. Cyriic, June 6, 18Q8D. Assassination of Loyal North Carolinians for having servedin the Union army, 1897. Our Political Degradationf, 1904. Corlears Hook. The VVagnerian Cult. Our Manners, Cone volumej , 1904. f The six papers following appeared in the North American Review: Destruction of- Art in America, Brutality and Avarice Triumphant. The American Hotel of Todayf, The late President Carnotf' Russia's Attitude during the Civil War. The Why of Rural Free Deliveryf' The Bibhfographer and The Library Collector also show contributions from his pen on Early Printing, The Daye Press U Cnow at the Vermont State Housej, etc. His articles in the periodical press discuss a great variety of topics :- art, archmology, early printing, early Wood engraving, the Roman Catholic church, politics, political reform, the rebellion, etc., etc. -V In 1874 he received from Brown University the honorary degree of Master of Artsg in 1889 he was made an officer of the Legion of Honor of France, and in IQOO the University of Vermont recognized his eminent ability and numerous public services by conferring the degree of Doctor of Laws. G, N w 1,1335 QW gfjgiy Qf gf' 3 'ef

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4 20 TI-IE ARIEL, 1907 they should assemble at Chimney Point, on Lake Champlain, one week from that day, to form themselves into a company, ready to march to the Nation's defence. Ethan Allen's no less eager and burning lieutenant was off upon his mission ere the sun of that day had reached the zenith. He went on foot and alone, traversing the almost pathless woods along Otter Creek and Little Otter, crossing both streams in the clumsy dug-outs of settlers and bearing gradually southwestward till he came out upon the shore of Lake Champlain and saw its beautiful mountain-bordered waters sparkling in the sun. Thence he followed the shore till he came opposite frowning Fort Ticonderoga, where a British garrison under Laplace lay in careless, insolent security. The Green Mountain Boy watched the fort intently for a time, hoping to gather some report of the garrison there to bear to his commander, but not a human being stirred outside the gloomy walls, the fort lay as grim and silent as if deserted. Suddenly, however, the young patriot started. A voice rang out over the forest-mantled wilderness,-a voice faint and far away, yet clear and resonant as some chapel bell. It was evening, and mists were gathering on the lake and floating over its surface like wandering spirits. At first, the young man thought the voice might come from some 'voyagemds canoe, hidden in the drifting fog, but presently he perceived that it came from above rather than below, from behind and not in front. He bent his head like a listening hound. The voice seemed ringing out in sharp, clear, distinct commands, like military orders. More than once the Green Mountain Boy was sure he heard the command March! and his eyes involuntarily sought the gray fort, scarce half a mile away across the narrowing channel of the lake. But there all was as still and motionless as if the whole garrison lay wrapped in sleep. At length the' listener became convinced that the voice proceeded from the rugged, precipitous side of Mount Defiance, towering behind him on the Vermont side of the lake, and he determined, while yet the light lingered, to investigate. Perhaps reinforcements for the British were coming over the mountain. Here would indeed be important, though unwelcome news for Ethan Allen. But better know the worst 1