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A NARRATIVE OF COL. ETHAN ALLEN'S OBSERVATIONS DURING HIS CAPTIVITY.
EVER since I arrived to a state o•• manhood, and acquainted myself with the general history of mank••••d. I have felt a sincere pas|sion fo•• liberty. The history of na|tions ••••med to perpetual slavery, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sequence of holding up to tyrant their natural-born liberties, I read with a sort of philosophical ho••••ey so that the first systematical and b••oody attempt at Lexington, to enslave America, thoroughly electrified my mind, and fully de|termined me to take part with my country: And while I was wishing for as opportunity to signalize my|self in its behalf, directions were privately sent to me from the then colony (now state) of Connecticut, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Green Mountain Boys; (and if possible) with them to sur|prize and take the fortress Ticon|deroga. This enterprize I chear|fully undertook; and, after first guarding all the several passes that led thither, to cut off all intelli|gence between the garrison and the country, made a forced march from Bennington, and arrived at the lake opposite to Ticonderoga, on the evening of the ninth day of May, 1775, with two hundred and thirty w••liant Green Mountain Boys; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was with the utmost difficul|ty that I procured boats to cross the lake: However, I landed eighty three men near the garrison, and ••••ent the boats back for the rear ••••uard commanded by col. Seth Warner; but the day began to dawn, and I found myself under a necessity to attack the fort, before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rear could cross the lake; and, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was viewed hazardous, I ha|••••gued the officers and soldiers in the manner following:
Friends and fellow-soldiers, you have, for a number of years past been a scourge and terror to arbitrary power. Your valour has been famed abroad, and acknowledg|ed, as appears by the advice and orders to me (from the Ge|neral Assembly of Connecticut) to surprize and take the garrison now before us. I now propose to advance before you, and in person conduct you through the wicket-gate; for we must this morning either quit our preten|sions to valour, or possess our|selves of this fortress in a few minutes; and, in as much as it is a desperate attempt, (which none but the bravest of men dare undertake) I do not urge it on any contrary to his will. You that will undertake volun|tarily, poise your firelocks.
The men being (at this time) drawn up in three ranks, each poised his firelock. I ordered them to face to the right; and, at the head of the center-file, marched them immediately to the wicket-gate aforesaid, where I found a centry posted, who instantly snap|ped his fusee at me: I run imme|diately toward him, and he re|treated through the covered way into the parade within the garri|son, gave a halloo, and ran under a bomb-proof. My party who fol|lowed me into the fort, I formed on the parade, in such manner as to face the two barracks which faced each other. The garrison being asleep, (except the centries) we gave three huzzas which great|ly surprized them. One of the