The Green Mountain Boys

by Philip H. Smith

But the Green Mountain State was of different mettle. She had already declared herself free and independent; she had boldly assumed the powers of government, and had exercised those powers in every part of her territory. She was not willing to surrender her sovereignty at the behests of a Congress by which her rights were not respected, and in which she was not represented. She was ready, as she had ever been, to bear her share of the war with Great Britain, and her sturdy Green Mountain Boys had more than once proved their valor and patriotism on the bloody field; but she would not consent to resign her just rights to the arbitrament of any body of men under heaven.

In June, 1780, Congress declared “that the proceedings of the inhabitants on the New Hampshire Grants were highly unwarrantable, and subversive of the peace and welfare of the United States; and that they be strictly required to abstain in the future from all acts of authority, civil or military, over those inhabitants who profess allegiance to other States.”

Undaunted by this reprimand, Vermont responded, through her Governor and Council, that she considered the same subversive of her inalienable rights; that it was not in accord with the principal on which Congress grounded its own independence; and that it was contrary to the provision of the Federal Constitution forbidding Congress to meddle with the internal policy of unrepresented territory. Vermont farther intimated that if the present course was persisted in, she would have no motive to continue hostilities with Great Britain, and maintain an important frontier for a country that treated her people as slaves; but that it would remain for her to finally appeal to God and to an impartial world, to say who would be accountable for the awful consequences that must ensue.

And now having outlined thus much in advance by way of a better understanding of our subject, we will proceed to treat more in detail.

CHAPTER VII.
FALL OF TICONDEROGA.

On the night of the 17th of April, 1755, a lantern was hung out from an upper window of the North Church of Boston. Never did the beams of a tallow dip go forth on more momentous errand. As the feeble rays shot out into the night, few realized therein a symbol of the cause of Liberty that was so soon to be consecrated with patriot blood, and that was destined to create a refuge for the oppressed of every land. Hostile British troops were silently threading the dark marshes, and this was the signal to the minute men to prepare for their coming.

The British had placed guards on all the roads leading out of Boston to prevent all intelligence of the midnight sally from getting abroad; but the enemy had proceeded only a few miles when alarm guns, booming through the night air, and the clanging of village bells, showed that the news of their approach was traveling before them, and that the country was rising. An express was sent back to Boston for a reinforcement, and Major Pitcairn was detached to press forward with all speed.

About seventy of the yeomanry of the country had been drawn up in military array near the church on the village green at Lexington. Pitcairn halted his men within a short distance of the church, and ordered them to prime and load. They then advanced at double quick. The Major, riding forward, shouted, “Disperse, ye rebels! lay down your arms and disperse!” The patriots refused to obey; nor were they put to flight until eight of their little band were killed and ten wounded. The victors formed on the common, fired a volley, and gave three cheers for their inglorious triumph. Colonel Smith now arrived with the remainder of the force, and the march was resumed to the little village of Concord.

There the alarm had preceded them, arousing the inhabitants in the dead hour of night. The church bell called together the inhabitants. The minute men seized their arms and paraded near the church. Efforts were being made to conceal the military stores. A horseman brought word that the British troops had fired upon the people at Lexington, and were then advancing in victorious array upon Concord.

The excitement and indignation of the brave patriots were fully roused. Some of the militia marched down the road to meet the English force, and reported it to be three times their own. They now retired to an eminence about a mile from the centre of the town.