Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
When first ordered to enter into their filthy apartment, Allen refused,
and endeavored to argue their brutal keeper out of his inhuman purpose,
but all in vain. The reply to his appeal was insults of the grossest
kind, and an officer of the vessel insulting him by spitting in his
face. Handcuffed as he was, the intrepid American sprung upon the
dastard, and knocked him at length upon the floor. The fellow hastily
scrambled out of the reach of Allen, and placed himself under the
protection of the guard. Allen challenged him to fight, offering to meet
him even with irons upon his wrists, but the Briton, trembling with
fear, contented himself with the protection afforded him by British
bayonets, and did not venture to oppose the intrepid American. The
prisoners were now forced into their den at the point of the bayonet.
The sufferings of the captives during the voyage were intense. Their
privations soon brought on diarrhœa and fevers. But, notwithstanding
their sickness, they received no attention from their jailers, and even
those who were crazed with raging thirst, were denied the simple boon of
fresh water.
On arriving at Falmouth, the prisoners were all marched through the
town, to Pendennis Castle, about a mile distant. The fame of Allen had
preceded him, and multitudes of people were gathered along the route to
gaze upon him, and the other prisoners. The throng was so great, that
the guard were compelled to force a passage through the crowd. Allen
appeared conspicuous among his fellow prisoners, by his eccentric dress.
When captured, he was taken in a Canadian dress, consisting of a red
shirt, a red worsted cap, a short fawn-skin jacket, and breeches of
sagathy; and in this dress he was escorted through the wondering crowd
at Falmouth. Ticonderoga was a place of notoriety, in England, and the
hero who had so signally conquered it was an object of interest and
wonder to the people.
Allen was now visited by a great number of people, some of whom were
attracted from great distances, in order to see and converse with the
American celebrity. Discussion ran high as to his eventual disposal.
Some declared that he would be hung, and argued the justice of the act.
But others defended and supported the Americans. Even in parliament the
merits of the question were discussed.
From their prison in Pendennis Castle they were removed to the Solebay
Frigate, to be conveyed to America, stopping at Cork for provisions and
water. The commanding officer was harsh and cruel, and, on the first
day, ordered the prisoners from the deck, declaring that it was a place
for gentlemen only to walk. A few days after, Allen shaved and dressed,
and proceeded to the deck. The Captain addressed him in great rage, and
said:
"Did I not order you not to come on deck?"
Allen replied that he had said that it was a place for gentlemen to
walk, and that he was Colonel Allen, a gentleman and soldier, who had
been properly introduced to him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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