Thrilling adventures and daring deeds of Lieut. Benjamin Everest and others. Favorite poems, spirited and inspiring for the home and fireside

Preface

Whenever a new publication is presented to the public, it is very common for the author to make some excuses by the way of introduction; and when a new author issues a book, the general inquiry is. Who is this author and where does he hail from? Such information may be found on page 200 —

There were brave and noble men in the early history of this the-American Republic, whose THRILLING ADVENTURES will be cherished by the true and the fearless, and their history will pass down from one generation to another.

The DARING DEEDS of Lieut. BENJAMIN EVEREST-and others, as related in this little book, are not fictitious or imaginary, but authentic, and took place when America had need of the bravest and ablest men and women on earth in order to secure their liberty and maintain their independence.

True honor, and wisdom, have maintained this REPUBLic-until she can now, and hereafter be properly called-THE star of the world.

THEILLma ADVENTUEES AND

DARING DEEDS.

Lieutenant Benjamin Everest and his brother Joseph were born in Salisbury Conn. , and moved with their father Benjamin to Addison Vt., in 1768. Three years before this their brother Zadock, who was born in Shay brook Conn., moved to Addison; became one of the first settlers, and was the first appointed court judge in Addison County . His dwelling was made for a time the court-house and jail.

His Brother Benjamin was well known, and noted when a young man for his power and activity in all athletic exercises.

There was not one in all the settlement that

could RUN, JUMP, OR WRESTLE WITH HIM.

With a heart that never knew the sensation of fear, and a frame capable of enduring any hardship he was by nature well fitted to take part in those early and troublesome times.

In August 1Y73 when Allen, Warner and

Baker came up to help the settlers drive off Col. Eeid and his Yorkers from their position at Vergennes, Everest with his brother Zadock and other neighbors joined them .

After having torn down the mills, burned the dwellings, and destroyd the settlement, being all ready to return, Allen made such an impression on Benjamin, their spirits were so much in unison, that he wished to go with Allen as more trouble with the Yorkers was expected .

Allen was glad of his service and soon gave him a sergeants warrant in hand. From that time until the opening of the Revolution, Everest was with Allen more or less .

On receipt of intelligence of the battle of Lexington, Everest immediately reported to CoL Allen's headquarters, where he received a Lieutenant's commission, which was afterwards confirmed.

He was very active and useful in procuring men and information, and in many ways aided in the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and was with Allen when he demanded the surrender of the fort ( ticonderoga ) in the name of the ''great jehovah and continental

CONGRESS."

After Allen was taken prisoner at Montreal

Everest and his company were incorporated into Col. Seth Warner's regiment and was with Warner at the battle of Hubberton, and with his company as rangers held the British in check by making a dash here and there, in and out of the woods, facilitating and covering the retreat of Warner who had decided it was best to fall back to a better position.

Everest at this time received the thanks of Warner for the bravery there displayed by himself and men.

Everest commanded the fort at Eutland during the summer of 1TY8. Major Careton having come down the lake in the fall of that year with his fleet, undertook extensive repairs in and -around the old fort at Crown Point, concerning which the American officers desired some certain information. Everest was asked to go.

He was willing and was called one of the best, as he was acquainted with the locality, having lived for a number of years in that section of the country. Doffing his uniform, he soon procured a Tory dress (gray), and boldly entered the garrison and offered his services as a workman. He was set to tend masons. At this work he made himself very acceptable by his promptness and cheerfulness.

After a few days he had acquired about all the information that was desired, and was planning to give up his position and return to the American army when, as ill fortune would have it, a man by the name of Benedict who was an early settler in Addison, but who espoused the British cause; came into the fort for some purpose, and there saw Everest and knew him; but Everest did not see Benedict.

Benedict at once informed the officer who was then in command at the old fort that one of his workmen was a spy, and that he was an officer from the American army, and before Everest was aware that he was in anyway suspected, a sergeant and a file of soldiers, who were on duty that day, came to him and informed him that the commanding officer desired to see him at his office. Everest at once believed that something of an unusual nature was to be made known to him.

He readily obeyed the summons and accompanied the soldiers to the commander's office.

Soon after entering the office Everest was asked, -^ 'Have you been in any way connected with the American army? Everest did not know at first what sort of a reply to make, but as soon as he could collect his thoughts he said^

'^What do you take me to be? I'm a laboring man sir, and came here to obtain work."

^'But, said the officer in charge, ^'I have some valuable information relative to your work prior to entering this place. Mr. Benedict with whom I presume you are somewhat acquainted, will be a witness against you. I therefore shall hold you-as prisoner of war, and your trial will take place sometime in the near future."

He was then ordered to be put in prison, where he was confined nine days.

Meanwhile Major Carleton of the British army had collected thirty-nine prisoners of war, and a number of them were neighbors and acquaintances of Everest; and all this was accomplished through information furnished by the old tory Benedict. The British officers held a counsel in regard to Everest and decided to take him to Montreal, and there try him as a spy.

Soon after this he was ordered to be put in irons and taken on board one of the vessels that was about ready to set-sail.

On board this vessel was his younger brother Joseph, Kellogg, and Spaulding, who were also held as prisoners.

It was now a little past the middle of November, a severe storm from the north-east came o%

^ THEILLING ADVENTURES

with the wind blowing furiously. The vessel ivas ordered to sail down to Ticonderoga, and there take on more freight before proceeding to Canada. While at this place the wind shifted to the north-west, and the storm increased.

The prisoners were kept on the quarter deck so called, with nothing to cover them but a leaky old canvas. Everest would often ask the officer in charge to take off his irons, and give them the prisoners, something better for a shelter, to protect them from the storm. His reply

was, ^'GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU REBELS." After

some time however, Everest prevailed . The irons were taken off and a better canvas was put up, which made it somewhat more confortable.

Everest and the prisoners, then had a good opportunity to consult with one another in regard to making their escape that night as they understood the boat was to set sail for Canada in the morning. Everest suggested that sometime in the night, they swim to the shore or bridge but there was a sentinel to contend with, and how to overcome this difficulty was the great question. It was proposed to buy a bottle of rum, and then treat the sentinel until he became of no account, and by so doing they would have no further difficulty, as they could easily swim to

AND DAKING DEEDS. T

the bridge that crossed the lake.

It was not long after their plans were made before Everest had an opportunity to visit with one of the sailors, who said there was plenty of old rum to be had, and furthermore he said he would purchase a bottle for him if he could furnish the money to pay for it.

Everest gave him some money, and the sailor went for the article. On his return just as he stepped on the deck the captain met him and said, ''What have you got there?" ''Nothing sir," was the sailors reply. Again the captain said, in a gruff voice, *'what have you got THERE?" The sailor then drew from under his coat a bottle of rum, and stepping forward handed it to the captain, who while looking it over^ drew the cork and after snuffing it, he took a look at the sailor which was far from anything of a pleasant manner, at the same time saying, "You don't want anything of the kind," and stepping to the side of the boat he emptied the bottle of rum in the lake, and threw in the bottle also, saying, "I'll take of you."

Soon after this the captain went away, and it was supposed he had gone to forbid the sale of liquor to his men.

But this did not however, frighten the sailor in the least, for in a very short time he came to Everest and said, '^To the devil with him, "meaning the captain, ^^I will try and procure another bottle if you can furnish the money to pay for it, and the captain will not have the honor to examine it, I can assure you*"

Everest gave him some more money and soon he went away saying, ' 'If I am questioned as to what became of the first bottle, I shall say it dropped 'from my hand on the deck of the boat and went all to smash. Meanwhile in the absence of the sailor the captain came on deck and after looking around and making a few rough remarks, he retired for the night.

It was not long after this, when the sailor came back — smiling, and quickly approaching Everest he said in a very low tone of voice, ''I have been successful, here is a quart bottle full of old rum, I was quite sure I would be able to purchase another bottle." Everest and the prisoners were more than pleased. Soon the cork was pulled and they all had a drink. After this the sailor retired for the night.

Everest and his comrade prisoners again very quietly talked over the project which was uppermost on their minds in regard to the plan of escape.

It was then about midnight and the storm nearly over and all was quiet on the boat, the officers and crew having retired for the night leaving one man to guard the prisoners.

Everest went out near the guard and talked with him-invited him to take a drink and to stand under the canvas where it was more comfortable, which invitation was accepted.

After a little while they had another drink from the bottle, and soon the guard appeared extra friendly, and he would drink as often as it was offered to him. About that time they all became somewhat cheerful.

After moving some boxes to make the place more convenient, the rum was passed around again;at this time the guard drank quite freely, and was pretty mellow.

Everest was somewhat bold and ventured to take the guards sword and examine it, and on returning it he said, ''He wished he could have the honor to carry such a one." Then it was proposed to finish up the bottle of rum and go to sleep, which was agreed to.

The prisoners had now accomplished their purpose, the guard soon leaned over and was sound asleep and the time now came for the escape.

The prisoners quickly took off their clothes and tied them in bundles and fastened them upon their heads. Everest was to lead off and the rest to follow. The boat was heavily loaded, therefore the distance from the deck down to the water was not far.

Everest said to his friends, ^'Come on, "-and soon lowered himself into the water, and then for the bridge he went a swimming which was forty rods away. It made him almost cry out aloud when he first entered the water, it was so piercing cold. Spaulding was the next to follow but the water was so cold he crawled back on the boat. This so frightened the others they would not make the attempt.

Everest however was successful in reaching the bridge on which he crept to a small pile of boards that protected him somewhat from the wind, but before he could dress he came near perishing, it was so much colder out of the water than in. It did not take him long to dress for he had managed to keep his clothing dry.

There was a party of British on the east side of the lake and Indians on the west side.

After warming up somewhat and looking over the situation, he concluded to pass through the Indian encampment, for his dress was gray the Tory uniform.

He believed that if seen by any of them, they would think he was from the British encampment on the opposite shore of the lake, and that he was out with special orders.

Just before reaching the shore he discovered a large quantity of goods piled up under a shedlike building; this he believed was the general freight house it covered nearlv the whole bridge. There was a narrow passage-way and in this there stood (or rather leaned) a sentinel.

In this dismal place there was a small lantern which furnished a little light. Everest looked about him for a stick or a weapon of some kind but could find nothing.

How to pass this sentinel was more than a question. He then concluded to go back and pass out at the east end of the bridge ; but on arriving there, he found it was closed and in such a manner as to make it very difficult to climb over without making considerable noise.

He therefore concluded to go back and examine the west end once more.

He recollected he had a razor in his pocket, and with this article of defence approached very cautiously. He then discovered the sentinel had not moved out from his former position.

This circumstance led Everest to think he was asleep. With his razor in hand, and his face toward the sentinel, he passed within six inches of him, ready to cut his throat, if necessary, in order to make his escape.

Having reached the shore, he then folded his arms like it was the custom with the British Lords, and walked slowly through the Indian encampment. Only a few Indians were up and they were sitting on a log near an old fire and did not appear to notice him.

Everest then went in a north-westerly direction with a quick step for he was cold and had a strong desire to get out of that section as soon as possible for he was in the enemy's country.

He had not gone far before he came into a field the French had cleared some years before, and through it there was a deep ditch dug that he knew nothing of previous to this time.

It formed on one side a steep — embankment with pointed stakes firmly embedded.

It being dark, and Everest in somewhat of a hurry, he tumbled into the ditch, which was full of water. It was then a struggle for life, or a life-struggle to get out. Finally he succeeded in climbing the embankment after breaking off a number of stakes . Then dripping wet he hastened on to keep warm.

He then went in a south-westerly direction about one mile, and came to where there had been a big fire . After satisfying himself that no one was near to the place, he rebuilt the fire which gave him a good opportunity to dry his clothes. This fire was probably built by some Indian hunter the day before.

He there lingered by the fire until about daybreak, and then he secreted himself in a thick piece of woods and-amongst some large trees that had fallen down in a cluster; This he said was a good hiding place although it could not be called very pleasant.

In that lonely condition, with no company but that of brush and logs, he managed to be contented through the day, at night he went up on the hill south-west from BuUwaggy bay.

From that place he had a most excellent view of the surrounding country.

Knowing the British were most everywhere along the line of the lake he kept well back considering this to be in his favor.

Early the next morning he concluded to venture down and call on Mr. Webster, an old acquaintance of his who lived near the lake about one mile south of Port Henry.

Webster was out chopping wood when Everest

14 THEILLING ADVENTUEES

met him. It did not take him long to relate the trouble and condition he was in; they started to go in the house, but on looking up the lake they saw a number of British vessels coming down the lake in a good breeze, under full sail.

Everest immediately, by advice of Webster, went into the woods near by. Webster then carried to him some food which he desired very much, having been without food for nearly three days. Webster agreed to keep on the lookout until after dark; and when the coast was clear to go out to the woodpile and chop some wood and whistle a tune agreed upon.

The fleet soon after this come to anchor right in front of Webster's old house. When all was favorable the signal was given for Everest to return to the woodpile.

That night Mr. Webster with his canoe carried Everest across the lake to the Vermont shore very near his old home in Addison.

After visiting a short time with many of his acquaintances he then returned to his station at Eutland, where he made a full report relative to the condition of things at Crown Point, how he was arrested, and how he made his escape.

While at Eutland he received orders to enlist as many men as possible, and no time was lost,

AND DAEINO DEEDS. 15

for in less than two months he had enrolled two hundred as brave and able bodied men, he said, "^As ever wore shoe-leather."

They were early settlers, mostly from Mass., Rhode Island, and Conn. Everest would often 8 ;vy, "They were men of the right stamp, "they would not bend or bow the knee to any foreign power. They hated oppression of every kind, and abhored slavery, both of body and mind, and regarded all bondage a great hindrance to that onward progress which alone can elevate mankind to the true standard of liberty, which is marked out by the finger of Grod.

And so long as memory shall cluster in the chamber of wisdom, the war of the Revolution, and its heroes will not be forgotten.

A PICTURE NOT FORGOTTEN

Oh, never may be mine the heart that feels No thrill of joy at memory's fond appeals! While many a weary pathway we may tread, And thick inwoven boughs wave on o'er head; These scenes the mind's historic leaves unroll, Will wake the finer chords that thrill the soul.

16 MEMORY ABIDING.

There are memories that linger forever,

And yearnings deep hid in the breast; There are feelings unspoken, that never

Shall change till the heart is at rest. There are hours when the soul is all sadness,

And darkness sits down like a pall, Pierced by no ray of sunshine or gladness.

And life seems a weariness all.

There are friends whose sympathies cluster,

The loving, the true and the kind Oh, would that they might ever be near us

To change the sad gloom from the mind. There's a pathway our feet may leave never,

Marked out for the glory of Grod, Where stern Duty is beckoning us ever

Where the footsteps of saints have trod.

There are hopes that will cheer us in sorrow,

Thus faith sheds her heavenly light. While time points to a fairer to-morrow,

A day not succeeded by night; Where the faithful ones, wayward and weary,

Are gathered to mansions of rest. There exchanging the earth-scenes so dreary.

For joy in the home of the blest.

Chapter Two

In the spring a council was held for the purpose of considering plans for taking Ticonderoga, and thus secure the military stores at that place, and convey them to Bennington.

Accordingly Col. Allen was chosen to carrey out the plan, and take with him all the force he required. Everest was sent with a body of men numbering sixty to Whitehall, to reconnoitre and find out the position of the enemy if there were any at that place, and then to join with Allen at West Haven.

Everest with his 60 men arrived at Whitehall late in the afternoon, and encamped that night at a place called "Fiddler's-elbow." In the morning early, Everest told his men that he would take a walk around the point and up the lake a short distance, to see how things looked in that direction, saying as he left, '^I will not be gone long; stay here until I come back."

After Everest left the camp and passed around the point a short distance, he was surprised and taken prisoner by a party of twelve Indians, who were secreted in a little clump of bushes that grew in a ravine near the bank of the lake.

The Indians no doubt discovered him walking along the bank and had made their plans to capture him as soon as he came near, for they were all prepared to spring upon him.

Everest knew it would be an act of folly to attempt to break away from them, therefore he submitted to their orders. They soon took from him his knee-buckles and razor, then they bound him according to the Indian custom with rawhide, and led him up the lake a short distance to where they had several canoes.

They wasted no time in conveying their prisoner to Crown Point, for they acted as though they had something valuable for the British.

At Crown Point they delivered him up to the British officers and soldiers there in camp.

Soon after he was received, a prison pen was built, which consisted of four poles about ten foot long, each end resting on crotched stakes drived in the ground.

In this enclosure Everest was told to be contented "and stay, "while a guard was put over him. Shortly after this, Everest asked the Indians who captured him if they would before going away, give him back his knee-buckles and razor, which they did. It was not long after this when a small boat left the shore with one officer on board. Everest overheard some one say, ^ 'They have gone, "meaning the officer had gone after some irons to put on him which they said were kept on board one of the large vessels that was at anchor nearly two miles up the lake, and near the old fort where he had been once arrested and put in prison.

Meanwhile a great crowd had collected to see

who the prisoner was, and among a number that

Everest knew was Bennagor Benedict, who had

previously given information which caused his

arrest while at work in the old fort.

This Benedict was a genuine old Tory, a man vrho could make a great noise about nothing.

At this time he was loaded with words of thunder, because they did not tie him.

He swore that Everest would get away from them, for said he, ''I know him, he made his escape once and he will again before the irons can be put on him."

During this time Everest put on his knee-buckles, and kept walking about the inclosure thinking over what Benedict had said, and was saying; and he knew if the irons were put on him he would be taken to Montreal.

Everest realized what had already taken place and felt somewhat excited, but did not manifest

20 THKILLINa ADVENTUEES

it in any manner, while Benedict kept up a war of words to create excitement.

Meanwhile a number of young men and soldiers that were off duty, commenced playing and fooling around with each other, by pulling and hauling, and grabbing off their caps and throwing them up in the air, and from one to the other-saying in a musical tone-and from many voices, * 'Ketch him! ketch him!!"

One of the caps was thrown into the prisonpen, Everest quickly picked it up and placed it on his own head finding it a good fit he wore it, (the cap belonged to a British soldier.)

Everest then threw his own into the crowd, and feeling the need of a little exersise he jumped out of the enclosure or prison pen, and joined in the concert that was then going on, shouting, **Ketch him! ketch him!! ketch him!!!"

Everest did not know what this would lead to, but he saw there would be soon an opening to try his foot power for liberty while in this state of confusion. Soon there was an opening, and Everest entered in with all the foot power he had. He ran up the road some forty rods and then entered the woods in better time than he had ever made before.

Only a few pursued him, one by one they

AND BAKING DEEDS. 21

gave up the chase and went back . One big fellow followed him for sometime and quite near,, not more than ten rods away.

Everest had become somewhat angry by this time, and concluded to halt, and let the big fellow come up to him for an introduction if he desired one. Everest stopped running suddenly, and threw off his coat quickly, then faced about^ and was ready to meet him.

The big fellow also stopped, and looking back found himself all alone, he then turned and ran nearly as fast back toward the camp. Everest, then began to think about a place to hide, for he believed the enemy would resort to all possible means to capture him, and that a line would be formed from the lake to Bull-waggy-bay before he could get through that place.

His first plan was to find a hollow log or a thicket of under-brush to conceal himseK in, but he soon thought this would be unwise, for the Indians would be employed to capture him, and he knew their method of hunting.

He therefore concluded to hasten on as fast as possible, and take the chances on getting out before they could surround him.

Everest, realized he was in a difficult position for soon he came to an open field, here he rested for a time watching in every direction . It was not long before he discovered the enemy in the woods nearly opposite, having got their line established. Near to where he was standing beside an old stump of a tree, was a ditch used to drain this swanp land and over this ditch there was part of a bridge made of poles and brush.

Here the wildgrass grew thick and rank. Everest dropped down and crawled under the old bridge; he then pulled some grass and sticks around him leaving a place open where he could look out. This proved to be a most excellent hiding place and no doubt saved his life.

Shortly after Everest hid some of the British scouts came marching in haste through the field about four rods apart, and one came within ten feet to where Everest was lying.

They were looking too high to find him. After they had all passed by and had time enough to have gone out of sight, Everest raised his head and saw one of their company looking back; but soon they were out of sight.

Then he turned his head in another direction and saw a man about fifteen rods off coming across the field. He came within a short distance and for some time he thought this man would surely discover him.

Everest meanwhile had made up his mind, if discovered, to give himself up, and at an opportune moment disable his captor. This officer expected to find him up a tree from the way he looked for him. It was not long after this when he discovered some Indians out near the woods, soon they came near the middle of the field and sat down in a line back to back, until sundown, and when the evening gun was fired they got up and started for the fort . There was a foot-path through this field which they had made.

From time to time, other squads of Indians were seen by Everest passing through this field until after 10 o'clock that night.

Everest believed there were more than two hundred in all who passed over this clearing while he was there. At about 11 o, clock, he left his hiding place and and crept through the wild grass to the woods on the opposite side

Then he took a south-westerly course intending to reach Lake George. His courage was then good, but soon he came to another clearing on the opposite side, and in the direction he was going he discovered a dim light at the edge of the v/oods. This brought on a change of feeling, fearing it to be an Indian camp.