Narrative of Ethan Allen

by Ethan Allen

Book Overview

The spirit of Ethan Allen--leader of the Green Mountain boys--which fills the narrative, helped inject confidence that the Revolutionary War could be won.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557091277
• ISBN13: 9781557091277
• Release Date: December 1989
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Prisoner of War or Detained Combatant?

"The critic will be pleased to excuse any inaccuracies in the performance itself, as the author has unfortunately missed a liberal education." Thus ends the introduction, written in Bennington, VT, March 25, 1779. Colonel Allen's "Narrative" is a damning indictment of the British treatment of American prisoners captured during the Revolutionary War. Indeed, the bulk of the book describes what our own Constitution would prohibit as "cruel and unusual punishment." "Inhuman" captures the sense of Colonel Allen's outrage. In the modern day of gracious amity between these former pitched adversaries, it is difficult to imagine the cruelty Allen endured. There is one aspect of Allen's capture and captivity which bears particular attention. He was captured following a skirmish with the enemy, but out of uniform. "...I happened to be taken in Canadian dress, viz. a short fawn skin jacket, double-breasted, an under vest and breeches of sagathy, worsted stockings, a decent pair of shoes, two plain shirts, and a red worsted cap..." In the present era he would not have been eligible for "prisoner of war" status. He would more likely be considered an "enemy combatant." If his mission were considered to be spying (he was captured outside the US, near Montreal), he could have been shot. Of course it is futile to apply current mores to historic situations. And there is no justification for the inhumnaity with which he was treated. It is always refreshing to read the actual words written by a historic figure and to follow his thoughts. Ethan Allen's narrative was written by a patriot and a man of honor, a man to whom Americans owe a debt of gratitude.

a classic

"[The centry] shewed me a pair of stairs in the front of a barrack, on the west part of the garrison, which led up to a second story in said barrack, to which I immediately repaired, and ordered the commander (capt. Delaplace) to come forth instantly, or I would sacrifice the whole garrison; at which the capt. came immediately to the door with his breeches in his hand, when I ordered him to deliver to me the fort instantly, who asked me by what authority I demanded it; I answered, 'In the name of the great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress.' (The authority of Congress being very little known at that time) he began to speak again; but I interrupted him, and with my drawn sword over his head, again demanded an immediate surrender of the garrison; to which he then complied..." Though he had, in his own words (are there any words like them?) "unfortunately missed a liberal education", the narrative (describing his first exploits, his capture in Montreal, subsequent imprisonment and voyage to England, where he sparred with the crowds (for the account of which Melville remembered him with "Samson among the Philistines" in -Israel Potter-), and final return aboard the prison ship to America, where he was eventually exchanged) is abounding with his life and vitality, and is one of the best and most engaging first-hand accounts you'll read of the Revolution.