Ethan Allen (1) (1738–1789)

One of the great boons to an historian is a first-person account of historical events, reflecting the particular vernacular and sentiment of an era. Although such a depiction may reveal the biases and subjective memories of the writer as often as it presents factual information, it nonetheless provides an invaluable piece to the puzzle of American history. The Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen is one such account. Originally published in 1779, it is the depiction of Allen’s approximately 2-year, 8-month imprisonment during the American Revolution. Unable to write freely during his captivity, Allen had to rely on his memory after the fact to complete this work, which he informs the reader in his introduction. The actual story begins with Allen’s description of the capture of Fort Ticonderoga wherein he tells of his valor and that of his Green Mountain Boys. He goes on to recount the quest for Crown Point, followed by the campaigns into Canada. Being captured and taken as a prisoner of war from Canada, the bulk of the narrative is a telling of his experiences in captivity--a mixture of brutal treatment, deplorable conditions, and occasional acts of sincere kindness. Allen concludes his saga with the details of his eventual release and return to Vermont. The Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen is a worthwhile read for those interested in the life of Ethan Allen, as well as anyone who wishes to read a firsthand account of the American Revolution.… (mais)