| Object ID |
A5 |
| Object Name |
Painting |
| Dimensions |
H-19 W-13 inches |
| Early Date |
1925 |
| Late Date |
1926 |
| Description |
Such was the state of feelings and such the relative position in which the father and daughter stood toward each other on the day which proved so triumphant to the American arms on Lake Champlain. In the early part of that day the attention of this family, as well as that of all the inhabitants of the vicinity of the lake, was aroused by heavy and repeated discharges of cannon in the direction of Ticonderoga. Little dreaming of the fact that the cannonading, which was filling the whole valley of the lake with its echoing thunders, was the harbinger of a victory already won, the whole neighborhood was instantly in commotion — some riding post-haste into the interior to carry the news or rally volunteers, some flying from house to house to interchange the expressions of their fears and sympathies, and the greater number rushing down to the nearest landing on the lake shore to gain the first tidings of their friends engaged in the deadly conflict which they supposed was at that moment raging round the wall of the hostile fortress. In a short time the dooryard of Captain Hendee’s cottage was filled with a group of excited boys and anxious females. And agonizing were the sensations of many an affectionate wife and sister, and oft and fervent their trembling ejaculations to Heaven for the preservation of husbands, brothers, and lovers in this hour of danger. And not the most indifferent among those thus oppressed with painful solicitude for the event, which they believed involved the fate of all they held dear on earth, was Alma Hendee. To her, whose lover might be expected to be among the foremost of those engaged in the perilous assault, every gun that came booming over the waters brought with it a pang for her agitated bosom. Nor was her anxiety the less painfully felt, because circumstances compelled her to endure it in silence. The firing at length ceased, and all awaited in trembling solicitude some arrival which should bring them information of the result. This, however, continued for several, and to most of them, long and tedious hours, to rest in uncertainty. But at length a horseman, covered with dust and lashing his foaming horse to speed, came furiously galloping down the road to the south. All, with beating hearts and breathless expectation, awaited the announcement of the rapidly approaching messenger. The next moment, as he neared them, he swung his hat round his head, exclaiming “Victory! victory! hurrah for the Green Mountain Boys! Ticonderoga is taken, and not a man killed! hurrah! hurrah!” and, without scarcely checking the speed of his horse, on he dashed to carry to others the joyful tidings. The cracked voice of the war-worn and veteran Hendee was the next instant mingling with the shrill and high-keyed cry of the boys around him in the responsive hurrah that now involuntarily burst from their lips. With tears of joy and thankfulness gushing over many a fair cheek, the females hurried on such habiliments as they had laid aside, and the company, immediately dispersing, hastened to their respective homes with the gladdening news, leaving Captain Hendee and his daughter again by themselves, and their cottage to relapse into its usual quietness. The day, however, was not destined to close upon them without the occurrence of other events of stirring interest. Toward sunset several bateaux filled with armed men made their appearance on the lake, approaching from the south, and as they neared, were soon discovered to be bearing down upon the fortress of Crown Point.
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| Credit |
Gift of Thos. Nelson & Sons |
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