History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

434 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1780.
Arnold's intentions. They were detained as prisoners of
war on board the Vulture, but one of them was allowed to
go on shore and obtain clothing and other articles of comfort
for his companions. They were taken to New York,
and set at liberty by Sir Henry Clinton. ^
William Clark's Rem- The compauy was divided. A portion of
iniscences.
jt was attached to Sheldon's regiment of
dragoons, while William Clark, Bel a
Strong, Noah Clapp, John Wells of Northampton, and Reuben
Graves of Whately were stationed at Fishkill, above
West Point. William Clark stated that Washington on his
return from Hartford rode up to this place, called for the
commanding officer, questioned him about his men, their
provisions, etc., called at the commissary's a little below,
gave him orders, and then rode to West Point. The same
day the men heard of the treachery of Arnold. ''When
the soldiers," says Mr. Clark, "saw the doings at West
Point, the cannon removed, etc., they thought it was a
strange state of things, but had no suspicions of wrong
doings. After they were scattered about here and there,
they wondered why they should be so placed. An old
soldier before Arnold's treachery was known, told Clark,
that something was wrong, that mischief was brewing, he
knew not what, but advised the soldiers to have their arms
in order with plenty of powder and ball."
Lieut. Solomon Allen. Amoug the soldlcrs in this company who
were detailed to join Sheldon's regiment
of Light-Horse, was Lieut. Solomon Allen of Northampton,
who was for some time acting Adjutant, He was at
North Castle when Andr^ was delivered by his captors to
Col. Jameson. The latter immediately penned a hasty
1 Another version of the story is as follows : —
Arnold escaped in his own barge,
manned by a corporal, who was also coxswain, and eight others. They were nearly
two hours in reaching the Vulture. The crew of the barge was on board the Vulture
when Arnold told them that he had joined the British army, and invited them to do
the same, making them the most liberal promises. Among the crew were two men
who had deserted from the British service; these decided to remain, but the others
refused the traitor's tempting offers. They were allowed to return, not in the barge,
but in a much inferior boat. The name of the corporal is given as James Lurvey,
who belonged to a Massachusetts regiment commanded by Rufus Putnam, and is believed
to have lived in the vicinity of Brookfleld.—Mass. Historical Collections, Second
Series, vol. 4, pp. 51, 52.