The Capture of the Fort

Because of being the lightest in weight of the party, Captain Cornwallis directed me to climb on his shoulder until I could grasp the top of the logs, and then pull myself up until it was possible to clamber over, when I was to drop on the inside, and unbar the gate, all of which I did without mishap.

The Kent Islanders must have been slothful men, for never one was astir when we marched inside the palisade around the house, calling upon those within to surrender.

As a matter of course, this command was obeyed, for being thus surprised it would have been folly for those in the dwelling to make any resistance, and we found on marshaling our prisoners that the two men, Butler and Smith, whom Claiborne had left in charge of the settlement when he fled to Virginia, were at their own homes some distance away.

Thus far we had accomplished very little, for those who stood shivering with fear in line, under the muzzles of our guns, were only serving men and laborers.

It was Butler and Smith who had, so it was claimed, been foremost in urging the Indians to make an attack upon us of St. Mary's, and therefore was their capture most important.

Six of our people were left in charge of the fort, with orders to shoot down any who should attempt to escape, or try to force an entrance, and then the remainder of the company, myself among them, marched up the island a full five miles, to where the man Butler lived.