and, being taken
for the sentries at Prescott's head-quarters, effected that officer's
capture--a Negro taking him. The exploit was bold and successful.

"They landed about five miles from Newport, and
three-quarters of a mile from the house, which they
approached cautiously, avoiding the main guard, which was
at some distance. _The Colonel went foremost, with a stout,
active negro close behind him, and another at a small
distance; the rest followed so as to be near, but not seen_.

"A single sentinel at the door saw and hailed the Colonel;
he answered by exclaiming against, and inquiring for, rebel
prisoners, but kept slowly advancing. The sentinel again
challenged him, and required the countersign. He said he had
not the countersign, but amused the sentry by talking about
rebel prisoners, and still advancing till he came within
reach of the bayonet, which, he presenting, the Colonel
suddenly struck aside and seized him. He was immediately
secured, and ordered to be silent, on pain of instant death.
_Meanwhile, the rest of the men surrounding the house, the
negro, with his head, at the second stroke forced a passage
into it, and then into the landlord's apartment. The
landlord at first refused to give the necessary
intelligence; but, on the prospect of present death he
pointed to the General's chamber, which being instantly
opened by the negro's head, the Colonel calling the General
by name, told him he was a prisoner_."[584]

Another account was published by a surgeon of the army, and is given
here:--

"_Albany_, Aug. 3, 1777.--The pleasing information is
received here that Lieut.-Col. Barton, of the Rhode-Island
militia, planned a bold exploit for the purpose of
surprising and taking Major-Gen. Prescott, the commanding
officer of the royal army at Newport. Taking with him, in
the night, about forty men, in two boats, with oars muffled,
he had the address to elude the vigilance of the
ships-of-war and guard-boats: and, having arrived
undiscovered at the quarters of Gen. Prescott, they were
taken for the sentinels; and the general was not alarmed
till his captors were at the door of his lodging-chamber,
which was fast closed. _A negro man, named Prince, instantly
thrust his beetle head through the panel door; and seized
his victi