Part II: The rest of the Vosburgh account, The Covey account, ANd how Alburgh armed itself in the wake of the attack on George Covey. I will post the Company roll next. (formating problems right now in getting it ready) >From Abby Hemenway's Vt Historical Gazetteer Published sometime around 1860-1890, The account of this outrage is here given very nearly as by the Vosburghs, and the correctness of it is not doubted by those acquainted with them; still, what they say of the scuffle between young Mr. Vosburgh and the young man who had been a servant in the family, may not have been fully related, as the young man has never been seen since. For nearly a year prior to that time he had resided in Alburgh, and, from his great zeal in the Patriot cause, he passed by the cognomen of Puyineau, after the leader of the Patriot party in Canada. From what is above related, and from a vague rumor that he received a fatal wound in the affray, of which he died soon after they left Vosburgh's, and that his body was sunk in the lake by his own party, on their flight towards Swanton, it is believed, by many, that this deluded young man, in this manner suffered the just punishment of his atrocious guilt. Two of the teams were known to have been driven with great speed through Alburgh and the lake, on the road leading to the village of Swanton, the other team was supposed to have turned to the right and crossed the lake into the State of New York, but what is a little strange, neither the Vosburghs or their friends were ever able to find any portion of the property taken, though of considerable amount and including a valuable span of horses. This, and other acts and threats of Vandalism, induced General Scott, who at that time was in command upon this frontier, to make a requisition upon this State, to call into the United States service Captain Harrington's rifle company, to keep the peace and prevent infractions of our neutrality laws. This company remained on duty from the 6th to the 18th of February, 1839; each night, guards were placed upon every road and pass leading into Canada; though the guards were once or twice fired upon by marauders, no plundering, burning, or depredations took place in this vicinity, during the time this company was in service; during this short time our frontier inhabitants enjoyed repose; the company performed an arduous night duty; each night not less than 6 guards were sent out to points near the province line, where any possible danger could be apprehended, to keep up guard, through the long nights, deep snows, and at a distance averaging about 5 miles from the company's quarters. The company, at that time, consisted of 60 men, and the only circumstance to mar the recollection of that short service, was the wounding of Edward La Flower, a member of the company, on returning from guard one morning, by the accidental discharge of his own rifle, the ball passing into his head near the ear, and upwards, carrying away and shattering a portion of his skull. La Flower, with the aid of good surgical attention and a naturally strong constitution, partially recovered, contrary to the expectations of his friends. What was peculiar in this case is, that La Flower, prior to that wounding, was never known to sing, nor possess any talent for music; but, after his partial recovery, he was found to possess one of the most melodious voices, and became a great singer; this is a suitable subject for phrenologists to explain. As soon as the rifle company were discharged, frontier disturbances were renewed, and on the night of the 30th of March, 1839, the barn and effects therein of Mr. George Covey, was burned. I give the substance of the statement of Mr. Covey, made under oath. He says that, previous to the 30th of March, it was told to me by a person friendly to me, that the British volunteers, stationed in Caldwell manor, had made threats that they would burn my buildings; in consequence of which I watched nights, as much as possible. On the night of the 30th of March, I watched until 11 o'clock in the evening, when myself and family retired to bed. About 20 minutes after, I discovered the light of my barn shining into the room where I slept. I instantly put on part of my clothes, and went out ; the barn was situated some 60 rods east of my dwelling-house. When I got about 10 rods from the house, towards the barn, I looked north towards the province line (the barn then being in a light flame), and discovered 6 or 7 men, armed with muskets, and to all appearance a part of the British volunteers; the light of the burning building was so great, at the time, that I could see the men as plainly as I could have done in open daylight; when I stopped and looked at them, they started off north at a fast walk. I hurried to the barn, and got there just before the roof fell in. I found my 3 horses, in the stable, dead; a yearling and 1 English buck were also in the barn, and dead; there were in the barn about 12 tons of hay, some grain and other articles. I have not the slightest doubt the barn was set on fire by troops belonging to the British service. I have learned from various ways, that the British guards had stated, before the barn was burned, that it should be burned on the very night it was done. I also say that, the night after my barn was burned, a body of British troops 10 or 12 in number, with martial music and fully armed, came over the lines, and paraded the streets about an hour. During the Canadian troubles, small bodies of United States troops had, at different times, been stationed in Alburgh, but, owing to the fact that they were wholly unacquainted with the country, or the character and locality of points and persons in danger, they proved to be of very slight protection to the persons and property of the inhabitants of Alhurgh. Threats were frequently made by evil-disposed persons in Canada, who were improperly put into power in the hurry of revolt, of violence and destruction of persons and property on this side of the lines. When dangers appeared imminent, and no military force was in town, the people would voluntarily come together with their arms and, guard those most exposed to danger. This mode of suffering and danger had arrived to that degree, that it was thought advisable to call a meeting of the inhabitants. A meeting was duly warned and held on the 8th day of April 1839, to devise plans for the safety of the people. After gathering all the facts from the different parts of the town, it was unanimously voted to raise a company of volunteers to guard said town, until some relief could be obtained; also voted, Giles Harrington should take the entire command of said company, and that the town should be responsible for the pay and support of said volunteer company. The town also appointed a committee to collect what arms they could, without delay. The company was raised the same day, numbering 75 men, organized, and with what arms could be obtained, put out guards the same night. The town also engaged Dr. Henry H. Reynolds to proceed to Shoreham, and represent our situation to Governor Jennison, with as little delay as possible; to ask the governor for an order to call out a militia force sufficient to insure safety, or to furnish arms for the volunteer company under Capt. Harrington. At the time this town meeting was held. the state of the ice, in the lake, was such that there was no crossing; but Dr. R. by dint of perseverance, soon after succeeded in getting to Shoreham, obtained, 80 stands of arms of the governor, with directions to Capt. Harrington to keep his company on duty until he came to Alburgh. The governor did not get to Alburgh as soon as was expected; on the 23d, Capt. Harrington discharged all but fourteen of his volunteers; and on the same day Gov. Jennison arrived, he approved what had been done, directed Capt. H. to retain the 14 men on duty, so long as the town authority considered their services necessary. All appearing quiet on the 30th, Capt. H. disbanded the remainder of his company.