Consider Turner began military service in 1775 and ended it in 1783. In 1777 he was taken prisoner by General Burgoyne, at Ticonderoga, and was kept in the camp until the surrender. One of his fellow soldiers reported that he used to afford infinite amusement to the officers, and that the General once said to him, "I shan't exchange you, Turner; I shall carry you home; the king wants a fool." When Bourgoyne marched out with his army and surrendered, Turner took occassion to pass near the General and say, "we shan't exchange your Honor, the people want a fool."