from terrorist to patriots

From Terrorist to Patriots

By

Nicky K.D Chaleunphone

History 400

Prof Carenen

May 2, 2023

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From terrorist to American patriots, the people of the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont

led by a charismatic leader named Ethan Allen and his extended family. He helped change the

course of history and helped paved the way for the creation of the State of Vermont. Ethan

Allen, who lead the charge during the early days in fighting against New York for the New

Hampshire Land grants. He also fought in the American Revolution and wound up being a

prisoner of war and a leader of a terrorist organization. He wound up becoming the key

figurehead in the Green Mountain boys' organization and often times the spokesperson and the

face of the Green Mountain Boys for their cause and struggles. What many people do not see is

the back-story of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain boys. The real story is how the Green

Mountain boys and Ethan Allen who started out as a terrorist group, fighting for their rights,

that wound up being patriots fighting with General George Washington in the American

Revolutionary War.

It is why when it comes to the leaders of Green Mountain Boys, the true leader of the

terrorist organization is none other than Seth Warner. That is because unlike his cousin Ethan

Allen, Seth Warner is the kind of leader that is not going to be flamboyant, outspoken and

brash. Seth Warner is the kind of terrorist leader who is known for intimidating their opponents

with an overwhelming number of people and is the kind of leader who is not going to be brash,

flamboyant and outspoken like his cousin. During the 1750s and 1760s, Seth Warner led the

Green Mountain Boys on terrorist missions. Seth Warner used violence, intimidation and

propaganda to promote their cause. Seth Warner had overwhelming support by his comrades

to conduct these actions. The lower ranking members of the Green Mountain Boys assisted

Seth Warner in carrying out these attacks. That is why the Green Mountain Boys use

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intimidation, as one of the known terrorist tactics; they were politically motivated because their

land was under siege by New York leaders.

When it comes to the Green Mountain boys and Ethan Allen, there are wide-ranging

opinions and views on Ethan Allen himself, Seth Warner or the Green Mountain Boys. Many

books and articles that were written about them were discussed in the historical background

and context of the Green Mountain boys. Many of them try to frame Ethan Allen and the Green

Mountain boys as folk hero’s and American Patriots. They try to paint Ethan Allen as a folk hero

and dismiss his early days because in the popular American mindset, they do not want to hear

the fact that Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, prior to becoming American patriots,

committed terrorist acts. That part of history is lost in the American mindset because people do

not know what the Green Mountain Boys did in their early days. It is something that history

books ignore because the ugly parts are not always the greatest. It is not even something that is

ever going to be talked about in schools because it is the ugly truth.

Its why people such as Gene Procknow who wrote articles for the Journal of the

American Revolution such as Seth Warner or Ethan Allen: Who lead the Green Mountain Boys?1,

and Ethan Allen: Patriot or Turncoat?2. In his articles, he tries to settle the issue of who really

lead the Green Mountain Boys and who really the leader of the group was. In Seth Warner or

Ethan Allen: Who lead the Green Mountain Boys?3 The article tries to settle the age-old debate

between Seth Warner and Ethan Allen. Which who lead the Green mountain boys is still being

debated. Even though Procknow claims, that Seth Warner was the true leader of the Green

Mountain boys. Ethan Allen had a political and spokesperson’s role. Even when it comes to

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Ethan Allen, his legacy is always questioned, that is because the question always comes up, was

Ethan Allen a Patriot or a turncoat.

Even though when it comes to Ethan Allen, he fascinates many people. Most certainly

the British were, when they captured him in Quebec. Even Gene Procknow was fascinated with

Ethan Allen because he was one of the many faces the British saw as Prisoners of war. It’s why

in Gene Procknow article British Fascination with Ethan Allen4, he lays it all out in why the

British was so fascinated with their prisoner and why some in the British saw Ethan Allen as a

person they can leverage with the American colonies that were fighting them. In the article, it

lays out the fact that despite Ethan Allen not having any formal Military training. He was more

seen by the British largely as a figurehead or a spokesperson for the Green Mountain boys. In

which is why, the real leadership role for the Green Mountain Boys is Seth Warner rather than

Ethan Allen.

Robert Kumamoto, who wrote a chapter about the Green Mountain boys, has viewed

Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain boys as Terrorist because of their early days prior to the

American Revolutionary war. Why Kumamoto views Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys

as terrorist is because what they did in the early days, when they were fighting with New York

over the New Hampshire Land grants. One of the most famous terrorist attacks that the Green

Mountain Boys have committed such as the James Breckenridge’s stand off and the rescue of

Remember Backer. That has cemented the Green Mountain Boys as a terrorist group, prior to

becoming a militia in the American Revolutionary war. It is why some people viewed the Green

mountain boys as patriots, while others viewed them as terrorist fighting for their freedom.

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When it came to comparing Ethan Allen to other people such as Daniel Shays, James M.

Greene wrote a very compelling comparison between Ethan Allen and Daniel Shays in his article

Ethan Allen and Daniel Shays: Contrasting Models of Political Representation in the Early

Republic5. This is where James M. Greene tries compares Ethan Allen to Daniel Shays. What

make his comparison very important are how both groups got started and one ended up

leading the rebellion to survive to see the creation of the state of Vermont. While the other was

so short lived that their actions did not result in any changes and left them with nothing in the

end. In this contrast between the two, you can see how Ethan Allen is characterized and see

why Ethan Allen is just a figurehead and a spokesperson for his group. Ethan Allen’s flamboyant

nature is why he never held the green mountain boys long enough. It is why his cousin Seth

Warner took control of the group and Ethan Allen was reduced to a spokesperson and front

man role.

The one thing you get from reading both Seth Warner’s Memoirs and Ethan Allen

Memoirs is the fact that one of them is trying to paint him self as an American War hero who

helped create the military/ terrorist group, the Green Mountain Boys. While the other, was

nothing more than a military leader who had the confidence from the Green Mountain boys to

lead them all the way from the early terrorist days to the American Revolutionary War days.

That is why in Ethan Allen’s Memoir’s, you see him trying to promote himself and the Green

Mountain boys. You see in his writings where all he talks about is trying to create the political

force out of the Green Mountain Boys. As oppose to Seth Warner, in all of his memoirs, you see

none of the flamboyancy, the brashness and self-promotion. Seth Warner is not the type who is

going to try to create an image for himself. Seth Warner is the type who is going to do what

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ever it takes to get the job done and he is not going to be like his cousin. Seth warner is going to

be the one who lead is from the front and is willing to take calculated risk and make snap

decisions for his unit. That is why you see a contrast between Ethan Allen and Seth Warner’s

Memoir’s.

When it comes to Ethan Allen’s memoirs, you can see why he was not interested in

promoting the group. Ethan Allen was not the leader the Green Mountain Boys had hoped for

because the letters that Ethan Allen wrote to people. He was trying to look out for himself and

looking out for the far greater good of the country and was trying to get himself out there. In all

of the letters that Ethan Allen wrote, there was little mention of the Green Mountain Boys that

he has created. According the memoir Ethan Allen never cared about the Green Mountain Boys

and all he was trying to do was promote himself and had interests other than the Green

Mountain Boys that had helped him out. In one example of Ethan Allen’s letters, he writes

about wanting to go on a mission to Canada and bring some men with him6. That is why Ethan

Allen was never cut out as a leader of the Green Mountain Boys because of the fact that Ethan

Allen was not looking out for the interest of the Green Mountain Boys and instead had other

interests and motives in mind such political more than military. In another letter that Ethan

Allen wrote, he shows that he uses the Green Mountain Boys to leverage what he was trying to

and was simply trying to promote himself over Seth Warner and the Green Mountain Boys7.

Now as oppose to Seth Warner, in his memoirs, it is a total opposite of Ethan Allen. In

Seth Warner, you can see why Seth Warner was chosen as the leader of the Green Mountain

Boys and why the Green Mountain Boys stuck with Seth Warner over Ethan Allen8. It is why

Seth Warner as leader of the Green Mountain Boys was more concerned about the Boys and

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their well-being and as a leader; he put their needs above himself9. In another letter that Seth

Warner wrote, he was very concerned about what role his men were going to do about the

inhabitants of the people under his control. As a leader, Seth Warner knew that he not only had

to take care of the Green Mountain Boys, but also the people he was protecting as well10. It is

why when it comes to leadership in any terrorist organization, concern for people who are

working for you is always important. It was very important to Seth Warner because he is the

face of the Green Mountain Boys; Seth Warner is a leader whom they rally around to support11.

Its why, in all of Seth Warner’s memoirs, you do not see him promoting himself and putting his

needs over the group. His letters shows that as a leader, he is more concerned about the

troops under his command. As a leader, Seth Warner is more concerned about the mission and

the Troops under his command over promoting himself like his cousin, Ethan Allen. Seth

Warner is why the Green Mountain Boys voted for him as their leader and the boys had full

faith and trust in Seth Warner over Ethan Allen.

So before, we delve into the man and his group. Let us take a moment to define what a

terrorist group is and what constitutes a terrorist group. My definition of what a terrorist group

is taken from what Roberto Kumamoto’s book defines a terrorist group as “Consequently,

terrorism constitutes a form of violent propaganda and the most effective terrorist are often

those who are able to manipulate publicity and public opinion in their favor”12. I am asserting

that in the early days of the Green mountain boys, prior to them becoming American patriots in

the American Revolutionary war. The Green Mountain Boys were a terrorist group who were

fighting against New York over the New Hampshire Land Grants dispute. Their tactics often

involved intimidation and intimidating their opponents with overwhelming numbers to send

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their opponents packing. Even though New Hampshire considered them and legally listed them

as settlers. New York still called them illegal, branded them as terrorist group, and tried to kick

them out and invalidate their Land grants that they legally had gotten from New Hampshire and

Governor Benning Wentworth.

So now, we have the definition of what constitutes a terrorist group out of the way. Let

us now delve into one of the key leader of the Green Mountain boys, which is Seth Warner and

which is the real leader of the Green Mountain Boys. Therefore, who was Seth Warner and why

was he so important to the Green mountain boys. Why is Seth Warner so important to the

Green Mountain boys and why Seth Warner is the true Military /terrorist leader of the Green

Mountain Boys and not Ethan Allen. That is because Seth Warner unlike his cousin, he is not

going to be brash, flamboyant and promoting himself. Seth Warner is the kind of leader that is

going to get the job done. With Seth Warner’s early experience as a skilled hunter, surveyor and

a captain of the town Militia. It is going to play a key role in Seth Warner leading the Green

Mountain Boys from the Terrorist period to the American revolutionary war.

One of his more familiar and recognizable cousins in the Green Mountain Boys is Seth

Warner. Seth Warner is one of the most recognizable members of the Green Mountain boys

because he went on to lead the Green Mountain Boys in the American Revolutionary War. He

took the Green Mountain Boys from their early terrorist days to their American Revolutionary

War days. Seth Warner has took the Green Mountain Boys that Ethan Allen has created on to

many fights against the British. Seth Warner, along with his brother Ira Allen and cousin

Remember Baker was one of the true workers of the Green Mountain boys and were the ones

who did all the heavy work. Even though Ethan Allen did some of the work in the early terrorist

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period, he was reduced to a political and spokesperson’s role. Seth Warner took them further

that what Ethan Allen did from the early terrorist period to the American Revolutionary war

onto becoming American patriots.

The history of Seth Warner is that Seth Warner was born in the same state that Ethan

Allen and Ira Allen was in. All though Seth Warner was not related to Ethan Allen, they were

cousins to Remember Baker. Ethan Allen’s mother Mary Baker is related to Remember Baker.

Seth Warner was born in Roxbury, Connecticut in 1743. Which is not far from Litchfield,

Connecticut where Ethan Allen was born. Seth Warner was born to the parents of Dr. Benjamin

Warner and Silence Hurd Warner. He was the forth child in the Warner Family. He grew up in

Roxbury and was a very well skilled hunter. Seth Warner had a very common education and

learned medicine from his father, Dr. Benjamin Warner. In 1763, Dr. Benjamin Warner moved

Seth Warner to what is now Bennington Vermont. They originally worked the land but after a

few years, they moved the family to the land and lived in Bennington Vermont full time. The

land that Dr. Benjamin Warner brought, gave Seth Warner the skills to be a great hunter. Ever

since then, the Warner family has made Bennington Vermont their permanent home.

The Warner Family and Seth Warner brought the land from New Hampshire, which

Governor Benning Wentworth was selling at the time. The Warner family became very active in

the town of Bennington. Seth Warner’s first job was the job of Highway Surveyor to help the

town survey the land around them and the land they brought from the New Hampshire. In

which his common education and his skills of Hunting outdoors helped Seth Warner out with

his surveyor job. Another job that Seth Warner was given was the job of Captain of the Town

Militia. That job Captain of the Town Militia was a prelude for Seth Warner down the road,

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when he became Captain of the Green Mountain Boys. That is because; the job of the Captain

of the Town Militia is a leadership position. It is Seth Warner’s first taste of Military leadership,

which is going to help Seth Warner later down the road, when Seth Warner is leading the Green

Mountain Boys in the Terrorist period to the American Revolutionary war. By having Seth

Warner worked as Captain of the Town Militia, it gave Seth Warner the needed Military

experience he will needed when he is leading the Green Mountain Boys in its terrorist period

and in the American Revolutionary War period.

Seth Warner became involved with the dispute over the New Hampshire Land Grants,

when his cousin, Ethan Allen was helping the Wentworth grant holders fighting their case in

Albany, New York. When his Ethan Allen came back from Albany, New York with the bad news

of the defeat of the court. His brother, Ira Allen and cousin Remember Baker, all met at the

Catamount Tavern in Bennington to discuss what their next options were. At the meeting in the

Catamount Tavern, a committee of safety was formed for the towns that the settler’s were

living in. The committees of safety role were to ensure that no one from New York is allowed in

unless the committees of safety approved of them. They were to dispense justice amongst the

towns and served as the foundations for the state of Vermont. It is why the Green Mountain

Boys can be traced their lineage to the meeting at the Catamount Tavern and forming the

committees of safety.

As for Seth Warner, he was at the meeting in the Catamount Tavern, when the

committees of safety and the Green Mountain Boys were being formed. Along with his cousin

Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, and Remember Baker, they were all at the meeting when the Green

Mountain Boys was being created. At that meeting of the committees of safety in the

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Catamount Tavern is also, where the foundation was setting up for the formation of the state of

Vermont and the Militia, which was known as the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont. It was also

at the Tavern where they set up their own functioning de facto government and functioning

courts to dispense justice. When Ethan Allen was appointed Colonel and Commandant of the

Green Mountain boys by the committee of safety. His Brother’s and cousins were all appointed

as Captains of the Green Mountain boys and each had command of their own company within

the Green Mountain Boys Militia but all reported directly to Ethan Allen.

Seth Warner, who previously the position of the captain of the Town Militia and

Highway Surveyor. Suddenly found himself becoming captain of the Green Mountain Boys and

being second in command to Ethan Allen. The experience he gained from his all previous job’s

as captain of the town militia and a Highway Surveyor served as his experience for his new role

as Captain of the Green Mountain boys. His leadership experience as Captain of the Town

Militia will play a key role for Seth Warner in the terrorist period of the Green Mountain Boys

and later on into the American Revolutionary War period. When Seth Warner’s company began

organizing and conducting military exercises13. Seth Warner’s company was conducting military

drills and preparing for a fight when the order came to muster from Colonel Ethan Allen. It

started to alarm Albany because Albany started to view people like Seth Warner, Ethan Allen,

Ira Allen and Remember Baker as rioters and terrorist when they started training in military

tactics. When Albany heard of Ethan Allen forming a Militia at the Catamount Tavern. Albany

responded by putting a price out for Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, Seth Warner and Remember Baker14.

At this point, we find Captain Seth Warner starting to play a more prominent leadership

role in the Green Mountain Boys along with Colonel Ethan Allen. Even though they were two

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total opposites of each other, Ethan Allen was always seen as being very flamboyant, brash and

out loud. While his cousin Captain Seth Warner was often seen as cool, calm and reserved. This

is why later down the road, when Captain Seth Warner takes full command of the entire Green

Mountain boy’s militia during the American Revolutionary War period. During the terrorist

period, Ethan Allen would still be in charge of the Green Mountain boys and had a major role

but his brothers and cousins would still be the ones running the respective companies in the

towns they live in. For Captain Seth Warner’s part his early leader experiences as Captain of the

Town Militia really played a major role as Captain of the Green Mountain boys. That is because

Seth Warner knew that Ethan Allen would not have what it takes to lead the Green Mountain

Boys. He knew he would have a larger role down the road when Ethan Allen is less and less

seen as a leader, while Captain Seth Warner is being seen and given a more prominent role in

the Green Mountain Boys15.

The way the Green Mountain Boys are organized, they are a light Infantry unit and as

such, towns and villages organize them. They were organized in such a way that today; their

modern day equivalent would be the United State’s Army’s 75th Ranger regiment. It is why

when the Green Mountain Boys were created; the Commander of the Group is lead by Colonel

Ethan Allen as commander of the Green Mountain Boys and his second in command, who will

wind up leading the Green Mountain boys, is Seth Warner. Each town within the Green

Mountain Boys militia was a military company within a militia group. Each was lead by Ethan

Allen’s family such as Ira Allen who was captain of one unit and Seth Warner who was Captain

of the Bennington unit of the Green Mountain boys. The entire Captain has had to answer to

Colonel Ethan Allen who in turn Colonel Ethan Allen had to answer the Committees of Safety16.

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The role the Green mountain boys was that they were the only form of Militia in the

region that controlled much of what is today Vermont. They became a military force, which

started out as a terrorist group that was to counter whatever New York tried to do. Even

though the Green Mountain Boys were known as a standing Militia and a terrorist group. New

York considered them as terrorist and rioters because of the fact New York held claims to the

territory that the Green Mountain boys were on. Even though the Green Mountain Boys held,

their land claims were legally brought from New Hampshire. On top of all that, the Green

Mountain Boys under Ethan Allen were the first known de facto governments that were being

formed. They laid the foundations for the creation of the State of Vermont. For much of that

time prior to the creation of Vermont, the Green Mountain boys were the de facto government

and were the first known form of government. They often dispense justice and prevented New

York from exercising authority over them. It is why the Green Mountain Boys have done a lot

during their early terrorist period before becoming patriots in the American Revolutionary War.

The people, who made up of the Green Mountain Boys, were often settlers to the region

and many land speculators such as Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, Seth Warner and Remember Baker.

Many of those settlers, who settled into the area, were to likely come from England. Landed in

Boston, Massachusetts and traveled to what are now Brattleboro, Castleton and Bennington.

The people who settled their were most likely to be frontiers who brought land grants from

New Hampshire, that was being sold by Governor Benning Wentworth. The settler has brought

their land grants under the assumption that the land was legal from New Hampshire. Even

Though New York made the claim that they owned the land, the settlers were on. Most of the

settlers were farmers and frontiersman who built up a home and were willing to fight for it.

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The people who joined Ethan Allen’s cause and later on with Seth Warner were the ones

who did not want to hear what New York had to say. They were fighting over who owned the

land and what claims they had to the lands. Many of the frontier settlers, who brought land

from New Hampshire, built a lot into their land and had much at stake. Many of the settlers

became farmers, built their own house, and grew their own crops. What drove many of the

settlers to join up with Ethan Allen and the Green mountain Boys was the fact that many of

them were not about to give up the land they brought and build their whole lives on. Many of

them were willing to fight for their lands and were willing to fight for the cause under the

banner of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. It is why many of the terrorist attacks that

the Green Mountain Boys committed were because Albany, New York was trying to evict them

and take their land is away from the settlers. They fought on the settlers and farmers homes

and drove off the Sherriff from Albany who was trying to get rid of what New York thought

were illegal settlers. That is why the people who joined had a goal of owning their own land and

were willing to fight for their lands.

When it comes to the Green Mountain Boys, even though they were best known as

standing militia for the state of Vermont and American Patriots fighting for the American

Revolutionary War. They had their early terrorist period prior to becoming American Patriots.

The two known terrorist attacks that the Green Mountain Boys have committed while fighting

the New York was the attempted capture of Remember Baker and the James Breckenridge

stand off. It was the first time New York took a shot at Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain

Boys. New York was embolden to try to capture one of the Green Mountain boys. The other

known terrorist attack that the Green Mountain boys were part of was when New York sheriff

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tried to take James Breckenridge’s homestead and land. These were the two known terrorist

attacks that the Green Mountain boys were part of and this is where Seth Warner took part as

well. That is because Seth Warner was present and led the rescue of Remember Baker and Seth

Warner actively took part in the James Breckenridge stand off. It is where these two terrorist

attacks where Seth Warner, played a prominent role than his cousin, Ethan Allen.

In the first incident that made the Green Mountain Boys a terrorist was when a New

York Sherriff Mr. Ten Eyck with orders from Albany, tried to evict James Breckenridge from his

settlement. New York attempted to evict James Breckenridge because they claimed that James

Breckenridge’s settlement was illegal, even though James Breckenridge claimed that he legally

brought his land from New Hampshire. When James Breckenridge knew the sheriff Ten Eyck

was coming to evict him, he had ample time to gather up the Green Mountain Boys17. When the

Sherriff Ten Eyck knocked on the door demanding that the owner, James Breckenridge come

out. James Breckenridge replied back “Attempt it and you are a dead man”18.

At the same time, Captain Seth Warner had two divisions of Green Mountain Boys with

guns at the ready. When the New York Sherriff saw this situation becoming more dangerous, he

backed down from Seth Warner’s intimidation. This incident with the New York sheriff was the

first time; the Green Mountain Boys was able to intimidate New York and stopped New York

from evicting someone from his or her lands. All without ever firing a single shot at someone. It

even showed that the Green Mountain boys were able to intimidate New York without having

to resort to violence or firing a shot. Not only that, this was the first time that you see Seth

Warner at the James Breckenridge stand off and he personally was present and leading the

stand off with the Albany Sheriff. It also showed that Seth Warner as not only a commander but

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also a reliable leader that the settlers can look to. It was the first time the Green Mountain boys

used intimidation as a terrorist tactic to intimidate their enemies from doing their job.

Another incident that made the Green Mountain boys a terrorist group was New York’s

embolden attempt to try and arrest the Bennigton rioters that New York called them. John

Munro, who was embolden by New York’s offer to bring the Bennigton rioters to trial. Tried to

capture Remember Baker on March 22 1772 and bring him to Albany for trial because Governor

of New York offered a reward for the capture of the rioters19. When news of this incident was

learned in Bennington, Seth Warner and ten of his men rushed to Albany to intercept John

Munro before he could drag Baker across the Hudson River. When they caught up to John

Munro in Troy. John Munro dropped Remember Baker and fled back to Albany without his

prisoner. In a way, this was the Green Mountain boys first rescue riots because they were trying

to free one of their boys from New York and were very successful in stopping New York from

capturing Remember Baker and taking him back to Albany. What it did for the Green Mountain

Boys was that it solidifies their willingness to fight New York and fight them on their own terms.

It even showed that Ethan Allen and his family members were very much capable of not only

arguing for their cause but also fighting for them as well. Rescuing Remember Baker was the

first time the Green Mountain Boys were used in any kind of action.

In the final blow to New York’s attempt to capture the Green Mountain Boys, James

Munro tried to go after Captain Seth Warner himself. The following day after the successful

rescue of Remember Baker by Captain Seth Warner. Captain Seth Warner was seen riding near

John Munro’s residence. John Munro, seeing Captain Seth Warner in the vicinity, attempted to

arrest Captain Seth Warner. John Munro started to call for his party to help arrest Captain Seth

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Warner. In the ensuing battle, Captain Seth Warner was able to cut John Munro to the ground

and knocking him completely out. He was not very successful because Captain Seth Warner was

able to free himself and cut down James Munro20. This was the first time that Captain Seth

Warner made a snap decision, did not hesitate, and used the Green Mountain Boys to rescue

one of their own from being taken to Albany, New York. It showed that Captain Seth Warner

had what it takes to lead the Green Mountain Boys and later on, this will become apparent as

to why Captain Seth Warner is really the workhorse of the Green Mountain Boys and the

battlefield leader.

When it comes to the Green Mountain boys, their earliest known terrorist attacks came

from James Breckenridge and New York’s attempt to capture one of the Green Mountain Boys.

In both of these terrorist attacks that were led and directed by Seth Warner. It shows that Seth

Warner has the kind of Leadership capability that the Green Mountain Boys were looking for.

Its why, with Seth Warner’s job experience as Captain of the Town Militia, it is going to help him

later down the road when Seth Warner is seen leading the Green Mountain Boys in the

American Revolutionary War. That is why the two terrorist attacks that Seth Warner took part

and commanded, gave Seth Warner the military experience he will need later on. When he

intimidated the New York sheriff, the Green Mountain Boys knew that Seth Warner was the

right man for the right job. That is why the committee of safety promoted him to Captain and

his cousin Ethan Allen had faith in Seth Warner leading the Green Mountain Boys.

When it came to who really lead the Green Mountain boys, it turns out that Ethan

Allen’s Cousin, Seth warner was the chosen leader over Ethan Allen. It had to do with the fact

that Ethan Allen was to flamboyant and too brash for the Green Mountain Boys. The Green

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Mountain Boys choose Seth Warner over Ethan Allen because of what Ethan Allen has done for

the Green Mountain Boys. The Green Mountain Boys saw Ethan Allen as a liability in all their

terrorist attacks. Even though the Green Mountain Boys have credited Ethan Allen in raising the

Militia profile and speaking up for them. It is why when it comes to conducting terrorist attacks,

Ethan Allen never played a major role in any terrorist attacks and it often times ended with Seth

Warner leading the terrorist attacks. It is because what Ethan Allen did made it very difficult for

him to be an effective leader for the Green Mountain Boys. On top of that, it showed that Ethan

Allen’s character was sometimes called into question and that his role in the Green Mountain

boys was very different from what was expected of him. When it came to who lead the Green

Mountain boys, it was very clear that Seth Warner was the real leader of the Green Mountain

Boys. It is why Seth Warner, knew that his cousin Ethan Allen was often very brash and very

flamboyant21.

It is why when the Green Mountain Boys met in Dorset to elect their leaders. The vote

between Ethan Allen and Seth Warner was overwhelming by a 41 to 5. That is because the

Green Mountain Boys voted for a leader who was willing to lead in the front and was not going

to be very brash and very flamboyant. What was ironic in all of this is that Ethan Allen tried

claim in his letter to Governor Trumbull, that the Green Mountain Boys voted to not to go to

war. When in reality and in Seth Warner’s Memoirs, the Green Mountain boys voted for a

leader who was modest and unassuming. It is why with that vote in Dorset that the Green

Mountain Boys signaled that they had high confidence in Seth Warner leading the Green

Mountain Boys over Ethan Allen. This was a major blow to Ethan Allen’ ego because he knew

the Green Mountain boys had more faith and trust in Seth Warner22.

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Seth Warner was a natural born leader because he was often seen as very modest and

unassuming. Seth Warner is the kind of Leader that did all the heavy lifting and was often times

the person the committees of Safety and the Green Mountain Boys looked to for military

leadership and military/terrorist muscle. Seth Warner was never like his cousin and was the

type of leader that the Green Mountain Boys can rally around. It is why the Green Mountain

Boys saw what a real leader could do from Seth Warner. As oppose to Ethan Allen who was

trying be a real leader but instead wind up being a political force that helped shape the creation

of the State of Vermont. That is why for Seth Warner, he never had his loyalties called into

question. At the same time his performance in the early days and terrorist days proved that, he

had what it takes to lead the Green Mountain boys.

That is why when it comes to military leaders, it is often times those in the behind the

scenes that are often the ones doing the dirty work. The more outspoken ones are the ones

who are caught up in themselves or trying to get the limelight. That is why Gene Procknow’s

article Seth Warner or Ethan Allen: Who lead the Green Mountain Boys?23 proves my point that

Ethan Allen was too brash for the Green Mountain Boys and that Seth Warner is really the

leader of the Green Mountain Boys. That is why when it came to choosing an effective leader;

the people in the Dorset meeting knew that Seth Warner was their man for the job24. It was

why the vote was so overwhelming because even though they liked Ethan Allen very much,

they knew to be an effective fighting force, they went with Seth Warner because he was the

kind of Leader that was modest, unassuming and can get the job done.

It is why when it comes to who is really leading the Green Mountain boys. It is really

Seth Warner because Seth Warner is the type of man who is not going to be flamboyant and

P a g e | 19

outspoken like his cousin. Seth Warner is the type of man, who is quite, reserved and modest.

He is the kind of military leader that the Green Mountain Boys elected to lead. In which the

Green Mountain Boys must have felt let down when they saw how Ethan Allen led them. It is

why Seth Warner is the kind of man that is going to do whatever it takes to get the job done

and it not going to try flamboyant and outspoken like his cousin, Ethan Allen. Seth warner is not

kind of person who is often going around trying to promote themselves and put themselves out

their. Where as his cousin, who is putting himself out their and was actively promoting himself.

That is why in all the history books, you hardly ever see Seth Warner being so flamboyant and

self-promoting himself.

It is why when you see why people who voted for Seth Warner to lead the Green

Mountain Boys over Ethan Allen. They knew that Seth Warner was a winner for the Green

Mountain Boys and his actions proved it. That is why the Green Mountain Boys recognized the

hard work that Seth Warner did in creating an effective fighting force out of the Green

Mountain Boys. Even though Ethan Allen was recognized as a political force behind the Green

Mountain Boys and the creation of the state of Vermont. It is quite clear that many people felt

that Ethan Allen is not the face of the Green Mountain Boy and that belongs to Seth Warner.

It is why within the organization of the Green Mountain Boys prior to becoming

American patriots. Seth Warner was more of the military leader and military muscle in the

Green Mountain Boys rather than Ethan Allen. He was the one that was leading the boys on

terrorist attacks that was often times directed and ordered by Ethan Allen and the Committees

of Safety. It is why when it came to rescuing Remember Baker from James Munro. It was Seth

Warner and not Ethan Allen who did all the work. It proved that Seth Warner was the real

P a g e | 20

military leader of the Green Mountain boys because in the days after being appointed captain

from the catamount tavern. Seth Warner immediately began drilling the Green Mountain Boys

in military tactics and began drilling on a monthly basis. It is why when it comes to the real

leadership of the Green Mountain boys, Seth Warner without a doubt is the real leader of the

Green Mountain Boys from the terrorist period to the American Revolutionary War period.

Therefore, in the end, when it comes to who lead the Green Mountain Boys, the fact is

that it is really Seth Warner and not Ethan Allen. It is very clear that, even though people and

the history books say that Ethan Allen is the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. In reality, it is

Ethan Allen’s cousin, Seth Warner was really the one who led the Green Mountain Boys and

provided the military muscle and the military leadership to lead a group. The only reason why

Seth Warner led the Green Mountain Boys is that they boys respected Seth Warner for his

military skills and his leadership experience. Even though the Green Mountain Boys deeply

respected Ethan Allen for what he did in the beginning. They simply saw Ethan Allen as being

too flamboyant, promoting himself more than the group and very much putting himself out

their. Even though Ethan Allen was voted in as commander of the Green Mountain Boys at the

Catamount Tavern. The real heart and soul military/terrorist leadership of the Green Mountain

Boys fell onto Seth Warner.

The history books have painted Ethan Allen as the face of the Green Mountain Boys.

However, they do not mention Seth Warner’s contribution behind the scenes. Do not see the

hard work and muscle that Seth Warner brought to the Green Mountain Boys. They do not see

his experience, his military record and what Seth Warner has done behind the scenes. Seth

Warner has done more work in getting the Green Mountain Boys into an effective fighting force

P a g e | 21

from their terrorist days to their Revolutionary War days. It is why when it comes to providing

the military muscle and battlefield leadership. It is clear that more credit should be given to

Seth Warner who after all, did all the legwork and gave Ethan Allen the legitimacy, the military

muscle and the military leadership in the Green Mountain Boys.

The legacy of the Green Mountain Boys is that Seth Warner is largely hidden from

history because of the fact that Ethan Allen is the face that many people recognize and see.

What many people do not know is that all the hard work and behind the scenes was done by

Ethan Allen’s cousin, Seth Warner. Seth Warner in large part is the true face of the Green

Mountain Boys and the military/terrorist leader of the Green Mountain Boys. Even though

Ethan Allen for his part is purely the political force and the front man for the Green Mountain

Boys. He is more seen as trying to promote himself and the group than leading the group in

many terrorist attacks. It’s why history is always ugly when it comes to the truth and in the

Green Mountain Boys, it’s very clear they had a dark and ugly side before they became very

well famous and an American patriots.

Endnotes

1 Procknow, Gene. 'Seth Warner Or Ethan Allen: Who Led The Green Mountain Boys? | Journal Of The American

Revolution'. Journal Of The American Revolution. Last modified 2014. Accessed December 2, 2015.

http://allthingsliberty.com/2014/05/seth-warner-or-ethan-allen-who-led-the-green-mountain-boys/.

2 Procknow, Gene. 'Ethan Allen: Patriot, Land Promoter Or Turncoat? | Journal Of The American Revolution'. Journal Of The American Revolution. Last modified 2013. Accessed December 2, 2015. http://allthingsliberty.com/2013/11/ethan-allen-patriot-land-promoter-turncoat/.


Revolution'. Journal Of The American Revolution. Last modified 2014. Accessed November 9, 2015.


4 Procknow, Gene. 'British Fascination With Ethan Allen | Journal Of The American Revolution'. Journal Of The American Revolution. Last modified 2015. Accessed November 9, 2015. http://allthingsliberty.com/2015/03/british-fascination-with-ethan-allen/

5 Greene, James M. 2013. "Ethan Allen and Daniel Shays: Contrasting Models of Political Representation in the Early Republic." Early American Literature 48, no. 1: 125-151. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed November 12, 2015)

6 Sparks, Jared, and Daniel Chipman. The Life Of Col. Ethan Allen. Burlington [Vt.]: C. Goodrich & Co., 1858., 147-151.

7 Moore, Hugh, and Ethan Allen. Memoir Of Col. Ethan Allen ... Plattsburg, N.Y.: O.R. Cook, 1834, 247-252.

8 Ibid, 41-42

9 Ibid, 49-50

10 Ibid, 55-56

11 Ibid, 75-77

12 Robert D Kumamoto, The Historical Origins Of Terrorism In America 1664 - 1880 (New York: Routhledge,

n.d.), 4.

13 Ibid, 21-22

14 Ibid, 22

15 Ibid, 29

16 Ibid, 21

17 Daniel Chipman, The Life Of Col. Seth Warner, With An Account Of The Controversy Between New York And

Vermont, From 1763 To 1775 (Burlington: C. Goodrich & Co., 1858),19.

18 Ibid, 20

19 Ibid, 22

20 Ibid, 23.

21 Ibid, 34-35

http://allthingsliberty.com/2015/03/british-fascination-with-ethan-allen/

http://allthingsliberty.com/2015/03/british-fascination-with-ethan-allen/

http://allthingsliberty.com/2013/11/ethan-allen-patriot-land-promoter-turncoat/

22 Ibid, 35-36


Revolution'. Journal Of The American Revolution. Last modified 2014. Accessed December 2, 2015.


24 Ibid, 35

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