Datus & Issac Ensign – A Revolutionary War Adventure
Compiled by Wendy Smith
Datus Ensign Jr was the son of Datus Ensign Sr and Lucretia Seymor. He is the brother to my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather Issac Ensign. Both Isaac and Datus served in the Revolutionary War
Issac served in Captain John Kellogg’s Company from May 16, 1777 to July 15, 1777. (1)
Datus served in Captain Warham Parks Company from May 4, 1775 to Aug 1, 1775 and then again in Captain David Mosely’s Company from Oct 21, 1776 to Nov 17, 1776 and then again Oct 17, 1777 to Sep 21, 1777. (2)
This little story about Datus Ensign was written in the book “The sexagenary: or, Reminiscences of the American revolution”. The story was told by John P Becker who lived in nearby Saratoga Springs at the time of this event. (3).
“An antedote recurs to my recollection which shows the daring of our soldiers. It is well known that the east side of the river was lined with militia. One of them discovered a number of the enemy’s horses feeding in a meadow of Gen. Schuyler’s, opposite; he asked permission of his captain to go over and get one of them. It was given, and the man instantly stripped, and swam forward across the river. He ascended the bank, and selecting a bay horse for his victim, approached the animal, seized him, and mounted him instantly. This last was the work of a moment. He forced the horse into a gallop, plunged down the bank and brought him safely over to the American camp, although a volley of musketry was fired at him from a party posted at a distance beyond. His success was hailed with enthusiasm, and it had a corresponding effect on his own adventurous spirit. After he had rested himself he went to his officer and remarked, that it was not proper that a private should ride while his commander went on foot. So, sir, added he, if you have no objections I will go and catch another for you, and next winter when we are home, we will have our own fun in driving a pair of Burgoyne’s horses. The captain seemed to think it would be rather a pleasant thing, and gave a ready consent. The fellow actually went across a second time, and with equal success brought over a horse that matched exceedingly well with the other. The men enjoyed this prank very much, and it was a circumstance familiar to almost every one in the army at that time” (4)
What an amazing thing to do and succeed not done once but twice. I am so proud to be a descendant of Issac and Datus and for their service in the Revolutionary War.
Sources:
- Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary War : a compilation from the archives; Vol. 05, Boston, Massachusetts, Wright & Potter Printing CC, 1899, page 382, Ensign, Isaac digitized book. Https://www.Familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/367050-massachusetts-soldiers-and-sailors-of-the-revolutionary-war-a-compilation-from-the-archives-vol-05 : accessed 22 Dec 2022
- Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary War : a compilation from the archives; Vol. 05, Boston, Massachusetts, Wright & Potter Printing CC, 1899, page 380, Ensign, Datus, page 382, Ensingn, Datus, digitized book. https://www.Familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/367050-massachusetts-soldiers-and-sailors-of-the-revolutionary-war-a-compilation-from-the-archives-vol-05 : accessed 22 Dec 2022
- “From Ticonderoga to Old Saratoga”, The Saratogian July 26, 1952, Saratoga Springs, NY
- John P Becker, S. Dewitt Bloodgood, “The sexagenary: or, Reminiscences of the American revolution”, J. Munsell, Albany, NY, page 109 ; digitized book, Internet Archive (https://archive.org : accessed 22 Dec 2022),