ployed in teaching school for the purpose of replenishing their purse, those to whom such indulgence is given, would attend to the studies pursued by their classmates at the University, and be prepared for examination and re-entrance into their class. EATON however, in consequence of certain embarrassments at home, and devotion of most of his time to school keeping, received no advantage from his admittance in 1785, as he was again admitted, in May 1787, a member of the Freshman class.

In November 1785, he commenced a school in a parish of Windham, called Scotland, devoting however a part of his time to his college studies under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. COGGS WELL. Here he continued till the 1st of June 1786: When he returned to his parents in Mansfield, laboring on the farm a part of the time, and devoting a part to the pursuit of his studies, under the direction of the Rev. Mr. WELCH of Mansfield; a gentleman for whom he ever after entertained the highest respect.

In November he re-commenced his school in Windham; in which he continued till the ensuing March, 1787.

In May, 1787, with his staff over his shoulder, on which was suspended his pack, containing a change of linen, and a few trinkets, which he expected to sell on his journey, and with one pistareen only of ready money, he started on foot from Mansfield, to regain admittance at Dartmouth College. Arriving at Northfield his money was all expended; his spirits were depressed; and he gave himself up to tears for several hours. At length, resuming courage, he ventured to offer his pins, needles &c. for sale; and, with the avails and charitable assistance on the road, was enabled to reach Hanover. Producing a letter of recommendation from the Rev. Mr. NOTT to President WHEELOCK, he was by that gentleman treated with great kindness; was examined, and joined the Freshman class, then in their last quarter.

From the 1st of January, to the 1st of May 1788, he taught a school in Windsor (Vt.) and then returned to Hanover.

July 4th, by appointment, he sustained a part in a dramatic performance, in an exhibition ordered for that day, by the authority of the College.

Aware of the necessity of every exertion that could be made to enable him to maintain himself through his academic course, he pursued his studies with the most unremitting industry, in order to preservé his standing, yet be enabled to devote a great part of his time to school keeping. Excessive application impaired his health, and he was attacked with a hectic fever. His physician advised him to suspend his studies: to which advice however he did not yield till compelled by disease. By a journey to Windsor, attention to his complaint while there, and refraining from study, he gradually recovered his health and strength.

In November he commenced a school in that town, devoting all his spare hours to the prosecution of his studies, not unfrequently trimming his lamp till the grey dawn reminded him of the necessity of sleep. Here he continued till May 1789, when he rejoined his class.

In September he re-commenced his school in Windsor, and continued in it till May 1790, where he remained till the collegiate exercises of the Senior class were closed. After a journey to Connecticut, he returned to Hanover and took his degree of Bachelor of Arts, at Commencement, Aug. 25th. His performance was a poetic dialogue, in conjunction with his classmate Wm. Jackson. [Of this performance I find no trace among his papers.]

The ensuing December he again opened a school in Windsor, in which he continued till Aug. 1791, when he quitted the business of a pedagogue.

In October he was chosen Clerk to the House of Delegates for the State of Vermont.

1

During the next winter he made a visit to Connecticut. He had a brother, Mr. Calvin Eaton, who at that time resided in Brimfield, (Mass.) whom he visited on his journey. He had been previously partially acquainted with the family of the Hon. TIMOTHY DANIELSON of that town; a gentleman of liberal education, who had sustained several important civil and military offices, and who was most highly respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Gen. Danielson at his decease left a widow, then about twenty five years of age, with whom Mr. Eaton renewed his acquaintance.

In March, 1792, he received official information of his having been appointed a Captain in the Army of the United States, of which appointment he accepted. This appointment, I have been informed, was procured partly, if not mostly, through the instrumentality of the Hon. STEPHEN R. BRADLEY, now, and for many years past a Senator of the United States from Vermont.

Agreeably to orders from the war department, in May, he proceeded to Bennington, (Vt.) and took charge of the recruits that had been raised by his Ensign, CHARLES HYDE, and commenced himself the recruiting service.

In July he took the three first degrees in Freemasonry in the North Star Lodge at Manchester.

Some of his soldiers having deserted, Capt. EATON pursued them, taking himself the rout to Windham, (Ct.) and ordering a sergeant to Windsor, (Vt.) After spending a short time in Brimfield, he was married, at Union, (Ct.) on the 21st of August, to Mrs. ELIZA DANIELSON; and immediately departed for Windsor, where he found his sergeant with the deserters.

Having received marching orders, he proceeded, in September, to Albany with his company, thence to New-York and Philadelphia. Being here joined by some other troops he was ordered to Pittsburg,

where the troops arrived, Oct. 22. He was here introduced to Gen. Wayne.

Shortly after the troops proceeded down the Ohio, and joined the army at Legionville.

In March 1793 Capt. EATON had an altercation with the acting Adjutant General, which as it displays much of his hasty and decisive temper, I shall relate, in his own words.

"Sunday, March 17.-General Review.-In consequence of a deficiency of field officers, I commanded the left column of the army. In the course of the maneuvres, the General ordered my column, which I had formed in two lines afront, and cover for an attack in front, to form the line in the flank by facing the lines to the left, and wheeling by files to the right. This brought my flank platoons and music in the centre; the centre on the flanks, and my rear rank in front.

When the firing ceased-the Acting Adjutant General gave crders to take up the line of march, and return in the same order as we marched on the ground, which was by files from the right, countermarch-I immediately ordered the two wings to countermarch from the left and centre, which was the only possible method of bringing them to their proper order.-The Adj. Gen. observing this, and not knowing the position of the column, countermanded his own order, by ordering me to countermarch by the left-I was positively right, and was confident that I was bringing the column in the position which he himself wished-and consequently continued my march-When I had brought the head of the column to its proper position-B. the Adj. Gen. met me, and in presence of the General taxed me with having disobeyed a positive general order. I told him I positively had not, but was right-A short, but pointed contradiction ensued-B. threatened to make me repent my conduct—I challenged him to do it-This irritated his rage, he advanced on horseback towards me with his lifted sword-I met

his advance with my espontoon-The General emphatically observed that this was no place to altercate, and ordered the march to continue-I promptly obeyed. When the Legion returned to the grand parade and were dismissed-I wrote B. a challenge as follows

SIR,

Legionville, 17th March, 5 o'clock, P. M.

I am to understand—and am to be understood by Capt. Butler.

The Acting Adj. Gen.

EATON.

This billet was honored by my friend, Captain Slough, on reception of which B. pledged his honor that I should hear from him.

The next morning, he wrote me the following an

swer.

SIR,

18th March, 1793.

On a

I received your note by Capt. Slough, and had wrote last evening in answer (if it be possible to answer one so equivocal:) however, ere I had quite finished, company came in and prevented me. review of the contents this morning, least any ill natured person should put wrong constructions, I will first make you this proposal, that as I feel myself exceedingly aggrieved in your conduct of yesterday, we will take the opportunity of a general explanation in the presence of the gentlemen who commanded in your column, and who must generally understand what passed, and the cause—

Should this explanation not prove satisfactory, you shall be apprized of my further intentions-You can name the place if you please; and let me know. Yours, &c.

Capt. Wm. Eaton.

E. BUTLER.