From Terrorist to Patriots

From Terrorist to Patriots
By
Nicky K.D Chaleunphone
History 400
Prof Carenen
April 9, 2016

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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 claimthat they owned the land, the settlers were

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

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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
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

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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
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

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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
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.

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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
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
claimin 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

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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.
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,

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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
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.

P a g e | 20
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
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

P a g e | 21
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
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.

P a g e | 22
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/.
American 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:ContrastingModels 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

P a g e | 23
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
22 Ibid,35-36
American Revolution'. Journal Of The American Revolution. Last modified 2014. Accessed December 2, 2015.
24 Ibid,35

P a g e | 24
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Vermont'. The Journal of American History Vol. 73, no. No. 4 (2015): pp. 895-915.Accessed October 25, 2015.
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York State Historical Association Vol. 5 (1905):pp. 113-127.Accessed October 25, 2015.
Duffy,JohnJ,and H. NicholasMuller. InventingEthan Allen,n.d.
Doten, Dana.'Ethan Allen's "Original Something"'. The New England Quarterly Vol. 11,no. No. 2 (1938):pp. 361-
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