ページの画像
PDF
ePub

In storming the works of Quebec by general, general in Massachusetts, and eminent by his pubMontgomery, the gallant captain Cheeseman, of lic services. He was in this brig during three New-York, aid to Montgomery, being as active as cruizes, and was at the taking of eight prizes, the he was brave, the moment he reached the picket, first of which was the king's armed schooner Displaced his hand on one of the palisádoes, exclaim- patch, belonging to lord Howe's fleet, then on ing to his comrades, If there be any honor in being their passage from Halifax to New-York, it being the first man in Quebec, I have it.' He sprung over 10th July. In the engagement one man was killed and fell by a shot within the picket. in the Tyrannicide, three wounded, and one died of his wounds. When col. Gardner of Brookline was brought the 14th of February, 1777, when he returned, He continued in this vessel till off from Bunker's Hill, where he was mortally from a four and an half month's cruise in the West wounded, he was asked if he did not wish to see Indies, and all were discharged. He is now 72 years his son, who had been also in the battle. If my of age. In the action with the Dispatch, which son has done his duty, I shall be glad to see him.' lasted 7 glasses, her commander, John Goodrich, He was answered that his son had done his duty. 24 lieut. of the Renown of 50 guns, then in the He saw and embraced him. fleet, was killed, and several men. Mr. More, sailing master, was wounded and his limb amputated. Mr.

Bost. Patriot.

The first sea fight.—The late rev. Dr. BENTLEY, of Collingsin, midshipman, had his limb amputated Salem, Mass. whose decease was equally deplored but he died. The Dispatch was so disabled that by the friends of religion, patriotism and literature they were obliged to take her in tow, and they -who for many years enriched the columns of the brought her into Salem, after being out 17 days. "Essex Register" with his remarks, when speak. The Dispatch had eight carriage guns, 12 swivels, ing of the revolutionary pension law, seized the op- and a compliment of 41 picked men from different portunity to give us the following interesting scrap ships in the fleet. This was the first sea fight. The of history: Tyrannicide was the first vessel that was built for "The following history may discover how a man the public service, and her commission was signed may engage in the public service, and yet not be by John Hancock. The Dispatch was no prize to qualified according to law for the bounty of a term the crew, excepting a small bounty on her guns. short of one year's service. Joshua Ward, who And yet this worthy man in his poverty, comes belonged to Salem, but who has lived many years not within the letter of the law, and instead of his in Marblehead, a painter, marched on the 19th of bounty, must accept a hearty recommendation to April, to Charlestown neck, as a fifer of the first the generous care of his fellow-citizens."

company in colonel Timothy Pickering's regiment

of militia, commanded by capt. William Pickman,

STRONG MEASURES FROPOSED.

and soon after entered the army under captain In congress Oct. 21, 1778.-"Whereas there is. Thomas Barnes. From Cambridge, he was ordered every reason to expect that our unnatural enemies, to Watertown to guard the public stores, and re- despairing of being ever able to subdue and enmained at this station till the battle of Bunker's slave us by open force, or persuade us to break Hill. He then joined the regiment under colonel through the solemn treaties, as having entered into Mansfield on Prospect Hill, in Charlestown, in the with our great and good ally, his Most Christian Massachusetts line, and acted as fife-major, till majesty, and return to the dependence of Great he joined gen. Sullivan's brigade, on Winter Hill, Britain, will, as the last effort, ravage, burn, and when he was promoted as fife-major general. He destroy every city and town on this continent they continued in the service till the first day of Janu- can come at:

ary 1776, when he was discharged, having continu

ed the time of his enlistment. He then entered bitants of these states, as live in places exposed Resolved, That it be recommended to such inhacaptain Benjamin Ward's company, and performed to the ravages of the enemy, immediately to build garrison duty at fort William and Mary, now fort huts, at least 30 miles distant from their present Pickering, till the 19th of June following. He habitations, there to convey their women, children, then volunteered with the first lieutenant Haraden, and others not capable of bearing arms, and them. a well known brave and able officer, with others selves in case of necessity, together with their of his companions, on board the Tyrannicide, a furniture, wares, and merchandise of every sort; public armed brig of 14 guns and 75 men, con- also, that they send off all their cattle; being manded by captain John Fiske, afterwards a major measures they cannot think hardships in such times

of public calamity, when so many of their gallant Ford Cornwallis made his overture for capitulation. countrymen are daily exposed in the hardships of The proposals were immediately despatched to the field, fighting in defence of their rights and the commander in chief, and the negociation, as liberties.

we say, progressed.-The Marquis de la Fayette, whose tour it was next to mount guard in the trenches, marched to relieve the Baron, who, to his astonishment, refused to be relieved. He informed general de la Fayette, that the custom of

Resolved, That immediately, when the enemy begin to burn or destroy any town, it be recom mended to the good people of these states to set fire to, ravage, burn, and destroy, the houses and properties of all tories, and enemies to the free-European war was in his favor, and that it was a point of honor which he could neither give up for himself, nor deprive his troops of-that the offer to: capitulate had been made during his guard, and that in the trenches he would remain until the capitulation was signed or hostilities commenced. The Marquis immediately galloped to head quarters:general Washington decided in favor of the Baron -to the joy of one, and to the mortification of the other of those brave and valuable men. The Baron remained till the business was finished. I should not have sent you this recollection, had I not seen in your paper of this morning an extract

dom and independence of America, and secure the persons of such, so as to prevent them from assisting the enemy, always taking care not to treat them or their families with any wanton cruelties, as we do not wish, in this particular, to copy after our enemies, or their German, negro, and coppercoloured allies.

Extract from the minutes,

CHARLES THOMSON, Sec."

LORD CHATHAM thus expressed himself, when speaking in parliament, of the congress that declar. ed independence. “I must declare and avow, that from Lee's memoirs relative to the surrender. My in all my reading and observation, and it has been anecdote may not be worth much now, but such my favorite study, I have read Thucydides, and as it is, it is at your service.

One who was in the trenches.

From the New Orleans Chronicle.-The follow

have studied and admired the master states of the world, but for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of difficult circumstances, no nation ing fact, though altogether worthy of being reor body of men can stand in preference to the genembered, has never, I believe, been reported by neral congress at Philadelphia.” the pen of any historian.

A brave-fellow.—Among numberless feats of valor Lest it should be thought a mere fabrication to performed by individuals of the American revolu- occupy a vacant column in the newspaper, I think tionary army, none has pleased me more than the it not unimportant to state, that the subject of this following, related by an eye witness:-"During the memoir, Mr. Hunter, is well known in Darlington heat of the battle at Germantown, while bullets district, South Carolina; and the following narraflew as thick as hail-stones, one Barkelew (of tive, which I had from himself, is familiar to his Monmouth) was levelling his musket at the ene-friends and acquaintances.

my, when his lock was carried away by a ball.— Hunter, though a youth of perhaps 18 years old, Undismayed, he caught up the gun of a comrade just killed by his side, and taking aim, a bullet was "y active in defence of his country's rights entered the muzzle, and twisted the barrel round during the revolutionary war. It was the fate of like a corkscrew! Still undaunted, our hero imme- this Tyro in arms to fall into the hands of major diately kneeled down, unscrewed the whole lock Fanning, whose deeds as a cruel partizan leader in from the twisted barrel, screwed it on to the the service of Great Britain, are written in North barrel from which the lock had been torn, and and South Carolina, in characters of blood. Hunblazed away at the enemy." Can' ancient Sparta or modern Britain boast a more brilliant display of cool, deliberate, unshaken courage? This hero is still living.

ter, whose active services had roused the ire of the major, was told upon the spot to prepare for his fate, which was nothing less than death, for which awful event a few minutes only were allowed him to prepare. A band of tories, thirsting for the Anecdote connected with the surrender at Yorktown. blood of a patriot, instantly formed a circle round From the N. Y. "National Advocate"-1818. Baron the boy, leaving him no reasonable chance of Steuben commanded in the trenches at the moment escape.

At this moment thought followed thought in quick succession. His home, his friends, his country, and the circumstances under which he was about to be torn from them all, together with the reflection that he must quickly realize a state of untried being, crowded upon his mind, and called up feelings not to be described.

For the first time he bent his knees to the power which wields the destinies of man, and no sooner had he breathed a wish to the throne of mercy, than he felt a strong persuasion that deliverance was possible. This important point settled in his mind, he cast his eyes round in search of the means to be employed. At the distance of a few paces from the encircling band stood a beautiful filly, furnished with the major's riding establishment, complete. This animal, late the idol of sportsmen in Virginia, had fallen into the hands of the present owner, and was highly prized, as affording the means of escape from impending danger.

"Cannot I," thought Hunter, "spring from my knees, gain the saddle, and under the favor of that power which has so fully assured my heart, escape this threatening death?" Having resolved, if he must perish, to perish in the attempt, he darted like lightning through his enemies, and seizing the bridle, which was held by a servant boy, as he vaulted into the saddle, he put the major's courser to her speed, and went off with his booty, to the no small disappointment and mortification of the astonished beholders. After gazing a while in stupid amazement, the redoubtable Fanning recollected that his soldiers had guns, but it was too late; and the order to "shoot at the rebel," was obeyed without effect.

INTERESTING HISTORY.

Van Rensselaer, esq. To this day vestiges of their encampment remain; and after a lapse of sixty years, when a great proportion of the actors of those days have passed away, like shadows from the earth, the inquisitive traveller can observe the remains of the ashes, the places where they boiled their camp kettles. It was this army, that, under the command of Abercrombie, was foiled, with a severe loss, in the attack on Ticonderoge, where the distinguished Howe fell at the head of his troops, in an hour that history has consecrated to his fame. In the early part of June, the eastern troops began to pour in, company after company, and such a motley assemblage of men never before thronged together on such an occasion, unless an example may be found in the ragged regiment of sur John Falstaff, of right merry and facetious memory. It would, said my worthy ancestor, who relates to me the story, have relaxed the gravity of an anchorite, to have seen the descendants of the Puritans, march. ing through the streets of our ancient city, to take their station on the left of the British armysome with long coats, some with sho:: coats, and others with no coats at all, in colours as varied as

the rain-bow, some with their hair cropped like the army of Cromwell, and others with wigs whose curls flowed with grace around their shoulders. Their march, their accoutrements, and the whole arrangement of the troops, furnished matter of amusement to the wits of the British army. The music played the airs of two centuries ago, and the tout ensemble, upon the whole, exhibited a sight unaccustomed to in their own land. Among the to the wondering strangers that they had been club of wits that belonged to the British army, there was a physician attached to the staff, by the name of Doctor Shackburg, who combined with It is known as a matter of history, that in the the science of the surgeon, the skill and talents of early part of 1755, great exertions were made by a musician. To please brother Jonathan he comthe British ministry, at the head of which was the posed a tune, and with much gravity recommendillustrious earl of Chatham, for the reduction of ed it to the officers, as one of the most celebrated the French power in the provinces of the Canadas.airs of martial music. The joke took, to the no To carry the object into effect, general Amherst, small amusement of the British corps. Brother referred to in the letters of Junius, was appointed Jonathan exclaimed it was nation Ane, and in a few to the command of the British army in North days nothing was heard in the provincial camp but Western America; and the British colonies in Ame- the air of Yankee Doodle, Little did the author or rica were called upon for assistance, who con- his coadjutors then suppose, that an air made for tributed with alacrity their several quotas of men, the purpose of levity and ridicule, should ever be to effect the grand object of British enterprize. marked for such high destinies; in twenty years It is a fact still within the recollection of some of from that time our national march inspired the our oldest inhabitants, that the British army lay hearts of the heroes of Bunker Hill, and less than encamped, in the summer of 1755, on the eastern thirty, lord Cornwallis and his army marched into bank of the Hudson, a little south of the city of the American lines to the tune of Yankee Doodle. Albany, on the ground now belonging to John I.

[Albany Statesn - 1.

1775-Nov. 7.—Dunmore's proclamation. IN NORFOLK and the adjacent country, Dunmore counted on numerous adherents. The rash advice, together with his own impetuous, haughty and revengeful temper, early impelled him to a mea. sure characterized by folly, and fraught with incalculable mischief, not only to the people of Virgi. nis, but to his own cause. Under date of Nov. 7th, he issued the following proclamation, the style of which strongly indicates the agitation of a perturbed mind, whilst its substance betrays a bind, impolitic, ruinous inflexibility, and, what is still worse, a savage and wanton disregard for the fundamental principles upon which the social fabric essentially rests, and for those rules of civilization, which are usually respected, even in the phrenzy and calamitous intent of war.

By his excellency, the right honorable Joas, earl of Dunmore, his majesty's lieutenant and governor general of the colony of Virginia, and vice admiral of the same.

A PROCLAMATION

colony to a proper sense of their duty to his majesty's crown and dignity. I do further order and re. quire all his majesty's liege subjects, to retain their quitrents or other taxes due, or that may become due in their own custody, till such a time as peace may again be restored to this at present most unhappy country, or demanded of them for their former salutary purposes, by officers properly authorised to receive the same.

"Given under my hand, on board the ship William, off Norfolk, the 7th day of November, in the "DUNMORE. 16th year of his majesty's reign.

"GoD save the KING."

TICONDEROGA. The following is not a revolutionary document, but an article that may well be preserved in this collection; and, being specially requested, we insert it with pleasure.

was,

vincial forces, and belonging to Farmington, in this county. The original document has been preserved in the family, as a precious memorial of their ancestor, for sixty years, and was handed to It is undoubtedly the most authentic and correct statement of that unfortunate affair, which exposed our frontiers to the murderous and cruel outrages of a savage foe, and filled the whole colonies with consternation and dismay, which at this day is to be found; and in every point of view is worthy of preservation. We recommend its insertion to the editor of the Baltimore Weekly Register, as that work is probably the most permanent and valuable place in which it can be deposited.

From the Hartford Times. The following statement or return, exhibiting a minute and accurate account of the loss in killed and wounded sustained by the British and American forces under the command of gen. Abercrombie, in the memorable dis"As I have ever entertained hopes that an accommodation might have taken place between aster or defeat at Ticonderoga, July, 1758, Great Britain and this colony, without being com as it purports, made out soon after the battle, by pelled by my duty to this most disagreeable, but Judah Woodruff, who was a captain of the pronow absolutely necessary duty, rendered so by a body of men, unlawfully assembled, firing on his majesty's tenders, and the formation of an army, and an army now on its march to attack his majesty's troops, and destroy the well disposed subjects us by his son. of this colony. To defeat such treasonable purposes, and that all such traitors, and their abettors may be brought to justice, and that the peace and good order of this colony may be again restored, which the ordinary course of the civil law is unable to effect, I have thought fit to issue this my proclamation, hereby declaring that, until the afore. said good purposes can be obtained, I do, in virtue of the power and authority to me given, by his ma jesty, determine to execute martial law, and cause the same to be executed throughout this colony; and to the end that peace and good order may the sooner be restored, I do require every person ca- The British regiments are distinguished nume. pable of bearing arms to resort to his majesty's rically, and by their commanders. The 1st and 4th standard, or be looked upon as traitors to his ma battalions called "royal Americans," were troops jesty's crown and government, and thereby become enlisted in the colonies by British officers. The liable to the penalty the law inflicts upon such of "Prouinshals," or provincials, consisted of the milifences; such as forfeiture of life, confiscation of tia of the colonies, which were detached, or volands, &c. &c. And I do hereby further declare lunteered for the service. It will be seen that, with all indented servants, negroes, or others (apper- the exception of lord Murray's regiment, which taining to rebels) free, that are able and willing to was nearly cut to pieces, the loss of the provincials bear arms, they joining his majesty's troops as soon was as great as that of any one regiment. They 28 may be, for the more speedily reducing this must therefore have been actively engaged.

We have printed it verbatim, and preserved the same orthography, to exhibit an idea of the provincial dialect of that day.

A return of the killed, wounded and missing of his

majesty's forces at Carelong or Ticonderoga, July 8th, 1758.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

THE PROSCRIBED. From the Boston Gazette, 1774, The following is an authentic copy of a letter which was lately thrown into the camp, with the following direction:

"To the officers and soldiers of his majesty's troops in Boston.

"It being more than probable that the king's standard will soon be erected, from rebellion breaking out in this province, it is proper that you, sol diers! should be acquainted with the authors thereof, and of all the misfortunes brought upon the province; the following is a list of them, viz:

Samuel Adams
James Bowdoin
Dr. Thomas Young
Dr. Benjamin Church
Capt. John Bradford
pesa Josiah Quincey

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Maj. Nath'l. Barber
Wm. Mollineux

John Hancock
William Cooper
Dr. Chauncey
Dr. Cooper
Thomas Cushing
Joseph Grenleaf
and William Denning,

"The friends of your king and country and of America, hope and expect it from you, soldiers, the instant rebellion happens, you will put the above persons immediately to the sword, destroy their houses, and plunder their effects: it is just that they should be the first victims to the mischief they have brought upon us. (SIGNKD)

A friend to Great Britain and America. "P. S. Don't forget those trumpeters of sedition, the printers, Edes & Gill and Thomas."

FROM THE BOSTON PATRIOT.

Messrs. Ballard & Wright:

The enclosed letter, from the venerable and patriotic major Hawley has never been in print. Its publication at this time would not perhaps be irrelevant, and would certainly gratify some of your country friends. It was written soon after the adoption of the present constitution, and shews s his opinion of that instrument. It is needless to add, that we here think every thing from the pen of that great man deserving of record.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

рәрипо

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

19

59

92

21 84

35 116

55 131

40 135

190 265

3 15

55 131 12

[blocks in formation]

22

5355

[ocr errors]

21

3

[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]

The number killed, 515 men.

HAMPSHIRE.

To the hon. the senate of Massachusetts.

May it please your honors: The intelligence given me by the writ of summons, under the hand pue quey of the president of the council, that I am chosen a senator by a majority of the voters of the county of Hampshire, affords me a singular pleasure, on two accounts: The one is, that an election to that high trust, by a majority of the unsolicited suffrages of the voters of the county, is a genuine

The number wounded, 1269.—The number missing 39-Sum

[ocr errors]

total 1823. This drawn out by me, Judah Wood-proof of the good opinion of the people of my

Buff, August ye 15: 1758--Att lake George.

The author of the "Broken Hints," page 324.

« 前へ次へ »