Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-09-26
From the Utica Patriot.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.

1
| From the Utica Patriot.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
On Friday last, agreeably TO notice
previously given By he Court Of Gem
mon Peas Of this county, The old soldiers
of the revolutionary army, presented
themselves ia court al Whitestown, for
the purpose of making The proof required
by the late law, 10 enable them to contin-
ne TO receive the pensions which they had
obtained under former law. Alter the
business 10 court msszseeemplished, the
veterans paraded in company, under
the direction OF Gen. Dooiitile, Geo. Col
Inns and r. Morrison; Esq. who came there
10 meet their old nov less Fortunately
companions ID arms, 81 deeds Of yalor,
and III scenes of suffering. Many met,
who after passing years together IN the
service Of their country, had not seen
each other since The Termination Of the
war.
Many Incidents occurred Oh the occa-
sion which would afford amusement, but
as they were calculated to bring TO mind,
as Que of the aged heroes expressed il,
The 6 days Of SORROW. recital OF them
will not be attempted. One 81 ihe most
Interesting characters who appeared on
that day, was Kirilapd Griffin. Esq.
known in this part of the country 10 To-
miliar language, by the name of Paul
Jones, 10 consequence of having served
several years with that intrepid naval
commander. He. although far removed
from the necessity owing to his own in
dustry and good management Of bumbiins
himself in order obtain triiling eraluity
from his country, was present on that oc-
casion for the purpose Of once more seeing
collection OF revolutionary heroes.
He related in the most modest manner
imaginable, several stories of occurrences
during the war, which serve TO shew the
suffering which those endured who acted
10 the tremendous scenes OF those days.
and also The spirit which then animated
the country. "Who lsaid he) could for
bear 10 go into the service when fathers,
mothers, sisters and friends FL! ;:p!esea
it, and all wonld give every thing in their
power to prepare llaa ossng men."--
Z Those were the days OF devotion to our
country" 81 went Oh board privateer-"
g We were soon captured" I've could
not help IL" We had but 10 guns, aud
they came upon us with Give could
not resist and surrendered" 1T was
early 10 the war and We were not consid.
cred or treated as prisoners of war, but
as rebels.
We heard nothing from our country
but from our keepers, who gave US the
most dismal and gloomy accounts; until
after long confinement clergyman hap
pened to say that there was good news
from America for us. After be was gone
we had long consultation about what it
could mean, and finally concluded that it
must be, that Burgoyne, of whose inva-
sion aud progress We had heard the most
exulting statement from our Keepers, had
surrendered. We Immediately mustered
crown, and bribed poor woman to
bring US paper that had in il the account
Of Burgoyne's capitulation, and candle,
for we had not seen the light Of fire or
candle for many months. Having pro-
cured them, we mounted one of the best
readers on beam, for We occupied Sc
cond story aud had 90 floor over head,
and all gave attention. He read the ac-
count 10 loud voice, aud it was with
difficulty that orde. was preserved until
he had flushed, aud the moment he had
| there was tremendous shouting. The
guards were reused, we heard them and
retired. They examined and left us. We
went at ii again; they returned; we re-
tired as they approached. They took off
1 a few and departed: we re-assembied and
determined that we would rejoice. How
| to do it we knew not; for we had nothing
to drink, and precious little to eat; but
rejoice we must aud would. Finally, we
concluded we would dance. We had q
1 few fiddles, and we set two or three to
playing, and then all throughout the
whole extent of our long prison went al
! it, and 10 spite Of the keepers and guards
/ we had real Connecticut dance"
i After an imprisonment of more than
two years, our Paul Jones was liberated
and again went into the service under the
brave commander Of that name, and was
With him during bis most successful
cruises, and particularly IN the terrible
engagement between the Good Man Rich
ard and Seraphis, when the engagement
was decided by boarding. The Ameri-
cans lost $50 out Of $50 men. aud the
British suffered still greater loss. The
American frigate was old, and not bull
for war, aud it was believed, during the
battle, that she would sink Never
mind H." said Paul, Eve shall have {
better one to go home in;'' and SO it pro
] we'd. "All," said our Paul, "thst ever