The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-08-16
GUorcfstet
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1926.
THE GALLANT COL. PLUCK.

~~-S " ~ cHAo PoSSCu q law
the mode of appointing certain militia officers,
! and making them elective. This gave great
umbrage TO many of the officers in the city of
Philadelphia, who entered into combination
to exhibit what they considered the absurddy
of the law in the most ridiculous light. For
this purpose, they selected one JoHN Pluck,
the ostler of a stable in that city, person re-
markable only for his ignorance and vuigarity;
and it was determined he should be candi-
date for the office of Colonel. The thing took
it was during the heat of the Presidential
contest, and the good people, being mostly
| Jackson men, had been taught that military |
| achievements were sufficient proof of superior /
qualifications for the Presidency. BY parity |
Of reasoning they now argued that, as John
Pluck would curry horse better than any
other ostler in the city, ergo, he was the most
suitable man Tor the Office of Colonel, and his
popularity became irresistible. He was con-
sequently elected. Some of those who start
ed the project, now began 10 think the joke
had been carried far enough, and represented
the case tn the GnvArnoF, who refused to issue
his commission, and ordered a new election
But it was too late. The popular voice had
! declared Pluck their faYorte-he was again
chosen, and the Governor did not think proper
any longer to withhold his commission.
Thus metamorpbosed from 3" Honest John,''
the ostler, into Col. Pluck, of the bloody
84th," our hero was destined to emerge from
the obscurity in which he had hithe rio been
shrouded. 1t was announced in the papers.
that, on certain day, the Colonel would ap
pear IN the field, at the head of his regiment,
EARNED and equipped as the law directs.''-
The time arrived, and rarely has day been
witnessed in the city of brotherly loye,''
when curiosity was highly wrought, or so
completely gratifed. At the appointed hour
the Colonel appeared 6 mounted on a gallan,
white charger" properly arrayed, with
chapeau and a sword of such ample dimen-
slons, as we'll bespoke the superior dignity of
their wearer, and pair of spurs enormous be-
yond any recorded precedent. The various
| exploits of the day--the eloquence with
which the Colonel addressed his regiment,
and his ability in manoeuvring 1.-THE merry
| faces, and the shouts of the countless thou
sands who assembled to witness 3" the sight,,
| would require the pen Of Ceramics 10 do
them justice. Suffice it to say, that the events
of that day proved orr hero to be as dstin-
guished among the military cheftains'' Of
the present day, as was the worthy Sancho
Panza among the civil rulers of his time, and
as deserving of an equally ilustrious historian.
1t is true that, being unused to riding with
saddle and stirrups, he occasionally fell from
bis horse, which the malevolent attributed TO
the effects of liquor, but his friends all declar-
ed such imputations were gouudless and it
was remarked that his thick squaddy form
shielded him from the dangers usually attend
ing such accidents; and, moreover, that no
one could have been less disconnected by
their occurrence.
The fame of Col.Pluck soon spread abroad
and brought on nim the honors and cares usu-
ally attendant on greatness. Invitations to
honor other cities with his presence, crowded
upon him, among which were several from the
Commercial Emporium" of the County,
! The constant CAKE of his stable, however,
prevented bis noticing them till they were
| backed by Que from his particular friend, Ma
jor Noah, to whom he had, some time previ-
ously, presented his massy spurs. On receipt
Of his invitation, he forthwith repaired to
| New York, where he arrived few days since,
and the event was duly announced in the pa
pers. The number of his visitors is said to
| bar, boa nnr.rocadanfrd Gnch uva fho RI
osity to see him, that arrangements were made
| o. --L--A rrIrormeu) f~--L.-s-@r
pearance at the several places of public
amusement, the proprietors being well aware
that his presence would insure full houses
The following account Of his visit to one of
them is from the New- York Courier.
i Col. Pluck al VaurhalI.-This distinguish
ed chieftain, agreeably to announcement,
made his appearance at Vauxhall last even |
ing. At the close OF the first part Of the con-
cert, preparations were made for his exhibit
ton, by placing three or four small lamps in
| front of box which had been once occupied |
| as an orchestra; sooE after the gallant COM
mander made his entree, amid the huzzas and
congratulations Of the audience, who all |
crowded around him in order TO receive some
particular mark of attention. Many efforts
were made, on the part Of the spectators, to
induce the Colonel to make speech, but all
without avail; to every complimentary ex-
preston, John, like good natured soul, said
nothing, but ever and anon gave his nose wipe
with the back part of his right hand, while
with the other he sustained his tremendous
torledo his chapeau-de-bras was highly or
namented with game feathers, horse trappings,
| and curtain tassels; blue troopers uniform,
evidently too small for John, with brace Of
epaulettes, which might have put feld-mar-
I shall to the blush, were bis principal invest
ments. The loud and repeated calls for a
speech from the Colonel at length compelled