The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-10-14
THE WHITE HORSEMAN.
DY SOLDIER OF TIE REVOLUTION

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The cry is still, "They l'-Shakespcarc
The heavy tramp of the regulars, as their soil,
columns moved amid the darkness towards Con.
cord, was heard with Indignation by the working in.
habnants of the country. The hardy yeoman as he
leaped from his pallet and glared through the win
dow at the passing show, was first at n loss to con.
lecture on what errand these well trained warriors
had been sent; but instantly recollcctng that there
was depository Of arms and provisions at Concord
which the Americans had, at much trouble, collcc-
ted together, he had doubt that this strong de-
tachment of the British army had been commission.
ed to take possession Of them. There was some
thing provokinsly cruel in the eyes of the Ameri-
cans, in thus deprivng them of the very humble
means of defence which they had been able to pro-
cure and although they did not Immediately form
the resolution of drawing blood Of those incenda-
ries. yet the murmur of disapprobation ran from
house to house, until the whole of the surrounding
country had becn aroused from their pillows, and
anxiously awaited the result of their movements IL
in a large building few miles below Leyirg-
ton, that family who had been early made acuuan-
ted with the approach of the British hirelings, resi-
ded They up and doing long before the ar
rival of the troops. The girls assisted their broth
ers in putting on their equipments, and the old man
saddlcd the horses for his As these lads were
about starting Tor the purpose of watching the Gu
of the regulars when they should arrive at Con-
cord, young man drove swiftly up to the door,
and bade the volunteers good morning. "Capt.
Roe! burst from the lips Of all present, save one
young and blooming lass, who hung her head and
sighed deeply. This young man was, apparently,
under thirty years Of age, Of middng stature, and
dark eyes which now cleaned with fire. lie spoke
a few hasty words in an under tone, to the armed
peasant boys, to which they replied by graspine
their frelocks and hastily mounting their stecds.
4" Not one word has he spoken to me"-sighcd the
pensive girl. Quick as thought, the young captain
eprang to the ground, and giving her a hearty en-
BRACE promised to he with her in few hours. No
answer was returned by The desponding fair one,
but she clenched her hands and raised her pallid
face to Heaven rs if engaged in inward prayer.
There she stood in statue-like silence until the
sounds had died away. Then turning to her moth
er who had remained by her side, she softly said " |
shall never see him more %
"Foolish GIRL" answered the old lady, in tone
that troubled while it child, ado you suppose that
Capt. Roe intends to attack the British army with
handful of plough boysl There will be no fighting
depend upon it,"
But the sound of approaching horsemen driving
swiftly along by-paths and the main road convinc-
ed the trembling girl, that the number was not small
who were already up in arms for the defence of
their rights, their hearth stones and their liberties
The two females shrunk into the house oppressed
by feelings strange and new.
The young men, with Captain Roe at their head
drove off toward Lexington, and halted at n barn on
the road side, at the distance of two miles from that
village. Here were already assembled about forty
youths, whose lack of equipments and unmilitary
bearing was compensated by sturdy limbs, hard en-
Drowned visages and sincwy arms.
Now, my dear fellows" said Roe, in a has,y
but not agtated tone, 1--WE are strong enough to
march. We shall be joined by others The Cam
bridge boys are wide awake, and have gone to Con-
cord already; and have seen some old men gal
loping out to enjoy the morning air. The country
il rising all round u.s."
The rude volunteers gave three loud cheers, and
at oqce formed in marching order. The little band
struck out in the high road, but before thcy had
rc9eIscd Lexington, obliged to turn into by
way, the rapid advances Of the British endanger-
I'd their safety. Having arrived at Lexington,
Captain Roc called his men to a halt, and bcsoupht
hcm to sell their lives than TO be driven from
The position they had taken. This charge appeared
10 5c needless, as they had no intention Of firing