The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-10-14

village church, many squads OF Americans uasheu
by them OIL their way TO Concord, but Captain Roe
maintained his position with the view of harassing
the enemy if they should attept any violence to the
village. Just the morning dawncd, the hasty
tramp of men were heard by the little band and in
a moment afterward the British commander wheel
cd his steed upon the plain where they stood, and
waving his sword, commanded them to throw down
their arms and disperse The Americans were
not fast in acknowledging the authority of the epau
leted caitif and, in instant, shower of British
balls cut down nearly half Of the little company,
and put the rest to flight Captain Roe was among
the slain. The women and children of Lexington
fled from their houses the hills filling the air
with their screams. There was one old man by
the name of Hezekiah Wyman, the window of
whose house overlooked the ground where the muir
ders were committed and no sooner did he see his
brave couptrymen fall, than he inwardly devoted
himself to revenge the unhalowed slaughter.
Wife, said he, rs there an old gun barrel,
somewhere in the garret p
Il believe there was" said she, 4" but pray what
do you want with itl"
Il should like to see if it is fit for SERVICE" re-
plied he, 1t am not mistaken, it is good enough
to drill hole through n rg'lar."
Mercy on me, husband you going mad =
An old man like you-sixty last Novembcr-talk of
going warl should think you had enough
! fighting the British already. There lies poor Cap
tain Roe and his men bleeding the grass before
your eyes. What could you do with a gun -
| The old man made reply, but ascended the
stairs, and soon returned with a rusty gun barrel in
his hands. La spite of his wfc's ncessant din, he
went to the shop, made a stock for it and put it
in complete order for use. He then saddled strong
white horse, and mounted him. lie gave the steed
the rein and directed his course towards Concord.
he met the British troops returning, and was not
long IN percelying that there wasp's nest
bout their ears. lie dashed closely upon the
n, ,h,. hal h.. h
cd with the spouting blood of the wounded soldiers.
Then refining back his snoring steed to reload, he
dealt second death upon the ranks with his never
failing bullet. The tall gaunt form of the assaiant
his gray locks floating the breeze, and the color
os his steed, distinguished him from the rest of
Americans, and the regulars gave him the name of
Death on the pale horse" dozen of bullets
whzzed by his head, when he made the first assault,
but undsmayed, the old patriot continued to prancc
his gay steed over the heads of the foot soldiers
to do his own business faithfully, in the belief that
because others did wrong by firing at him, 1t would
be 10 excuse for him to do wrong by sparing the
hireIng bullies of a tyranncal government. AT
length vigorous charge of the bayonet drove the
old man and the party with which he was acting,
far from the main body of the British. Iiezckinh
was also out of ammunition and was compelled
to pick up some on the road, before he could re-
turn to the charge. He then came again, and
picked an officer, by sending slug through his
loyal brain, before he was again driven off. But
ever anon, through the smoke that curled about the
lanks of that detachment, could be seen the white
horse of the veteran for moment. The report of
his pistol was heard, and the sacred person of one
of his majcsty's faithful subjects 10 meas
urc his length on rebel ground. Thus did Hczeki- I
ah and his neighbors continue to barrass the
treating foe, until the Earl Percy appeared with
thousand fresh troops from Boston. The two de-
achments Of the British were now two thousand "
strong, and they kept off the Americans with their
artillery while they took hasty meal. No sooner
,ad they comcnccd their march, than the powerful
white horse was seen canterng at full speed over
he hills, with the dauutlcss old yankee on his back.
" Iian cried the soldier, there comes that old
elbow again, on the white horse Look out for
ourselves, for of us has got to die, spite of
ate And one of them did die, for iezckiah's aim
vas true, and his principles of economy would not
dmit of his wasting powder or ball. Throug hout
he whole of that bloody road between Lexington /
md Cambridge, the fatal approaches of the white
iorscmcn were dreaded by the trained troops of
Britain, and every wound inflicted by the Hezek-
,h needed no repeating. But on reaching Cam
bridge the regulars greatly to their comfort, missed
he old man and his horse. They comortcd them
selves by the conjecture that he had at length, paid
he forfeit of his temcrity, and that his stced had
gone home with n bloody bride, and an empty sad
die. Not so. Hezckah had only fingered for a
moment to aid in plot which had been laid by
Amni Cutter for taking the baggage Wagon and
their guards. Amn had planted about fifty old rus
~ muskets under n wall, with their muzzlcs drec-
ted toward the road. As the Wagons arrived OPP
posite this battery the nuskcts were discharged and
eight horses, together with soldiers, were sent
out of existence. The party of soldiers who had
the baggage in charge, ran to pond, and plunging
their muskets into the water, surrendered themselves
to an old woman, called Mother Barbcrck, who
was nt that time, digging roots in adjacent field
party of Americans rc-captured the gallant En-
glIsh'.Ien from Mother Barbcrck, had placed them
in safe keeping. The captives were exceedingly as
tonshed at the suddenncss of the attack, and de-
clarcd that the Yankees would rise up like mosque
toes out Of marsh, and kill them. This ehief
f'Garre, having been concluded, the harrassed SOL
L.. m.