Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-05-14
From Niles, R.ris,rr
slxTiETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAT.
TIE OF LEXINGTON.


The Danvers celebration, on Moudav,
was carried through in handsome style
the weatherwas somewhat unpleasant.
yet large eonconrse OF The citizens OF
Danyers. and Of the neighboring towns,
assembled TO witness the exercises on
this Interesting occasion.
The object Of the ceremonial was the
laying oil the corner stone ola perma.
nent and appropriate monument, in me-
mory OF the eight citizens OF DanvIers
who iel at the battle of Lexington, the
commencement oil :he American revo.
linton. The names of the proto -martyrs
were tienry Jacobs, Samuel Cock, Eb-
eneZer Goldthwaite, George Scuthwick.
BENZ Daland, jr. lothian Webb and Per.
ley Putnam.
AT 10 o'clock, a procession ofthe sub
scrbers, revolutionary patriots, and 9th !.
or gentlemen of Danyers and vicinity.
was formed in the square fronting the old
South meeting house, attended by bril-.
liant escort--the Danvers light infantry,
under Capt W. Sutton, and the Danyers
artillery, Capt. A. Pratt, with full and
rich band Of music. The procession
proceeded through Main street TO the bu.
rial ground, where lie the remains Of Sc
veral oil the slain !; thence countermarch.
cd TO the Eagle corner, where the mon.
ument is to be erected.
The services at the church were Of a
very interesting character Mr.. Kings
address was highly appropriate. and was
interrupted with repeated plaudits. After
the exercises, procession was formed,
and escorted by the Danvers light infsnt-
ry to the Essex Coffee House, where
about two hundred, including a number
oil revolutionary worthless, pariook of
collation., prepared Ivy Nj. Benjamin
neutrality-suspicious. Gazette.
When The proc ession reached the site
Of the proposed monument, prayers were
offered, and the corner stone vas laid
A box containing various coins and docu
ments, was deposited in il 10y Gen Gideon
Foster, scao commanded company Of min
ute men at Dancers, sUhidh ,eos present at
the battle Of Lexington, and who accompa.
MED the ceremony with the following ad.
dress -
Friends ard Ftlio,c citizens.
Ga the ever memorable 10Th day OF
April. IT'S, now sixty years past, il was
my fortune TO meet in this place with
numbers of my fellow citizens, to defend
the rights and liberties Of my country.
The alarm of war was sounded. The en-
envy was then amongst us. The first blood
of Americans was then she'd On the
plains of Lexington the roar Of arms was
then raging.
On that morning, more than one humid
red OF my townsmen FASTENED 10 the field
Of battle, Unused 10 the articles Of war
--unskilled in the arts Of staying their
fellow men-their hearts were flowing
with zeal 10 their country's cause, and rea
dy to offer their lives on the altar Of their
Liberties, Seven OF those who thus start.
ed in the prime OF life, and vigor ofmIsn-
hood, ere that days sun descended ia the
west were numbered with the dead. Ma.
ny others have marks of the well directed
fire Of the enemy.
To perpetuate the memory ofthose who
then offered their lives for their country's
good 10 perpetua,e the principles with
which they were actuated, is the purpose
Of this DAYS meetings. the purpose Of
the monument, the foundation of which
has now been laid May this purpose be
attained may these principles he remem-
bered, and made the rule Of action, in oil
coming time-apd may the names which
are here recorded endure until the granite
of our own hills shall be crumbled in the
dust.
was then twenty six years old. About
10 DAYS before, | had been chosen TO
command company of minute men. who
were at all times TO be in readiness at
moments warning. They were so ready.
They all assembled, on the rery spot where
we are this day assembled they Advent;
and in about four hours from the time Of
meeting, they travelled on foot (fuii hale
the way upon the rum sixteen miles, and
saluted the enemy. This they did most
eflectuaIy as the records Of that day
most clearly prove. ! discharged my
musket at the enemy number Of times
q think eeven), with two balls each time
and with well directed aim. My comrade
mir, Cleaves, Of Beverly who was then
standing by my side, had his finger and
ramrod cut away by shot from the enc.
my.
Whether my shot took effect, cannot
say but this can say, IL they did not,
il was not for want Of determined purpose
in him who sent them OF those under my
immediate command there is no one tJt
Gliue. Three Of them were slain on that
day. alone remain TO tell their story.
|, tottering old man, through the good.
ness Of God, am still permitted TO be here.
| am permitted to see this day'sascending
sun, and to witness these interesting ce
remouics. can truly say il is one Of the
happiest days. and most pleasing events
Of my life. A few days more at most. and
perhaps very few, and ! also shall be mum
bered with the dead.
But while see the spirit that moved
the patliots OF '76 brIgh. and vigorous in
the breast Of their descendants--w while |
see the lights Of my fellow citizens main
fa,nad and the constellation nf mr. enlinlrp