Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1836-01-28
From tie New. York Transcript.
TAR AND FEATHERS REvENGED.

TAR AND FEATHERS NEEEEGEDs
Just before .lhe breaking out Of the Re-
volutiOn, man by the name Of DITsON,
belonging to BiIIerica, Mass. was tarred
and teathered in Boston, by the British
sOhdiers, under tie orders of Lieutenant
Colonel Nesbit. The British officers wish
ed to- prevent the Americans from pur-
chasing guns and in order to furnish an
opportunity 20 inAct punishment, aod to
raise occasion for serious quarrel, SOL
der was ordered to offer the countryman
an old rusty musket. Ditson caught at
the bait, and purchased the gun for three
dollars. he was 1hereupon seized, and
after being confined in the guard-house all
night, was stript entirely naked, and COW
cred with tar and feathers, and in that con-
dition paraded through the streets of Ros-
ton. The Yankees, however, begun to
collect in great numbers, aud the military
tearing for their own safety, dismissed the
man aud retreated to their barracks.
Thus far the incident is related by Coz
temporary historian. What follows we
have from the lips Of the old con,inen.a!
himself Many time and oft have we
heard him relate the story, with cleuched
hands. and eyes flashing fire, and always
Widths ending-"But I had nsy rerenge!'
When he was dismissed by the British,
he called for his gun, which during the
operation Of tarring and feathering had
been taken from him. take the gun,
and be id = said the officer who had
commanded the tarring and feathering par
ty; you'll be the last Yankee, TIL be
sworn, who will come here to purchase
musket.'
But not the last that will use one,' said
Ditson, as he grasped the weapon and
mark me, sir, I'll have my revenge
The cock is clear game. said the officer,
turning to his companions with laugh,
but he had better rufle his feathers on
his own dunghill.'
Dits.n, by the aid Of soap and warm
water, got rid ofhis feathery coat but the
idea Of the insult elung to his mind, burn
ing deeper and deeper like the shirt Of
Nessus. He longed for an opportunity of
revenge. 1t was the theme Of his thoughts
waking or sleeping. He dreamt of it by
night-ho pondered OH the means Of ac-
comprising it by day. But how was he
to accomplish it,
An opportunity was not long wanting
for that purpose. His country few to arms,
to redress its public grievances and he to
revenge his private ones. As soon as he
heard that the British had marched to Con-
cord, he seized his rusty musket, amt uu"
to the scene of action.
What are YOU going to do 2 said his
neighbors, as they saw him unyoking his
team in the middle Of the field, and at an
unreasonable hour Of the day.
I'm going to pay the red coats for the
tar and feathers, said Ditson, setting his
teeth firmly together. Come on, and
you shall see sport
But you're not a going to take that old
rusty piece 2 said one.
But / am though said Ditson; /
shall take none the worse sight, for its be-
ing rusty
He fastened to the field Of fight, and
his neighbors went with him. Having Sc.
lected the bonghs Of thick tree. by the
way side, whittier the British were on
their retreat, he climbed into them, and
there securely ensconced. and taking de-
Iiberate aim, every shot from the old rusty
musket told one.
I aimed said Ditson. particularly at
the officers; and the first man dropt was
the commander Of the tar-kettle. That
did me more good than the best dinner /
ever ate in my life. There! 1couldn',
help exclaiming-I told yow I'd haze my
revenge! Half dozen shots were fired
into the tree-but they were fired at ram
dom. for ] was we'll secured in the boughs,
and only two bullets went through my hat.
My bosom felt lightened as soon as the Off
GER fell. The tar seemed as it were to
loosen from my skin. and felt fifty per
cent better. But still I had not complies
ted my revenge. The tar had not yet all
dropped of. 1t was there still. in imagin-
alton, and the feathers chung to it. The
British would make a fghting-cock Of me,
and I was determined they should feel the
full length Of my spurs
Ditson was again present at the battle OF
Bunker Hill, where he had an opportuni-
ty of using the old musket to still greater
advantage than at the battle of Lexington.
Reserving his fre-agreeably Ia the mode
enjoined by PutDam-until ne could see
the enemies eyes, no brought down his
man at every shot; aud several more.
whose countenances he recollected, as hav-
ing belonged to those engaged in the tar
ring and feaihering scrape. fell victims TO
the strength Of his memory. the accuracy
of his aim, and tho sure FIRE Of his rusty old
piece. lie was the last TO leave the ditch !;
and when his powder and ball was expend-
cd. he fought like tiger with the butt Of