The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-17
JOURNAL OF A NAVAL OFFICER,
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
KEPT BY JOHN TREvErr, OF NEWPORT.
IConIinued.1 I

[ConIinued.l
Early the next day Capt. Rathbons came
on shore, for the first time, and came to the
Fort, and Informed me that they should be
all ready for sea the next morning, and thar
we should want three Pilots, one each ior
the ship, brig and sloop, and that the schoon-
ers would be ia readiness 10 follow the ship.
We concluded on way to procure the Pi-
lots, and expected that it would leave bone
of contention betwixt the Wing and Tory
parties.
The plan / proposed was, TO take out
about 25 casks Of Rice which was in the
Fort, belonging to Capt. Chambers priva-
toer, and offer it for sale at vendue, under
our guns; and | could get friend to al
tend and point out the Pilots to me. told
Capt. Ra,hbone 10 have his barge ready
,napned and armed, on the opposite side of
the sluop from the shore, that no suspicious
of our design nj ght be raised, and when |
had the Pilots picked cut was to lift my
hat and scratch my head, as a signal for the
barge 10 come on shore. We fixed 10 have
the vendue the next morning.
That afternoon went TO dine with my
friend Gould, but | had no, been seated long
al the table before one of the ladies saw one
OF my nen running for the house, and !
stepped out to meet him. He Informed me
that Capt. Chambers wns landing his men
and guns. sent him back to the fort and
soon followed after him. | had spies all a.
bout, aud soon came a,hwart one, who in
formed me that they had got some cannon
on the hill near The Governors house, aud
that night they intended TO attack the Fort.
told my good friends they would have n
hard time of it if they attempted it, for |
should not mind four times their force. !
well knew all | said TO them would soon be
heard by those under arms. Soon after
wards Mr.. Gould came down TO the Fort,
and told me his family was moving over to
Hog Island. I smlingly said to him, l
hope you are not afraid he answered /" No !:
| am not afraid but do not expect ever to
see you again, for they (,he Enslish,) have
oil the Privateer's crew at the Governors
house, and are making every preparation to
attack you tonight, for they huve discover
ed your strength and il thought (as he
expressed hinsel0 that you had nothing
but that id Bumboat, would fight "a
gains, you myself" I smiled. and told him
1t gave me no concern. but if he came over
the next morning he would find me in the
Fort. We parted, and he went to Hog Is
land. never invited any one to come in
to the Fort, but kept all out until | was
ready to leave the place. After my friend
Gould left me, went into the Fort, and
asked one Jack Scranton, Rhode Island
young man, being as spry as any we had
in the Fort, if he could shin the flagstaff,
up TO the head of the topma.t. He spoke
hard word, and said yes. told him to get
hammer and nails ready, while prepared a
flag, which I sent by one Capt. Tower, Of
New London, to the Governors house ac-
companied with a polite biiief-douI.
wrote but few lines to the Governor, in
forming him that the men were very uumer-
Gus on the hills, and shew a hostile appear
anee, and that if they should not dispcrse
in fifteen minutes after the flag returned to
the Fort, should begin to cannouade the
town, aud he might rely upon it that I
would give no quarters, neither take any.
At the time the Gov. received this note,
Jack Scranton had got up to the topmast
head Of the flagstaff, and was sailing our
flag, all 10 sight ssd in hearing Of the Gov.
Capt. Tower soon returned from the Gov-
srnors, and in less than twenty minutes,
there was scarcely Q man to be seen On the
Hills oil had pesceably dispersed ., sun
set, and during tho evening the whole town
ws'ss still as the grave. That night all
hsad' were employed getting the ammunition
and warlike stores ou, of the Fort, on
bosrd Of our Sloop.
Before sunrise [ had oil the rice ereep,
80 casks rolled out Of the Fort, aud those
too kept 10 give 10 the eeniinels, I had
kept prisoners 10 the fort, ss they had fam
lice and were poor. Soon after sunrise
ieok our Drummer out Of The fort, snd