Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-03-26
From the Democratic Review.
"REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD
SOLDIER.

our ncglborliood for the camp at Cambridge.
My father was warm "Libcrty man." and
had contributed largely to the outfit of his
ncishhors who exchanged the plough for the
muskct; yet as was his only son, and had
not yet seen sixteen summers, il is no, strange
that he desired TO retain me at home
With habitnal obedience, yielded to his
decision, but could no, refrain from tears of
vcxation and longing, as saw my compa-
MONS depart. This practical proof of my
uniltncss Tor soldier did not escape the OBJ
servation of my father, and il was owing to
4 resolution that / formed in consequence of
his severe and scorniu! rcbuke, that my check
has never since been seen mois,cncd by a
tcar-"hich people will find easier than they
may think, if they will only try. Bat not
many days after, as my father and myself
were passing towards tlac fields, the scene of
our daily tolls, the cheerful stiffness of the
morning was broken by the sound of cannon.
II was in the direction of Boston, and we
insilncilvcly feet that ,car had, in good ear
nest, bCgu The sounds became more fire..
qucnt. My father would iain have prcsrrv-
cd ll's usual composurc, Which so well be-
came tic oldest deacon of the church, but
his patriotic feelings became too strong for
mastery. Clnrping lis hands with force
that niadc me start rs ifone of the cannon had
been freddy my side, he exclaimed, "John
yon mag 60" There was no installing his
meaning. Though these were all the words
ic uttered, yo, knew had permission to
join the army, and that the permission would
not be recalled. | threw away tic cart
whip that had in my land, which neither
of us stepped to pick NJ, and we immediate
Y returned TO the house, and began arran-
Gcm"ntS for my departure. The old musket
was taken down and examined; there was
not particle of dust abou, it, as had clean
cd it daily for months. Tie time spent by
father in changing, adjusting, and proving
the flint, was to me excessively annoying.
But t knew better than did that feelings,
however fiery, would not ignite gun-powd, r.
In the mean time, had packed my knapsack
with more haste than skill, and iitcl,ed our
old bay to the chaine. IN less than an hour
after !lc sound Of tie first cannon had reach
ed our ears, we were moving, father, KNAPP
sack, muskct and |, towards Boston. The
h rise, who did not seem to ?ar;akc Of my
enthusiasm, moved as deliberately as if tra-
yelling lis usual Sabbath-lay Journey.
would gladly have dispensed wit, his scrvi-
ccs, but my fathers cool and slow selrpos-
session had returned, and 20 deviation from
his will WAS to he thought Of.
should have remarked that my mother
was absent on 4 visit 10 my married sister, so
that was spared the trial Of bidding her fare
well, Which, would, no doubt, have been a
very different affair from the part g with my
father.
We had cleared the lauc, and gained the
main road towards Boston. was dcvisine
eXpcdicn,s for fnickening the peace of the
Tory beast, as in my heart had cal!od him,
when we met eur worthy and reverend pastor,
Mr.. Forbes. lie paused as he drew near.
My ruskctand knapsack--and probably my
coUntenance too, though am sure my faith
cr's would not-intormcd lin, whittier we
| were bound. When che aI-nbsorbing idea
is present, conversation, as far as it relates
to it, can be carried on Il, small expense to
words.
$50, John, you are going TO Ggh, the bat
ties of God and your country"
ayes, sir, I'm going to try" | replied,
etiquette forbidding the use of any of the
cxp!ctivcs that rose to my lips, in the pre-
scnce of minister.
"WclI, may the blessing of the God Of bat
ties 90 with you, john. But remember,
John, when you are away fiom your minis
tor and your father, that you are no, away
from God. Rcmcmhcr-," and the old
mans eyes filled with tears as lie gazcd
upon mc-he closed them, AID for few Sc
combs Was engaged in mental supplica,on--
then hcSto"ing a "God bless you !" upon
me, he passed on, as ii unwillingto delay
us from such an crr,nd. This meeting pas
scd in minute, but the impression that it
left OF my mind has lastcd for many year,
ana was far deeper than # lie had bestowed
a heightened lecture, to Which am sure he
wound not have found IA very patient listener.
But the good mas ha"w always what to say,
and when TO say it; in this respect differing
widely from some of his sacred profession
| that have ALLEN in with in the evening OF
my days. Whatever improvements there
may have been made in other things, am
| free to say that the breed O. our ministers has
not improved. The fact is, the could no,
be much better dian they were in those DAYS,
mach as they are now sometimes ridiculcd
Ivy ungratciul hlochtcads, who are enjo, inc
the liberty which the ministers Of that day
quite as much as any other class Of men, aid
cd to secure.
The distance from my native place to Bos.
ton was about fourteen miles. NY father
left me to perform the latter half of tho dis.
lance on foot; his parting advice was brief
"Farcwell, John, you know your duty an,
mind what Mr.. Forbes said 10 YOU
arrived at the camp before nightfall
somewhat exhausted by the haste had mad,
during the latter half of the way. | sough
the company to which my companions be
longed, and entered it as volunteer. NJ,
friends had not taken part in the engagement
but were full of enthusiasm in consequence 0
the events Of the day.
One very dark night We were called out
and formed with the utmost Nllluess. VIII
the object Of the movement we were not ac
quaintcd. Hence our fancy had free Scoop
during the hai-hour We were drawn up, an,