Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-01-30
ABOUT A WILD BOSTON BOY.


The old people i, and about Boston, as well
as many in the country, know something about
" Been RUSSELL" the we'll known editor who
spent longer life in the wearing tolls of that
calling than most editors do, and who died in
Boston during the past year at a very advanced
age. Benjamin Russell was Boston boy. just
about the time that the Revolutionary war
broke out about ID years OF age. He went to
school TO the celebrated Master Carter. When
the battle Of Lexington occurred, Master Car
ter said "Bovs. war has began, and the schhoo
is oS 1'oseI up the gave three o fheGTs
over 10 Cambridge, and as Boston was strictly
guarded and bcseigcd, they could not relurn.--
TIE American soldiers gave them quarters IN
the colleges. and there they remained till the
l7lh Of June.
"On the morning Of that day." says Mr.. Bay
lies, carInons were heard IN the direction Of
Boso" and Charcstown. Something was ex.
pected, and the Boys anxious to see the fight,
run down the Chares,own road. and placed
themselves secure from the musketry, but ex-
posed 10 the cannon bah from the ships, and ii
was sigh: never to be- forgotten.
At twelve the harges bagan TO move from
the head OF Long Wharf over the waters, filled
with soldiers, whose FURNISHED arms CLEANED
bright in The sunbeams, while their rich scar.
le, dresses dazzled tbs eve OF every behoder.
Batting the sad reflection that men of the
same lineage, and language, subjects Of the
same king, and readers Of the same Bible,
we're about to Slaughter each other, the spec.
tacle was not only animang and delightful,
but grand imposing and slbme
In three hours The battle had assumed the
most terrific aspect. Tw,.s REFUSED the Brit
sh were still advancing. The hill was run
ming with blood. The peals of cannon from
the ships Of war and from the bartteries on the
land were reverberaing over The waters and
through the hills. The houses in Boston and
through the surrounding country were shaken
with the conclusion. On the hill.tops and the
house tops, thousands and thousands were
viewing this trial of arms with swelling hearts
and burning eyes. Shouts burst forth from the
men--ihe women trembled and pressed their
infants to their bosnms. The roar OF the cam
non, town in 1ames--dead bodies--wounnded
men--b.ood- Shouts and groans--form.
ed an assemblage of sounds and sights terrible
even in countries Injured to all the dread vicis-
STUDIES OF war, but fraugtt with double horrors
IN country in which, until within few week
the CLEAN Of hostile musket had never beer
seen. The graphic peu of Gen. Burgoyne has
left the picture. The stake was an empire
the actors on one side might be rebels, or they
might be heroes; they might be dlsgracea
with the halter, or honored with the monu
ment.
|, was on the evenul day, that Benjamin
Russel, at the age of l3k gained knowledge o
srnic ihings noges tau.y -'ol r7,om.--
Several of the boys he saws, crossed and re
crossed the neck during the battle, that same
meet over which an American officer told Gen
D,tp,tp rn,,ib md live Con Dut
nam, who was great favorile with the boys, il
his eccentric movements on his "long ,ailet
Connecticut horse. often came near U.s." says
Majrr Russell. ian then we cheered him will
an huzza for Old Put."-a name which follow
ed him through the whole course Of his service
| After the battle the boys returned to the col
eyes. Hitherto they had been living at free
quarters. but New Enganders are very apt Il
require a qud pro quo scheme was soon Dc
vised to make these bows useful. They hal
been well taught, they were good readers, gooC
writers, and had some knowledge of Arithmetic
They were attached to some Of the companies
as clerks. ut fell to my lot" says Maj. Rus
sci, "io become the clerk OF the company o
Connecticut troops commanded by Captain Put
nam. nephew of The General. We were sta
toned with other troops, on prospect Hill, where
the General was in command. did duty as
clerk until the ensuing August. One day as
was returning from the commssarles depot. will
the weekly provisions Of the company, having
four men wi h me, and f's'.t h.y father and un
Gle, whe had just escaped from Boston. NJ
father had not seen or heard Of me since thu
10Th of April. He was so rejoiced to see me
that lie was about to shake me for not writin!
to him. One of the soldiers took fire. "Don'
shake that boy, sir" said he, :" he is our clerk.
An explanation took place, the father and sol
repaired to Gen. Putnam's tent At the inter
cession of his father. Gen. Putnam released hin
and gave him an honorable discharge from hi
first service as revolutionary soldier. On tn
next day his father took him to Worcester, an
bound him an apprentice to Isaiah Thomas, tn
celebrated printer, book seller, editor and pub
Usher.
Master Carriers school had been broken up
HIS career in arms had been arrested by hi
father, and Major Russell now entered scho'
in which a mind Ike his could no, fail to prot
lie was IN that school where the highest prime
pies of liberty were taught the printing otfic
Of Isaiah Thomas, in Worcester.
This explains the WY in which Mr. Russo
became printer, and afterwards an editor; an
very few men have been as successful or ell
jnyed as extensive an infnrv'ce as he We hav
all reason to be grateful that we do moi live
such troublesome lines. where even young DO,
were separated from their parents by the Ia;
ards of men, Christian IVatchman.