Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-27

Died in Windsor, on the 18th instant, after
distressing illness Of about four days, Lieut., JOHN
HEATH, 1 patriot Of the revolutionary war
aged 80 years, 4 months, and 70 days.
The subject OF this notice was born in Mas
sachusetts, where he continued principally To
reside, excepting while serving his country, till
November, 1911, when he removed to Wind
sor in this county, and there continued to re-
side until his decease.
Lieut.. Heath first enlisted into the United
States army at Bethany, near New Haven,
Connecticut, for the term Of seven months
but served nine months; then re-enlisted under
Captain VIM, Hull, for the term OF one year,
and was stationed at Bunker Hill, and was in
the battle at that place.
While lie was at Bunker Hill, the enemy at
one time received from the tories In that vicini-
ty, drove of stabilized cattle, which they were
pasturing just over rise OF ground, at short
distance from the American encampment, and
opposite to where Lieut.. Heath, then private,
was situated as a picket guard. Heath upon
discovering the cattle, unable TO resist the
temptation, left his post which was within range
Of the British guns, and went and drove into
tie American camp forty-four head of the
enemy's cattle; receiving, while in the act, the
compliments Of the British in the shape of two
"a shot, but without injury. On hearing the
report of the British guns, General Washing
ton dispatched one Of his colonies to recon
noitre, who met Mr.. III. with the cattle, just as
he had passed the summit of the hill.
Mr.. Heath related to the Colonel what he
had done the Colonel told him to go along
with his cattle, and he would take charge Of
his post till he came back. He was absent
from his post only about half an hour. Heath
heard nothing more in relation to his exploit,
from his officers, till the next morning, when he
was summoned to General Washington's quar-
ters. The General demanded to know OF him
how or why he had dared to leave his post2
Mr.. Heath replied that he knew he was guilty
of violation of his duty; but the temptation
was so strong he could not resist it. General
Washington reprimanded him, said he must
never be guilty of leaving his post again; that
he would excuse him this time, and directed
Major Humphrey to take down his name, and
Heath to leave. In the course of that day,
General Washington sent him thiriynine silver
dollars, and hind quarter of beef @ le
NJ After the expiration of his second term, he
enlisted during the war, under Captain Charles
Pond, and went to West Point where he was
transferred to Colonel Baldwin's regiment OF
artifcers, and had charge, under French en-
gineer, of the building of the middle redonbts,
opposite TO West FONT. Although frequently
offered promotion TO Office in the army, he
did not accept one till May, 1888, when he re-
ceived a lieutenant's commission. He had COM
mand of the last guard at Fort Putnam. His
discharge was dated the 18th Of June, 1888, to
take effect on the ratification of the treaty Of
peace.
Mr.. Heath was always an unwayering demo-
crat. He always insisted that he never had q
personal enemy during his life, and that ne had
always received the respect of his superiors and
equals. !.
Although Mr.. Heath has regarded himself
as an invalid during the last seventy years, yet
he has never suffered much inconvenience from
his disorder, but has been more active than
most persons of his age, and on Monday last,
rode several miles and executed his pension
vouchers in his own handwriting; but he has
now "passed the way of all the earth" "Peace
TO his memory.n .se