The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-23
Obituary.
DEATH OF A REVOLUTIONARY aor.ntrp

DEATH OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER.
Ac'nespondent Of the Albany Argus gives the follow
ing interesting historical obituary.
Died suddenly in the Presbyterian church at Johns
usual good health Wednesday afternoon the 9Th inst
Jos1T BALcH soldier of the Revolution aced 6
years His funeral was attended Friday afternoon fol-
lowing his decease in the church which he died and
the exercises were solemn and impressive for all who
knew the deceased felt that father had gone to Inherit
the reward OF the good and vtuous In the spirit land
The old hero was very properly buried with military
honors and the sad drew together vast as
se%oses the newly equipped infantry companies Of
Miller presented very fine military appearance and
acquitted themselves in skillful and prAiseworthy
effect the audience Of the dges appropriately die
coursed by Cooks Albany Band Ooly thing seemed
that was yoiiey Of musietry al the open grave which
am happy to learn was not an omission chargesble to
the military; but TO an cratic notion Of others.
took passage on board Of ship for England which,
none OF its inmates again heard FROM was sup
poeed to have foundered at sea- and all board have
persisted. The father matchmaker BY trade, removed
hon Boston early in life to Weathershed Connecticut
where he married Miss Lois Beldng native OF the
Feb. 49, l76O
In the yeer i772, then lad twelve years old, the
own expense, sent young Balch, with William Fosdick
and another boy, to Mddetown to learn to play the
eso much pride did officers then take in having good
music. At the age Of fourteen he apprenticed to
the matchmaking business from which his father pre-
yously retired In the spring Of i776 Washington sent
York city. From Wethersaeld to New York he was
escorted by company Of volunteers one OF which num-
Der was our hero as its fer In July following at the
age Of sixteen. he drafted with tbs militia
to go to New York, and on his arrival he was
appointed ase major Of the regiment
duty on Long Island but not engaged 10 the
batte it was however, part Of the army whose re-
sS ro OF the was Il hs
stationed Helgate and afterwards at White Psins
whore it discharged During the following winter
hero Gfe-major Joined the brigade of Gen. Worces
ter on the line near New York. The expedition which
called out those troops fruitless one and Gen. W.
made retreat whish not approved by Washington
In the spring 1777 our hero hfe-major, drafted
into continental regiment, commanded by Col Saml B.
Gen. Putnam who placed there to watch the motions
of the eremy. In September the latter landed some
which time our hero Was on yiquet Guard there out in
stead of attacking the Americans in their garrison near
they recrossed the river and marched upon Forts Gin
ton and Montgomery. When their design became fully
apparent the Americans, with all possible expedition
movd up the river to those garrison but
too late to avail and both posts, after gallant defence
were captured Putnam then crossed the river at FISH
Bill, and encamped at New Windsor. Having removed
the river Instructions the British chipping assembled the
river. and burned Kingston, soon after which the
Americans arrived in its vicinity, when the enemy in
their shipping dropped down the river A. = little
Montgomery by Sir Henry Crimson to Burgoyue When
S an sr s
want, for he win set me at liberty" He taken
into the presence Of Gen. George Clinton but that
Clinton he knew not and he observed to turn aside
and swallow something. Gov: Clinton administered a
powerful dose Of tartar emetic, and the patient dis
charged 81 bullet, cd together, which contain
ed letter TO Burgoyne: The spy wins hung on the limb
of apple tree Another man, arrested with the spy
set at liberty.
The troops under Gen. Putnam took post in the fall Of
1777 ut Horse Neck, and while there Col Webb under
took expedition on Long Island, The troops part
of two regiments, sailed from place called Old Wells.
They embarked in two vessels; the night cry dark
and that which contained the Colonel captured by
British frigate. The other vessel on which was our
hero landed the island, but where the troops knew
not; and not daring to return with their craft, they
made their way 10 the east end Of Longs Oyster Poad
latter port There hero discharged. aud the
gment went into wieter quarters in Rhode Island The
military services OF hero ended with the Long Island
expedite IN and he returned his native town and en-
gagged in the occupation OF his trade.
Many years ago Mr. Bal IN made JOhnstOwn, N Y, his
place OF residence, where he has sincc resided,
he ever cheerful countenance, and had smile Of
greeting for old and young He has, up to the ment
Of his DEATH been vigorous fr his years. He
has for time had second sight and could lay aside hts
gassos and write hand that would young stueens
to blush when comparing with their We think he
must have been the only pensioner OF his age In the State
II rot in the Union who made out his owe pension
papers, and that executed by him the 4h of March
last, was beautiful specimen Of PENN anship In the
Of 1854 he went to Wisconsin attend the wed
ding of friend. He delighted to recount the Of
agreeable companion. He Of the intelligent
men left until now to speak Of the Of
national hostities. But he has gone Only few days
before his death, conyersng with neghbor the SUD
ject Of it's approach he said death had terros for
him and that he expected when, it 1t would
suddenly And thus did the messenger meet him. Like
shock Of wheat fully ripe he has fallen before Times
harvest reaper and left to his loss and
emulate his virtues.