The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-01-24
whe White Horse,nan.
4 HRmrNIscEScz OF LEXINGTON BATTLE
GROUND.

i The bell of the Westinghouse at Lexing-
ton, rang out loud and shrill on that clear
frosty morning in April, starting from his
sIumbers the hardy yeoman, who, as he leap
ed from his pallet and endeavored to rouse
his dormant faculties, was not long in con-
jecturing the meaning of those untimely
sounds. Ding, dong, ding dong, how they
thrilled along the nerves of the half awnk-
ened sleeper, as he tried to peep from his
window into the gloUm of the incipient day.
And as those soul stirring sounds echoed
and reverberated through the chilling atmos-
phere, one and another household was awak
ened, and soon glowworm tapers might be
seen fitting to and fro, until every house
within reach of those reverberations gave
token of wakefulness and activity. Anon
as the first gray Of coming morning stole
over the picture, groups and squads Of arm
ed and uharmed men appeared, all hurrying
towards the point whence came the warn
ing voice of the old bell as it continued to
call to arms. There was no hesitation, no
hating in the step of those who gathered a.
round the person of Captain Parker, to learn
the import of those thrilling clarion notes.
Every man capable Of bearing arms had
been enrolled in the bands of the "min.
ute men, and the presence of one hundred
men about the door of that old church gave
token how well they deserved the title
"What's the matter, Capt'in! what's the
matter!" was the query of each as he arriv-
led on the ground, and all answered alike:
The British are on the way to Concord to
capture the stores, and we must let 'em
know that they amt going to have 'em with.
brush" There was to the Americans,
something cruel in idea Of being deprived,
by force, of the very humble means of de-
fence, which they had been able after great
exertioSs to collect, and, although the deter
mination to fight had not as yet been fully
formed, yet every man saw at once but two
alternatives; the loss OF their stores or blood
shed. The first they were not prepared to
put up with, and the only course was to de-
feud them. Still they, one and all, deter
mined not to take the intimate, but let
the naughty Britons bear the responsibility
of firing the first shot.
They had not long to wait. The tramp of
the British soldiers was soon heard on the
road, and in a few minutes the head of the
column appeared in sight. The officer at the
head ordering two companies from column
into line, rode forward, fourshing his sword,
or dered the d---d rcbles to disperse. But
they, Notwithstanding the immense superb
or force, did not at once obey, and the troops
were ordered to fire. The first volly which
killed four of the Americans, was returned,
and the n Captain Parker ordered every man
to "take care ofhimself and fight on his own
hook" Having sworn that he "never would
run from the British" the Captain contin-
ued to load and fire his piece until he was
wounded. Dropping on his knees he still
continued his warfare until he was baynet-
ted. in his tracks.
The whole of the scene described took
place in full view of an old man named
HezekiAh Wyman, window in whose house
overlooked the ground. Hezekiah was near
ly eighty, had been deemed too old to be
enrolled in the minute men, but he soon
gave evidence of a spirit which led him to
perform deeds of valor unequalled by any
during the day.
"Wife," said he, turning to his aged part
ner, who had turned from the window hor-
ror.struck when the first volley was fred,
and it become evident there was to be con-
test; :'wfe, isn't there an old gun barrel
somewhere up garret! 81 believe there was,
but what on earth, husband, do you want of a
gun, amt going to fght.the British, are you!
Massey souls, continued she, seeing her hus-
band moving toward the stairs, "what can
you do with gun--an old man like you,
eighty last November should think you
had seen enough fighting already. There
lies Captain Parker and his men bleeding
on the ground before your eyes,"
The old man made no reply, but proceed
ed up the stairs, and soon returned with an
old rusty gun barre in his hand, and in spite
of his wife's incessent din. (and poor oman,
she was influenced by the best motives,) he
went to the shop, and, having stocked it,
put it in complete order for use. He then
sadded his horse, tall, raw-boned animal,
white as the snow, and mounted him. Tell.
ing his wife to take care Of the house he
gave his horse the whip, and took his way
to Conford. He soon met the British on
the retreat, and was not long in perceiving
that there was wasp's nest about their ears.
Determined to do his part, he dashed forward
and delivered the contents o. his gun in the
faces of the soldier ON the extreme left, and
reigning back his steed to reload, he dealt a
second death with his never failing bullet
The tall. gaunt form of the assailant, his
grey hairs floating in the breeze, ands above
all. the color of his horse, made hins con-
spicuous among the crowd of Americana
which now hoyered on the british tanks, and
the regulars gave bin the eeaglomen Of
sDeath on 9 Pale Horse.n Innumerable
bullets few about his head as he made his
head az he made his, first assault, but un-
dismayed, the old patriot continued 70 ap-