American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-31
From the Cincinnati Times.
TEE KINGS POWDER. j
BY RICHARD EVERETT.

SOItlSCICu MlUh tuC " w III !
that are as yet, unrecorded in his
tory or romance.-Few deeds of per-
sonal valor or sacrifice are handed down
to us in the regular chronicles of our
Revolutionary struggle. There is a
lack of detail in all the histories of
those memorable years. Posterity
loves to dwell on the most trivial incl
dents in the history Of our ancestors.
Irving, in his "Lifc of Washington"
now being issued, is doing much to-
wards remedying this defect, and we
predict for his work wide popularity.
1t lis our purpose at this time to chron-
ielc an event in our Revolutionary con-
test wich is sdeserving of remembrance.
New Hampshire has one fine harbor
in her little strip of seacoast. 1t ear
| ly attracted the attention of English
adventurers, and settlement called
"lnconia was commenced near where
the fourishing city of Portsmouth is
now situated. The town grew in
strength and resources. The fertile
country around was settled by an in
dustrious population; villages were
built upon the green meadows of the
Pisquataqua and the Merrimac, while
the clear streams from Lake Winaspi-'
seogee turned many Gathering mills.
Under the old Provincial Govern
ment a fort was constructed at Ports
! mouth harbor. 1t was strong stone
structure, mounting few heavy can
non, and supplied with some military
stores. at the close of the French
war the British garrison was Withdrawn
and for several years the old fortifca-
tion remained in the charge of o single
keeper. No sooner, however, dad Gen,
Gage arrive in Boston with his army,
! Gust previous to the great opening acts
of the Revolution, than he sent small
garrison to occupy and refit the Ports
mouth fort.
Some two miles from the fort dwelt
farmer Perkins. He was an old settler
in the vicinity. More than forty years
4 before he had emigrated from the old
country and settled near "Strawberry
! Bank, ;" as the location was then styl-
ed. lie had served as soldier in the
Indian wars under John Stark and
Major Rogers, and had won himself
not only comfortable home from the
primitive wilderness, but had risen to
the honorable position Of 'sDeacon'' in
the church. His two sons, Joshua and
John were grown up to be stalwart
men, familiar with scenes of danger Il
hardship. AT the first intimation of
trouble between England and the Co
lonies, Deacon Perkins and his sons
declared themselves against the King.
They heard with anxiety of the outra-
ges committed on the people Of Boston
by British troops, and the old man was
bold in declaring against the English
government. Days wore away and
the hour of open rebellion drew near.
| Under the direction of John Langdon
corps of ''minute men were organized
and armed, ard at the head of one
company was Deacon Perkins.
1t was Sabbath morning. Deacon
Perkins sat in the door way of hishouso
looking down the road which led to
Boston. Suddenly the old man half
started from his seat and gazcd intent
) ly at cloud of dust that seemed cree
ping along the highway, A process
sionl of Wagons guarded by a compa-
ny of. soldiers in the uniform Of Eng
land was advancing slowly in the di-
) rection of his house. 1t was an unu-
sual sight, and as tie sun glistened up
ON the polished arms Of the soldiers,
+ Deacon Perkins felt his martial spirit
rising. lie could not divine the object
of this unlocked for display, he there
fore summoned the whole family to aid
his speculations. Meantime the train
drew near, and finally halted directly
, in front of the Deacon's house. There
were three large carts, each drawn by
q yoke ofoxen, and stout four wheel
J ed wagon, with o canvass coyer,to which
vas attached four horses. About for
| ty men comprised the escort, and as
tthe train halted they stacked their arms
on the grass plat and laid down be-
meath the two monstrous elms which
shaded the whole yard, for the sun was
now very hot.
i The commander of the party APP
preached Deacon Perkins, and in a tone
which sounded of haughtiness and con-
tempt, requested the old farmer to sec
} that the oxen and tho horses of the
train were supplied with water, forth
with, and to bring out some drinking
cups for tho men. Deacon Perkins
had seen British captains before that
day, and he knew something of civil
manners, so he only answered; "Theres
tho well, captain, and there's the buck
cts, help yourselves to water" The