Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-02-22
The Boy Patriots.
4 RNYOLUTIoEARY INCIDENT.

History ia hllcd with the deeds OF
the men of the revolution, nor are the
patriot womon forgotten, in the burn
ing words of the journalists of '76, but
where is the historian who tells of the
patriotism Of the boys of that gloomy
period? Who writes their biogra-
phies?
There were boys in the Revolution
boys of noble patriotism and daunt-
less spirits-boys who would not be-
come traitors though the rack and the
gibbet confronted, boys who toiled
with an endurance ana boldncss une-
ouallcd in the annals of = nation, for
the independence of the Old Thirteen,
and had they now their desert, the
brightest star in the American con-
stelIation and the widest stripe in her
canvas would be dedicated to the boys
OF '76.
Let us relate an instance. 1t was in
the year l776. Philadelphia was in
the hands of Howe and his inhuman
soldiery, while the field Of Brandywinc
gave tho American people an evidence
of British humanity. The inhabitants
of PENNSYLVANIA and Delaware were
at the mercy of their foes. Bands of
Hessian draooonS secured the vicinity
of Philadelphia for miles around, and
committed acts that would disgrace 4
vandal.
On the evening of delightful au-
tumn day group of boys, ranging
from twelve to seventeen years, were
gathered together on the steps OF a
tcnantless storehouse in the village of
Newark, Delaware. The town seem
cd lonely; and with the exception of
the youthful band referred to, not q
human being met the eye. All the men
capable of bearing arms had left their
homes to Join the army Of Washington
on the Schuylkill. A youth of sixteen
summers, mounted on barrel, was
ewing an account of the disastrous
battle Of Brandywine. James Wilson,,
the narrator, was a bold boy, enthusl-
a<tic in his love for the American cause
a.l possessed of no little intelligence.
His bright blue eyes and tlaxen hair
gave him an ctfcminatc appearance,
but underneath that plain homcspun
Jacket there throbbeu y heart that ncr
er uuailcd in danger or shrunk before
any obstacle.
Ills father was a commander of tho
Delaware regular troops, and his moth
er had slept that deep sleep that knows
no waking.
The boy concluded his narrative,
and was deeply lamcntlng that he could
not Join the army.
II am not old enough" said he, ''hut
had I 4 muSket l would not stand here
with my hanls hanging useless by ny
side"
"Arc there no guns of any descrip-
ton in the villagc?" asked another.
''None l have spent nearly week
ia irving to tind one, but my efforts
have been of no avail I Istronglv sus
naot that old tory Livingston has seF.
,,s.i In his house, bnt as he allows ne
ous to trespasS on his land, | aH1 una.
bic to say positively"
''Whv not take party and search
his dwelling ?" asked Frank Howard
'sho has no one 20 help him except his
son George, and [ can thrash him as
easy as that" and the boy snapped his
fingers to imply the readiness witt
which he could f1ouncc old Livings
tons son.
James Wilson's eyes sparklcd will
Snow, by the dead of Bunker Hill
] will search old Livingston's house
this very night. All who are willing
to go just step forward"
Every boy in the crowd, without {
moments hesitation, stepped forward
Their eyes flashed like stars.
With a firm tread and the utmost ST
Hence the young heroes took up thei
march for old Squire Livingston's.
livingston had long been suspected
of harboring British spies, and some
of his former iaborers had reported
that he kept up regular correspond
.ence with the British commander. A
all events he was regarded by th'
wings as a dangerous man, and there
fore to be avoided. His house was sit
,uated short distance from Whitecla,
Greek, on the steep hill, surrounded OF
all sides by tai, trees. 1t was just sucl
a place as one might suppose suitable
for plotting treason.
At the time James Wilson and hi
little band left the deserted store i
the village of Newark, dusk had Civ
en- place to the darker shades of nigh,
still it was not dark. The new moo
was shining brightly iI the clouds, an
every object was distinctly visible
The boys walked firmly forward, main