New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-13
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
upHAM's LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING.

ply OF COiOnel PICKERING, Dy MS son, OctaNluS
Pickering, of which one volume, published several
years ago, met with very favorable reception
from the students of American history, and has
since led to an unfegned regret that its author
did not survive to witness its conclusion Among
the last expressions of his wishes, Mr. Pickering re-
quested that the completion of the biography should
be intrusted to the charge of his friend. the REV.
Charles w. Upham Of Salem, whose intimate ac-
Quaintance with his father, aud successful experience
as a historical writer, amply qualified HIM 1or tue
duty The work could not have fallen into more ap
propriate hands. His relations with Colonel flcker
ing were not only those of intimacy, but OF personal
friendship. In his frequent conversations WIN the
venerable patriot he was made the confidant OF
manv incidents and events of his life, which since
the death of his children and other associates of his
later years now exist only in the memory of his BIZ
ographer Mr. Uphams deep interest in the political
history of the country, to which the maturest stud
les of his life have been especially directed and his
wide accomplishments in various departments OF III
erature have enabled him to lmpart an ar
of vivacity and naturaness to his narrative, which
gves the impression of record of current events
rather than the chronicle of an antiquated past Ills
work is credtabe alike to his diligence his ZEAL his
scholarship and his power of composition, and VIII
form contribution of sterling value TO the library
of American history.
tionary movement commenced at an early period OF
his life. Soon after graduating at Harvard College
in 1913 while pursuing legal studies in Salem, his ma
tive town he turned his attention with great ear
pestness TO military affairs As if endowed.wlth a
prophetic intuition of coming events, he commenced
series Of measures TO prepare the people IoI ue-
tense of their rights by arms. In January l'co'
when not yet twenty years of age, he was com
inissioned as lieutenant in an infantry company ID
the Massachusetts, militia of Essex County, IN May,
I7C9 was captain of the Same and In February, no,
was elected colonel of the regiment, which title he
retained through all his subsequent promotions to
the end of his proracted life. Much of his leisure
was devoted to the instruction of his soldiers whom
he met on stated days of the week for exercise in
drill At the same time his pen was busy III dlfiuslng
a military spirit among the people. His active la
bors and decided course soon led his felow-citlzens
70 acknowledge him rs the he I'd of the popular
movement. The energy of his character and his III
tegrity of principle were universally felt. All men
looked TO him for counsel and direction. He was
the chairman of political committees and the mas
ter-spirt Of every public meeting.
In the morning of April 10, NO. 1t was announced
to him, while writing at his desk, that body OF
British troops was on its march toward Lexington.
The bearer Of the tidngs captain i'll his regiment,
was at once ordered to start his company to the
he could and follow on Going down to the center
of the town he succeeded in collecting a consider
able portion of his regiment with which he started
nj once i'm spite of the objection made by many that
the distance great as to render the move
ment of no use. Hating for about twenty minutes
TO put his men in order for the march, he pushed on
over the old road To Lynn. short respite was
there given by the side of a pebbly brook which is
still pointed out where the men cooled their heated
feet Upon reaching Winter Hill, he first saw the
smoke arising from the road along which the enemy
was retreating. He ordered his men to load and
prime, and fastened toward Medford. Before
reaching that place, a messenger from General
Heath brought directions to halt in order to avoid
the fire of the British ield-peces which were then
approaching that point. Mounting his horse, Col
onel Pickering galoped forward for the purpose OF
consulting with Heath BY this time it was sun
set and they saw the last of the enemys forces
passing beyond reach into ChaTestOwn.
In the month of May of the following year Col
onel Pickering was elected n representative from
Salem in the General Court. with the understand
ing that the town ready 10 sustain declaration
by Congress of the independence of the Colonies.
He was also appointed by the Provincial Govern
ment to the command of special force to be raised
for the defense of Salem and the vicinity. The
General Court decided to bring into the field one
arms ySteps to carry out the measure were at once
taken throughout the colony. At the summons of
Colonel Pickering the inhabitants of Salem assem-
bled for this purpose in the meeting house of the
First Church. He went mp into the pulpit and adj
dressed the people 1t was the darkest hour of the
Revolutionary struggle. He referred to the defeat
on Long Island the disastrous state of affairs IN
New-York, aud the retreat of Washington with the
remains of bis shattered army into the Jerseys. lie
urged the duty of all patriots to rush to the rescue.
Now was the time for men Of heroic blood TO show
themselves Everything, business, family, home,
must be given up TO save the country. He called for
volunteers TO come forward. He himself led the
way Coming down from the pulpit, he declared
that from that moment he enlisted for the service,
and urged them to follow him. He marched through
the asles of the old church with a drum beating
before him. AS he went on, pew-doors opened,
old men and young. one by one, came out and fell
in. Many of the leading citizens sea-captains, with
their mates and sailors. merchants and mechanics,
eauaht the contagion of the After traveTsing
the asles he passed ont into the street, the full
ouota of the town following him. The painter and
the poet will regard this one of the historic spec
tacles of that great The vast and venerable
church, with its double row of galleries.; the
crowded, anxious, and excited assembly; the noble
form of Pickering as he strobe through the aisles;
the sturdy and weather beaten seamen and master
mariners; the merchants, mechanics, and men Of all
classes, rising from their pews and benches, and
joining him he passed; the whole mixed multi
tude expressing in their countenapces and attitudes
the glowing patriotism and devotion to their i'm
periled country to which they had all old and
young men, women, and children been wrought
up-supply materials TO the canvas OF the page
rarely equaled."
Pickering in