Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-03-18
AN UNWRITTEN EPISODE OF THE
REVOLUTION.

REVOLUTION.
The fall of 1776 was a season of Pc
culiar gloom for the newly-born Republic.
Reverses everywhere, victories none
The British army had been largely rein
forced by bodies of Hessian auxiiiaries,
and it's Generals pressed their advantaqe
with great energy. Washington, at the
head OF 1000 men, had been disastrously
beaten on Long Island and compelled to
retreat, fighting his way, mile by mile,
across the Delaware. The term of
service for large part of the Continental
army, which was only one year, had ex-
pired, and there was nopay forthcoming.
AS dearly as the men loved their country
they mad wives and children dependent
on them, and they must provide for
the tender and helpless ones. Every
town on the coast was liable to be sacked
and plundered by the British men of-war,
for there was, as yet, no American feet
to defend the Atlantic shores. Congress,
to be sure, had, in the spring, authoriz d
the building of thirteen frigares, but
what were legislative enactments with
out money and ship-yards9 The cross of
st. George soon threatened to fly triumph
antly over every American city, and
even the iron soul of Washington was
wrung with the most bitter discourage
ment, for the clouds were SO black that
hardly one ray of light sparkled from
their depths.
Among the regiments of the Massa-
chu sets line which were broken up by
expiration of term of enlistment that to
which Abner Taft, of Marblehead, WAS
attached as Sergeant had done splendid
service, for they had fought heroically in
every battle from the day of Bunker Hill
till they were disbanded. Battle SCARED,
ragged, shoeless and penniless they re-
turned in small cetachments, but still
their hearts were filled with joy in spite
of the gloomy outlook of the nation
for they were going back to the arms of
their families, to kiss again the beloved
lips from which they had long been
parted. Sergt Taft and the other
men of Marblehead would again join the
patriot forces, but they would, before
their return, gather in the crops OF the
earth and the still more generous bounty
of the ocean-depths; for the harvest on
shore and the season of deep-sea fishing
were alike close at hand. The sacred
10y of that reunion with sweetheaIts,
wives and children can be imagined.
For q still mightier storm OF war has,
within a few years, left indclible scars
and exquisite memories OF the bliss OF
return, which the survivors. would not
have missed even to have escaped the
dangers which gave it sweetness.
Abner Taft was a man remarkable
even among his hardy and athletic towns
men for gigantic strength and courage,
traits which sill shine out in his de-
scendants, from one of whom the writer
heard the remarkable exploit OF his an
cestor. Of more than six feet in stature,
and otherwise herculean pro- Ortlon, he
was feared and admired by those that
knew him. Though gentle and kindly
in his ordinary moods, his wrath was
terrible when aroused by insult or In
Justice, and had something OF that Der
serker fierceness which gives such q
strong coloring to the songs OF the old
Morse scalds and saga-men. He had
been q leader among his fellows in the
perilous adventures Of the deep and no
less pressing dangers of the shore.
His fair wife, but few years married,
idolized her hero, and her heart beat
with terror a. each pairing, though In
her, too, burned something OF the merry
shirt which has ever animated the Mar
blehead women and gave occasion Tor
Whittier to write his picturesque SKIP.
per Ireaon's Ride" She knew when ne
sailed away the king of the fishing-heet,
or marched to join the Continental
armies. that her husband would be In
the forefront of every danger. :.
The soldier FISHERMAN cannot hngel
long In the .eet idleness OF home ana
rest in the clinging arms OF Wiie ana
babes. There is provision to be mace
for the long, hard winter, which would
shut down on them for five dreary
months. and the mackerel-catching Meet
il ready to start. Abner Tafts hshlng-
smack is moored out in the bay, every
thing taut and ready for the two montus
of oscillation of the deep, and his Two
hardy comrades have completed tneir
final preparations. Let US fancy the
scene of departure on q bright September
morning as the glad waves smile ana
laugh under the CLINT of the beams OF the
iusf.risen sun. The air Is full OF per
fume-sweet clover, the dainty after
math a. the upland meadows, the ira
grant breath OF kline, the delicate scent
Of sea weed. and fresh, wet sand. Martina
Taft kisses her husband for the last time
as he leans from tie low lefty at me 1oo'
of the cliff into his yawl, followed by his
men /,
aThee must keep good heart, my lass,
he shouts, as the oars glisten in the sun
awe,ll COON back again befo e thou 81
ali he apples strung. It's not ike goin
off to fight the Ted-coats
Martha thinks of other sadder part
ings. and smiles gayly in return as sbe
waves her red handkerchief 10 me stai.
wart fisherman, whose huge figure looms
up In sharp proportions, as he stanas y
bis boat, against the Level rays OF i ID;
sun. anxious to catch the lat view OF n,'
80. After all n was ONLY, as he said