The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-04-09
MISCELLANY.
That Bunker Hill Powder.

The King having opposed Dy every
means in his power, the manufacture OF
munitions of war in the colonies, the
patriots at first found great difficult
ty in procuring ammunition; and the
supplies for the early part of the war
were obtained in such adventurous ways
that accounts of these exploits are very
interesting. Indeed, portion of even
the scanty stock which our people had
at Bunker Hill had been brought over
the sea to be used against the enemies OF
Great Britain.
have only recently found ont just how I
this powder came to do service for the /
patriots, instead of their British oppres-
sors; and, being quite sure that the story /
has never been fully told, / have under
taken its recital for the pleasure OF the |
numberless young patriots who read st.
Nicholas.
Adjoining the town of Rye, in New
Hampshire, and directly north OF its
noted beach, is the town of Newcastle.
On the site of the present Fort Consti-
tuition in this town there was, in the
days of the Revolution, quite forni-
dable work called "Fort William and
Mary"
No visit from foreign enemy being
anticipated, the fort was manned at this
time by captain and five privates only
A weak garrison, surely; but it was sup
posed that, in case of danger, the friends
Of King George in the neighborhood
would amply reinforce the guard, even
were there not time for the royal COVER
nor, Wentworth, to bring the militia to
the rescue. AS TO any serious attack by
disaffected inhabitants, it was too bold
an act for belief; and if it were possible,
IN any case, that the militia should
prove insufficient, General Gage, with
three thousand regulars, was in Boston,
and British feet was in its harbor.
What subject, however rebellious,
would dare to touch his Majesty's prop
erty, or its custodians, under these cir
cumstances? The act would be treason,
and the life and possessions of the often
der would be forfeited; and who could
save him from the Kings hand? Prob
ably not even the most ardent patriot
thought of it, until Paul Revere came
riding into town from Boston one even
ing.
The news he brought was startling.
An order had come from the King that
all military stores in the colonies should
be seized at once.
Major John Langdon (afterward Gov
ernorl the same evening received call
from his friend, Capt. Thomas Pick
ering. After the compliments of the
hour had been passed, the Captain sur
prised his friend by an invitation TO ac-
company him to Fort William and Mary
to take glass of wine with his COM
mander.
'It will not do" replied the Major,
cautiously evadinga declaration of his
own sentiments, "it will not do under
the present state of public affairs"
Major Langdon's sympathies were
with his oppressed countrymen; and he
revolted at the idea of receiving the hos
pitaIities of one whose duty it might be
on the morrow to shoot down his guests
as foes of the Government.
Captain Pickering Lext disclosed a
design Of securing the arms and am
munition of the fort; showing his pur-
pose to be quite other than the invita-
ton indicated.
"If twenty eight like ourselves could
he found" said he, 81 would undertake
to lead in the capture"
To this purpose Major Langdon
heartily assented.
Before noon of the next day drum
and fife were sounding about town to
bring the people together; and the or
der of the King for securing the ammu-
milton was made known. The effect oi
this news was increased by report that
the armed vessels Scarborough" and
"Cauceanx" were on their way from
Boston with British troops to possess
/. the fort and hold the town in awe.
When Governor Wentworth heard o
this meeting of the citizens, he warned
them against committing any rash act
and as the people soon dispersed, it wa
supposed that nothing would come o
the meeting. Bat this was mistake.
A little before twelve that night
was the fourteenth of December, 1774-
the nearly full moon looked down upol
some two hundred men setting out il
boats from Portsmouth wharves, an
heading for Newcastle.
Haitian hour later their boats ground
ed near the island, and the men wade
ashore through the shallow water, whic
froze upon their clothing. Yet tn
landing had been so quiet that no after
tion was attracted at the fort. Captai
Pickering, being in advance of the otE
ers, scaled the grassy rampant unattenc
ed, and seizing the sentinel with or
hand and the gun with the other, he d.
manded silence on pain of instant dealt
Crowds of men were now clamberir
up the walls; and, leaving the sentin
in their charge, the leader hastened c
to the quarters of the commandant. +
entered the room before the officer WI
fairly awake, announcing to him tn
the fort was captured and he priso
er He had previously been warn'
that an attack upon the fort was med
tated, yet his garrison was not on t
alert; and he at once surrendered to I
only man that appeared. He gave
sword to Captain Pickering, who poll
ly returned it, saying:
"You are gentleman, and shall
tain your side-arms."
Pickering turned to leave him, VIII
the dishonorable officer, having him
disadvantage, aimed blow at his ca
tor with the sword which had that mi
ute been restored to him. But the mi
cular patriot parried the blow with