Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-07-08
uJGF0RD'S EXPLOIT.
a Revolutionary Incident.

The 18th Of May, 1916, was critical
moment for Gen. Woshington The
British troops had evacuated Boston in
March, and there was a lull in hosuliies
because both parties were short Of pow
dor Elort~ hnd been made fora year
TO monu.aclurc powder within the colo
uic, with very little success. Gen. Wash
lnglon was anxious for the future.
The British squadron ny in Nantuck
ct 3oods waiting no less auxiou,ly for
transports from England.
Shortly before this, James Muglord,
Marb'chcnd man, twenty five years Of
age, had been impressed ou board one of
enemy -ioop- lying outside Of the har.
Dor. Ills wife ,aid that il the people did
not rescue him she would do it herself,
md young Mugrord was dismissed by
the Captain ut her cntrmty While on
hoprd of the sloop ho overheard the talk
about the expected transports, and a.ccr.
tancd that the signal ofthe powder ship
would be- powdcrkcg at the mnsl head
As soon as he reached the shore he sent
word To Washington for permission to Gt
out vessel for its cnpturc, and then, i'm
patient Of delay, ~lnttcd from Beverly in
the sehouurr Fmuklin, cmU Of sixty
tons, armed with four two-puurdops, mud
lay out in the bo" awaiting lis arrival
On 'ho morniug OF Friday the l7th. the
bokCd iorsiennl was sccn Mt the most-h nd
"fnn npproachng vessel, aud Cppt Mug
tord, Offering his services u. pilot md cx
posing lul rw men, received welcome
signnl to como ON bonrd before the Brit
i-h Captain understood the character Of
hi. visitor.
" Where is your commission ?" sald .
ihc Bilon.
"You lave two aboard," was the re
ply, "nnd thot's enough for both Of us" /
The British feet was not more tbnn
mile distant, and they were on the pontof
.cndmg their honls to welcome the pow
der ship, when Capt. Mug.old, having
persuaded the Eng i,h officers to surrcud |
er was seen bringing this valuable prizr
into the hprbor. The citizens were just T.
returning from their several pluce. of
worship tie day being set apart for fn.t-
ing and prayer by the Continental Con- /
grcss, when hccucmy' supply ship, con
tanning three times a. much ammunition I.
n. the whole American army then had,
wn. at their very door. II being cbb-
tide the ship ran n,hope north of Cover
nor'. island, whore She lay till the lul-
lowing night, but the people quickly
lrau-portrd her valuable cnrgo to tho
city in bont-, and the joy nj her capture
wns felt even moro koeuly Mt the head
quarter of the umy, whore The di-tte-s
for powder was better knowu. The only
time when Washington was aid to have
laughed during the RovoluJipu was on
hmuine of the taking Of tbi ppwderhip.
Il wa. bdIIinnt and daring exploit and
made Mug.ord the hero Of The hour. The
people received him IN State, then KING 3
street, with glont enthu.asm, and There
The iollosiug Sunday nigh, he detor
mined 10 return with his own vessel to
Mnrblehead. IN pl-.ug ont Of the bur
bor, the schooner ran upon the rocks Of
Put ia Cat, and thcy were obliged to
whit till the ti-e OF the side before she
could be noatcd off. Mcun~hlo, the in-
tense indignation Of the commander Of
the British Acct led to the sending Of thir-
teen boats, manned by 200 men, to cap
tu'e Mugfprd, aud dca! srmmnry justice
to the young privateer. The drk night
favored their approach. The command
OF the exp-dlti0n wa, Intrustud to young
nobleman, who begged this privilege Of
his superior officer against the adyire Of
Il down en-t pilot, then II prisoner on the
British feet, who warned him OF the des-
petate character Of the men he had TO
fight. Capt MugIord hailed the boats
as they approached, aud warned them to
keep off, threatening to fire upon them IT
they came nearer. They di-rcgatded his
threats. and Mugford received them with
discharge from his musket, his men
firing ut the same time, and then, cutting
hi, cable, he brought his broalsde to
bear aud discharged his cannon loaded
WIKI mu.ket balls directly in upon them.
/ Before the cannon could be di. charged Il
second time two or three boats were along
1 side. Capt Mugford and bis men now
met them 50 closely with fire arms and
spears that two boats were soon sunk
and all the men either kilIcd or wounded.
The fash from his gun as he ared at the