Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-07-06
KnoxuMe journal


Tho British troops had evacuated
Boston In March, and there was
lull In hostilities because both parties
were short Of powder. Efforts had
been made for year to manufacture
powder within the colonies with very
little success. Gen. Washington was
anxious for the future. The British
squadron lay In Nantucket Roads
waiting no less anxiousIy for trans
ports from England. ~
Shortly before this, James Mug
ford, Marblehead man, twenty-five
years Of age, had boon impressed on
board one Of the enemy's sloops ly-
ing outside Of tho harbor. His wife
said that II the people did not rescue
him she would do 1t herself and
young Mugford was dismissed by
the captain at her entreaty.n While
on board of the sloop he overheard
the talk about the expected trans
ports, and ascertained that the signal
OF the powder-ship would be pow
dcr-kcg at the mast AS soon
rs he reached the shore he sent word
to Washington for permission TO fit
out vessel for its capture, and then,
impatient OF delay, started from
Beverlyin the schooner Franklin,
craft Of sixty tons, armed with four
two-pounders, and lay out In the bay
awaiting Its arrival. On the morn
ing of Friday, the nth, the looked
for signal was seen at tho masthead
ofan approaching vessel, and Capt.
Mugford, offering his services rs
pilot and exposing but few men, re-
ceived tho welcome signal to come
on board before the British captain
understood the character Of his visi-
tor.
Where IL your commission z"
said tho captain.
"You have two aboard" was the
reply, land that's enough for both OF
us.u a afaaE r
The British fleet was not moro
than mile distant, and they were
on tho point Of sending their boats to
welcome tho powdcr-ship, when
Capt. Mugford, having persuaded
tho English officer TO surrender, was
seen bringing his valuable prize into
the harbor. Tho citizens were just
returning from their several places Of
worshsp, the day being set apart for
fasting and prayer by the Continen-
al Congress, whom the enemy's sup
ply-ship, containing three times ms
much ammunition ~ tho whole Amer
ican army then bad, was ut their
very doors. It being obb-ilde, the
ship ran ashore north Of Governors
Island, where she lay till the follow
ing night, but tho people quickly
transported hor valuable cargo to the
city In beats, and tho JOY ut her cap
ture was felt even more keenly Mt the
headquarters Of tho army, where tho
distress for powder was better
known. The only time when WASH
ington was said TO have laughed dur
ing the Revolution was on hearing of
tho taking Of this powder-ship. IL
was brilliant and daring exploit,
and made Mugford the hero Of the
hour. The people received him in
State, then Kings street, with great
enthusiasm, and there was rejoicing
throughout the city.
The following Sunday night he do.
tormined to return with his own vcs-
sol to Marblehead. In passing out of
tho harbor, tho schooner ran upon
the rocks Of Putin Gut, and they
were obliged TO wait till the rise OF
tho tide before she could BIO tioated
of. Meanwhile, tho intense indig.
nation of tho commander OF the
British fleet led 10 tho sending OF
thirteen boats, manned by 300 men,
to capture MugfOrd, and deal sum
mary justice TO the young privntcer. 4
The dark night favored their ap-
proach. The command OF tho oxpe-
dition was entrusted To young
nobleman, who begged this privilege
Of his superior officer against tho ad-
vico Of down-east pilot, then II pris-
onor on the British fleet, who warned
him Of the desperateness of themen he
had to fight. Capt. Mugford hailed
tho boats M they approached and
warned them to keep off, threaten
ing TO fire upon them If they came
nearer. They disregarded his threats,
md Mugford received them with n
discharge from his musket, his men
firing at tho same time, and then
cutting his cable, he brought his
roadside to bear, and discharged his
annon loaded with mnsket balls
directly In upon them. Before the
eannon could be discharged a second
lime, two or three boats were along
ide. Capt. Mugf0rd and his men
low met them 10 closely with fire,
rms and spears that two boats were
soon sunk, and nil tho men either
i.illed or wounded. The flash from
his gun as he fired at the enemy in
Inc heat of the engagement revealed
liz form 30 distinctly that tho ncxtI
iomont he received shot through
Inc heart, and fellmortalIy wounded.
Ito did not yield even then. His last
sords were: Don't give up the YES /
III. You will be able to beat them
uT. Tho two parties were so near
hat Mugford's mate, seeing the flash
the officers pistol, which killed
his captain, transfixcd that man
who proved 10 be tho young noble
sianl with his spear and tore open
lis body. The enemy retired Mt the
md OF half an hour. with large
'.nsnbor killed and wounded. The
-ene next day, as tho priyatecr