The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-02-07
JANUARY, 1916.

II. Resemblance 10 JH-nnrJ OF this Nsnr--
The Opening Of IiIr Revolutionary Cnm-
pnign.
It is remarkable that the first month
OF this centennial year closely resem-
hlcd that of 177G. The Journals OF that
year speak OF tho unusual milducss OF
the season. II was oven said that the
lack Of the usual leo in Boston harbor
prevented Washington from crossing his
forces and attempting surprise on the
city, and the Americans were enabled to
continually send forth vessels from all
parts OF the harbor to the West Indies
for munitions OF war. The mild season
enabled Gen. Schuyler, in these first
first days OF January, to dispatch his
well-planLcd little expedition up the
Mohawk valley to surprise the High
lnnders, uldcr johnson. This officer,
one Of the ablcst in our history, was
then exceedingly popular, but a COM
bination OF unlucky circumstances and
Of sectional prejudice deprived him
subsequently OF the glory, which was
entirely his, OF the first great victory
OF the war.
The first of january, 1776, had been
signalizod by the barbarous burning Of
IN old historic colonial town, Norfolk,
in Virginia, by Lord Dunmore. This
had only intensified the bitterness OF the
feelings OF the citizens against the
British government, All parts OF the
country wero in much tho same state Of
feeling toward the royal administration
which the border States were in here
toward tho central government in 1861.
Many OF the conservative and the loyal
dreaded to break the old ties with tho
parent country. The interests OF law
aud order seemed to many on the side OF
the crown. The sentiments, from long
tradition md from family and historical
connection with the old country, bound
them to the royal party. Families like
tho Delanceys and the Phillipses, in
New York State, the latter OF whom
owned land almost from Yonkers to the
Highlands, feared to risk their lnrge
property interests in n rebellion which
seemed to have 10 chance of success.
In New York city many Of tho wealthy
families stood by the crown; Queens
county remained loyal; the old Dutch
families around the city were often
uverse to joining tho revolutionary
movement OF the men OF New England.
Even in New England itself, one town,
Portsmouth, n. t., refused to join the
popular movement, and set up gov
Grnment OF its own. It looked ut one
time as if tha future OF the republic,
which shOuld declare itself independent
of Great Britain, wonld consist OF New
England; and Franklin even had the
courage TO write that, ii New England
formed n separate confederation against
the crown, he would throw in his ior-
tunes with her. New York, during this
first winter OF the century, remained in
= condition of semi-neutraity, the Brit
iah ships lying III tho harbor without
molestiUg the city, aud the Americans
sending ont, uuimpedcd, their small!
craft TO obtain supplies from the West
Indies.
The more revolutionary spirits OF New
England were indignant Ht this apathy,
and Loc, with one of his rattlo-brainel
expeditions from Connecticut to New
York city, came very near exposing the
town to the horrors Of battle. The his.
toric names OF the State begin alrcndyto
appear on the side of tho most deter
mined revolutionists-the Jays, Living.
stons, Van Reusselaers, Schuylcrs, Ham
iltons, and others; and NJ general
thing those with the largest interest in
the country were iouud ready to riskthe
most.
1t was in these Jlnuary days that the
letters OF tho time relate the incident Of
Il farce played by the British officers in
Boston, called " Forcing the Blockade" ,"
wherein Washington was pictured i'll n
ludicrous garh, but which was suddenly
interrupted by the hurried announce
mcut By the sergeant that the "rebels
were fortifyipg the hills around the
city, This was Supposed by the audi
encc to be u well.acted part OF the farce,
and it was only the confusion and de-
parturc of the actors which showed that
tho play Ind become n reality. Wash.
iugton, during that January. managed
to Disguise the smallnGss of his army so
well that his 5000 was amplitled, in
popular belief, to 10000, and this i'm
preston, though he was utterly desti-
tute Of ammunition, with his mastery
occupation of Dorchester heights. COM
PEELED, Il little later, the evacuation Of
tue city. It was in january, if We nre
not mistaken, that the now flag Of thir-
teen stripes Of red and white. but with
ont the stars, was first uufurled in the
Continental army, near Boston. The
winter was full, to the colonies, Of
anxiety, excitement, and danger. 1t was
evidently the opening OF n great war,
and great change III the worlds his
tory. Few could predict whether disas-
ter or success would be tho result.
Santa Claus Appears.