The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-18
JAMES MUGFoRc.

PATRIOTIC REJOICING AT CAPE AxN.HoNoRrSo
THE MEMORY OF CAPTAIN MUGFoRD-N AD-
REVOLUTIONARY WAR REVIVED.
MARBLEuEAD. Mass, May II, 1870
This has been day OF general and patriotic rejoicing
for Cape Ann and beyond all. day sacred to the men,
DRY OF James Mugford, a captain Of OF the CON-
panics in the Aarblehead Marine regiment and Of
the most brilliant and fearless souls the Revolution
brought to tae 'front.'
One hundred years ago Captain Mugford, young
man Of Marblehead bred to the sea, impressed on
board the British gate Lively and subsequently trans
ferret 10 sIoop-ofwar, then lying IN the harbor OF
this town Released atterward at the request Of has
wife, hc had in the meantime ascertaned tn the ar
rival Of ship loaded with powder and supplies was
daily expected by the commander OF the British
forces He then conceived the daring project Of at
tempting its capture, and obtaining command OF the
Continental cruiser, Franklin sailed from Aarblehcad,
with crew Of twenty-o men. He soon encountered
the Hope, British ship OF $50 and six guns, and
although the English feet lay but few miles of he
overcame the and took the prize with Its valuable
cargo supplies and munitions into Boston Harbor
Putting to sea again he attacked by thirteen
launches from the British fleet and during the en-
counter he killed His body was buried In great
state ut Marblehead but his resting place is not known
to-day. 1t Is TO the memory OF this man that the
monument at Marbchead has been erected and IL Is 10
recall In a measure, and appropriately commemorate
his gallant exploit that the day was set apart Tor
special services Of patriotic character.
The day ushered in by the ringing Of all the
church bells for one hour at sunrise, and salute fired
this noon was followed by another ut sunset The
programme embraced three leading features, process
s1,a md crcicao M tta
church.
Alter prayer by the Rev. N. B. Bailey, OF the Unta-
rian church. and tho singing Rev. John W. Chadwick,
of Brooklyn, n Y, read original ode. This was
followed by tho
GRAFTON OF Oh. LoRISc,
who traced the leading events and land during
the exciting period Of the Revolution and then dis
cussed the character Of james Mugiord and those
deeds OF valor which won for him in few weeks an
mperIshablc name among the bravess heroes In our
history .He was commander" said DR.. Lorng ssof
the celebrated Marine Fourteenth Continental rog
ment and son OF one OF the enerprsing citizens OF
this town, who IN connection with John Hooper, was
engaged in commerce and the fisheries, and was tho
of few small vessels The young
possessed OF a strong and vigorous frame, which had
been knit BY the athletic exercise on land and in tho
water which has gwen many Of the OF this
town their great endurance and has lifted them tor
valuable service IN the many conflicts IN WHICH they
been employed In the business OF his father
and Mr. Hooper,, sometimes on shore, but
oitenar at Filled with the martial spirit
Of Tho town, spirit warmed and invigorated by
John Glover the renowned Colonel OF the Marine regi-
ment friend OF Washington the trusicst friend of
freedom the hero Of Trenton, and by Timothy Picker
ing, who even while clerk IN the Registry OF Deeds
taught the young men in military tactics Mugord took
early part in the patriotic proceedings to which tho
people hero devoted. Early ia 1875 he had boon
impressed INTO the British service by press gang who
ashore from tho irigatc Lively, then lying OPP
poste Sknner's Head at point now known us the
ballast lie was at that time just married, and when
his young wife learned that he had been thus rudely
from hts homo she rushed TO his rescue ana SO
vehemently demanded his release that the officers Of
snu 10 100 a o ba
the harbor he heard tho British sailors discussing tho
probable arrival ere many days OF q powder ship, with
munitions and stores for the British troops In and
around Boston He at once determined upon the seizure
OF this vessel and his release he mportuned his
father to give him command Of OF his small coast
crs. with which he might carry out his design. Tho
father reluctant and informed him that STRIPPING
like himself should expect lead In great enter
prises requiring sagacity ana courage. David u
stripping, replied the young man. but he slew Co
Hath; now give me my chance Tho father yielded
and assigned TO his the schooner Franklin, which
he armed and manned FOR his expedition, and Tor tho
OF which In capturing the expected ship he obtained
phia HIS associates were twenty men selected by
him from the Marine regiment, NJ that time sta
more formidable IN the raau,ry Of himself and
his men than In the armament OF his little
privateer HIS cruise was a short one Not many
days nter leaving this port he encountered the OBJECT
OF his search in the vicinity oil Boston Harbor and
after desperate struggle succeeded iG capturing her
and delivering her valuable freight OF 500 barrels Of
powder, 4, 900 carbnes, number of travelling
riages Tor cannon and complete assortment OF ar
lerv instruments and pioneers tools TO the American
army. The contribution invaluable; the supplies
coming, they did, at most trying juncturc
ncwed the spirits OF the patriot soldiers and gave
courage and confidence TO their great commander, and
brought for the rst time into those intimate rela
tons with the people OF this town. which strengthened
the war won't on and filed him with especial love
for the home OF Mugford and Glover and Gerry and
Ornc. IL event full OF chvalry well ms OF i'm
portance To Mugord himself the pride his victory
short Endcavoring the day after his capture to
TO Marbchcad his vessel attacked by boats
sent for that purpose from English ofwar that
riding Nantaskct Roads and no
tally wounded while repcng boarding attempt
made by the enemy. Failing back one Of his crew
anxiousy inquired IL he wounded Yes said
he, but don't let the enemy know my situation; and
II die, act AS II ! were alive and still commanding
He instantly expired. His work was donc And in
the declining hours OF that placid day In spring his
torious comrades bore him back in sadness to his
town. the sacred freight that the vessels of
your fathers had brought into the OF this
harbor. The father mourned for his son; the young
wife wept In silence the body OF hcr husband
slain In the great but tho patriotic old town
ceved the fallen hero In her arms and bestowed upon
him all the honors which proud and grateful people
can give, and the name OF Mugford Is immortal IN
American history"
J. II. orne, c. H. Litchman and j. J. y. Gregory
then made brief historical addresses after original
ode. written by Miss Marcia ~ Silman, was read aud
alter the benediction pronounced the exercises
were brought to close by the singing Of "America'
by the Musical Association.