The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-04-28
VOLUME 4.

ell upon LaNlu - Et tpTOdShAuAif tiAaA ~
was Gu. TO the sonl. lie put his arms
around her very gently and kissed her.
Al didn't. mean it, ;" said be.
"I know it, David. You couldn't
mean it! 0 David, would rather you
would 90 than say that-if-if-yon
mean it -
/ He kissed her again. 81 must go" he
repeated; but III come back"
Il suppose-you will have to go now
the words seemed to come hard-''and
mother has knit some mittens that she
wants you TO carry TO Ephraim; and this
letter, too. Here's another pair for yon,
David"
Did your mother knit these?" he ask
ed turning over the last pair, evidently
admiring them.
"No, David, | knit those"
"You're an angel, Alice"
"No, I'm not, David"
mo, of course not; ! didn't mean that,
either. Angels can't knit such mittens
as these, would rather have you than
an angel, any time, Alice"
80 David, how can you talk sop
81 can't help it, Alice. But ] must be
going along Be a good girl and don't
forget me- Good -byr'
"Good-by," Oh, how reluctantly.
She watched him till he was out of
sight and even then she could hardly
turn her face homeward.
or course it will be understood that it
was to the army under Washington, then
beleagnering Boston, that David went.
He arrived in camp on the. second day,
and in hardly more than a month from
that time he was sent with detachment
to assist in terrifying Lechmere Point,
directly opposite the west end Of Boston,
in what is now known as East Cam
bridge.
Gen. Putnam had already taken pos
session of commanding eminence in
the same neighbOrhood, called Cobbie
Hill, and he now wished to erect work.
at Lechmere Point, to be connected with
those on Cobble Hill by bridge thrown
across the intervening creek, and a
covered way; he therefore availed him
self of foggy, misty morning to COM
mence operations at the Point.
1t was the 18th of December. The
mist was 80 thick that the enemy did
not discover what was going on till near
twelve clock, when it cleared up, and
opered TO view the party at the Point
and another at the cauEeway throwing
bridge over the creek. The Scarhor-
ongh ship of-war, anchored of the point,
poured in a broadside. The enemy in
Boston threw shells. The garrison at
Cobble Hill returned fire. "Our men,"
says the account, "were obliged to de-
camp from the Point, but the work was
resumed by the brave old general at
night"
The next morning the enemy resumed
their fire. Sentinels were placed to give
notice of shot or she'll; the men would
crouch down or dodge it and continue on
with their work.
For several days this labor was con-
tinued; the redoubts were thrown up,
and covered way was constructed lead
ing down to the bridge; all done under
continuous fire from the enemy. Still,
from want of powder, the damage that
Putnam was enabled to do the enemy
seems to have been of no great account.
Every thing thaws here except Old
Put" remarked an officer, in writing of
the matter. He is still as hard as ever,
crying out for -powder-powder.
Y gods, give US powder!
David Allen was with the party who
went down that foggv morning 10 take
possession of Lechmere Point. Ephraim,
of whom Alice had spoken, was also of
the party-for Ephraim was the brother
of Alice, and, before enlisting, David
had sought him out and would join no
other company but his.
81 hope well get a chance at them
now" said David to Ephraim, as they
labored together on the works. "Pve
got every ball started with yet and I'd
like to begin to get rid of them"
you'll have a chance before long,
Dave. Old Put is bound to stir them up
in SOME way 1t wouldn't be at all
strange if some of them should come
over here as soon as it clears up"
81 hope they will," was the almost
breathless reply; land hope Well be
ready for them"
The fog lifted at last, and then the
frowning broadside of the great war ship
appeared dangerously near. Still no one
| hinched in his work, though many anxi.
| ous glances were turned toward those
threatening guns. Suddenly they belch-
ed forth in quick succession great jets OF
lurid flame, and the murderous iron
came hurtling into the half-completed
works The men crouched low; all es-
capped unhurt, and at once they resumed
their labor.
In their excitement some of the men
hardly deigned to even stoop again for
the balls that followed. Neither David
nor Ephraim paid much attention to
them; and still all escaped unharmed.
But, at last, something dark flashed
between the two friends. Down" cri-
ed stern voice near them; and David
sank as if in obedience to the command
But a groan escaped him, and at glance
Ephraim saw that one of his limbs had
been almost torn away. A chain-shoi
had struck him, and he lay helpless
while his life blood poured out upon the
ground.
"Put something round it quick, Eph.
and draw it tight" was the poor fellow ;
first utterance.
Others sprang to Ephraim's assistance
and, binding up the wounded limb, they
bore the brave youth away. Its zoe
bad" he said a. they lifted him up; 81