The Portland daily press., 1882-08-23

A Story OF the Revolution.
(7dles Of a Soldier Whose Services Commenced
at the burning Of Falmouth By Capt, Mo,0att
The Battle Of Monmouth-IKs Capture anc
Escape.)
Josiah Chute, the grandson of Capt Thomas
Chute, the first settler of New Marblehead
now Windham, was soldier sixteen years ole
and stationed at Falmouth on the 18th October
1775, and was near the First Parish Church
when hot shot from one of Mowatt's ship. sci
the clapboards on fire and lodged on the in
side floor. Young Chute put out the fire, went
inside, picked up the shot, when it had cooled
and placed it on the deacons' seat He then
went to King street where he encountered
three men firing buildings. Seeing Chute
with his gun and fearing that others were
near, they ran to their boat. He fred and
wounded one of the three, whose comrades
took him into the boat, and to the vessel
where he died that night.
Mr. Chute was after wards attached to a
company under the command of Capt Rich
ard Mayberry of Windham, and was appointed
orderly sergeant. His company was attached
to the Massachusetts regiment under Col. Tup-
per. have two muster rolls of the company
in my fathers (Chute's) handwriting in 177S,
one of which has his discharge on the back.
Mr.. Chute was five years in the army-was
In several battles and was wounded at Mon
mouth. OF his description of occurrences at
this battle have a clear recollection. Gen.
Washington intended to gain decisive victo-
~ that day, but Gen. Lees conduct turned
the scale against them. The British forces
largely outnumbered the Americans but they
made the serious mistake of firing too high.
There was not much of victory-rather a
drawn battle. The cartridges on both sides
contained besides the bullet several buckshot.
Chute received bullet and two buckshot in
his shoulder which he carried 10 his grave. He
had his ramrod shot from his hand. After re-
ceiving his wound he began to look about him
and discovered a body of the enemy so near
that he made hasty retreat. In doing this
he met Col. Francis of Massachusetts, who en-
quired If Chute was badly wounded. Before
he could receive his answer the Colonel re-
ceived fatal wound from bullet and fell in
to Chutes arms.
1t was noticed that the faces of English SOL
diers who were killed turned black. This was
said to be caused by drinking gunpowder with
their rum to make them fearless. In his re-
treat Chute came upon small body of Hes
slams who ere picking up every stray Amer.
hundred disarmed prisoners. Chute was placed
in hospital tent for treatment for his wound.
He was allowed more liberty on account of his
disabled m, and escaped with another. They
were fourteen days in the woods suffering
much from hunger, as the country through
which they passed was largely peopled with
loyalists. They finally came to friendly
Dutch settlement, where physician dressed
Chute's wound and furnished some much
needed clothing. At public house he was
charged eight dollars of the deprecated Cont
mental currency for dinner, which was lust
the amount of one months pay in the army.
Mr. Chute finally arrived at his home in
Windhan, and remained there until his wound
was healed, when he returned to the army and
served out his time and was honorably dis
charged. When the troops were wintering at
Valley Forge Mr.. Chute became much inter-
ested in teaching the soldiers to write, which
they saw the need OF to communicate with
their friends at home. One of his townsmen
could not write when he enlisted but with what
he Learned from Chute at Valley Forge he
served his town as selectman after the war.
Mr.. Chute furnished writing materials gratis
for which at one time he walked ten miles
When paper ran short he gave lessons on the
bark of the white birch.
At the close OF his five years service Mr..
Chute returned to Windham and engaged in
farming, school teaching and town business.
He was sslectman fourteen years and Repre-
the Massachusetts General Court
ten years. He was delegate from his town
to the convention that formed the Constitu-
ton of Maine in October, 1873. This conven-
lion held its sessions in the old First Parish
meeting house in Portland. At one of its sit
.ings while speaking Mr.. Chute said, "Just for
,y-four years ago to-day, about this hour saved
mis- venerable building from destruction from
Mowatt's shot, Josiah Chute died October 2,
1884, aged rs years.
l have written these facts from memory, as
hey were told me by my father seventy years
go. u. W. CHUTE.
Windham, Aug 10.