The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-07-14
An Early American Rebellion

An Early American Rebellion.
The event l want to tell you about
took place more than 200 years ago, and
it was exactly 100 years before the Dec
laration of Independence was framed at
Philade1phia-which makes the date
1876. an easy one to remember. If you
will recollect this date, and the story of
Bacon's rebellion, you will have learned
one of the most important and interest
ing occurrences in the history of our
early colonies.
The Governor of Virginia at this time
was Sir William Berkeley, vino had been
appointed to the post by his King,
Charles Ii. of England. Sir William
was not a popular officer and in every
thing he did he sought to make great
show and to appear very grand. He
made great deal of money from the
Indians, to whom he sold gunpowder
and, as he was the only one allowed to
trade in that dangerous commodity, you
may be sure his profits were enormous.
| Although the savages often attacked
the settlers, and carried off cattle and
sheep, the Governor would not seriously
attack them, and issued a mandate for
bidding any company of settlers to do
| So
Among the owners of plantations was
young man of good family, named
Nathaniel Bacon. He was warm-hearted
and generous the sufferings of his
neighbors had awakened his sympathies,
and he determined to make some effort
to lessen their troubles. Although only
80 years old, the settlers must have had
great confidence in him, for they had
already elected him to seat in the Gov
errors Council
When, therefore, this man called his
neighbors together and said that, wheth-
Ell the Governor liked it or not, he meant
to go out against the Indians with who
soever would follow him, 400 men i'm
mediately placed themselves under his
command. -
The company started; but they had
not gone far when a messenger came up
with them, and in the name of the Gov
ernor denounced all those as rebels who
should not return Immediately to their
houses and abandon the expedition.
None understood better than Bacon's
men the danger they ran in disobeying
Sir Williams command and, although
all the 400 were attached to their young
leader, only fifty-seven had the courage
to stick by him.
The little band now pressed forward
into the wilderness, and for many days
they wandered about, keeping up an
earnest but fruitless search. Then
new trouble appeared; their supply of
food ran low; starvation looked them
in the face.
Bacon's pluck, however, never failed;
he sought to encourage his men by
cheering words and to push on till food
| could be obtained of some friendly
tribe. It was in this their darkest hour,
when all were disheartened, that they
suddenly came upon the hostile In
dians. The spirits of the little band of
white men rallied instantly. Now was
the time to show that it was not safe
to rob and kill the English settlers.
Before the savages had time to prepare,
an attack was made on their stronghold.
For time the fight was fierce; but
quickly the Indians wavered, deserted
their defense, and fed into the thick
woods. The victory was complete, al
though the red men numbered three
times as many as the little company of
ha1f-famished settlers.
Bacon hurried back to jamestown.
The news had gone before him, and the
people received the brave leader and his
men with every show of Joy and esteem;
they insisted that, in spite of his being
"rebel, " he should again occupy in
the Council the seat to which they had
elected him.
OF course, Bacon's triumph over the
Indians did not add to Berkeley regard
for him. But the Governor was shrewd
enough to see that this was no time to
infiict punishment !; so, after the young
man had asked forgiveness for going
against the Indians without permission.
cension when, few days after, the Gov
ernor accosted him in the Council-room,
saying, with great deal of affected sor-
row: Mr.. Bacon, if you will live CIV
lily but until next quarter court, 1 will
promise to return you to your place
there, and he pointed to Bacon's empty
seat.
The quiet that now reigned in James
town did not last long for soon the cry
went around the country: "Bacon is
fed r. Bacon is fled /" and tumult and
uncertainty ensued. The forgiven rebel
had doubted the Governors sincerity,
and had fed for safety. Moreover, he
was dissatisfied, and wished to have the
right to go against the foes OF the colony
whenever he might think proper. So
L 4 L
him, and within few days he returned
to jamestown, which he entered without
resistance, accompanied by 500 armed
men. ALI was confusion In the settle
ment; no one in authority dared to act.
Bacon issued an order commanding
the members of the Council to appear
before him, and while he waited he
walked excitedly along a line of troops
drawn up to receive the expected Coun-
cilmen. OF a sudden, some one forced
way through the crowd, and made to-
ward the young leader. 1t was Cover
nor Berkeley, pale and agitated.
Scarcely knowing what he did, he thrust
himself before Bacon, and, barring his
breast, cried "Here Shoot mel
Fore God, fair mark Shoot !"
bacon stepped DacK, reStlng one nand
on his sheathed sword, and respectfully
holding his hat in the other. Simply,
and with cool politeness, he said to the
frantic Governor "No; may it please
your Honor, we will not hurt hair of
your head. We have come for COM
mission to save our lives from the In
dams, and" he added, with less calm
ness, eve shall have it before we go"
Sir William said nothing, but turned
and walked away. The next day Bacon
received his commission, granting him
the right to go against the Indians
whenever he might choose.
But when Bacon next attacked the
savages, the Governor denounced him
again as a traitor and, when Bacon
heard of it, he replied: "We will go see