The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-27
HISTORIC CAsTHNE.
A Lady Relates some Incidents of ye
Olden Time.
Rockland Courier.)


The town of Castine, in this State, was the
last point Quilted by the British troops at the
close Of the Revolution. The true date OF the
evacuation was the middle of January, 1874.
In the war of 1872 Castine was again captured
by English troops. The capitulation took
place September l, 1874, when $500 men under
General Gosselin came with eight railing YES.
sells, one tender and ten transports. A few
incidents in relation to this latter capitulation
have been related to our reporter by Thomss-
ton lady, who resided there az the time.
The fort was garrisoned by twenty-five men,
who were possessed of quite a supply Of am
munition. Fearing the approach OF the
English, it was thought best to hide the sur
plus in some secure place. In the village re-
sided one DIR. Oliver Mann, who had served
in the Revolution. Mr. Mann was a staunch,
lion-hearted patriot, who loved his country
above all things. During the war OF 1872, he
practiced his profession at Castipe and vicin-
itY. The attic of the Doctors house was final
ly decided upon as the most secure hiding
place, and the fearless NJ. ID. was only too
glad to devote his garret to that patriotic pur-
pose. Accordingly the ammunition was there
placed. There was party at DR.. Mann's one
evening shortly afterwards, and Mrs. Mann
was telling the fortunes of those present. Lieu
tenant Yocell, commander of the garrison of
the fort, was present and his fortune was told
as follows: "You will have to run. The En-
glish are after you." This proved almost lit
orally true as the next morning the enemy
appeared, and the lieutenant and his forces,
although they did not actually run, were yet
obliged to march off to Biguyduce very rapid
ly. The troops on leaving the fort blew up
the magazine, the people in the village being
ordered to throw up the windows of the
houses SO that the explosion might not break
the glass.
Although DIR. Mann did not serve in the
war OF 1872 he was yet regarded as a very
dangerous person by the British, on account
OF his well-known patriotic principles and in
flexible purposes. The English soldiers we're
ordeEed to get hold of the Doctor, as he was to
be feared as much as regiment of soldiers. He
was accordingly summoned before General
Gosselin, who questioned him in regard to his
loyalty to his country.
"Yes," said he, II am true to America.
While there is drop of blood in that right
arm it is ready for my country"
Gen. Gosselin lcould not fail to admire the
loyalty and courage of the patriot. The SOL
diers had deprived him of his passport. Gen.
Gosseliu, however, ordered another to be made
out for him, giving him complete freedom to
practice in his profession. The good old veter-
an afterwards went all the way to Boston to
see Lafayette during his visit there, and grasp
the old general by the hand.
The powder that was stored in the attic was
afterwards smuggled off to Bguyduce, in boats
covered with brush. The lady remembers
hearing the kegs rolled down stairs, and saw
them placed in the boats. Before the boats
sailed, British officer came along and asked
the occasion of the disturbance; bat being sat
isfed with some trivial explanation permitted
the boats to sail without further examination.
DR.. Mann's house was new in 1872. The
building is now occupied by family named
McCloskey.
Gen. GosseIin made himself very odious to
many of the people Of the vicinit,. There
was one foolish fellow called "Crazy Colson,"
who tried again and again to get an opportuni-
ty to speak with the General. At last he sue.
ceeded in meeting his man face to face.
BE you Gen. Gosseln?" he asked of the as
tonished Britisher.
Il am" pompously returned that officer.
"Then ID be the goose that hstched ye,"
returned Colson.
What the officer said or thought is not re-