The Irish standard., 1897-05-29
FIFTY.THREE OF THE MINUTE MEN
BORE IRISH NAMES.
NO sco1cH-IRIsH AMONG THEM
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
VERY INTERESTING LECTURE .
DELIVERED By e. j. BRANDON, ESQ.,.
OF CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

DELIVERED By E. j. BRANDON, ESQ.,.
OF CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
The following admirable paper, says
the Boston Pilot, was read at the Amer
ican-Irish Historical society's meeting
In Boston on Patriots Day, by E. J.
Brandon, Esq, Of Cambridge, Mass:
On a certain April morning, 122 years
ago, Samuel Adams prophetically re-
marked, "What a glorious morning Is
this" and, as stand here cannot re-
strain the feeling that the shade of that
illustrious and honored American makes
use of the expression with much greater
emphasis today.
For the accomplishments Of his coun-
try during the past four generations
her marvellous strides in acquiring and
attaining a potent position among the
worlds nations, the tremendous devel-
opment of her magnificent natural re-
sources, the genius and perseverance
displayed by her children, the prosper
ity and importance Of her institutions,
the advance of her people in culture.
the triumph of her principles of democ-
racy, with it's lesson to the world that
'the people can be trusted with their
,own,' are surely causes for congratula-
tion and satisfaction. And all this real
ity dates from an incident comparatively
slight in the worlds history, but which
is an important epoch in the story Of
America.
The period of resistance by the Colo
MES to British tyranny antedates April,
10, 1775, by many years, but the culmin-
alton of series of oppressive acts was
realized on that day, and in the exciting
events preceding and following the fight
at Concord and Lexington, the town of
Cambridge acted well it's part and con-
tributed it's blood and treasure to the
common veal.
All Cambridge knows and feels glow
of patriots pride in the Declaration OF
Independence of the people of Cam
bridge made months in advance of the
Declaration of the Continental congress
when the town instructed it's represen-
tative that If the Provincial Congress
should for the safety of the colonies de-
clare them independent of the Kingdom
of Great Britain, I'VE, the said inhabi-
tants, will solemnly engage with our
lives and fortunes to support them in
the measure"
In all the preliminary work Of the
period, Cambridge was active and con-
spicuous, and the animosity aroused by
the opposition of her citizens doubtless
inspired the hatred of the retreating
soldiery Of Britain and caused the
shocking brutality which has been told
and so often retold. But the history of
the time records all these events and it
is needless for me to recite them.
The British troops landed at Lech-
mere Point on the night of April 18 and
marched across the marshes to the Milk
Row Road in Charlestown, now Somer-
vile, thence by Beech street and the
present Massachusetts avenue to Men
otomy, Lexington and Concord. Cap
tain Thatcher and his Cambridge men
were among the first to rally for the
public safety and the militia of CALI
bridge improved. the opportunity to az
test its loyalty to principle. The muster
roll shows that they marched on the
alarm and did service as far as Con-
cord.
Paige, Cambridge's historian, tells US
that from Lexington line to Beech
street the passage Of the British troops
in retreat was Through flame Of fire. /"
Despite the fact that the conflict of this
day is generally known as Concord
Fight or Lexington Battle; the carnage
in Cambridge was greater than in any
other place, greater than in all others
combined, for according to Rev. Samuel
Abbott Smith, in his address at West
Cambridge, "at least twenty-five Of the
Americans and more than twice that
number Of the British fell at West Cam
bridge"
OF the fierceness Of the conflict we can
today present ocular proof. The large
number Of bullet holes in the house then
owned by Jacob Watson, some Of which
may be seen at this time, is one indica-
stfon Of the amount Of fight done in Cam
bridge; while the spoliatfon of Cooper's
Tavern in Menotomy, and the Memorial
stones all along the line of march teach
the heat and bitterness Of the strife. In
our ancient burial ground, by which
!; Lord Percy's battalion marched to the
relief, will be found neat granite mon
sument over the remains Of John Hicks.
William Marcy and Moses Richardson,
!, and In memory Of these and Of Jason
Russell, Jahex Wyman, Jason Winahip,