The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-27
rather-be enlisted as private Immediately

quietly as they had come. AS II was, now
ever, the first deliberate interchange OF shots
between armed parties representing the brlt-
ish government and the colonies, it is properly
considered the first combat OF the ReVola-
tionary war.
For nearly a year a commission appointed
by the British government held its sessions In
Providence, to discover who was concerned
in this ''heinous crime against the crown
In the words of the doggerel rhyme or the
day
Now, for to find these people out,
King George has offered very stout,
One thousand pounds to find out one
That wounded William Duddngston.
One thousand more, he says he'll spare
For those who say they sheriffs were;
One thousand more there doth remain
For to find out the leaders name;
Likewise five hundred pounds per man
For any of all the CLAN.
"But in spite of all these munifcent re-
wards, the apparent condition of ignorance
amongst the townsmen il regard to TINS mat
ter might almost justify considering them
class of idiots or Noncompliance.
1T was only after the Rego .utlonary war
that probably LEGO citizens OF providence
distinctly remembered their personal eXpe-i-
ence in this expedition.
The battles in the Northern and Middle
colonies-frcm Lexington to Concord in ITO,
where we claim six representatives-to the
surrender of Cornwal-is, at YORKTOWN, III
ISL where We claim nine, were none of
them fought without our knowledge ana con-
sent. The Southern army counted only two
of Cur ancestors and they both fought at the
battle of Guilford Court House, IN North
Carolina. l do not read the list Of battles at
which we were present, lest l tire your pa
thence, but 1 have IL here part of our
chapter record.
l wish to read, rather, the few anecdotes
and memorable facts which | have been able
to gather. They altogether too rare in
our records, though many CT our members
could doubtless give a great dsal Of in
teresting information.
1t is recorded of Maj. John Porter that
he was returning from Beverly to Littleton,
he heard Of the march of the British troops
toward Concord. Procuring a gun and am
munition from a farmer, he left his horse
as security, and Joined the minute men, He
served throughout the war, eniistiag as en-
sign and working UP to be lieutent, capita n,
adjutant and major. He sent home three or
four Hessians, captured at Bennington. to
work as lab0rers on his farm while he re-
manned at the front.
He was present at the surrender of Corn
wallis.
Deborah Champion sent by her father,
at the age of II, to carry DISPATCHES iron
New London to General Washington, at Bos
ton. She made the journey there and back
on horseback, attended only by an cid slave
named Aristarchus At another time she
passed through the British lines carrying
funds to pay the American army-her sex
enabling her to pass without suspicion.
Peter Robert Livingston raised the regi-
ment he commanded on his owa estate, and
all the field officers were men OF his own
fami ard name-all Livingstons.'
Two or three OF our members trace their
army as wild Tom" Once, when he was
stationed in New Jersey, he swan the river
ON a dark night-craw,ed through the enc
my's picket line, and stole horse, saddle
and bride within 100 feet of the enemy's
picket on duty. The guard fired at him,
and the ball passed through his hat, but he
rode on, plunged into the river again, swan
back with his prize, and in the morning
presented the horse to his captain. His es-
capade was reported to- Gen. Washington
and he was promoted to the rank of ensign,
but was never mustered in.
Captain A.eXanGed Thomas was one Of the
volunteers who assisted in the capture of
Major Genera! Prescott in Rhode Island in
July, 1777. This raid is considered one of the
most brilliant dashes of the war. 1t was com
manded by Lieut.. CO. Barton, who, with
forty militia, roWed in open boats, across the
bay, and through the English feet in New
port harbor-landed on the shore passed up
to farm house in the outskirts of Newport,
half a mile from the pace of landing-whici
was the headquarters of Gen. Prescott-burst
in the door of his apartment Ga negro of the
party using his head as a battering ram for
that purpese); seized the general; carried him
to the boat, and conveyed him off through
the British fleet to Warwick neck On Nara
gansett bay.
John Ward belonged to Capt. Frink's COM
pany IN the First New York regiment. He
was on9 of Gcn. Philip Schuyler's body
guard; He fought in the battles of Saltwater
and Bemis Heights, and present at the
surrender OF BUrgoyne. After the terms
of treaty were agreed upon and night settled
on the camp, two soldiers were detailed as
guards near Gen. Burgoyne's quarters. In
crossing the field, one of hem stumbled over
heavy box that bad been overlooked in
the haste and confusion of the day. He pro-
posed they should serete it, as the con-
tents were probably of great value. John
Ward, however, declined, saying that hon
then carried the box to Gen. Burgoyne. He
received it gratefully and almost moved
to tears, when he said: This box contains
all l have left in the world of property I
9
years of age at this time. After the war,
Gen. Schuyler gave him a farm near Sara
buried on one of the sloping hills that over
look the historic battlefield where he so
CALAMITY fought in his youth.
Fourteen of our members are descendants
of that heroic band who endured cold and
hunger and every privation with their noble
commander in-chief during the terrible win
ter at Valley Forge.
Nathaniel Ellmaker furnished supplies to
the army in their distress, and received two
letters from Gen. Washington acknowledging
Francis Barber wounded at Monmouth,
again at Newtown, and yet again at York
town. and was finally killed in camp by Il
Nathan Lord was captured by Indians be-
longing to the British army, tied to stake
and about to be shot, when an English off
Ger, plying his youth, interceded and saved
his life. He then embarked with Paul Jones
a privateer. The vessel was captured
first by the French, afterward by the English
"a rebel IF | were not a prisoner" he
answered. Il would make you pay for your
words" "Never mind that-come on, if you
dare They fought and the English mid
shipman was wOrsted. He shook hands, how
ever, and said You are a brave fellow
and asked his name. When the ship reached
England the other Americans were sent to
prison, but Nathan Lord was set free at the
request of the young midshipman with whom
he fought, and who proved to be the Duke
of Clarence, afterward William ", king OF
England
This fact is mentioned in history, but
Nathan Lords name is not given; probably
it was not known.
Capt Ebenezer Smith was held in such
esteem by Gen. Washington that he person
ally requested him to take charge of Maj
Andre the night before his execution, say
ing: 'Treachery is all around me, and
hardly know whom to trust, but I know 1
can trust you" Capt. Smiths reply was;
General, my life shall answer for his safe
ty, and he watched Maj. Andre all
night He was the Oldest captain in the
We are very proud of such a record as
this, and rightly so; but we must not close
our eyes to the danger of indulging that
pride too far. 1t encourages and intensifes
our love of country, and ought 10 keep US
far above the temptation to depreciate our
institutions when placed in comparison with
those of the old world. What our fathers
died to establish, their children should live
for, and work 10 maintain and cherish. Only
good can come of such a study OF the
past. But it is claimed by some people that
these patriotic societies tend to class feeling
and division of interest among us. Also to
leaning upon the deeds of our ancestors for
our social standing, rather than upon our
own personal qualifications. This objection
will, in way, answer ITSELF for an I'M
worthy member of society soon finds his or
ancestry the more conspicuous the failure.
AS for the first objection, let us see to