Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-08-26
ON SPECIAL DUTY

was hdihch ~ COMMUNICATION 10 tue
effect that Captain Nathaniel Gushing
is requ sted 10 present himself al
headquarters at O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon to receive instructions from
General Washington in regard t.
special duty in Bo ton. TO ex.
plain. how l became a captain in
the Continental army and the rea.
son | was selected for special service,
it viii be necessary TO go back several
months.
Before the war began was peace
fui resident Of Boston. / had been
we'll educated by my father, he having
gone to England when a young man
TO study there. He also, forseeinq
that there must be war between us
and the mother country, taught me
the use of arms, so that became very
proficient, especially with the sword.
My fencing was improved from another
source. At social gathering in "a
| met a Frenchmen who had been a
prominent figure in the French court
and famous and almost invinciblt
swordsman. His last duel caused SC
much trouble that he left Frauce tc
seek fortune in the new world. This
man took liking to ne and taught
me the French method of fencing,
but, being unwilling to drop the Eng
lish style wholly, / combined the two
and always used a French dagger iu
my left hand. From this time on, in
all friendly contests mp toi tle'begin-
ming of the war, / was never bested,
but what | could do in actual conflict
was yet to appear. sts.
On the morning of the 10Th o
April. IT'S, learned that an expedi
tion had left Boston to destroy mill
tary stores at Concord and was moi
much surprised to hear later thai
there had been fight. Isaw some o.
the returning men the nextTdey. and
they were in bad condition. Many
of them we're wounded, and all were
dusty and half dead with fatigue.
About two weeks after this / packed
up some of my clothing aud Other
property and quietly slipped out oi
the town, armed witha letter Of intro
ductiou from my father to Colonel
William Prescott. AT this time was
25 years of age and very strong and
active.
To explain directly my ser rvice with
General W, shington, [ must come
down to that glorious day, June II,
IT'S, aud the fight on Breeds Hill,
now called the battle of Bunker Hill.
We worked hard the night before aud
continued throwing up defences in the
morning right under fire of the man-of-
war Falcon in the stream below.
When, at last, almost o'clock in the
afternoon, the British troops started
up the hill all was finished. Colonel
Prescott had appointed me heuten-
ant, and had command OF squad ol
men in the redoubt. As the attacking
party came in shot of the works they
began to fire, aud we had great diff
Guilty in preventing our men from
doing the same. One or two excited
Americans did fire and many more
brought their guns down to take aim.
Without thinking Of the consequences
jumped up on the parapet and ran
along kicking up the guns and thus
prevented their discharge | forgot
all about the enemy, but they were
brought forcibly to my mind as
jumped down, for bullet struck the
silver handle of my sword. Ny name
was engraved on the sword -hilt, and
found that the ball had cut off the last
three letters, leaving II Nathaniel
Cush--." paid no attention tc
this then. but il afterwards did me &
good turn. This was the act for which
Colonel Prescott saw fit to promote me
to the position of captain and later
recommended me to General Washing
ton. When the latter took command
of the army he honored me with q
place on his staff The rest of the
battle is a matter of familiar history
now, so I need speak no further aboui
it. And now, having explained my
position, l will go on with my story.
When l presented myself at the
headquarters of General Washington
on the afternoon of January he
greeted mepleasantly and Immediately
stated what he desired me to do.
''There is some danger in the trip |
wish you to take, captain" he said,
"but with yourusnal careful and in
telligent work | think you need have
no trouble Take boat tonight,
which will have ready with sufficient
r sTat the waters edge, off Potter's
~ dorchester Neck, and go across
!, ~ y, on. | have you go from there
isemer "a no enemy will be. expected
act Of .ndat side. Go around the South
District tof. and you will find quiet
on pei land just beyond. From there
o. me bur way to the house Of Samuel
!. Wv on Treamount street almost
/ he r;d the Kings Chapel. He
this loaou, and at the door in the
oeeediarz he house will be prepared te
and tl'e some papers relating to tbs
y pro<a n of the town. After you have
, ,bsr.s-,l these find out for yourself as
. wear id possible about the condition
$ cou urtv. people and the plans Of the
q be EiFs The best way TO do this lat
order n hear the conversation of the
|. spaps Rs officers. If you are captured
the a1nsil be nung without delay, but
ear lsss Ia you and shall expect yot
said prqffely.H
by th'i seHc Hcordance with these directions
20 bowed quietly across the bay
,o,;5msS s5 r. o'clock, making wide circuit
-. battery. The night was cold
and cloudy, and there was not muci
danger of being seen. Although mid
winter there was no SNOW on thu
ground. A landing was made without
difficulty on the beach near Mill
street, aud, leaving orders for the boai
TO wait, started quickly up towards
the centre Of the town. Idid not e.
pect any trouble in the first part O
my duty Many people were about
the men being dressed Just as / was
for of roursa I did not wear NV uui