Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1898-11-10

effect that Captain Nathaniel Gushing
is requested to present himself at
headquarters at 2 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon to receive instructions from
General Washington in regard to
special duty in Bo ton" To ex-
plain how 1 became q captain In
the Continental army and the rea-
son was selected for special service,
it will be necessary to go back several
months.
Before the war began was a peace
full resident of Boston. | had been
well educated by my father, he having
gone to England when young man
to study there. He also, forseeing
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.
Ny fencing was improved from another
source. AT social gathering in IA
I met Frenchmen who had been
prominent figure in the French court
and a famous and almost invincible
swordsman. His last duel caused so
much trouble that lie left france to
seek fortune in the new world. This
man took liking to me and taught
me the French method of fencing,
but, being unwilling to drop the Eng
lish style wholly, [ combined the two
and always used French dagger in
my left hand. From this time on, in
all friendly contests up to the begin
ming Of the war, was never bested,
but what could do in actual conflict
was yet to appear.
On the morning Of the 10th of
| April 1775, learned that an expedi-
ton had left Boston to destroy mill
tary stores Mt Concord and was not
much surprised to hear later that
there had been fight. Isaw some OF
the returning men the next day, and
they were in q bad condition. Many
Of them were wounded, and all Were
dusty and half dead with fatiqre.
About two weeks after this l packed
up some OF NV clothing and other
giev ~ nn.. luietly slipped out of
the tow, armed with letter of intro
duetion from my father to Colonel
William Prescott. At this time 1 was
25 years Of age and very strong and
active.
To explain directly my ser vice with
General Washington, must come
down to that glorious day, Juno II,
l775, and the fight on Breeds Hill,
now called the battle of Bunker Hill
We worked hard the night before and
continued throwing up defences in the
morning right under fire of the man-of-
war Falcon i'll the stream below.
When. ut last, almost 1 o'clock in the
afternoon, the British troops started
up the hill all WAS finished. Colonel
Prescott had appointed me lieuten-
ant, and had command Of a squad of
men in the redoubt. AS the attacking
party came in shot of the works they
began to fire, and 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
oil about the enemy, but they were
brought forcibly to my mind as
jumped down, for bullet struck the
silver handle of my sword. My name
was engraved on the sword -hilt, and 1
found that the ball had cut off the last
three letters, leaving it Nathaniel
Cush--." l paid no attention to
this then, but it afterwards did me a
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 a
place on his staff. The rest of the
battle is matter of familiar history
now, so / need speak no further about
1t. And now, having explained my
position will go on with my story.
When / presented myself at the
headquarters of General Washington
on the afternoon of January 3 he
greeted me pleasantly and Immediately
stated what he desired me to do
'"Tnere is some danger in the trip |
~ish yon to take, captain" he said,
''but with your usual careful and in
telligent work think you need have
no trouble. Take boat tonight,
which | will have ready with sufficient
men at the waters edge, off Potter s
Hill, Dorchester Neck, and go across
to Boston. l have yoil go from there
because no enemy Will be expected
from that side. &c around the South
Battery, and you will find quiet
place TO land just beyoad. From there
mako your way to the house of Samuel
Perkins on Treamount street almost
opposite the Kings Chapel. He
knows you, and at the door in the
rear of the house will be prepared to
deliver some papers relating 10 the
condition of the town. Aftor sou have
received these find ont for yourself as
much as possible about the condition
of the people and tie plans of the
British. The best way to do this lat
ter is to hear the conversation of the
English officers. il you are captured
| non will bn bItp,r without .{a1ox ~.