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

though few OF them would be service
able ia combat.
On turning into Marlborough street
| came upon the old Previne House.
the residence Of General Gage. the
governor. Here, almost two months.
later, an event happened that caused
a laugh to go through the entire
American army when it became known.
The soldiers celebrated. Feb. %, 1776,
in honor of General Washington, il
being his first birthday anniversary
while with the army. The men were
greatly amused to hear that the Brit
ish had unintentionally done the
same. This celebration was in the
form of grand ball, the most impor-
tant aud last of the season in the
Province House, called the Queens
ball. .-.-..---..-s.-.-=-
| kept TO therighf, BY tho Old South
Meeting Hoflse, and then casossed over
and went uii School street 10 Tfea-
mount, Here l found the Perkins
house without trouble and, going eau
tiously tQsthe rear,s kpocked OBJ the
door II was opened 'by middle
aged -msa,who said softly before hal
time to speak rQh it's yo9. captain,
is it? Come in here Don't make
any noise" Istepped inside the porch,
and he left me. but soon came back
withla small paper packet. Here
are the papers,, be said in a whisper;
"now get out Of Boston as soon as
you can" "But / was told to look
around little, / answered. ''If You
stay here after layoulwill lispaptdied,
for General Gage has issued orders
for tie arrest Of anyone found in the
streets after 10 o'clock without pass
from him. said the man, whom l now
know was Samuel Perkins. All
right, " / replied. "I'lr get away by.
that time. Cool night. Good
night and good luck to you" he whis;
pered back, and them after putting
the papers in an inside pocket, l left
linn aud went out ON the'street.
After thinking the matter over l
had come to the conclusion that the
best place to oyerhear conversation
relating to the condition Of the town
would be in the riding sehodl the Bit
ish officers hail established. in tie Old
South Meeting House. So, when l
reached this place, entered boldly
with the other spectators and went
upstairs to the balcony. Seeing
vacant seat behind several officers, l
sat down there without disturbing
them. They were watching the riders
below, who were then racing their
horses around the floor and jumping
them over bar fixed Just in front Of
the pulpit and discussing the merits
of various men. This did not interest
me, but listened amme aattentiyely
when one asked, care you going TO
the performance in Faneuil hall newt
Monday, Frauk?" whats that?i'
why, General Burgoyne's play, The
Blockade of Boston. All the officers
in the town will be there, and most of
those at the works IN Eharlestown
will come over" This bit of informa-
tion was Of use to the American cause
when | made it known General Sui
livan had planned raid on Charles
town several days before | left the
camp, but the ice on the river was not
bard enough to ALLOW the men 70 cross
on it, and 50 the plan was given up.
Taking advantage Of the thick ice and
the absence of the officers in Boston
on the night of the play, January 8,
he sent over Major Knowlton, who
commanded the rail feuce on the day
of the battle on Breeds Hill, and the
major burned several buildings, in
Guiding bakehouse, anil captured a
number of prisoners. This raid
caused a general alarm in Boston and
broke up the play in Faneuil hall.
A short time before 10 the specta-
tors began to leave the church. 4As
the officers in front Of me arose, one
of them turned around and gave
surprised start. Without, looking
straight at him, 1 could ses that he
was cycling me sharply, and knew
at once that he must have seen me
somewhere before. To give himsthe
impression that was an acquaintance
whom he. had met in tlle town, Ilookel
up and bowed with a Good evening,
lieutenant He returned my bow
saying, Pardon me, but will you
please tell me who you are?" II am
n citizen Of Boston," | answered The
heutenans looked at me, as if trying
to remember where we had met and
then it flashed across my mind why
his face seemed so, familiar to me.
Wien the Biitish ealAe o2erttlle re-
doubt on the third charge a Bunker
Hill had personal encounter with
an officer WHOM | afterwafds heard
was Lieutenant John Barry,who came
over on the Cerberus with General
Clinton in May, 1775. He had rep
utation OF sincerely hating everything
American, and this was the man who
now stood before me. Our duel on
the hill was short, but very sharp, and
ended in my wounding him. As he
fell aud | joined the retreat be eallell
ont, "Ill Kill you on sight for this il
we ever meet asaihr' You may lie
sure | was not in comfortable fame
OF mind at this recollection [ saw
that if he Remembered me somsthing
desperate would have to be done and
so looked around quickly for some
chance 10 escape. Only ten feet awey,
was a heavy do6t, standing OPEN
which led 70 the belfry above, knew
this had ibolts.onitlls 6tltef side aad
resolved TO take chances in that direc-
tion.
When told the lieutenRnt i was a
citizen, ine other officers dreS arc 4ld
and asked my name. / was abont 10
give a fictitious nam when Barry criel
out, Seize that mani He fought