The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-08
Er 1,iela Moseley Johns

I:v Iiela MOSeley JOHNS.
Icxington-How that word thrills the
true American heart, and causes every
rroud patriotic soul to glance backward
ard with tender, almost reverentlal nm
ger lift the pages of the glorious past
and scan again the exciting episodes OF
that eventful day, April 18th, ITO, when
the intrepid but undisciplined American
soldier kissed the fond wife a last good
bve az he hastily buckled on his sword
while whispering a prayer for protectlon'
and the little children gathered wonder
irglv by, realizing the importance Of the
excitement, but unable in their tender
years, to discern it's meaning and went
forth with brave heart to try and cut
down. forever, the cruel oppression OF the
british. .'To conquer or to die being the
wa tchword, fully realizing the serious
ness Of his position, and the mighty zoe
he had to contend with. But let US sin
cerely hope he went forth as the little
David to meet the mightyGoiiath, with
q firm answering trust in his God, who
never allows even a little sparrow to fall
unheeded to the ground. What loving
compassion-what tender pity.
The only musicale inspiration OF the
minute-man was the fife and drum; and
what stimulant IS music to the soldier,
who. with dropping spirit, and weary
feet after a long days march, slowly ana
after a meagre repast. he lies down to
rest. his pillow perhaps only a stone. his
covering the skies above, but truly q
canopy of Heaven, and dreams OF love
and home! The White Cockade was the
favorite marching tune as it was an in
spiring piece and has quite interesting
history. It was written for the followers
of the gallant Prince Charles, the last OF
the Stuarts, whose pretentions to the
i'm, n fn Grief at the
| battle of Culloden in 1I45. The Cockado
was originally French, for the three-cor-
nered hat, but as used in the song, simply
signiiied white rcsette, worn on the hat.
and typical of the white rose of the
| Stuarts. This piece was the favcrite OF
| Can't Davis. the intimate friend and
! ncighbor of Luther Blanchard, the Acton
| fifer. who was the first American to shed
| his blood in actual aggression against
| troops of George III. Captain Davis was
| killed at Concord Bridge, While leading
| his little troop to the front.
| where once the embattled farmer stood
And fired the shot heard round the world
Lexington is a pretty city. eleven miles
| west of Shawmut as the Indians called
| attractive residences. nice libraries. pub
| lie buildings and forest and hill scenery
full of quiet beauty, so quiet the wild
| flowers seem to feel it and try to hide
/ their .DeauClIul lleduS liC 5tSSi
| foliage and the modest little violet lifts
| its lovely face and whispers to the daisy
| in its loneliness and the Oriole too, utters
| such a sad, paintive melody. Lexington
| was the scene of the first battle of the
| Revolution, for on its green covering
! not more than five acres of ground the
| little band Of Americans firmly and open
1 Nv dared to defy and no longer submit
| to British oppression and on this beauti-
| full village green, the British t1joops I'M
| der Major Pitcairn, opened fire with sad
4 " fatal results to the minute men and
afterward capturede supplies belonging
/ TO the Americans, but they were finally
4 routed and almost annihilated on their
| way back to Boston.
| What thrilling exciting times those
/ were On the common We're planted the
i British fielpieces and stone now marks
/ the line of Captain Parkers minute mer
! with gun and powder-horn engraved
/ thereon and those memorable words Of
4 his spoken to his men on the eve of the
] battle:
4 .stand your ground. Don't fire unless
/ fired upon. but if they mean to have wal
4 let it begin here. -"
i There is also on the common a monu
i rnenr erected in 1879, having on one side
i the names of those who gave their lives
4 for their country. but so lovingly have
i the ivy and woodbine wound their ten
4 drills around 1t seemingly to protect i
i from all rude blasts, that one "a has diff
4 ficulty in reading the inscription thereon
i The bronze monument just on the edge
i of the park, is fine piece ofsWork. II