The Raymer enterprise., 1911-02-16


Grafton have gath
cred around him at different times.
while he would tell them his story.
substantially as follows:
When l was seventeen years old,
a recruiting sergeant calling for vol
unteers for the American army under
General Washington, at the siege Of
Boston, came along. wished to go
and join my country's army. and al.
though my mother and sister tried to
dissuade me. and wept and begged l
would not 90. enlisted for three
months. When measured to see II ]
was tall enough to answer the law. l
stretched myself up all that was posi-.
BILE. and then was Just able to pass.
And now took the all.wool great.
coat made by my mother. and with
the others that had enlisted marched
from home to Boston or Roxbury In
the month Of February. 1776. At the
end Of this journey | found my shoes
worn out, and also that the other sol.
diers were, many Of them. barefoot,
and poorly supplied with clothing. We
often stood sentry in the cold. and at
one time In the night, six men took
cedar rails and broke them up and
made fire to warm themselves. The
FIRE. although comfortable to them.
proved mark for the British to fire
upon. and soon cannon ball killed
one OF their number and broke the
gun OF another while In his hand.
After this We did not venture to light
fire, but often some OF us sheltered
ourselves In the cellars where houses
had stood. but had been burnt down
by the British. and often all the shell.
ter We had was In the lee Of the walls
In March. 1776. 1t was determined
by General Washington to build
breastworks upon Dorchester heights.
! was In company from Eastman,
commanded by Capt Solomon Hig-
gins, and assisted In the work 1t
had been In contemplation some time,
although kept as secret as possible.
I'VE were prepared with spades,
crowbars. shovels. picks. ETC.. and
when the evening Of the fourth OF
March came, none thought OF sleep
ing. The working party consisted OF
1000. with covering party Of 500.
We reached the place unobserved by
the enemy. and set to work with all
possible dispatch, and before morn.
ing We had thrown up a breastwork
sufficient to shelter us; but still kept
at work, relieving each other only to
eat. 1t was expected that the Eng.
lish would leave Boston with troops.
and proceed to drive US from the new
fort, II they could not knock It down
with cannon balls. We prepared to
meet them by drawing up and placing
all around the fort large trees with
limbs attached. laying them bush end
out, SO that they must stop and cut
their way through them before reach.
Ing the fort. Before this. men had
been employed In Dorchester woods
filling barrels with clay and stone
and heading them up strong. These
barrels were had In readiness the
FIRST day. to roll down the hill and
thus break and cut up the ranks Of
the enemy should they attempt to
come upon US. It was told afterward,
that In the morning the English com.
mander. after looking with his spy.
glass at our works. dashed the glass
to the ground, and exclaimed: All
the fishes OF the sea have turned to
men and are swarming the hills;' at
the same time ordering the cannon to
fire upon, our works. which they did
oil day. but with little damage to
Us. The balls mostly passed over Us
and lodged In meadow beyond. and
1900 balls were picked up and after.
ward used by US. Al we were short
Of balls small bounty was given for
each one brought In. and one Of our
men ran 10 pick VI one almost before