The Penn's Grove record., 1923-03-02

1890 w ~ N~~~"N AA64@N ~ NAAS
last lock of their heads. They assert
ed, and begged leave to do it pretty
roundly too, as it was now high time
to speak plain, that by the immutable
laws of nature-by the principles of,
the British constitution-and by their
several charters, they had a right to
liberty, the liberty of British subjects
that their ~ever-honored fathers, at
the time of their emigration to this
country, were entitled to all the rights
of freemen-and since, by such emf
grafton they had neither forfeited nor
surrendered these rights-that they,
their children, were determined, at the
risk of every thing short of their eX-
ternal salvation, to defend and to
transmit them entire to their limo
cent and beloved offspring"
Millions of choice spirits in Eng
land, Scotland and Ireland, cried out,
that's well said! and may Gods arms
strike with our American brothers,
This was coming to the point, and
produced the effect that might have
been expected. For, instantly all ex-
portation of arms and ammunition to
America was prohibited-large rein
forcements were sent to the kings
troops in Boston-and every step was
taken to compel the colonies to sub
mission. This filled up the measure
of American hatred to the ministry,
and called forth the most vigorous
preparations for war. Every ounce of
gunpowder was husbanded like SO
much gold-dust: Powder-mills and
musquet manufactures were erected
in most of the colonies; while others,
as not liking this slow way of doing
things, laid violent hands at once upon
all the kings arms and ammunition
that came in their way.
Battle At Lexington
The h~ell-fraught cloud of civil war
was now ready to burst: and April
out by mysterious heaven, for tearing
away the stout infant colonies from
the long-loved laps of the old mother
country. Early that morning, General
Gage, whose force in Boston was aug
mented to 10000 men, sent a detach-
ment of 1000 to destroy some military
stores which the Americans had col
lected in the town of Concord, near
Lexington. On coming to the place,
they found the town militia assem-
bled on the green near the road.
''ThroW down your arms and dispense
your rebels" was the cry of the
British officer, (Pitcairn) which was
Immediately followed by a general
discharge of the soldiers; whereby
eight of the Americans were killed,
and several wounded. The provincials
retired. But finding that the British
still continued their fire, they return
ed it with good interest; and soon.
strewed the ground with dead and
wounded. Such fierce discharges of
~musqeutry, produced the effect that
might have been expected in the land
of freemen, who saw their gallant
brothers suddenly engaged in the
strife of death. Never before had
the bosoms of the SWANS experienced
such a tumult of heroic passions.
Then throwing aside the implements
of husbandry, and leaving their teams
in the half finished burrows, they flew
to their houses, snatched up their
arms, and bursting from their wild
shrieking wives and children, FASTENED
to the glorious field where Liberty,
h~eaven-born goddess, was to be bought
for blood. Pouring in now from every
GudI ICIs "SIe Stcn CIONuS VI SlUIuA
peasants, with flushed cheeks and
flaming eyes, eager for battle! Even
age itself forgot its wonted infirmi-
ties: and hands, long palsied with
with years, threw aside the cushioned
crutch, and graped the deadly firelock.
Fast as they came up, their ready
muskets began to pour the long red
streams of fiery vengeance. The en-
envy fell back appalled,! The shouting
farmers, swift closing on their rear,
followed their steps with death, while
the British, as fast as they could load,
wheeling on their pursuers, returned
the deadly %platoons. Like some ire
mendous whirlwind, whose roaring
sweep all at once darkens the day,
riding the air in temptest, so sudden
and terrible, amidst clouds of dust,
and smoke, and flame, the flight of
Britain's warriors Numbered along
the road. But their flight was not in
safety. Every step of their retreat
was stained with trickling crimson
every hedge or fence by which they
passed, took large toll of hostile car
casses. They would, in all probable
ity, have been cut off to a man, had
not General Gage, luckily ~recollected,
that born of Britains, these Yankees
might possess some of the family
v%alour, and therefore sent 1000 men
to support the detachment. This re-
Enforcement met the poor fellows,
faint with fear and fatigue, and
brought them safely off to Boston.
In this, their first field, the Ameri-
can farmers CLEANED of the British
about sixty-three, in slain, and two
hundred and eighty wounded and
prisoners. The fire of civil discord
now broke out a roaring flame, and,
with equal ardour, both parties has
tened to clap on the "kettle Of war;"
National prejudices ought to be
secuted from the face of the earth.
Colonel Grant actually said in Par
lament, that with five regiments he
could march through all America!"
Oh! had that profound philosopher
but beheld the Scrub Race above, he
might have learned two things-First,
that he was never born to be a
prophet. And second, it is not to this
or that country exclusively, that we
are to look for brave men, but in
every country where the people are
accustomed to breathe the proud air
Of Iibo,+y ond to raioice in the sweet