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Page 23
"I can tell you of an instance quite as good," said old John Warner.
"Perhaps it is better; for in this instance, a woman displayed the like
spirit. A good lady in 1775, lived on the sea-board, about a day's march
from Boston, where the British army then was. By some unaccountable
accident, a rumour was spread, in town and country, in and about there,
that the _Regulars_ were on a full march for the place, and would
probably arrive in three hours at farthest. This was after the battle of
Lexington, and all, as might be well supposed, was in sad
confusion--some were boiling with rage and full of fight, some with
fear and confusion, some hiding their treasures, and others flying for
life. In this wild moment, when most people in some way or other, were
frightened from their propriety, our heroine, who had two sons, one
about nineteen years of age, and the other about sixteen, was seen
preparing them to discharge their duty. The eldest she was able to equip
in fine style--she took her husband's fowling-piece, 'made for duck or
plover,' (the good man being absent on a coasting voyage to Virginia)
and with it the powder-horn and shot-bag; but the lad thinking the duck
and goose shot not quite the size to kill regulars, his mother took a
chisel, cut up her pewter spoons, and hammered them into slugs, and put
them into his bag, and he set off in great earnest, but thought he would
call one moment and see the parson, who said, well done, my brave
boy--God preserve you--and on he went in the way of his duty. The
youngest was importunate for his equipments, but his mother could find
nothing to arm him with but an old rusty sword; the boy seemed rather
unwilling to risk himself with this alone, but lingered in the street,
in a state of hesitation, when his mother thus upbraided him. 'You John
Haines, what will your father say if he hears that a child of his is
afraid to meet the British: go along; beg or borrow a gun, or you will
find one, child--some coward, I dare say, will be running away, then
take his gun and march forward, and if you come back and I hear you have
not behaved like a man, I shall carry the blush of shame on my face to
the grave.' She then shut the door, wiped the tear from her eye, and
waited the issue; the boy joined the march. Such a woman could not have
cowards for her sons."
"I heard of many such instances," said Kinnison; "such a spirit was
common at the time, not only in New England, but throughout the States.
Look at the noble conduct of some of the people of New Jersey, during
Washington's retreat, and afterwards. The women did all they could to
lessen the sufferings of the men, and many an old man wanted to join the
army, knowing how much he would have to endure."
THE CAPTURE OF GENERAL SULLIVAN.
"The women were all right during the Revolution," said Pitts. "I can
tell you of an instance in which a woman displayed both patriotism and
wisdom, though it may be rather a long story."
"Oh! the longer the better," said Hand.
"Very well," said Pitts, "I'll tell you about it, as near as I can
recollect. One night, while the British army was encamped on Long
Island, a party of the redcoats, galled by the death of Major Andre,
formed a plan to cross over to the Connecticut side and capture General
Sullivan, who commanded some of the Americans stationed there, and hold
him in revenge for Andre's death.
"It was a hazardous project, but four bold men pledged themselves to
undertake it. John Hartwell, a brave young officer was selected as their
leader.
"Soon as arranged they proceeded to a boat, and made the best progress
they could across the river; on gaining the shore, they made for a
small clump of underwood, where they lay concealed, until they noted
what direction it was best to take.
"Here too may be seen the tents where repose the brave men who have
sworn to protect their homes and country, or die in its defence against
the invaders, who seek to control their free rights. Near may be seen a
spacious farm house, the abode of General Sullivan--the brave soldier
and faithful friend--who now slept, unconscious of danger. Through some
neglect, the sentinels on duty had wandered from their posts, never
dreaming it possible that any one would risk a landing, or could pass
the tents unobserved. By a circuitous route they gained the house, and
here the faithful watch-dog gave the alarm; a blow soon silenced him;
and ascending the piazza, Captain Hartwell opened the casement, and
followed by his men, stepped lightly into the sitting-room of the
family.
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