P51
A NOBLE REPLY
At the retreat of the British troops from Lexington, General Warren came near being killed by a musket ball, which took off a lock of hair, curled close to his head, in accordance with the custom of the times. His mother, being very much affected by the occurrence, entreated him not to risk his life again, which was precious to her, and of so much value to his country.
His answer was, --"Wherever danger is, dear mother, there will your son be. Now is no time for one of America's children to shrink from the most hazardous duty; I will either see my country free, or shed my last drop of blood to make her so." And he did; he fell on the same field, and at the same time, as did Putnam; both fighting for the rights and liberties of their country.
P52
WASHINGTON AT PRAYER
After the unsatisfactory engagement at Germantown, the American troops were quartered for the winter at Valley Forge, where their sufferings were extreme. It happened, during their sojourn, that a very pious Quaker by the name of Potts had occasion to pass through a large grove, which was not a great distance from the head-quarters. Proceeding along, he thought he heard a noise. He stopped a minute, and listened attentively.
He did hear the sound of a human voice at some distance, but quite indistinctly. As it was in the direct course he was pursuing, he went on, but with considerable caution. At length he came within sight of a man whose back was turned towards him, on his knees, in the attitude of prayer. Potts now stopped, and soon perceived Gen. Washington, the commander of the American army, returning from bending before the God of hosts above.
Potts was a pious man, and no sooner had he reached his home, than he broke forth to his wife -
"All's well! --all's well! Yes -George Washington is sure to beat the British --sure!"
"What's the matter with thee, Isaac?" replied the startled Sarah. "Thee seems to be much moved about something."
"Well! What if I am moved? Who would not be moved at such a sight as I have seen today?"
"And what hast thou seen, Isaac?"
"Seen! I've seen a man at prayer! -in the woods! -George Washington himself! And now I say -just what I said before -All's well! George Washington is sure to beat the British! Sure!"
This is one of the anecdotes, that tend to establish the decided Christian character of Washington. Much also might be adduced from a memoir of his life at the same description. He was indeed a pious, as well as a brave man.
P54
THE END OF A FARCE
While the British held possession of Boston, there were various amusements got up, to while away their time. Among these was a small theatre, and in the evening of Feb. 8th, 1776 the officers were acting a farce, entitled "The Blockade of Boston." One character, intended to ridicule Washington, was dressed up with a large wig, and a long rusty sword. Another was an American sergeant, in his country dress, with an old gun on his shoulder, eight feet long.
At the same moment, this grotesque-looking figure appeared, one of the British sergeants came running on the stage, and cried out, "The Yankees are attacking our works on Bunker Hill." The audience took it as a part of the play, but General Howe knew it was no joke, and cried out to officer, "To your alarm-posts."
P54
ATTENTION TO ORDERS
At the siege of York, the young Baron de Carendeffez, about the age of fifteen, was sent into the magazine to distribute ammunition for the use of the French artillery, and while seated on a barrel of powder, saw a shell from the enemy fall within two feet of his position. The soldiers who were in the battery, expecting immediate explosion, ran off in every direction.
The expected catastrophe, however, did not follow; the fuse of the shell was in its flight extinguished. This being perceived by the fugitives, the battery was as quickly reoccupied when Captain Lemery, the commanding officer, addressing himself to the youth, who still retained his seat, said -"You young rogue, why did you not fly the impending danger? Why not embrace a chance of life?" "Because, captain," he heroically answered, "my duty required that I should make a distribution of ammunition, and not desert my post, and fly like a poltroon."
P55
PROSE BETTER THAN POETRY
A Colonel in the army, who was much inclined to be poetical in his prose, telling Major Edwards that he had heard a report concerning him by which he had been greatly amused, the major assured him that it was altogether without any foundation. "O no," said the Colonel, "deny it not -it must be true, and I will circulate and give it currency." "Thank you, thank you, kind sir," rejoined Edwards, "by your doing so, much time will be saved, which otherwise would have been spent in contradicting the story."
P56
ORDINARY FARE OF MARION
A British officer was sent from the garrison at Georgetown, to negotiate a business interesting to both armies; when this was concluded and the officer about to return, General Marion said, "If it suits your convenience, sir, to remain for a short period, I shall be glad of your company to dinner." The mild and dignified simplicity of Marion's manners had already produced their effect; and to prolong so interesting an interview, the invitation was accepted. The entertainment was served up on pieces of bark, and consisted entirely of roasted potatoes, of which the general ate heartily, requesting his guest to profit by his example, repeating the old adage, "that hunger was an excellent sauce."
"But surely, general," said the officer, "this can not be your ordinary fare." "Indeed it is, sir, he replied; "and we are more fortunate on this occasion, entertaining company, than usual, to have more than our accustomed quantity." It is said that this officer, on his return to Georgetown, immediately declared his conviction, that men who could without a murmur endure the difficulties and dangers of the field, and contentedly relish such simple and scanty fare, were not to be subdued; and resigning his commission, immediately retired from the service.
P57
MR. JOHN EDWARDS AND ADMIRAL ARBUTHNOT
It must appear both injudicious and unjust that Mr. John Edwards has been so little noticed. His name has been scarcely mentioned in the records of our revolution; yet there was no citizen of the republic, in whose bosom the love of liberty glowed with more generous enthusiasm. Possessing wealth beyond any other mercantile man of the day, he was the first individual in Carolina who tendered his fortunes in support of the American cause. His friend, the venerable Josiah Smith, was no less liberal in his loans to government; and it cannot be doubted but that their example must, in a great degree, have contributed to give stability to public credit, and to induce many of less sanguine hopes to risk their fortunes for the public good.
Warned by his more prudential friends that he placed too much at hazard; that the success of America, opposed to the power of Britain, could scarcely be expected; and that the total loss of his possessions would follow; with a feeling of patriotism that cannot be too highly appreciated, he replied -"Be it so! I would rather lose my all than retain it subject to British authority." His subsequent conduct proved that this was no vain boasting. Shortly after the fall of Charleston, invited to a conference by Admiral Arbuthnot, who was quartered on him, and occupied the principal apartments of his house, a conversation took place, the purport of which, immediately after the conclusion, was communicated by him to his son-in-law, Mr. John Bee Holmes, from whom I received it. "Nothing, Mr. Edwards," said the admiral, "has appeared more extraordinary to Sir Henry Clinton and myself, than that you, a native of Great Britain, should have taken part with the rebels, and appeared throughout the contest a strenuous and decided advocate of revolutionary principles. How, sir, is it to be accounted for?"
"Because," replied Mr. Edwards, "I conscientiously approved, and have pledged myself to support them." "But, Mr. Edwards," rejoined the admiral, "as a man of sense, you may have been heretofore deluded --your eyes must now be opened to the futility of resistance; and as a man of honor, you are bound by every means in your power to aid in promoting the submission of the people, by a reconciliation with the merciful government that would obliterate every recollection of past offences, and again receive them with favor and forgiveness."
The admiral proceeded for a considerable length of time, in pretty much the same strain of language; trying to persuade Mr. Edwards, with the neighbors, to implore pardon from the British for past misdeeds, as they considered them. Mr. Edwards made an eloquent reply, ending with the words -"And if you were to say to me -Your fate depends upon your resolve -take protection or perish -I would without a moment's hesitation -DIE."
P59
THE POOR FISHERMAN AND HIS SCHOONER
After the evacuation of Boston, by the British troops under Gen Gage, Capt. Nelson was left in command of a frigate, with directions to cruise off the outer harbor, and to give notice to British vessels of the evacuation.
During one of his cruises, he captured a fishing schooner of about sixty tons, belonging to Capt. Davis, of Plymouth, Mass. It was his whole property, and he supported a wife and six children by selling the fish that were taken on board of her.
In about a fortnight after the capture, the owner (instead of resigning himself to his fate, and abandoning all hope of regaining his vessel) determined to go on board the frigate and see the captain. He procured a boat with this view, and having put on board of her two dozen fowls, some cabbages and other vegetables, that he thought would be acceptable to Capt. Nelson, he ventured out, was admitted on board the frigate, requested to see the captain alone, and was taken down into the cabin.
"Captain," said he, "I understand that you have taken my schooner; she is the whole support of myself, my wife, and six children. Now, sir, the great men of your country, and of my country, have made this war, and the poor people are obliged to submit, and I did not know but what Capt. Nelson might give me back my schooner."
Nelson being astonished at the request replied, "This is not a common war; you are rebels, you have rebelled against your king and country, and besides, my men are entitled to their prize money." Soon after, he left him in the cabin, and went on deck to talk with his officers and men; he then returned to the cabin. "Should you know your vessel if you were to see her again?" "I guess I should," said the captain, and soon after the schooner came up, with all her sails set, and completely fitted up in man-of-war style. "Is this your vessel?" said Capt. Nelson, "O dear, sir, no," replied Capt. Davis. "I don't wonder that you don't know her," replied Nelson, "as I have laid out about one hundred and fifty pounds upon her as my tender."
After some further conversation, Capt. Nelson consented that Capt. Davis should have his vessel again, and told him to go on shore and bring with him a sufficient number of hands to take charge of her. He did so, and after Capt. Davis had thanked Cap. Nelson, with tears in his eyes, and blessed him, and was about pushing off in his boat, "Stop, stop," cried Nelson, "you are not paid yet for your fowls."
"O for mercy's sake, Capt. Nelson, say nothing about that." "Either receive payment or else no vessel," said Nelson, and threw him two guineas. "I cannot receive pay," said Capt. Davis, "and this is twice as much as they would come to." "Either take the money, or no vessel," said Nelson; "the rebels will say that you have been bribing me." And Capt. Davis went off, deeply impressed with gratitude for the noble and generous conduct of Horatio Nelson.
P61
PATRIOTISM OF BISHOP WHITE
The distinguished reputation of the late Bishop White is well known. Early in the revolution he was invited to preach before a battalion, but declined, and mentioned to the commanding officer that he had objections to the making of the ministry instrumental to the war. And he continued, in the service of the Protestant Episcopal church as required, to pray for the king till the Sunday before the 4th of July, 1776. Shortly after that he took the oath of allegiance to the United States, and ever subsequent thereto remained faithful. It was evident to all that he acted under a high sense of duty, and with that sound judgment which characterized him through life.
At the time of taking the oath of allegiance, the following incident is said to have occurred. When he went to the courthouse for the purpose, a gentleman of his acquaintance standing there, observing his design, intimated to him, by a gesture, the danger to which he would expose himself. After taking the oath, he remarked, before leaving the courthouse, to the gentleman alluded to -"I perceive, by your gesture, that you thought I was exposing my neck to great danger by the step which I have taken. But I have not taken it without full deliberation. I know my danger, and that is the greater on account of my being a clergyman of the Church of England. But I trust to Providence. The cause is a just one, and I am persuaded will be protected."
P63
BISHOP WHITE A CHAPLAIN OF CONGRESS
In September, 1777, while the British were advancing to Philadelphia, of which they took possession soon afterwards, Congress having just fled to Yorktown, he was chosen chaplain. He had, for safety, removed his family to Hartford county, in Maryland. While on a journey between that place and Philadelphia, he stopped at a small village, where he was met by a courier from Yorktown, who informed him of his being appointed by Congress their chaplain, and requested his immediate attendance. Nothing, he said, could have induced him to accept the appointment, at such a time, even had the emolument been an object, which it was not, but the determination to be consistent in his principles in the part he had taken.
This was one of the gloomiest periods in the history of the revolution; General Burgoyne was marching, without having yet received a serious check, so far as was then known, through the northern parts of New York. He thought of it for a short time, and then, instead of proceeding on his journey, turned his horses' heads, traveled immediately to Yorktown, and entered on the duties of his appointment.
While officiating as chaplain, he had opportunities of observing some tokens of the difficulties under which Congress labored in procuring the means of carrying on the war, and the very reduced state of their finances at some periods. The two following facts, related by himself, are striking proofs of their destitution of funds, and the very low state of their credit. On one occasion, going into the chamber of Congress to perform his duty as chaplain, he remarked to one of the members, "You have been treating yourselves, I perceive, to new inkstands." -"Yes," was the reply, "and private credit had to be pledged for the payment." At another time, observing that the clients had removed from their usual room, and inquiring the cause, he was told that there was no wood to make a fire there, nor money to buy it. These incidents must have occurred after Congress returned to Philadelphia.
P64
DR. FRANKLIN'S ALMANAC
The late Capt. John Paul Jones, at the time he was attempting to fit out a little squadron during the revolutionary war, in one of the ports of France, to cruise on the coast of England, was much delayed by neglects and disappointments from the court, that had nearly frustrated his plan. Chance one day threw into his hands an old almanac, containing "Poor Richard's Maxims," by Dr. Franklin. In that curious assemblage of useful instructions, a man is advised, "If he wishes to have any business faithfully and expeditiously performed, to go and do it himself; otherwise to send."
Jones was immediately struck, upon reading this maxim, with the impropriety of his past conduct, in only sending letters and messages to court, when he ought to have gone in person. He instantly set out, and, by dint of personal representations, procured the immediate equipment of the squadron, which afterwards spread terror along the eastern coasts of England, and with which he so gloriously captured the Scrapis, and the British ships of war returning from the Baltic. In gratitude to Dr. Franklin's maxim, he named the principal ship of his squadron after the name of the pretended almanac maker, "Le Bon Homme Richard," Father Richard.
P65
GENERAL PRESCOTT AND THE CONNECTICUT SUCCOTASH
The British General, Prescott, who was captured at his quarters on Rhode Island by Colonel Barton, being on his route through the state of Connecticut, called at taverns to dine. The landlady furnished the table with a dish of succotash, boiled corn and beans. The general being unaccustomed to such kind of food, exclaimed with warmth, "What do you treat us with the food of bugs?" and taking the dish from the table, strewed the contents over the floor. The landlord being informed of this, soon entered, and with his horse-whip gave the general a severe chastisement. The sequel of this story has recently been communicated by a gentleman from Nantucket, who retains a perfect recollection of all the circumstances. After General Prescott was exchanged and restored to his command on the island, the inhabitants of Nantucket deputed Wm. Rotch, Dr. Tupper, and Timothy Folger to negotiate some concerns with him in behalf of the town. They were for some time refused admittance to his presence, but the doctor and Folger overcame the opposition and ushered themselves into the room. Prescott raged and stormed with great vehemence, until Folger was compelled to withdraw. After the doctor announced his business, and the general had become a little calm, he said, "Was not my treatment to Folger a little uncivil?" The doctor said yes. Then said Prescott, "I will tell you the reason; he looked so much like the Connecticut rascal that horse-whipped me, I could not endure his presence."
P67
PROVIDENTIAL INTERPOSITIONS
After the defeat of our army on Long Island, in 1776, the residue of our troops were reduced to a situation of extreme hazard, and by many it was supposed that a few hours would seal their fate. They were fatigued and discouraged by defeat, a superior enemy in their front, and a powerful fleet about to enter the East river, with the view of effectually cutting off their retreat, and leaving them no alternative but to surrender. The commander-in-chief resolved to attempt to extricate his army from the impending catastrophe, by evacuating the post, and crossing the river to New York. The passage was at first found to be impracticable, by reason of a violent wind from the northeast and a strong ebbing tide.
But providentially the wind grew more moderate, and veered to the northwest, which rendered the passage perfectly safe. But a circumstance still more remarkable was, that about two o'clock in the morning a thick fog enveloped the whole of Long Island in obscurity, concealing the retreat of the Americans, while on the side of New York the atmosphere was perfectly clear.
Thus, by the favor of an unusual fog, one army, consisting of nine thousand men, in one night, under great disadvantages, embarked with their baggage, provisions, horses, and the provisions of war, crossed a rapid river, a mile or more wide, and landed at New York undiscovered and without material loss. The enemy were so near that they were heard at work with their pick-axes, and in about half an hour after the fog cleared off, the enemy were seen taking possession of the American lines, and they were astonished that our troops had got beyond the reach of pursuit.
Garden, in his Anecdotes, says that a clerical friend, on this occasion, observed that "But for the interposition of a cloud of darkness, the Egyptians would have overwhelmed the Israelites upon the sea-shore. And but for the providential intervention of a fog upon Long Island, which was a cloud resting on the earth, the American army would have been destroyed, and the hopes of every patriot bosom extinguished, perhaps forever."
On the retreat of our army from New York, Major-general Putnam, at the lead of three thousand five hundred continental troops, was in the rear and the last that left the city. In order to avoid any of the enemy that might be advancing in the direct road to the city, he made choice of a different road till he could arrive at a certain angle, whence a cross-road would conduct him in such a direction as that he might forma a junction with our main army. It so happened that a body of eight thousand British and Hessians were at the same moment advancing on the road, which would have brought them in the immediate contact with Putnam before he could have reached the cross-road.
Most fortunately; the British generals halted their troops, and repaired to the house of Mr. R. Murray, a Quaker and friend to our cause. Mrs. M. treated the British officers with cake and wine, and they were induced to tarry two hours or more. By this happy incident, Putnam, by continuing his march, escaped a rencounter with a greatly superior force, which must have proved fatal to his whole party. I have recently been informed by the son and aid-de-camp of Gen. Putnam, that had the enemy, instead of a halt, marched ten minutes longer, they would have reached the cross-road , and entirely cut off the retreat of our troops, and they must inevitably have been captured or destroyed. It was a common saying among our officers that, under Providence, Mrs. Murray saved this part of our army.
When, in the year 1777, Gen. Burgoyne's army was reduced to a condition of extreme embarrassment and danger, Gen. Gates received what he supposed certain intelligence that the main body of the British army had marched off for Fort Edward, and that a rear-guard only was left in the camp situated on the opposite side of Saratoga creek. He determined, therefore, to advance with his entire force to attack the enemy in their encampment, in half an hour. For this purpose, Gen. Nixon with his brigade crossed the creek in advance.
Gen. Glover was on the point of following, but just as he entered the water he perceived a British soldier crossing near him, whom he called and examined. By this British deserter, the fact was ascertained, that the detachment for Fort Edward had returned, and that the whole British army was now encamped behind a thick brush-wood, which concealed them from our view. This information being instantly communicated to Gen. Gates, the order for attack was immediately countermanded, and the troops were ordered to retreat; but before they could recross the creek the enemy's artillery opened on their rear, and some loss was sustained.
This was a most critical moment, and a quarter of an hour longer might have caused the ruin of two brigades, and effected such a favorable turn of affairs as to have enabled Burgoyne to progress in his route to Albany, or make a safe retreat into Canada. In his narrative of the expedition under his command, Burgoyne laments the accident which occasioned the failure of his stratagem, as one of the most adverse strokes of fortune during the campaign. But Americans ought never to forget the remarkable providential escape.
P71
DEATH OF THE BARON DE KALB
Among the most enthusiastic foreigners who generously espoused our cause, and at an early period of the revolution resorted to the American army, I will name some, whose meritorious services entitle them to the grateful recollection of the present and future generations. Baron de Kalb was by birth a German. He had attained a high reputation in military service, and was a knight of the order of merit, and a brigadier-general in the armies of France. He accompanied the Marquis de La Fayette to this country, and having proffered his services to our Congress, he was, in September, 1777, appointed to the office of major-general. In the summer of 1780, he was second in command in our southern army, under Major-general Gates.
When arrangements were making for the battle of Camden, which proved so disastrous to our arms, in August, 1780, this heroic officer, it was said, cautioned Gen. Gates against a general action under present circumstances. But that unfortunate commander was heard to say, that "Lord Cornwallis would not dare to look him in the face." And in the evening preceding the battle, an officer in the presence of Gen. Gates said, "I wonder where we shall dine to-morrow?"
"Dine, sir," replied the confident general, "why at Camden to be sure. I would not give a pinch of snuff, sir, to be insured a beef-steak tomorrow in Camden, and Lord Cornwallis at my table." Baron de Kalb was decidedly opposed to the proceedings of Gen. Gates, and frequently foretold the ruin that would ensue, and expressed a presentiment that it would be his fate to fall in that battle. In a council of war, while the enemy was approaching, the baron advised that the army should fall back and take a good position, and wait to be attacked; but this was rejected by Gen. Gates, who insinuated that it originated from fear.
De Kalb, instantly leaping from his horse placed himself at the head of his command on foot, and with some warmth retorted, "Well, sir, a few hours, perhaps, will prove who are the brave." It was the intention of Gen. Gates to surprise the enemy in their encampment, while at the same time Cornwallis had commenced his march to surprise his antagonist. The contending armies had scarcely engaged in the conflict, when our militia broke, and leaving their guns and bayonets behind, fled with the greatest precipitation.
Gen. Gates immediately applied spurs to his horse and pursued, as he said, "to bring the rascals back," but he actually continued his flight till he reached Charlotte, 80 miles from the field of battle. The Baron de Kalb, at the head of a few hundred continental troops was now left to cope with the whole British army, and he sustained the dreadful shock for more than an hour; hundreds of the bravest men had fallen around this undaunted hero; he himself in personal conflict was seen to parry the furious blows and plunge his sword into many opposing breasts. But alas! The hero is overpowered, having received eleven bayonet wounds; he faints and falls to the ground.
Several individuals of both armies were killed while endeavoring to shield his body. His aid-de-camp, Chevalier de Buysson, rushed through the clashing bayonets, and stretching his arms over the body of the fallen hero, exclaimed, "Save the Baron de Kalb! Save the Baron de Kalb!" The British officers interposed and prevented his immediate destruction, but he survived the action but a few hours.
To a British officer, who kindly consoled with him in his misfortune, he replied, "I thank you for your generous sympathy, but I die the death I always prayed for; the death of a soldier fighting for the rights of man." His last moments were spent in dictating a letter concerning the continental troops which supported him in the action, after the militia had fled, of whom he said he had no words that could sufficiently express his love and his admiration of their valor.
Gen. Washington, many years after, on a visit to Camden, inquired for the grave of De Kalb. After looking on it awhile, with a countenance marked with thought, he breathed a deep sigh, and exclaimed, "So there lies the brave De Kalb; the generous stranger who came from a distant land to fight our battles, and to water with his blood the tree of our liberty. Would to God he had lived to share with us its fruits!" His exit was marked with unfading glory, and his distinguished merit was gratefully acknowledged by Congress, in ordering a monument to be erected to his memory.
P74
EXECUTION OF COL. HAYNES
After the city of Charleston had fallen in to the hand of Lord Cornwallis, his lordship issued a proclamation, requiring of the inhabitants of the colony, that they should no longer take part in the contest, but continue peaceably at their homes, and they should be most sacredly protected in property and person. This was accompanied with an instruction of neutrality, which soon obtained the signatures of many thousands of the citizens of South Carolina, among whom was Col. Haynes, who now conceived that he was entitled to peace and security for his family and fortune.
But it was not long before Cornwallis put a new construction on the instrument of neutrality, denominating it a bond of allegiance to the king, and called upon all who had signed it to take up arms against the Rebels! Threatening to treat as deserters those who refused! This fraudulent proceeding in Lord Cornwallis roused the indignation of every honorable and honest man.
Col. Haynes now being compelled, in violation of the most solemn compact, to take up arms, resolved that the invaders of his native country should be the objects of his vengeance. He withdrew from the British, and was invested with a command in the continental service; but it was soon his hard fortune to be captured by the enemy and carried into Charleston. Lord Rawdon, the commandant, immediately ordered him to be loaded with irons, and after a sort of mock trial, he was sentenced to be hung!
The sentence seized all classes of people with horror and dismay. A petition, headed by the British Gov. Bull, and signed by a number of royalists, was presented in his behalf, but was totally disregarded. The ladies of Charleston, both whigs and tories, now united in a petition to Lord Rawdon, couched in the most eloquent and moving language, praying that the valuable life of Col. Haynes might be spared; but this also was treated with neglect. It was next proposed that Col. Haynes children, (the mother had recently expired with the small-pox,) should in their mourning habiliments be presented to plead for the life of their only surviving parent. Being introduced into his presence, they fell on their knees, and with clasped hands and weeping eyes, they lisped their father's name and plead most earnestly for his life. (Reader! What is your anticipation -do you imagine that Lord Rowdon, pitying their motherless condition, tenderly embraced these afflicted children and restored them to the fond embrace of their father? No! the unfeeling man was still inexorable -he suffered even these little ones to plead in vain!) His son, a youth of thirteen, was permitted to stay with his father in prison, who beholding his only parent loaded with irons and condemned to die, was overwhelmed in grief and sorrow.
"Why," said he, "my son, will you thus break your father's heart with unavailing sorrow! Have I not often told you that we came into this world but to prepare for a better! For that better life, my dear boy, your father is prepared. Instead then of weeping, rejoice with me, my son, that my troubles are so near an end. To-morrow I set out for immortality. You will accompany me to the place of my execution; and when I am dead, take and bury me by the side of your mother."
The youth here fell on his father's neck crying, "Oh, my father! My father! I will die with you! I will die with you!" Col. Haynes would have returned the strong embrace of his son; but alas! His hands were confined with irons. "Live," said he, "my son, live to honor God by a good life; live to serve your country; and live to take care of your brother and little sisters!"
The next morning Col. Haynes was conducted to the place of execution. His son accompanied him. Soon as they came in sight of the gallows, the father strengthened himself and said -"Now, my son, show yourself a man! That tree is the boundary of my life and of all my life's sorrows. Beyond that the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Don't lay too much to heart our separation from you; it will be but short. It was but lately your dear mother died. To-day I die, and you, my son, though but young, must shortly follow us." "Yes, my father," replied the broken -hearted youth, "I shall shortly follow you; for indeed I feel that I cannot live long."
On seeing therefore his father in the hands of the executioners, and then struggling in the halter, he stood like one transfixed and motionless with horror. Till then he had wept incessantly, but soon as he saw that sight, the fountain of his tears was stanched, and he never wept more. He died insane, and in his last moments often called on the name of his father in terms that brought tears from the hardest heart.
American Revolution
