GEN. P. TELLS ABOUT THE WAR, AND HOW ENOCH CROSBY ENLISTED AS A
SOLDIER FOR ONE CAMPAIGN.
_Gen. P_. "Before night, Enoch reached his new home. His countenance
had somewhat brightened; yet his heart felt sad, for some days.
"On the following morning, his master introduced him into the shop. He
had a seat assigned him provided with awls, thread, wax, and the more
solid, but equally needful companion, a _lapstone_.
"Enoch proved a good apprentice. At first, the confinement was
irksome. He had been used to the open air--to the active exercise of
the field--to the free, healthful breeze of the mountain. It was
tiresome to sit all day, in a confined shop. But he made himself
contented, and, in a little time, found his employment quite
pleasant."
_John_. "Didn't he want to see his mother?"
_Gen. P_. "Doubtless he did. He would not be likely to forget her; and
I hope he did not neglect her good advice. And, when permission was
given him, he went home to visit his friends, and always with delight.
"In 1771, the apprenticeship of Enoch ended. He was now twenty-one
years old--a man grown--industrious--honest--and ready to begin
business for himself.
"Old Mr. Crosby was a strong whig--a man of reading and information--
one who took a deep interest in the welfare of his country.
"About the time that Enoch first left home to learn his trade, the
troubles of America began with England. The king and his ministers
became jealous of the Americans. They thought them growing too fast--
'They will soon,' said they, 'become proud, and wish to be free and
independent--we must tax them--we must take away their money. This
will keep them poor and humble.'
"Those things used often to be talked over, at old Mr. Crosby's. The
neighbours would sometimes happen in there of a winter's evening to
spend an hour, or two--the minister--the schoolmaster--and others--and
although Southeast was a retired place, the conduct of the 'mother
country,' as England was called, was pretty well understood there, and
justly censured.
"Old Mr. Crosby, especially, condemned the conduct of England. He
said, for one, he did not wish to be trampled on. 'They have no right
to tax us,' said he,--'it is unjust--it is cruel--and, for myself, I
am ready to say, I will not submit to it. And, mark my word, the time
will come, when the people will defend themselves, and when that time
comes, I hope,' said he--looking round upon his sons, especially upon
Enoch--'I hope my boys will not shame their father--no, not they.'
"Enoch thought much of his father. He was a grave man--one who sat
steady in his chair when he talked--and talked so slowly, and so
emphatic, as always to be heard. Enoch, though a boy, listened--he was
_then_ interested--and as he grew older and was at home occasionally,
on a visit, and these subjects were discussed--he took a still deeper
interest, and would sometimes even mingle in the animated talk, round
the fire side of his father.
"And, then, there were times, too, when he was seated on his bench,
thinking over what he had heard; or sat listening to some customer of
his master, who happened in, on a rainy day--and who had seen the last
paper which gave an account of some new attempt to oppress the
colonies--at such times, he would almost wish himself a soldier, and
in the field fighting for his country. And then the hammer, it was
observed, would come down upon his lapstone with double force, as if
he were splitting the head of one of the enemy open, or his awl would
go through the leather, as if he were plunging a bayonet into the belt
of a soldier."
[Illustration]
"Such were the workings of Enoch Crosby's mind--the work of
preparation was going on there--the steam was gradually rising--and
though he realized it not--he was fitting to become a zealous and
active soldier, in his country's service.
"On the 5th of March, 1770, nearly a year before Enoch's time was out,
the 'Boston Massacre' happened."
_Henry_. "The 'Boston Massacre!' father--pray, what was that?"
_Gen. P_. "William! you know the story, I trust--can you tell it to
your brother?"
_William_. "I have read about it; but I don't know well how to tell
it. Will you tell it, father?"
_Gen. P_. "Tell it as well as you are able, my son. It is by practice
that we learn to do things well."
_William_. "One evening some British soldiers were near a ropewalk in
Boston. A man, who worked in the ropewalk, said something to them
which they did not like, and they beat him.
"Three days after, on the 5th of March, while the soldiers were under
arms, some of them were insulted by the citizens, and one, it is said,
was struck. This soldier was so angry, that he fired. Then, six others
fired. Three citizens were killed, and five were wounded.
"All Boston was soon roused. The bells were rung. Many thousand people
assembled, and they said that they would tear the soldiers to pieces,
and I don't know but that they would have done so, if Gov. Hutchinson
had not come out, and told the people, that he would inquire into the
matter, and have the guilty punished. This pacified them."
_Gen. P_. "Well done--quite well done, master William. You now know,
Henry, what is meant by the 'Boston Massacre.'"
_Henry_. "It was a bloody affair, I think."
_Gen. P_. "Bloody indeed!--inhuman and highly provoking. The news of
it spread--spread rapidly, in every direction. The country was filled
with alarm. War was seen to be almost certain; such an insult--such a
crime could not be forgotten. Even at Phillipstown, where Crosby was
at his trade, the story was told. It roused _his_ spirit. He thought
of what his father had said. And he was even now desirous to enlist as
a soldier, to avenge the slaughtered Americans.
"The next year--in January, I think it was--Enoch's time being out, he
left his master, and went to live at Danbury, Connecticut, where he
worked at his trade, as a journeyman, and here he continued for
several years.
"During this time, the difficulties between England and America
increased. The king and his ministers grew more haughty and
oppressive. The Americans waxed more firm and confident. Several
events tended to make the breach wider and wider. The British
parliament taxed the Americans--next the people of Boston threw into
the sea a large quantity of tea, belonging to people in England,
because a tax was laid upon it. Then, by way of revenge for this, the
parliament ordered that no vessel should enter Boston harbour, or
leave it. And, finally, the king sent a large body of English soldiers
to America, to watch the people here, and force them to submission.
"Things now became quite unsettled. The Americans felt injured--they
were provoked--nothing was before them but war or slavery. This latter
they could not bear. They scorned to be slaves. Besides, they saw no
reason why they should be slaves. They knew war was a great evil. But
it was better than slavery. And now they began to talk about it; and
to act in view of it. In almost every town--especially in New
England--the young men were enrolled; that is, were formed into
companies, and were daily exercised, in order to make them good
soldiers. These were called '_minute men_'."
_Henry_. "Why were they called '_minute men_,' father?"
_Gen. P_. "Because they stood ready to march at a _minutes_ warning,
should occasion require."
_John_. "Was Enoch Crosby a minute man?"
_Gen. P_. "No; he was not; but he stood ready to enlist, at any time
when his services were needed.
"We will now pass on to the year 1775. In April of that year occurred
the famous battle of Lexington. A party of British troops had been
sent from Boston, to destroy some military stores, belonging to the
Americans, at Concord, north of Boston. On their way thither, they
came to Lexington; and here they fired upon a small company of
Americans, and killed several.
"It was a cruel act--worthy only of savages. But it roused the
Americans in that part of the country; and they immediately sent
expresses--that is, men on horseback--to carry the tidings abroad.
"One of these expresses was directed to take his course for Danbury,
and to speed his flight. On his arrival, he told the story.
"It produced alarm--and well it might; but it also produced
resolution. The bells were rung--cannon were fired--drums beat to
arms. Within a few hours, many people had assembled--the young and the
old--all eager to do something for their country. One hundred and
fifty young men came forward, and entered their names as soldiers--
chose a captain Benedict to lead them--and begged that they might go
forth to the war. Enoch Crosby was _the first man_ that entered his
name on this occasion.
"Not long after, the regiment to which Crosby belonged marched to the
city of New-York. Here they were joined by other companies, and sailed
up Hudson's river to assist in taking Canada from the British.
"A short time before this, Ticonderoga, a fortress on lake Champlain,
had been surprised by Col. Ethan Allen and his troops, and to them it
had surrendered. This was an important post. Great rejoicings took
place among the Americans, when it was known that this fort had fallen
into their hands.
"The troop to which Crosby was attached, passed this fort, and
proceeded to St. Johns, a British fort 115 miles north of Ticonderoga.
"This fort it was determined to attack. The troops were therefore
landed, and preparations were made. Their number was one thousand--all
young men,--brave--ardent--resolute.
"Being formed in order of battle, the intrepid officers led them to
the attack. As they advanced, the guns of the fort poured in upon them
a tremendous fire. This they met manfully, and, though some fell, the
others seemed the more determined. But, just as they were beginning
the attack in good earnest, a concealed body of Indians rose upon
them, and the appalling war whoop broke upon their ears."
[Illustration]
"This savage yell they had never before heard--such a sight they had
never before witnessed. For a moment, alarm spread through the ranks.
But courage--action was now necessary. Death or victory was before
them. The officers called them to rally--to stand their ground--and
they did so. They opened a well directed fire upon their savage foes,
and only a short time passed before the latter were glad to retreat.
"The savages having retired, the men were ordered to throw up a breast
work, near the place, to shelter themselves from the guns of the fort.
This was done expeditiously. Trees were felled, and drawn to the spot
by some; while others were employed in throwing up earth.
"During these labours of the Americans, the enemy continued to annoy
them, by throwing shells from the fort."
_William_. "Pray, father, what are shells? I have read of them; but I
do not know more than that they are a kind of shot."
_Gen. P_. "Shells are often called _bombs_, a word which signifies
_great noise_; because, when they burst, they make a great noise. They
consist of a large shell of cast iron, which is round and hollow. A
hole is made through the shell to receive a _fusee_, as it is called;
this is a small pipe, or hollow piece of wood, which is filled with
some combustible matter. When a bomb is about to be fired, it is
filled with powder, after which the fusee is driven into the vent, or
hole of the shell."
_William_. "How are bombs fired, father?"
_Gen. P_. "They are thrown from a kind of cannon called a _mortar_. It
has its name from its resemblance to a common mortar. The lower part
of the mortar is called the _chamber_, which contains the powder. When
fired, the powder in the chamber not only sends the bomb, but at the
same time, sets fire to the fusee, which continues to burn slowly, as
it passes through the air, and the calculation always is, to have the
fire from the fusee reach the powder in the shell, _at the moment the
latter reaches the ground_. It then bursts, and the scattering
fragments of iron often do horrible execution."
_William_. "Did you say, father, that mortars Were _short_ guns?"
_Gen. P_. "Land mortars are quite short; sea mortars, or such as are
used on board vessels, are longer and heavier, because they are
usually fired at greater distances. A land mortar, which will throw a
shell thirteen inches in diameter, weighs thirteen hundred weight; the
weight of the shell is about one hundred and seventy-five pounds; it
contains between nine and ten pounds of powder; and is fired by means
of about the same quantity of powder."
_William_. "Pray, father, who invented bombs?"
_Gen. P_. "The inventor is not known; they have been in use since the
year 1634.
"Some years after the above affair, Crosby himself related the manner
in which the soldiers contrived to escape unhurt. When a shell rose in
the air, every one would stop working, and watch its course, to
ascertain whether it would fall near him. If it appeared to approach
so near, as to endanger any one, he would dodge behind something, till
it had burst, or passed by."
_John_. "Father, could a soldier dodge a cannon ball?"
_Henry_. "Why, John! I should think you knew enough, not to ask so
foolish a question."
_Gen. P_. "Not so bad a question neither, master Henry; under some
circumstances, a cannon ball might he avoided."
_William_. "Not when it is first fired, father."
_Gen. P_. "True; but when it has nearly spent its force, a person
might easily get out of its way. But even when a ball only rolls along
the ground, apparently slow, it would be dangerous to attempt to stop
it: especially if large. I recollect to have read of a soldier, who
saw a ball rolling towards him, which he thought to stop with his
foot; but, poor fellow! it broke his leg in an instant.
"Some of the American soldiers at St. Johns, were too intent upon
their labour, to pay much attention to the shells. Crosby was one. All
on a sudden, a fellow-soldier near by called out in a tone of thunder,
'Crosby! look out! take care! take care!' Crosby looked up, and
directly over him, a shell was descending."
[Illustration]
"He had but a minute to think--he dropped flat upon the ground, and
the shell just passed over him. 'A miss,' thought he, 'is as good as a
mile;' but he said, after _such a warning_, he kept one eye upon the
enemy.
"The rude fortification was soon completed, and served as a shelter
till night, when the American troops silently departed. Taking to
their boats, the next day they reached the _Isle Aux Noix_?"
_William_. "Is not that a French name?"
_Gen. P_. "Yes; my son--a name given to the Island, while the French
had possession of it. Do you know where it lies?"
_William_. "It is a small island, near the northern extremity of Lake
Champlain."
_Gen. P_. "Right. It is pronounced _Eel-o-nwar_; and signifies the
_island of nuts_."
_John_, "Did the people find walnuts there, father?"
_Gen. P_. "Some kind of nuts doubtless, my son; but whether walnuts,
or hazel nuts, or some other kind, I am unable to say."
_Henry_. "Pray, John, don't ask so many foolish questions, I want to
hear the story."
_Gen. P_. "But you would wish your brother to know the _reason_ of
things, would you not, master Henry? It was quite a proper question,
and one it seems none of us can answer. We must examine the point some
time, and let master John know.
"The American troops had not been long a this island, before many of
them were taken sick and sent to the hospital. Crosby was of the
number. But he had no idea of confinement. In a few days, he
resolved to join the army again. To this the surgeon remonstrated. It
might be his death he said; but the valiant soldier could not be
persuaded, and again appeared at camp.
"'What!' exclaimed Capt. Benedict, when he saw him, 'have you got
back, Crosby? I never expected to see you again. You look too ill to
be here. You would make a better _scare-crow_ than soldier, I fancy,
just now.'
"'Well, captain! said Crosby, 'if I'm a scare-crow, I can _frighten_
the enemy, if I cannot _fight_ them--so I shall be of some service.'"
_John_. "Well, father, did they hang up Crosby for a scare-crow?"
_Henry_. "Why, you simpleton, John, don't you know better?"
_Gen. P_. "Crosby was quite ill, but his resolution made him forget
how feeble he was. He was a scare-crow to the enemy in a different way
from that which Capt. Benedict meant. A battle soon came on, and
before night Enoch Crosby was marching into the enemy's fort to the
tune of Yankee Doodle, to assist in taking care of the prisoners."
_John_. "But, I thought he was too ill to fight."
_Gen. P_. "A soldier, at such a time, and such a soldier as Crosby,
would be likely to forget his weakness. He went bravely through the
day; and from that time rapidly regained his health.
"Success now followed the American troops, and in November, Montreal
was taken.
"The time, for which Crosby had enlisted, had now expired, and he
concluded to return home. Accordingly, he embarked with several
others, in a small schooner, for Crown Point, twelve miles north of
Ticonderoga. Thence they came by land to this latter place; from which
they proceeded home ward for some distance by water, and then by land.
Their rout lay through a wilderness. It was now winter, and the cold
was intense. Provisions were scarce. Comfortable lodgings were not to
be found. Their prospects were often gloomy, and their distress
indescribable.
"At length, however, they reached their respective homes. After a
short stay with his friends, Crosby once more returned to Danbury, and
again betook himself to the peaceful occupation of shoemaking."