ON SPECIAL DUTY
When we were come to the Penny ferry our consort had discharged her
cargo, and there were forty or fifty men, I should say, engaged in
driving the sheep and transporting the grain out of harm's way, for,
save as to a few sentinels, our people had no force stationed at that
place.
After some considerable trouble Archie and I succeeded in getting two
carts with horses to carry our dead and wounded, for I was determined
the bodies of those lads who had given up their lives for the Cause
should be carried where they might receive a soldier's burial.
Because we were forced to move slowly on account of the wounded, another
day had fully come before we entered the encampment, and I was surprised
at finding that all our people there seemed to know as much concerning
what had been done near Hog island as did we who had taken part in the
action.
The sailors of the sloop which we had aided to escape, were so loud in
their praise of what the Minute Boys of Boston had done, and so eager to
make every person acquainted with the part we had played, that had we
been veritable heroes the reception accorded us could not have been
warmer.
Men whom I had never seen before shook me by the hand as if we were
friends of long standing, and had much to say in praise of the past
day's work. Doctor Warren seemingly made it his especial business to
greet each of us in turn, and repeated again and again that he was not
surprised because of our having shown ourselves men, since he knew the
day we carried his message to Lexington that we had in us the making of
soldiers.
As a matter of course I was proud of being thus received by my elders,
but when my father came up hurriedly, taking me in his arms and kissing
me on the cheek as if I had been a mere child, truly was my cup of
happiness running over!
I tried to belittle the affair, although way down in my heart I believed
it was of considerable importance; but he would have none of it,
claiming that those who manned the sloop could not have stretched the
truth, since the result showed that we must have acted nobly.
Now it can well be fancied that we Minute Boys were considerably puffed
up because of all this praise, more particularly when our elders greeted
us as equals. My pride and happiness vanished, however, on that
sorrowful day when our comrades were buried.
General Ward had issued orders that the lads be committed to the earth
with all the ceremony of a military funeral, and we Minute Boys who were
able to march, acted as guard of honor. It was all very imposing; but at
the same time solemn, and my heart grew chill with fear as to the
future, when I realized that it was more than probable others of our
company would give up their lives before we had won out in this fight
against the king.
During four or five days after the funeral our company of Minute Boys
remained within the encampment, for by this time we were come to be
considered a portion of the army, or, a better way of putting it would
be, that our elders recognized us as being worthy of being called
soldiers, and meanwhile Hiram's wound was healed.
Many, many times during every twenty-four hours did we discuss the
question of going back to Boston town, the greater number of us
believing that we could do better work as spies than by loitering around
the camp, where were so many idle ones.
As a matter of fact we did not, even in our warmest discussions,
consider for a moment that Archie would be warranted in returning, and
all of us understood that most like our names were down in General
Gage's black books, for it was reasonable to suppose that Seth Jepson
had given to the enemy all information concerning us that was possible.
It was true we might walk the streets of Boston without being recognized
by the lobster backs, even though the hue and cry had been raised, but
should we by accident come upon Seth Jepson, Amos Nelson, or any of that
kidney, then was it certain they would compass our arrest.
However, despite all the dangers which might attend our entering the
town, Silas and I were hankering to make the attempt. Hiram would give
us no advice either way, claiming that until the wound in his arm had
fully healed, or, in other words, meaning while he was not in condition
to perform a soldier's duty he would take no part in recommending others
to risk their necks.
I pressed him to know whether, if he was in fit bodily condition, he
would advocate going into Boston on the chance of being able to learn
something that might be of importance to our people; but he evaded a
direct answer by saying:
"All that is as may be. Should it happen that the lobster backs began to
nestle around like a hive of bees making ready to swarm, then it might
be I should say we had best go; but just at present there is nothing to
show that you could learn more than may be picked up by any of our
friends in town."
Then it was I appealed to Doctor Warren, telling him we Minute Boys were
eager to be up and doing, and that it seemed as if we might be of
assistance as spies; but he cut short the conversation by saying in what
sounded to me like an odd tone:
"There'll soon be ample work near here, and I see no reason why you lads
should be so venturesome when there is little call for anything of the
kind."
It is needless to say that I abandoned the idea of going immediately
among the lobster backs, for Doctor Warren's opinion had great weight
with me, and he had spoken so positively against it that I set about
trying to make myself content with the idle life we were leading.
It was soon proven that I was to get my fill of right down hard work,
together with more of danger than the most gluttonous swashbuckler could
have mapped out.
I think it was the second, or it might have been the third, day after my
conversation with Doctor Warren, when Hiram Griffin sought me out where
Silas and I lay on our backs in the college yard, sunning ourselves as
do chickens. There was an expression of wisdom on his face, as if he
knew more than he intended to impart, when he said to me:
"Lad, do you know Colonel Prescott of the Pepperell Minute Men?"
"You yourself pointed him out to me not long ago," I replied lazily.
"Do you know where his headquarters are?"
"With his men, I reckon. One of them acted as sailor aboard the sloop
that carried the live stock and grain from Hog island, and you can get
from him what information you need concerning the colonel."
"It's not information I'm after, lad. You, as captain of the Minute Boys
of Boston, are ordered to report to Colonel Prescott."
"For duty?" I cried excitedly.
"Well, I reckon it may be something of the kind, for it don't stand to
reason that such a man as Colonel Prescott sends out orders for a lad
like you to report, if he simply wants an every-day bit of gossip."
"Come on, Silas! If there's a chance for us Minute Boys to have a finger
in any pie that is baking, don't let's linger here!"
"Silas best stay where he is," Hiram said, and there was a look of
disappointment on the lad's face, for he was no less eager than I to be
doing something against the lobster backs, and most like burned with
impatience to know what Colonel Prescott might have in hand for us.
I had but little difficulty in finding the officer who had sent for me,
and he did not keep me in suspense many minutes.
"How many lads in your company are fit for duty now?" he asked
immediately I stepped before him.
"Eleven, sir, I believe--twelve if Hiram Griffin calls himself one of us
and can use his arm."
"Muster your company in front of General Ward's headquarters an hour
before sunset, taking care to provide yourselves with blankets and one
day's rations."
Having given this command he turned to speak with an officer who was
standing nearby, and seemingly gave no more heed to me, yet I stood like
a simple, rather than one who claimed to be a soldier, awaiting further
information, until mayhap five full minutes had passed when I came to
realize my stupidity. Then saluting, even though his back was turned
toward me, I went out and ran with all speed to where I had left Silas
and Hiram.
They were awaiting me patiently, evidently counting on my coming
directly back, and once I was within speaking distance Hiram asked
laughingly:
"Well, did the colonel send for you that he might learn whether the
Minute Boys had any complaint to make regarding their quarters or their
rations?"
"We are ordered to assemble in front of General Ward's headquarters an
hour before sunset!" I replied breathlessly, giving no heed to his
banter.
"Then there is some work to be done!" Silas cried joyfully.
"It must be so since we are to provide ourselves with blankets and a
day's ration."
"I'm thinking that Colonel Prescott would have been wiser had he
forgotten the blankets and ordered more food," Hiram said with an odd
expression on his face, and I taxed him with knowing more regarding the
purpose for which we were to assemble than he had told us.
"Nay, lad, whatever may be in my head is only suspicion, aroused by a
word here and a word there dropped by some of our officers. You know I
always hold that a man should gather all the information he can when
there is nothing else to be done. I've had my ears opened mighty wide
since knowing the Committee of Safety held a secret session not long
ago, and from that time out it strikes me there have been many
conversations between our commanders."
"Tell us what you suspect," Silas demanded, and Hiram shook his head
with the air of one who has come to an end of his budget of news.
"It is only that we are to make some important move mighty soon, and
more than that I am in the dark. You can set it down as a fact, however,
that this ordering of the Minute Boys to be ready for what looks like
special duty, goes to prove that our people are aiming to give General
Gage a black eye inside of a short time."
We speculated upon what might be in the wind, during ten minutes or more
without coming to any satisfactory conclusion, and then I realized it
was my duty to make the other lads acquainted with the orders of the
day, so far as they concerned us, therefore I hastened away in order to
find them, for my Minute Boys were prone to scatter all over the
encampment, instead of remaining in any one particular place.
There is little reason why I should waste words in trying to repeat all
that we said regarding this special duty, or in striving to describe the
joy which was felt by all because of our having been ordered to report,
thus showing that we were considered as a portion of the army.
It may readily be understood that at the appointed time we Minute Boys
were drawn up in line facing General Ward's headquarters, and within the
next fifteen minutes no less than a thousand men filed into the Common
in our rear.
When we had been there nearly an hour, during which time I could hear
those directly behind me striving in vain to hit upon the duty which was
to be performed, General Ward, Colonel Prescott, and mayhap a dozen
other officers, came out of headquarters, and with them was Parson
Langdon, he who, as I afterward learned, was the president of the
college.
While we stood at attention the clergyman prayed long and devoutly, thus
proving to my mind, at least, that we were to be engaged in a service of
great danger and much importance.
After the prayer had been ended there was no little delay caused by a
conference of the officers, who seemed to be at loggerheads about
something, and it was near to nine of the clock before the order was
given for us to march. By this time night had come, and in order that we
might not go astray, Colonel Prescott himself, with two sergeants
carrying dark lanterns which were opened toward the rear, led the way.
Now although Hiram Griffin had claimed that his wound was still
troubling him, he fell into line with us when we marched down to
headquarters, declaring that it was his right so to do since he
considered himself as belonging to the Minute Boys rather than any other
organization.
When I would have argued that none but the able-bodied were called for,
he insisted it was possible for him to do as good service as any other
of the company, and refused to give way despite all our urging.
Therefore it was that when we set out on the march in columns of four he
walked by my side. Next him was Archie, and then Silas. Thus we had an
opportunity for conversation, provided our voices were not pitched too
high, for orders had been given that we refrain from making a noise, and
when Colonel Prescott and the two sergeants took the lead with their
lanterns, Hiram said in a low tone to me as if it was a matter that gave
him greatest pleasure:
"I'm beginning to think this movement is of more importance than I
fancied. You may be certain something of moment is afoot, for a thousand
or more armed men are not sent out under cover of darkness unless for a
weighty reason, but what that may be beats me."
It was idle for us to speculate as to the future, and yet we did
throughout that march of nearly three hours, although we failed to
succeed in convincing ourselves upon any one point until we were come to
Charlestown Neck. There we found drawn up by the side of the road, wagon
after wagon filled with spades, pick-axes and such like tools, whereupon
Hiram cried suddenly:
"I'm not claiming to be any great shakes of a soldier; but he must be a
blind man who could not see that our business this night is to throw up
intrenchments at some place, and where should that be, considering the
road we have come, if not in Charlestown?"
Again did it appear as if our officers were not fully decided upon what
should be done, for Colonel Gridley and Colonel Prescott, together with
a number of captains, consulted a long time, while we remained in line
near the wagons.
Then we were ordered forward again, nor did that portion of the command
which our Minute Boys followed halt until we were come to a hill in
Charlestown, mostly of pasture land, lying about an hundred and thirty
rods southeast of Bunker hill, where all hands were speedily set to work
with spades and pick-axes throwing up the earth to form breastworks
according to instructions given by Colonel Gridley.
We Minute Boys could handle pick-axe or shovel as well as any man, and
I'll answer for all that they labored most industriously once the work
was laid out for them.
"If we were hankering for danger, truly we are getting all that is
needed," Archie whispered to me as we stood side by side throwing up the
mound of earth which was to protect our people against the onslaught of
the Britishers. "It seems as if we were close upon the lobster backs,
for more than once have I heard the cries of their sentinels, and unless
the king's ships have changed anchorage since I was last in Boston town,
then they must be near to this shore."
Our officers understood as well as did Archie or I, how much of danger
there was in our thus working under the very noses of the enemy, for,
when not wielding the pick or shovel, they were walking around among the
men cautioning them against making any noise save that which was
absolutely necessary, until I came to believe there was even more of
peril in this undertaking than the lads of our company had fancied.
The dullest among us could well understand that what was being done must
be finished before daybreak, or else left uncompleted, for it went
without saying that as soon as the Britishers got a glimpse of us, there
would be lively times. We worked like beavers with that thought in mind,
for now it was certain we had been sent to make ready for the coming of
those who were to hold that which we had built, and negligence on our
part might cost the lives of many.
There was little wonder Parson Langdon had prayed so fervently, for he
must have known we were going down into the very jaws of the lion,
risking our lives an hundred times over, and yet there were many of our
people in the secret who believed it would be impossible for us to do
all that we did.
Now I am minded to set down what I afterward learned regarding that
night's work, and put it in proper words as told me by another, for I am
not sufficiently well versed in warfare to be able to describe so
important a thing in my own language.
You must first understand that the easterly and westerly sides of this
hill on which we worked, were very steep. On the easterly side, and near
the foot, were brick kilns, clay pits, and much marshy land, while on
the westerly side was the more central portion of the town itself.
The redoubt which we built was eight rods square, with the eastern side
bordering a large field or stretch of pasture. On the northern side was
an open passageway, and the breastworks on the easterly side extended
about one hundred yards northward. The trench we did not have time to
finish. Between the south end of the breastwork and the redoubt was a
sally-port, and on the inside of the parapet were steps of wood and
earth on which, during an action, men might mount and discharge their
weapons.
Now even though you may not be versed in warfare, you must realize that
for a thousand men to throw up such a fortification as I have described,
between midnight and daybreak, which came about four of the clock, was a
wonderful piece of work, and in addition to all this two strong fences
made of stones and rails had been built either side of the entire works,
thus forming a fairly good obstacle in case an enemy attempted to make
an attack elsewhere than directly in front. In the rear was the sharp
slope of the hill up which soldiers could not well make their way.
When the day broke we were all working at our best speed, giving no heed
to fatigue because by this time every man jack among us had come to
understand the importance of the labor. Then it was the lobster backs
gave the first warning that they had discovered what we were about.
His majesty's ship _Lively_, which was lying at anchor midway between
the ferry and Morton's point, suddenly opened fire with her great guns,
and upon the instant we dropped our intrenching tools, standing erect as
if expecting to be attacked immediately; but straightway I heard Colonel
Prescott cry out:
"Keep to your work, lads, that ship can do no harm to us, and before the
red-coats have got their wits fully about them we can strengthen these
defenses amazingly!"
As a matter of fact the missiles from the ship were passing directly
over us as we worked within the intrenchment, and after I had heard two
or three balls sail across with an ominous whistling, I gave no more
heed than if they had been so many locusts singing in the air.
Reeking with perspiration, aching in every joint, and knowing full well
that within a short time we would have all the king's men striving to
dislodge us, we Minute Boys did our portion of the work with the men,
and it gave me no little pride to see that never one of them shirked,
although here and there I could see great hulking farmers throw
themselves upon the ground as if it was impossible to remain longer
standing.
I believe Hiram did more to hearten and help us, than did the knowledge
of all that depended on this labor of our hands.
He ever had a cheery word; was always on the lookout to aid this lad or
that who might be struggling with some weight beyond his strength, and
all the while continued to picture what we would do with General Gage's
lobster backs before another sun had set.
Some among us ate as we worked, taking a bite of corn bread now, and a
bit of bacon then, as they stopped to regain their breath; but others,
like myself, waited until the task should be completed, believing then
we would have a breathing spell. As the day grew older we who had
rations at hand forgot our hunger as we gazed across to Boston town
where it was possible to see the people gathering, most like in
amazement at what had been done, until it was as if that portion of the
water-front facing us was crowded with human beings.
"I'm wondering if Seth Jepson is among that gang," Archie said grimly as
he and I wasted twenty precious seconds or more gazing at the throngs.
"If he is I'm thinking it doesn't do his heart any good to know how
thoroughly we have outwitted the Britishers," I replied gleefully. "It's
almost certain there will be a battle soon, and most like that cur comes
no nearer than the shore of the town; but let him stick ever so close to
his red-coated friends, the day must dawn when we Minute Boys will have
a chance to pay the debt we owe him."
"That is if so be we live long enough," Silas suggested, and for the
instant I fancied it possible to detect a tremor in his voice. "Instead
of watching yonder curious ones who can do nothing for nor against us,
look around at the king's ships, and see what a force General Gage has
got behind him when he sends the lobster backs to shoot us down."
Now, strange though it may seem, while saying to myself that before many
hours had passed the red-coats would be upon us, I had failed to
consider, even for a moment, how much of strength the enemy had; I had
given no thought to the thousands upon thousands of men who could be
sent across from Boston to over-run the hill we were fortifying.
Directly in front of our intrenchments was, as I have already said, the
_Lively_, a ship of twenty guns, and, as I afterward learned, carrying
an hundred and thirty men; northward, over away somewhere opposite the
brick kilns, was the _Falcon_, which must have been as heavily manned as
the _Lively_; nearly abreast of the town hall was the _Somerset_, of
sixty-eight guns, and having on board five hundred and twenty men, then
came the _Cerberus_ of thirty-six guns; the _Glasgow_, twenty-four
guns, and the transport _Symetry_.
Taking it all in all, as nearly as a landsman like me could figure it,
there must have been among that shipping of his majesty's no less than
one hundred and eighty-six guns, with somewhere about twelve to thirteen
hundred men. In addition to these, General Gage could transport anywhere
from five to eight thousand men, landing them upon Charlestown shore
close under our noses.
Now as all this came to my mind, with the proof so distinctly before me,
I am not ashamed to say that for the moment I grew timorous, believing
the time was near at hand when I should fall as had fallen those two
brave comrades of ours in the engagement off Hog island, and, let him
laugh who will, there came into my heart a feeling of regret because I
could not hope to be laid away in Mother Earth as they had been.
Those aboard the _Lively_ must have understood that her shots were doing
no damage, for after twenty minutes or more the cannonading ceased; but
we continued strengthening the defense, for, as Hiram said:
"If the Britishers are fools enough to give us a chance to do as we
will, it's a case of buckling to it the best we know how."
"That's what we have been doing since midnight," Archie replied grimly,
"and while there is no thought of complaining in my mind, I'd almost
welcome the coming of the enemy, since it would give us good excuse for
throwing down these pick-axes and shovels."
"If General Gage knows on which side his bread is buttered, the lobster
backs will soon be upon us," Hiram cried as if exulting in such a
possibility. "I fail to understand why two or three thousand of their
fancy red-coated, overly-drilled men have not been sent already to stir
us up."
"It may be the king's governor is so kindly-hearted that he means to
give us every opportunity to make ready for his coming," Silas
suggested.
Then one lad had some bantering word, or another pictured what the
Tories might be doing and thinking, while a third proposed that the
enemy would wait before attacking, until reinforcements could come from
England, and so the time went on with many a quip and jest; but no
cessation of the work until about an hour and a half after daybreak,
when the British battery of six guns on Copp's hill opened upon us as if
beginning the battle.
These last missiles were like to do us more harm than had those from the
_Lively_, for the iron balls came among us far too plentifully, and
altogether too near at times, to be pleasing to those among us whose
hearts were inclined to be faint, and I question much whether all our
people would have remained at work during such a cannonading but for the
fact that Colonel Prescott showed himself here and there, regarding not
the danger in order to encourage and prevent the least show of
retreating.
When he cried out that that which we failed of doing might cost the life
of many a good man, or as he shouted that every spadeful of earth thrown
up was accomplishing just so much toward protecting those who were
devoting themselves to the colony, from the hirelings of the king, we
forgot that our hands were torn and blistered, that our joints ached
with fatigue, or that our backs had been bent until near to the breaking
point--forgot all save that we must put forth every effort in making
ready for this real measuring of strength between well-armed soldiers of
his majesty's and "rebels," who had whatsoever in the way of weapons
could be picked up at home, with no uniforms and but little knowledge of
military drill.
I cannot say when we first became aware that troops were being made
ready for transportation across from Boston. As the day wore on and
nothing was heard from General Gage, save now and then a shot from the
_Lively_, or the random firing from the guns on Copp's hill, it seemed
much as if the king's governor was afraid to attack us, even despite the
fact that his force out-numbered us eight or ten to one, and when noon
came we were nearly at the end of our work with pick and shovel.
Then it was possible to hear the beating of drums in Boston; the rumble
of artillery trains, or even the cries of the mob in the streets. We
could see dragoons galloping here and there as if carrying orders; then
came the marching and counter-marching of troops, and finally the
ringing of church bells. It was when this last noise struck upon our
ears that Hiram said with a laugh:
"It must be that General Gage counts on calling out all the old women
and children, else why should the bells be ringing as if there was a
fire?"
"It is the firing on Copp's hill they are ringing for, and if so be the
people would gather there to quench it, I should feel less need to duck
my head now and then, for truly I find it impossible to stand straight
when a bullet comes near my ears," Archie cried cheerily.
It was astonishing that we had been permitted by the enemy to do so
much, for, as I have already said, we had completed the fortification
with the exception of the trench, while during the forenoon much had
been done toward strengthening the fences on either side, putting up
additional steps of wood and earth so that men might mount to discharge
their weapons, and in nearly every portion of the work the breastworks
were raised six feet high.
Two or three times during the forenoon did I see officers sent away on
the road over which we had come, and on calling Hiram's attention to the
fact, when Major Brooks set off at full speed, was more than surprised
to learn that he believed Colonel Prescott was sending for
reinforcements.
"Reinforcements!" I cried in dismay. "Are we who have walked or worked
all night supposed to be the army that shall defend this fortification?
After laboring with pick and shovel since midnight, is there one among
us able to do the duty of a soldier during a battle?"
"That's yet to be seen," Hiram replied. "It is a fact in my mind that we
were not only sent here to build this fortification, but to hold it, and
now when it is to be attacked, as can be seen from the movements in
Boston, and he believes the lobster backs will come upon us in great
numbers, our colonel is asking for assistance."
"And why should not all the troops in Cambridge be sent here?" I asked
petulantly.
"Well, there are many good reasons, my lad. That place is to be held,
even if we are driven out of here, and a sufficient number of men are
bound to stay there lest the enemy, making believe attack us, turn about
the other way and disperse our army. Every point which we now occupy on
yonder shore must be held by men enough to resist any ordinary force,
and what becomes of us is of little moment as compared with the need of
keeping the Britishers shut up in Boston town, as in fact they are now,
save that they may come across here for the sake of killing a few
rebels."
Hiram's explanation was not so plain that I could understand fully why
we had been sent to throw up intrenchments simply that they might prove
to be our grave, and for the moment I gave way to anger, even charging
General Ward and those around him with having needlessly sacrificed our
lives.
At high noon, and while I was still ranting like the stupid I have ever
shown myself to be, word was given for us to cease work and partake of
such rations as we had. This command went far toward restoring me to a
more decent frame of mind.
I was needing water more than food, and the cask which had been set near
where the Minute Boys were working having been emptied, I went further
to the rear in search of something to quench my thirst. Then it was I
found that the last two casks of water had been knocked to splinters by
random shots from one of the vessels, and, so far as I could learn,
there was no more that could be come at by us who were in the
intrenchments, which was a bad outlook if so be we were called upon to
fight.
When we ceased work the flag of New England was hoisted over the
redoubt. The intrenching tools which we had been using were sent across
to Bunker hill where, as I was afterward told, a few hundred men, who
had just come over from Medford, were set at work throwing up another
breastwork under command of General Putnam.
While we munched our corn bread, wishing in vain for something with
which to wash it down, my comrades and I watched the lobster backs as
they were embarked in barges, some from Long wharf, and some from the
North battery, making such a scene of warlike array as I had never
before witnessed.
Even though they were our enemies, it was a glorious sight to see the
precision with which detachment after detachment came up, took their
places in the boats, and remained motionless as statues while the
oarsmen pulled them across, heading for Morton's point, as it seemed to
me.
Now the cannons from the _Lively_ and the _Falcon_ began to belch forth
flame and iron missiles, sweeping all that plain between our redoubt and
the water as if to prevent us from making any attempt at opposing the
landing.
Had General Gage, or whosoever gave the orders for the vessels of war to
open fire, known how weary, how thirsty and nearly exhausted we were,
their powder and balls might well have been saved, for I question if
even Colonel Prescott, warrior though he was, or Doctor Warren, whom I
had not seen until just before noon, would have given the word for us to
charge in the hope of checking that advance of well-trained soldiers, or
to prevent them from stepping foot on shore.
"How many men think you are in yonder barges?" I heard Silas ask Hiram,
and he replied with never a tremor in his voice:
"Nigh about three thousand, lad, and if they don't make us wish for
water 'twixt now and night I'll agree never to satisfy my thirst
again."