CHAPTER XIX.
Page 2

Col. Fenton, the expelled member from Plymouth, was particularly boastful, and expressing himself in the most decided terms of reproach and disrespect of the measures of the patriots themselves, the populace became enraged, surrounded his lodgings, determined to deal with him according to his deserts. Fenton, affrighted at their determination and rage, effected his escape from the house, and took refuse in the house of the Governor, for protection. The people surrounded the house, and demanded him of the Governor, but he refused to deliver him up. At length, becoming exasperated, they planted a cannon in front of the Governor's house, and gave him five minutes to produce Fenton, threatening to fire upon the house, if he was not forth coming at the expiration of that time. A long nine pounder that had thundered at Louisburg, now in the hands of the enraged populace, with the gunner swinging his lintstock, ready for action, was a most persuasive advocate on this occasion, and the discomfitted tory member, was surrendered to the populace, who exhibited their regard for justice, by sending him to Exeter for trial before the Committee of Safety.

This scene satisfied Governor Wentworth that his influence was at an end in New Hampshire, and affecting to believe it a personal insult to himself, he forthwith took refuge in the Fort. Having deserted his house, the furniture, books, &c., were destroyed, or carried away, in spite of the remonstrances of those disposed to good order. A like calamity befel [sic] the governor's country seat at Wolfborough. To restrain such disorderly proceedings, required the utmost vigilance and discretion on the part of the patriot leaders, and it bespeaks a people disposed to good order, that in the absence of all legal restraint, amid so much of political excitement and rancour, this was the only instance during the Revolution in New Hampshire, where the property of the loyalists was injured.

Upon the expulsion of Green, Morey and Fenton, Governor Wentworth adjourned the assembly to the eleventh of July, and upon their meeting at that time, he sent a message from Fort William and Mary, adjourning the Assembly to the twenty-eighth of September. The Governor stayed at the Fort until the same was completely dismantled, and the cannon removed on board the British ships, and then sailed for Boston. Prior to the time of the adjourned session in September, he came to the Isles of Shoals, and issued his proclamation adjourning the Assembly to April, 1776. This was the last act of his administration, and thus ended the British power in New Hampshire.

Governor Wentworth soon went to England, where he remained sometime without public employment. At length when peace was declared, and the people returned to their usual business, he removed to Nova Scotia, and resumed his duties as surveyor of his majesty's woods. In 1792, he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and took the oath of office the 14th of May in that year.

In 1795, he was created a Baronet, a compliment not unmerited by his steadfast adherence to the interest of the British Crown.

Sir John Wentworth continued at the head of the Government in Nova Scotia, until 1808, when he retired from office with a pension of �500 per annum from the government, and was succeeded by Sir George Provost.

He retired from office when the affairs between our government and that of England were in the worst possible condition, save actual war, and it is more than suspected, that his uniform friendship for the people of his native country, manifested upon every fitting occasion, led to his withdrawal from the government of Nova Scotia. The British government wanted at that point, a man much less American in his sympathies, not to say less humane than Sir John Wentworth; and no one can deny that by the appointment of Sir George Provost its wishes were most fully gratified.

Soon after retiring from office, Sir John and Lady Wentworth went to England, where they tarried till 1810, when they returned and took up their residence in Nova Scotia. Here Sir John Wentworth died, April, 1820, aged eighty-three years.

Soon after arriving at Lexington, Stark finding the enemy had retired into Boston, marched to Cambridge with his volunteers. Soon after his arrival, on the 26th of April, he was commissioned as a Colonel by the Committee of Safety of Massachusetts with "beating orders," and enlisted eight hundred men within two hours from the "tap of the drum." Capt. James Reed of Fitzwilliam in the County of Cheshire, and Paul Dudley Sargent of Amherst, in this County, also received commissions as Colonels with, beating orders, at the same time. These commissions were all given and accepted, with the condition, to continue till"New Hampshire should act." Gen. Stark's reputation as a soldier was such, that his regiment was fully organized forthwith, and consisted of fourteen companies, while Colonels Reed and Sargent, could enlist no more than four companies for some weeks.

Upon the organization of a military force by the Convention in New Hampshire, Reed, forthwith repaired to Exeter, his regiment not being full, was commissioned as Colonel under authority of the Convention, and was put in command of one of the three regiments composing the proposed Brigade, as before suggested. Colonel Stark being in command of the largest regiment in the Massachusetts line, composed mainly of New Hampshire men, who had seen service in the French war, had no occasion to visit Exeter for a commission or troops. There was another reason, Gen. Folsom had been made a Brigadier from a Captain, and put in command of the New Hampshire troops, over him who had served through the whole French War, most of the time as a Captain of Rangers,--had been, and at the time of making the appointment, was in full commission as a Colonel of a regiment of troops which the Convention of New Hampshire had voted to adopt. In a word, Stark considered himself superseded, and for the time determined to have nothing to do with the New Hampshire convention or its officers. Soon after, Gen. Folsom ordered him to make a report of his regiment, but Stark paid no attention to his order. Shortly after, on the 30th of May, Col. Stark received orders from the Convention to repair to Exeter, and matters were arranged mainly to his satisfaction. His regiment was called and entitled the First New Hampshire Regiment, and was to consist of twelve companies, while the other two consisted of ten companies, and he took a commission of Colonel from the Convention.

The British were now completely surrounded in Boston. Thousands of the Provincial troops occupied the adjacent towns and held every avenue to the town. Recruits were pouring in from all quarters, and were being organized as fast as possible. The British General was chafing under the curb thus put upon him by an enemy he affected to despise. At length, the Americans determined to fortify one of the Charlestown hills that over looked the beleaguered town. On the night of the 16th of June Col. Prescott with a strong detachment was ordered to throw up a redoubt on Bunker's hill. By mistake, he marched his force upon Breed's hill, the one nearest Boston, and executed his orders with the greatest secresy [sic] and dispatch. So much so, that the British troops made no discovery of their operations, and the sight of the redoubt swarming with troops in the morning of the 17th of June, gave the first intimation to the British General of the proximity of the Provincial troops. He determined to attack them forthwith, and force them from their dangerous position.

Col. Stark, with Major McClary, visited the hill early on the morning of the 17th, and examined the redoubt, and while upon the hill, the British began their fire upon the American works from Cop's hill. Col. Stark had already detailed 200 of his men under Lt. Col. Wyman, by order of Gen. Ward, to reinforce the troops upon the hill; but he now saw that the whole regiment would be wanted and he hastened back to Medford where his regiment was quartered, to be in readiness for the emergency. His men were immediately paraded and as they were without cartridges, a gill cup of powder was dealt out to each man, with which to replenish his "powder horn;" a "spare flint," and fifteen bullets, were also given to each man, and the regiment was ready for action. Orders were forthwith given for their march, and Stark at their head, cool and collected, with fight in his eye, led his men forthwith to the fearful encounter. As he marched his men, with measured step, across Charlestown neck, upon Breed's hill, Capt. Dearborn, who led one of the flank companies, young and impatient, suggested to Col. Stark, the propriety of hastening the march. "Dearborn" replied the Colonel, "one fresh man in action is worth ten fatigued ones." At this time, the Lively, a transport and three floating batteries were throwing their shot across the Neck.

Stark, with his Regiment, fresh and collected, took his post at the rail fence, between the redoubt and the Mystic river; and it is no disparagement to the other troops to say, that at this point of the lines, was some of the most desperate fighting upon Bunker's Hill.

After arriving upon the ground, Stark's men threw up a sort of breast-work of stone across the beach to the water, and continued the rail fence down the hill to the stone wall or breast-work. This wall served a most excellent purpose, as the sharp shooters from behind it could take the most deadly aim at the advancing enemy. Here was posted Capt. John Moor, and his company from Amoskeag. And it is a well established fact that the British troops in front of this wall were almost completely annihilated.

After the completion of this wall, and the British were advancing, Col. Stark stepped in front of the line, thrust a stick into the ground at about eighty yards distant, and remarked to his command, "There, don't a man fire till the red coats come up to that stick, if he does, I'll knock him down."!

The killed and wounded in front of the New Hampshire line, were all betwixt the stick and the line, showing with what coolness Stark's troops obeyed his orders.

The New Hampshire troops were opposed by the Welch Fusileers, a veteran regiment of much service, and of the flower of the British army. They displayed in front of the rail fence and wall, with the precision and coolness of a dress parade, and marched up to our lines with the confidence of men wearing the laurels of the field of Minden; but when within eighty yards, the New Hampshire hunters opened upon them a fire so rapid and severe, that they wavered, broke their ranks, and fled in dismay. Rallied and reinforced, they again formed and marched up to the attack. "Don't fire a gun, boys, till you see the white of their eyes and I say the word," cried Stark. "Fire low, aim at their waistbands!" rang the clear voice of McClary. On came the serried ranks of the noble Fusileers, "Fire," shouted Stark, and that sharp, cracking peal, rose upon the air, from the New Hampshire sharp shooters, that alone arises from well charged musketry; and when the smoke cleared away, the ground was strewed with the dead and dying, and the British line was again retreating in confusion. No troops could stand such deadly fire. The British officers became aware of this fact, and after rallying their forces for the third attack, gave orders to turn our left; but in this attempt, the enemy were driven back with a slaughter more dreadful than before, and could not again be rallied. In the excitement of the moment, the New Hampshire troops raised the shout of victory, and rushed over the fence in pursuit of the retreating foe; but Col. Stark restrained his men and perceiving the fate of the redoubt and that retreat was inevitable, his forces gave ground, and the last to leave the field, retreated with the order of veteran troops. The next day, the ground before the New Hampshire line was found literally covered with the dead! An eye witness of the scene of the 18th, says, upon the beach, between the Mystic and the swarded part of the hill, where the British in their third attack attempted to turn the left of the New Hampshire troops, he counted ninety-six dead bodies of the British soldiers, the officers and wounded having been removed! How terrible the slaughter! It is not too much to assume, that if the rest of the American lines had been defended with equal success, that the entire British force would have been driven from the hill or annihilated.

After the battle of the 17th of June, known as the 'Battle of Bunker's Hill," the American forces continued their position and strengthened their works, receiving continued reinforcements from the colonies.

The organization of the forces, and the regulation of the rank of the officers were sources of perplexity. Colonel Stark was still restive under the appointment of Gen. Folsom, and refused to report to him the proceedings of his regiment at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He made his report to the Committee of Safety of New Hampshire, and the affair passed off. However the cause of the discontent still remained,--but was allayed for a time by the appointment by Congress of John Sullivan as the Brigadier from New Hampshire, thus dropping General Folsom entirely.

In another affair, happening about the same time, Col Stark was less prudent and less successfull. Major Samuel Hobart, Paymaster of the New Hampshire forces, went down to Medford to pay the troops. When he came to pay off Stark's men, he found that there were two more companies in the regiment than he had orders to pay, and he refused to pay them. The men were importunate for their pay and Hobart was steady in his refusal. Excitement ran high in both parties. At length Col Stark told some of his officers to go down to Major Hobart's at Medford and wait upon him up to his quarters as he wished to see him there. They were nothing loth to do such an errand and would do it in their own way. They took a detachment of men, marched to the Paymaster's quarters, formed in front of his door, made known their errand, and then marched Major Hobart up to the Colonel's quarters, the music playing the "Rogue's March." Arrived at the Colonel's quarters and Hobart still refusing to pay the troops, the meeting was characterized with no gentle specimens of language. Hobart returned to his quarters boiling with rage at the insult. The next day he reported the proceedings to the Commander, and Colonel Stark was arrested and a Court Martial ordered for his trial. After the excitement of the moment had passed, Col. Stark saw at once the imprudence of the whole proceedings and with a magnanimity known only to the truly courageous, he was ready to express his regret and sorrow at the whole affair, as one productive of ill consequences to the army. Accordingly when the day of trial came, he made the amende honorable to Major Hobart.¹

This was considered as satisfactory and the Colonel was discharged from arrest.

The Brigade from New Hampshire, under Gen. Sullivan was posted on Winter Hill through the summer of 1775, and with but few active duties. Samuel Blodget of Amoskeag was suttler [sic]. To show somewhat the fare of the soldier of that period, we subjoin one of Mr. Blodget's bills.

   "Dr. Province of New Hampshire to Samu'l. Blodget for Beer brewed and delivered to several Regiments in General Sullivan's Brigade at Winter Hill in June, 1775.

Then again--

   "Dr. Sam'l. Blodget, Esq. act. Jos. Trumbull Com'y.
   General.

   Cambridge Jan'y. 1776,
Errors Excepted for         Joseph Trumbull Esq., Com'y General,

WM. HOSKINS."

But Mr. Blodget was not alone caterer for the common soldiers; for in a bill of particulars, he is credited under the date of 1776,

It is probable that upon the moving of General Sullivan's Brigade from Boston, that Judge Blodget returned to his farm in Goffstown, where we find him in mercantile pursuits in the summer of 1776.

In September 1755, there were sixteen men in the army from Derryfield. These were doubtless at Winter Hill. This fact appears from a return of the Selectmen of Derryfield, made in that month to the Committee of Safety for New Hampshire. As the return contains some interesting facts as to the population of the town, it is here subjoined.

   "Males under 16 years of Age 68; Males from 16 years of age to 50, 41; All males Above 50 years of Age, 15; persons gone in the Army, 16; all females 142; Negroes and Slaves for Life 3. The toel [total] sum of the above Souls, male and females amounts to 285.
   The abave account is taken by us the Subscribers for the Town of Derryfield.

        Province of
   New Hampshire. Derryfield Sept. 4th, 1775, then the above Named Joseph Gorge, David Starret, and Samuel Stark, Respectively Made Solemn Oath to the truth of the Dispositions by them Respectively Signed.
Sworn Before

John Hall Town Clark.

   The Number of firelocks in Said Derryfield Amounts to 20, but Amonention there is None.
   N. B. There is twenty more in Said Town fit to Bare arms."

This return gives the number of men in town fit to bear arms at thirty six, there being 16 men in the army and "20 more in said town fit to Bare armes."

We have seen with what unanimity the people of the town and neighborhood, volunteered in the service of their country; but there were exceptions to this patriotism. The Rev. John Houston of Bedford, was one most noted. He had from the beginning advocated the cause of the King; and as the excitement increased, he became more imprudent, and interlarded his prayers and discourses with sentiments favoring the royal cause This was in opposition to the views of his entire congregation; yet professing to believe that he was "guided and directed by the leadings and teachings of the unerring word and spirit of God" and "received the word at God's mouth," he persisted in his course. At length after repeated remonstrances on the part of the leading men of his society, and all of no avail, on the 16th of May, 1775, in town meeting, they voted, in the words of Judge Patten, "to shut the meeting-house against him."

   "Voted, That he,(viz.) Rev'd John Houston, preach no more in Bedford, until the last day of March next, and that have 36 Sabbath-days more to his own use and disposal, viz., from the 16th of May, last, to the last day of March nest, more than the 9 Sabbath-days voted to his own use and disposal at out last March meeting; and that the town be freed from paying him anything for the said 36 Sabbath-days, agreeably to the vote of the town he settled with us on."

Mr. Houston sent a written communication which was read to the meeting, in which he excused his obnoxious course, in the same way that like traitors before and since his time, have attempted to justify their treasonable designs, by claiming to be the mouth of the Deity, and to utter none but his teachings! The close of his defense was thus;

   "Suffer ministers, then to go on praying earnestly for all men according to the will of God, and to blow the trumpet in Zion Shewing unto God's Israel their sins, the procuring curse of God's judgements, that we may all repent and turn from them unto God, as the only way we know his judgements can be averted. Surely our doing so here cannot intimidate the minds our men going into the war, but rather we may help them thereby, in our earnest prayer to God for them. Suffer ministers, also, to be guided and directed by the leadings and teachings of the unerring word and spirit of God, in all their public prayers, and to hear and receive the word at God's mouth, and warn his people from him, and not from the leadings or dictates of any person living. That we may all be directed in the way God and duty in every respect, and kept in the same by the almighty power of God, through faith unto salvation, in the earnest desire of your careful pastor.

JOHN HOUSTON."

But the people of Bedford took little heed of the teachings of such an expositor of the word of God, and passed unanimously the vote recorded above. Mr. Houston persisted in occupying the pulpit, and the doors and windows were fastened against him. His conduct at length became so obnoxious, that the Committee of Safety for the town, made formal complaint against him, and on the 17th of July he was tried. Judge Patton thus speaks of this trial;

   "July, 17th, There was 4 of Goffstown committee, and 4 of Merrymac and 2 from Derryfield met in Bedford by the desire of Bedford committee, to judge of Mr. Houston,s being an Enemy to the Country; they judged him Guilty and confined him to the county without leave from the major part of the committees of the towns who judged him; we broke up nest morning after day-break."

But Mr. Houston had become so obnoxious to the people of this region, and continuing his imprudent act, that the people were not satisfied with the punishment inflicted by the Committee of Safety, and determined to take the matter into their own hands. Divers of them accordingly met at Mr. Kelley's Tavern on the Mast Road in Goffstown, and chose a committee to proceed to Bedford and bring Mr. Houston before them. The committee performed their duty, and upon the Rev. Gentleman's appearing before them, he was charged with holding certain tory opinions, and was judged worthy of a ride upon a wooden horse. Four stout patriots then brought to the door a wooden horse, in the shape of a rail. Mr. Houston was assisted to mount, the kitchen tongs were duly placed astride his neck, and in this plight he rode to Bedford, a distance of some half dozen miles! But this ride did not cure his toryism. And in 1776, he was requested to sign the "Test," he refused, and was reported by the Selectmen as follows;

   "To the honorable, the Council and House of representatives, for the Colony of New Hampshire, to be convened at Exeter, in said Colony, on Wednesday the 5th inst.:

   "Pursuant to the within precept, we have taken pains to know the minds of the inhabitants of the town of Bedford, with respect to the within obligation, and find none unwilling ti sign the same except the Rev. John Houston, who declines signing the said obligation for the following reasons;

   Firstly, Because he did not apprehend that the honorable Committee meant that Ministers should take up arms, as being inconsistent with their ministerial charge.

   Secondly, Because he was already confined in the County of Hillsborough, therefore, he thinks he ought to be set at liberty before should sign the said obligation.

   Thirdly, Because there are three men belonging to his family already enlisted in the Continental Army,

JOHN MOOR, JOHN ORR,

Selectmen.

   Bedford, June 4th, 1776.

He still kept up his opposition to the patriot cause till October 1778, when on the 24th of that month he was had before the Committee of Safety, for the State, in session at Exeter. Hon. Matthew Patten and Thomas Boies Esq., appeared against him, and produced the depositions of several of the people of Bedford as to his conduct. There was now no alternative for him but recantation, or the prison. He concluded to embrace the former, and drew up an acknowledgement of his errors, file it with the committee, and was ordered to "swear the oath of Fidelity, which he did" as says the Diary before quoted. After this, Mr. Houston continued to reside in Bedford, preaching in various parts of this State and Vermont as occasion required, but was never settled again.

COL. WILLIAM STARK

was another exception. He had been a Captain in the Rangers in the Seven Years War, and had served with honor and distinction. After the close of that War, he reside at Dunbarton, then more generally known as Starkstown. Upon the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, he sided with the patriots, but did not offer his services immediately,--while his son John took open ground against the patriot cause.

The fact threw suspicion upon the father, perhaps unjustly. In the winter of 1776 he applied to the Committee of Safety for leave to raise a regiment with the rank of Colonel and had a strong letter from Gen. Sullivan, recommending him for that service, which shows that he favored the patriot cause at that time. Soon after however, circumstances transpired, that forced him to leave his country. He was charged with altering a Massachusetts bill of Credit, from sixteen shillings to forty shillings and passing the same to Job Dow of Goffstown. He was examined on this charge and bound over to a higher Court in the sum of �100. At the September Term of the Court at Amherst, he was indicted for the same offence, but made default and his recognizance was forfeited. He had retired within the British lines at New York, where he soon received a Commission as a Colonel in the British army. His son soon after was commissioned in the same service. Colonel Stark was thrown from his horse on Long Island and killed. He possessed a large landed estate which was confiscated. It lay principally in Fryeburg in the state of Maine. His real estate in New Hampshire was valued at �3345 as given in to the Commissioners in London in 1786. The defection of Col. Stark made but little difficulty, as he left under circumstances neither honorable to himself or the cause which he was forced to espouse. Under other circumstances, the loss of such a man would have been an incalculable evil to the patriot cause.

Toryism had become so rife in the colonies in the early part of 1776, that Congress took measures to disarm all persons who were "notoriously disaffected to the cause of America." Accordingly in March 1776, they passed a resolution upon the subject. This was enclosed to all the colonies. In this State, the Committee of Safety had the resolution printed in a Circular, and sent to every town in the State. The Circular was as follows;

"Colony of N. Hampshire, &c.--Committee of Safety.

"April 12, 1776.

   To the Selectmen of Derryfield; In order to carry the underwritten resolve of the Honorable Continental Congress into execution, you are requested to desire all Males, above twenty-one years of age, (lunatics, idiots, and negroes excepted,) to sign the declaration on this paper, and when so done, to make return thereof together with the name or names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General assembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony. M. Weare. Chairman."

"In Congress March, 14th, 1776.

   Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions and Councils, or Committees of Safety, of the United States, immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed, within their respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated and refuse to associate to defend by Arms, the United Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.

Extract from the minutes,       CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary."

   "In consequence of the above Resolution of the Continental Congress, and to show our determination in joining our American brethren, in defending the lives, liberties, and properties of the inhabitants of the United Colonies, We, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British Fleets, and Armies against the United American Colonies."

This was signed by the following persons, and duly returned by the Selectmen.

So it seems there was not a man in Derryfield "disaffected to the cause of America." A like paper was circulated in Bedford and every man in town signed it with one exception, Rev. Mr. Houston, before named. And Goffstown was free of tories, so that Amoskeag had little trouble from those "worst of enemies." At this time, June 1. 1776, the following persons were in the army from Derryfield;

Col. John Stark, Capt. John Moor, Cpat. [sic] James McCalley, Capt. Alexander McMurphy, Capt. Nathaniel Martin, Benjamin Baker, Nathaniel Baker, Ebenezer Costor, Timothy Dow, Samuel Harvey; more than one fourth of the inhabitants of the town "fit to Bare arms."

After the evacuation of Boston, Col. Stark was ordered to New York, where he remained till 1776, when he reluctantly joined with his regiment, the expedition into Canada. He went no farther, however, than the mouth of the Sorelle.

After the retreat of this unfortunate army under the able conduct of Gen. Sullivan who happily succeeded to the command, upon the decease of Gen. Thomas, Col. Stark was placed at the head of a Brigade, by Gen. Gates, who had taken command of the army of the North. Soon after, Col. Stark's regiment was ordered to join Gen. Washington in Philadelphia.

The affairs of the Americans were in a desperate condition. Washington's army pooly paid, and as poorly clad,--had been forced to a precipitate retreat through New Jersey, before the powerful forces of Cornwallis and Howe. New Jersey had in a great measure submitted to the enemy. An insurrection in favor of the royal cause was feared in Philadelphia. And to add tot Washington's perplexlites [sic] under these difficulties, the time of enlistment of the New England troops, the only troops on which he relied, expired with December. These circumstances were well known to the enemy, and Washington feared they would take advantage of them, cross the Delaware, and seize upon Philadelphia. In this posture of affairs, Washington determined upon offensive operations, -- to strike a blow, that while it should surprise and intimidate the enemy, should at the same time inspire the American people with confidence in their army and in their cause.

The British forces were dispersed through the important towns of New Jersey, 4000 men being posted on the Delaware, at Trenton, and its neighborhood. Col. Ralle a Hessian officer of distinction occupied Trenton with his Brigade of Infantry, and a detachment of English Dragoons, in all some 1400 or 1500 men. Count Donop, another Hessian officer of merit, was posted at Bordentown, some few miles down the river, with another Brigade of Hessians. And still farther down, at Burlington, within twenty miles of Philadelphia, was another detachment. Deeming the affiars of the Americans in a state et [sic] desperation, the British commanders became unwary and lax in dicipline.

This was the favorable opportunity for Washington. He determined to cross the Delaware, and attack the British in their security. For this purpose his forces were divided into three divisions. Gen. Irwine, with the Pennsylvania flying camp and Jersey militia, was to cross the Delaware at Trenton Ferry, and secure the Bridge below the town, and thus cut off the retreat of the enemy in that direction; Gen. Cadwalader with the Pensylvania militia was to cross at Bristol and carry the post at Burlington; while the third division under Washington himself consisting mainly of the troops from New England, was to cross at McKonkey's Ferry, nine miles above Trenton, and attack Ralle's force in possession of Trenton. The attack was planned for he night of Christmas, the 25th of December, 1776, when it was supposed the British would be celebrating that festival.

The divisions under Irwine and Cadwalader failed in their objects. It was so cold and there was so much ice in the river, that with the utmost exertions of the officers, the troops could not cross the river. Gen. Cadwalader succeeded in getting a part of his Infantry across, but the artillery could not succeed in the attempt, and his infantry returned to the right bank of the river.Thus, this part of the plan was a complete failure; but General Washington's division was composed of different men. Neither rain or snow could not stop the New England troops,--it delayed them some hours, so that the crossing that was to have been completed at 12 o'clock at night, was not effected till 3 o'clock in the morning of the 26th. And then the troops did not take up their march till an hour later. Gen. Sullivan led his Brigade down the river road, while Washington led the other troops down the Pennington road. It was supposed that they would arrive about the same time, and the first division that should arrive was to commerce the attack, without waiting for the other. The N. H. Regiment under Col. Stark, was in Sullivan's Brigade. Col. Stark led the right wing composed of light troops and, as says Gen. Wilkinson, "dealt death wherever he found resistance, and broke down all opposition before him." The Company from this neighborhood was under the command of Captain. Eben. Frye of Pembroke, and was attached to his regiment. Washington's division came into Trenton about 8 o'clock, giving the first alarm to the astonished Hessians, by driving in their outposts. Within three minutes the guns of Sullivan's division were heard on the other side of town. Some of the Hessians took refuge in a house upon the river road, and commenced firing, but Col. Stark ordered Capt. Frye to dislodge them. Frye detached Sergeant Ephraim Stevens of Derryfield to execute the order, and he with a squad of men marched to to the house, gave their fire, seized a stick of hewn timber, stove in the door, and using the bayonet freely, silenced the enemy in the house. Col. Ralle attempted to form his astonished troops; but he was mortally wounded in the commencement of the action, and his troops attempted to retreat towards Princeton. Washington discovered their object, and by a cross route cut off their retreat. Capt. Frye's company was the foremost in this detachment. So eager were the soldiers in pursuit of the retreating Hessians, that they rushed forward without order. Capt. Frye attempted to keep his ranks unbroken, but without avail. Some of them in their anxiety got far ahead of the rest. Capt. Frye being very corpulent, soon tired out, and ho told those anxious to hasten forward, that if they would follow the lead of Sergeant Stevens, they might advance as fast as they pleased. They agreed to this and Stevens led them into a piece of woods on the Princeton road, and lay in wait for the retreating Hessians. Meantime Stevens directed his men not to fire a gun, but when the Hessians came up, to rush upon them, each one halloaing at the top of his voice, and as fast as he could, "H-ll, H-ll, Fire, Fire." Soon a company of Hessians came in sight upon the run, and as they came opposite, Stevens and his party rushed out upon them, yelling their strange and terrific war-cry. The astonished Hessians threw down their arms, and surrendered. Stevens and his party secured their arms, and then ordered them to "right about." When the Hessians discovered that they had surrendered to a party of sixteen men, all told, and some of them in tatters, and bare foot, they attempted to regain their arms; but other Americans coming up, they desisted, and Stevens and his squad marched their sixty prisoners into Trenton, in triumph.

Their retreat thus cut off, the main body of the Hessians surrendered, but about 600 escaped over the bridge towards Bordertown, which Gen. Cadwallader had failed to occupy. The number of the Hessians that submitted was 23 officers and 866 men. Between 30 and 40 of them were killed and wounded. Of the Americans only two were killed, but five or six wounded, and two frozen to death.

Washington recrossed the Delaware the same night with his prisoners, not choosing to risk advantages gained in the face of the enemy of superior force.

The effect of this battle was electric; it infused life and energy into the patriots and their cause. The term of service of the N. H. troops expired with December; Col Stark and other officers went among their troops, and they re-enlisted to a man for the term of six weeks. This turn in affairs placed Washington is a position to act upon the offensive. Accordingly, on the 28th of December, having secured his prisoners, he again crossed the Delaware and took possession of Trenton. The British had concentrated their forces at Princeton, and on the 2d of January, 1777, they advanced a force towards Trenton determined a decisive battle to wipe out the disgrace of their late defeat. Washington was now in a most perilous position. To remain was his ruin, to retreat was to leave Philadelphia an easy prey to the enemy. On their advance, the British attacked a small party of Americans, posted with four field pieces a little to the north of Trenton, and compelled them to retreat. The British, however were checked by our artillery, at the bridge over the Sanpink, a rivulet passing through Trenton, and fell back and kindled their fires. A brisk cannonade followed on both sides. The British confidednt [sic] of Success, soon ceased firing, reckoning upon an easy and decisive victory in the morning.

Soon after dark, Washington lighting his camp fires, and leaving guards to carry out the deception, silently moved his baggage across the Sanpink, and followed with his entire force, taking a circuitous route to Princeton. Three regiments of British soldiers had been left at Princeton, and to attack these was the object of Washington's march. He was near surprising them completely, but a regiment of the British soldiers on their way to Trenton, met the advancing columns of the Americans, when within two miles of the town, and immediately gave them battle. Gen. Mercer led the advance of the American army consisting of the Pennsylvania militia, which soon gave way under the fire of the regular troops. In attempting to rally his broken lines, Mercer fell mortally wounded. The troops continued to retreat in the utmost disorder. At this moment Gen. Washington came up with the New England troops. who fought with such spirit, that the British in turn gave way and retreated. They were followed into the town, when a body of them taking post in College, a sharp encounter followed; but in a little while, Washington ordering his cannon to play upon the building, the British were feign to come out and lay down their arms. In the course of the engagement about 100 of the British were killed, and over 300 were taken prisoner; the rest escaped, either pushing on to Trenton, or retreating to Brunswick.

The morning of the battle, the British at Trenton were astonished to find an empty camp on the other side of Sanpink, where they thought to have found an army almost ready for surrender. They could not comprehend the movement, and when the first sounds of the booming artillery were heard in the direction of Princeton, They thought it the sound of thunder! But soon the truth broke upon them, and with such force and astonishment, that they soon abandoned Trenton, and did not consider themselves safe till they had retreated to Brunswick. In this encounter, as at Trenton, the New England troops fought the battle.² Of these, and foremost in the fight, was stark, with his N. H. Regiment, and of it, as usual were the brave men of Derryfield.

Soon after the battle of Princeton, Col. Stark came home to recruit another regiment for the service. This was difficult to accomplish. but he did what no other officer could have done at that time, he accomplished his object. But he was not to lead the troops who had flocked to his standard with such enthusiasm. At the very time he was securing a regiment for the service of his country, the subject of promotions had been before Congress, and Col. poor had been appointed a Brigadier from the New Hampshire line. Col. Stark took the ground the he had been superseded. He had been commissioned a Colonel, the 26th of April, 1775, by Massachusetts, while Poor had been commissioned by New Hampshire, the 23rd of May, the same year. This would have given Stark the seniority, had they been in the same line; but Congress acted upon the principle of seniority in the N. H, line in appointing a Brigadier from New Hampshire, and this gave the appointment to Poor. But Stark and his friends took the round that New Hampshire, on the 20th day of May, 1775, voted, "to adopt those soldiers already enlisted" plainly intending the troops in the field near Boston, under Stark and Reed, and that they adopted them as organized and officered.In this view of the case Stark and Reed, had been superseded, as they had been commissioned and at the head of their regiments near a month before the Brigade in New Hampshire was organized. But Congress did not stop to look at such distinctions. And it is probable moreover, that the influence of Folsom and others of Stark's personal enemies, made when the subject was agitated in 1775, would have overruled any such distinctions, had they been broached in Congress.

As soon as Col. Stark heard of this, he repaired to Exeter, and in spite of the remonstrance of his friends, resigned his commission. His resignation was as follows:

   To the Hohbl the council and House of Representatives for the State of New Hampshire, in General Court assembled.
   Ever since hostilities commenced, I have as in me lay, endeavored to prevent my country from being ravaged and enslaved by our cruel and unnatural enemy; have undergone the hardships and fatigues of two campaigns with cheerfullness and alacrity; ever enjoying the pleasing satisfaction, that i was doing my God and my country the greatest service my abilities would admit of; and it was with the utmost gratitude that I accepted the important command, to which this State appointed me. I should have served with the greatest pleasure, more especially at this important crisis when our country calls for the utmost exertions of every American; but am extremely grieved that I am bound in honor to leave the service, Congress having thought fit to promote junior officers over my head; so that least I show myself unworthy the honor conferred on me, and a want of spirit which ought to glow in the breast of every officer appointed by this Honorable House, in not suitably resenting an indignity, I must (though grieved to leave the service of my country) beg leave to resign my commission, hoping that you will make a choice of some gentlemen, who may honor the cause and his country, to succeed

Your most obedient    And obliged humble serv't

JOHN STARK

The Council and House, upon his resignation on the 21st day of March, 1777, passed a vote of thanks in this complimentarv language;

"Voted, that the thanks of both Houses in Convention, be given to Col. Stark for his good services in the present war, and that from his early and steadfast attachments to the cause of his country, they make not the least doubt that his future conduct in what ever state of life Providence may place him, will manifest the same noble disposition of mind."

Col. Stark was present at the time of the passage of this vote and the president of the Convention arose and presented to him the thanks of both Houses in an appropriate address. The scene was imposing and must have been highly gratifying to the gallant Colonel.

But Stark's merit as a soldier, was to triumph over all opposition. In fact, this very affair of his so-thought injury, and his consequent resignation, was probably the most fortunate thing for him, and the country, that could have happened. It gave him time, and opportunity to be at the very spot where his executive ability as an officer, was most needed, and where had he not been, no human knowledge can measure the consequent evils to our country, and to mankind.

Col. Stark upon his resignation, retired to his farm at Derryfield.

But although retired from the army, Col. Stark did not cease his efforts in the patriot cause. He took an active part in all the measures for the support of the patriot cause in the town and country, counselling, spending his time, and liberally advancing his money. His military skill however, was not to be lost to the country.

The advance of Burgoyne from the north with a strong and well appointed army, overcoming every obstacle in his way, spread dismay among the patriots of the country, while the spirits of the tories were raised to the highest pitch of gladness. When the news of the invader's success reached New Hampshire, the Legislature hastily assembled to consided [sic] the state of affairs, and to act upon a call upon New Hampshire for recruits and supplies.

All was dejection. There was no money in the Treasury, and the enemy upon our immediate frontier; the emergency demanded immediate action. In this state of affairs, John Langdon, the Speaker of the House, nobly came to the rescue. He rose in his place, and made a tender of his ready money, his merchandise and his plate! The tender was accepted and the money raised. Stark was offered the command; accepted upon condition that he should have a separate command, and be accountable to no power but that of the State of New Hampshire, and at the same time was commissioned as a Brigadier General. Stark appointed his rendezvous at Number Four, (now Charlestown,) made an appeal to the frontiersmen to rally in defence of their firesides, repaired to Derryfield to arrange his domestic affairs, and hastened to the frontier. The yeomanry answered his appeal to their patriotism, and flocked to his standard in force. Being invited by the "Green Mountain Boys," to lead them against the enemy, he forthwith sent 400 or 500 men to Manchester, a town of twenty two miles north-east of Bennington, and soon followed with the remainder of his force, leaving in charge to the officers at the rendezvous, to send on volunteers as fast as they should arrive.

He soon determined upon Bennington as a more advantageous post from which to employ his force against any party detached by Burgoyne, and proceeded to that place on the 8th of August with his disposable force.

On the 13th of August, a woman was sent express from Cambridge, a town 14 miles north-west of Bennington, with the intelligence that 200 Indians came into the town that morning, and soon a like express came with the still more starling intelligence that 1500 Hessians and Tories arrived soon after the Indian force. They came under the command of Col Baum--a Hessian officer. Gen. Stark supposing their object to be a quantity of flour, stored at some mills near Cambridge, detached Col. Gregg with a party to secure the flour, and followed on the 14th with the remainder of his force. He soon met Gregg's party in full retreat before a force of Germans, which halted in coming in sight of Stark's main body, and commenced entrenching upon rising ground.

The 15th of August, it rained in torrents--and the enemy continued their position--and although superior in number to the Americans by one half, sent express to Burgoyne for a reinforcement.

¹See Gen. Sullivan's papers in Portsmouth Atheneum.Return
²Gen. Sullivan under date of Chatham, Feb. 13, 1777, wrote Hon. Meshech Weare, Chairman of the Committee of Safety a letter, from which I make the following extract.
   "Indeed, I always had an aversion to fighting upon paper, for I have never yet found a man well versed in that kind of fighting that would practice any other. Perhaps you may want to know, how your men, (the Yankees,) fight. I tell you exceeding well, when they have proper officers. I have been much pleased to see a day approaching to try the difference between Yankee cowardice and Southern valor. The day has, or rather the days have arrived, and all the General officers allowed and do allow, that the Yankee cowardice assumes the shape of true valor on the field, and the Southern valor appears to be a composition of boasting and conceit. Gen. Washington made no scruple to say publicly, that the remains of the Eastern Regiments were the strength of the army, though their numbers were but comparatively small. He calls them in front when the enemy are there; he sends them to the rear when the enemy threaten that way. All the General officers allow them to be the best of troops. The Southern officers and soldiers allow it in the time of danger, but not at all other times. Believe me Sir, the Yankees took Trenton before the other troops knew anything of the matter, more than that there was an engagement; and what will still surprise you more, the line that attacked the town, consisted but of eight hundred Yankees, and there was 1600 Hessians to oppose them. At Princeton, when the 17th Regiment had thrown 3500 Southern Militia into the utmost confusion, a Regiment of Yankees restored the day, (This General Miflin confessed to me, though the Philadelphia papers tell a different story.) It seems to have been quite forgot, that while the 17th was engaging those troops, that 600 Yankees had the town to take against the 40th and 55th Regts. which they did without loss, owing to the manner of attack; but enough of this, I don't wish to reflect, but beg leave to assure you that Newspapers, and even letters don't always speak the truth. You may venture to assure your friends that no men fight better, or write worse, than the Yankees, of which this letter will be good evidence." Return