CHAPTER. XX.
Difficulties of 1777.--Stark marches to the Hudson.--His men re-enlist.--He returns to N. H.,--Soon at the head of a large force.--Takes possession of Fort Edward--Battle of Stillwater and Behmus' Heights.--Col. Cilley. Thomas Haynes.--Surrender of Burgoyne.--Soldiers from Derryfield.--Soldiers from Ancient Amoskeag.,--Bedford, Chester, Goffstown, Derryfield, and Londonderry.--Difficulty in raising supplies.--Corn Tax in 1779.--Tax List of Derryfield.--Beef Tax of 1780.--How raised.-- Beef Tax of 1781,--Great depreciation of money.--Excitemet [sic] in Derryfield.--Town Meeting.--Extracts from Judge Patten's Journal showing the prices, of articles, and depreciation of paper.--Causes of Depreciation.--New Hampshire issue.--Form of bills.--Congress issues paper money.--Form of it.--This State largely in debt in 1775.--Tories counterfeit the money.--Robert Fowle prints them on his own score.--Absconds.--Col. Stephen Holland absconds.--The emission called in.--Novel way to prevent counterfeiting.--The British government sends over counterfeit bills.--Bills not paid as stipulated.--Table of Depreciation. New Emission by Congress.--Specimen,--Depreciates.--Redeemed.--"The dark day."--Judge Pattne's [sic] remarks upon it.--Its causes.--News of Peace.--Its results.--Public rejoicings.--State government continued by Proclamation.
The first part of the year 1777 was the darkest period of the Revolution. People of this time have little idea, from history even, of the difficulties under which our forefathers labored at this time, in carrying on the war. The stoutest hearts and coolest heads quailed under them.
True, Washington had checked the British at Trenton, and Princeton, and thus perhaps prevented sure and immediate ruin to the patriot cause. But extensive difficulties to the cause existed in many of the states; in all it was difficult to raise recruits hard money was scarce; paper money was next to worth-less; provisions were scarce, in consequence of the want of men to till the lands; speculators made the most of the opportunity to demand high prices; and to cap the climax of difficulties in the way of the patriots, Gen Burgoyne had advanced from the north with a superior and well appointed army, by the way of Lake Champlain, for the purpose of forming a junction with Sir Henry Clinton, who already held New York; and thus to separate New England from any communication with the Middle 
or Southern States. Had this junction been effected, there can be little doubt of the result. We must have been subjected to the British power.
But Providence had ordered otherwise. Burgoyne's army after all his vaunting, was checked by the victory at Bennington, and was completely crushed by the brilliant success of the Americans at Saratoga.
After the battle of Bennington, Gen. Stark marched his victorious troops towards the Hudson, and joined the main army on the 18th of September. The time of enlistment of his troops being up, Gen. Gates was desirous that they should re-enlist, and accordingly they were drawn up and addressed by him and Gen. Stark, and urged to enlist for the further term of six weeks; but they had accomplished the object for which they had volunteered; their crops were read for harvest, and they must return to their farms. No persuasion could stay them, and the next morning they left the camp on their way to their homes. Stark was thus left without a command and he returned to New Hampshire only to raise a new force with which to repair to the frontier, and act against Burgoyne. In this he was successful, and he was soon ready to take the field. New Hampshire met the call for troops with alacrity, and Stark was soon on his way to the Hudson with a larger force than before. Arriving in the neighborhood of the main army, he took possession of Fort Edward and leaving a garrison in it, he ascended the river, placed his force in the rear of Burgoyne, on the opposite side of the river, to intercept him on his retreat, should he make the attempt. In this he followed his own plan of action, as he still had an independent command from New Hampshire; the troops having enlisted with the express understanding that Stark was to direct and lead them, and none other. His position was admirably taken, as it would aid in cutting off Burgoyne from all prospect of successful retreat.
The battle of Stillwater had been fought on the 18th of September, and Burgoyne was held restive in his position, like "a lion chafing in the toils." Both armies claimed the advantage, each interpreting determined resistance as triumph. But Burgoyne had really gained no advantage in the battle, while, checked and held at bay, his affairs were daily becoming more desperate, as his scant provisions were daily wasting, and the American militia were flocking into the valley of the Hudson and forming that cordon of positions, that cut off his retreat and which he could not overcome in the open field. At length
on the 17th of October, Gen. Burgoyne determined to hazard a battle. He found the Americans nothing loth in accepting his offer, for as soon as his troops had formed a line in an intervening wheat field, under pretence of foraging, Gen. Gates ordered his troops to commence the attack. Colonel Morgan with his Rifles was ordered by a circuit to gain the wooded heights on the enemy's right, while Gen. Poor, with the gallant regiments from New Hampshire, under Scammell, Cilley, and Dearborn, and some troops from New York, was ordered to attack the enemy's left. As soon as time enough had elapsed for Morgan to gain the heights, Poor led his troops to the attack. At this moment, Morgan rushed down the heights attacking the enemy's right, in front and flank, with overwhelming impetuosity. Poor's command rushed to the conflict in the most dauntless manner. The New Hampshire troops gave their fire, and with a shout clearing all intervening: obstacles, they charged the British line with such impetuosity, that it broke and retired in disorder, leaving their cannon upon the field. The gallant Colonel Cilley of New Hampshire, ordered a detachment of his men to seize, and hold one of these pieces,--a twelve pounder. His men obeyed with alacrity and were preparing under his instructions,to turn it upon the enemy. At this moment, the British troops rallied and forming under the gallant Earl of Balcarras, rushed to the encounter, it being an object of pride to regain their cannon. In this they were partially successful, as at the first onset they forced the Americans to give ground. The lost twelve pounder was regained, the gallant soldiers who held it, having been killed, wounded or driven back by overwhelming numbers.1 But their triumph was of short duration, the N. H., troops rallied and rushed to the charge, driving all before them and retook the cannon. Col. Cilley then took charge of the piece in person and in the excitement of the moment, leapt upon it and gave it a "christening."
He then with his own hands assisted in loading it, and turned it upon the retreating enemy. All this was the work of a moment2 At the same time the whole American force engaged in the bloody conflict, attacking the enemy in front and flanks with the greatest impetuosity.
Overwhelmed with numbers, and charged with the most daring courage, the whole British line, led by Burgoyne in person, gave way, and retreated to their camp in the utmost disorder. Night alone put a stop to the carnage. As it was, their camp was entered at several points and Col. Breyman was killed behind the German breast works, by troops led by Col. Brooks, who gallantly kept their ground. The Americans had gained a decisive victory, and remained masters of the field. The immediate result of the battle of "Behmus' Heights" was a loss to General Burgoyne of eighty pieces of cannon, "more than 400 officers and men, killed and captured, and among them the flower of his army, (viz;) Brigadier-general Frazer, Major Ackland, commanding the grenadiers; Sir Francis Clark, his first aid-de-camp, Major Williams, commanding officer of the artillery, Captain Mory, deputy quarter-master general, and many others.3 During the night Gen. Burgoyne retreated to his original position, which had been fortified.
Finding all hopes of retreat, or succor vain, on the 13th of October, Gen. Burgoyne commenced a correspondence with
Gates, in view of a surrender of his army. On the 18th the articles of convention were signed, and on the 19th, Gen. Burgoyne made a formal surrender of himself and army. Thus terminated the vaunted expedition of Burgoyne, which at one time threatened a complete overthrow of the patriot cause. To this important result the troops of New Hampshire contributed their full share, Derryfield as usual, being well represented among them. Gen. Stark at the head of a large force mainly volunteers for the occasion from New Hampshire, rendered important assistance in the council and in the field. Capt. Caleb Stark, his son, was Adjutant of Col. Cilley's regiment, and acted a gallant part at Stillwater, and Behmus' Heights, while of the regular troops, in the battle of Stillwater and Behmus' Heights, were Ephraim Stevens, David Merrill, James Thompson, Benjamin George, Isaac George, Ichabod Martain, and Robert McNight, all of Derryfield, making one fourth of the men in the town, fit to bear arms.
After the surrender of Burgoyne, the Eastern States were but little troubled with fears of invasion, as with the exception of the possession of Newport in Rhode Island by the British, the theater of war was removed to the Southward. It is not proposed to give a history of the campaigns that followed, as at such a distance from us, our people were not called upon to engage in them, only so far as our regular troops were concerned, and it has hitherto been our object to give accounts of such expeditions and engagements, as were identified with the heroic conduct of the soldiers of ancient Amoskeag. Suffice it to say, that in the unsuccessful affair in Rhode Island, in 1778, in the difficult and successful expedition into the Indian country, under Gen. Sullivan, in 1779; at the important post of West Point; and at the seige of Yorktown, crowned with the surrender of the British army under Gen. Conwallis, [sic] and which sealed the fate of the British power in these colonies, the men of New Hampshire, and of Amoskeag, bore a conspicuous part, sustaining in the council, and upon the battle field, their well earned reputation.
It is interesting to note the readiness with which the towns, composing the ancient Amoskeag, contributed to the patriot cause. Their people were ever ready to respond to the call of country; thus Bedford, Chester, Derryfield, Goffstown, and Londonderry in 1777, 1778, and 1789 [?], furnished the following regular soldiers, or "three years men;"
Bedford. Robert Merrill, Thomas Matthews, Patrick Fling, John Hillery, John Boice, Samuel Fugard, Levi Whitmore, Jonas Cutting, William Goffe, Valentine Sullivan, James Greer.
Chester.--James Russ, Jona Burrows, Charles Hanson, Jedediah Knox, Saml. Aiken, Barnard Merrill, Jona. Rankin, James Aiken, Jeremiah Towle, Henry True, John McClaunel, Jonathan Knox, Abiel Stevens, Phineas Stevens, Dan Shirley, Sam. Wells, Samuel Holt, William Moore, Stephen Lufkin, Robert Hastins, Reuben Hall, Geo. Cooper, Thomas Shronder, James Thompson, Josiah Wells, Thomas Wells, William White, John Barry, Ebenr. Barry, John Lane, Wm. Furnal, Samuel Dalton, Jona Forsaith, John Vance, Bartho. Stevens.
Derryfield.--Ephraim Stevens, David Merrill, James Thompson, Benjamin George, Isaac George, Ichabod Martin, Robert McNight.
Goffstown.--Caleb Blodget, John Sessions, Eleazer Emerson, Edward Wood, John McClintock, Joshua Bell, Benj. Cass, Ward Clark, Joshua Wilson, Augustus George, Samuel Smith, Ezra Mirriack, Collins Eaton, Joseph Hadley, William Kemp, Andrew Newell, John Brown, Daniel Andrews, James Kendrick, Dan. Richardson.
Londonderry.--Samuel Walton, Nathan Plummer, William Dickey, Bishop Coster, John O'Brien, George McMurphy, Davis Plummer, James Campbell, John McMurphy, Robert Wilson, Joseph McFarland, Samuel Eyers, Robt. Hodgart, Solomon Todd, James Nesmith, William Johnson, Jeremiah Fairfield, John Martin, John Morgan, Thomas Holmes, David George, Martin Montgomery, Zaccheus Dustin, Valentine Sargent, Robert Craig, John Head, Davis Dickey, James Boyes, John Aiken, Alex. McMasters, John Greer, Gland Colombon, Joseph Coster, Jona George, Michael George, William Hogg, Thomas Rankin, David Richards, Ebenezer McIlvane, Timothy Harrington, Peter Jenkins, Joseph Mack.
In 1780 the same towns furnished men as follows:
Bedford.--Nehemiah Lincoln, Josiah Gordon, Robert Cornwall, Jona. Griffin, John Gault.
Chester.--Jonathan Wilson, Wm. Moor, Benj. True, Saml. Walker, John Knowles, John Brown, Robert Runnels, Isaac Blaisdell, Moses Webster, John Aiken
Derryfield.--Oliver Emerson, Robt. Cunningham, Joseph Barron.
Goffstown.--Seth Wyman, Samuel Ordway, John George Henry Stewart, Nathan Hale.
Londonderry.--John McCarty, William Thomas, Zoe Withe, John Clarke, John Remick, Pomp Sherburn, James Whaley, Windsor Golden, James Harris, Thomas Mitchel, Samuel Merrill, James McMahan, Jeremiah Fairfield.
In 1781, and 1782, the same towns furnished men as follows;
Bedford.--John Griffin, John Gault, Stephen Wood, Nehemiah Lincoln, Issac Wilkins, James Gordon, Thomas Matthews, Levi Whitmore, Samuel Fugard, Patrick Fling, Isaac Riddle, Hugh Jameson.
Chester.--Wm, Garrison, Richd. Flood, Stephen Keyes, Valentine Sargent, Jos. Davis, Samuel Richardson, Samuel Houston, Moses Webster, Saml. Robie, Reuben Tole, Daniel Parker, Geo. Mansfield, Thomas Wells, Samuel Hoit, George Cooper, Enos Jewell, Peter Wells, John Worth, Reuben Stickney, Joseph Tucker, Daniel Clay, Abraham Brown, Edward Hamilton, Moses Basford, Thomas Dolloff, Ebenezer Currier, Wm. Batchelder, Wm. Hall, Daniel Doyne, Robt. H. Hill, Andrew Nelson.
Derryfield.--John Hanson, Mark Duty, Moses Chandler; Amos Martin, Wm. Nutt. Robert McNight.
Goffstown.--John Sessions, Ichabod Martin, Tim. Moshier, Samuel Smith, Reuben Kidder, Jesse Dickey, Obed McLane, Loudon McGregore.
Londonderry.--John Head, Robt. Craige, James Cavanaugh, Alex. McMasters, John Gaffet, Edward McColley, William Decannon, Thomas Rankin, John Sargent, Abel Whiting, John Allen, William Colley, David Richards, Allen Anderson, Asa Andrews, Abner Andrews, Jonas Adams, David Morrison, Daniel Marsh, Chas. Burrows, Martin Byrne, James Blair.
It will be reccollected, that these were regular troops. On special occasions, volunteers were raised for a short period in these towns with the greatest readiness. Thus in 1778, one hundred and fifty two men, besides officers, volunteered from the regiment command by Col. Moore of Bedford, to go to Rhode Island, as appears from Judge Patten's journal, in which is this entry.
"1778, August, 9. I went to Amherst with Jamey who was going to Rhode Island with the militia. There were orders from the committee of safety of this State for as many of the Militia to go as volunteers as pleased. There was 152 exclusive of officers, went out of Colo. Moor's Regiment."
It is very much doubted, whether any other section of our country, can show an equal numher [sic ?number] of volunteers from the same population.
And it must be borne in mind, that these volunteer enlistments for a few weeks service, were made in the busiest seasons of the year, and at a time too, when the whole community was suffering from the depreciation of the currency,--and ready money was not easily obtained. In short, the Committee of Safety found it so difficult to meet the calls of Congress for money or supplies by the usual mode of taxation, that a portion of the taxes was required to be paid in corn and each town was required to furnish beef upon the hoof, that the State might meet the orders of Congress for supplies. Thus in October, 1779, there was a Continental tax imposed, a part of which was to be paid in corn. The usual annual tax in Derryfield, for State and Cotinental [sic] purposes, had been imposed in March, amounting to �702--17s--7d; but the exigences of the times, war, and depreciation of paper money, rendered a second tax neccessary. The October tax list of this town was thus;
|
|
� |
s |
d |
B |
P |
Q |
P |
G |
|---|
|
Alexander Irwing, |
10 |
12 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Benjamin Baker, |
31 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Levt. |
Samuel Boyd, |
25 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Daniel Blodget, |
1 |
16 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Moses Crombie, |
14 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Benjamin Crombie, |
23 |
19 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Dickey, |
34 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
John Dustin, |
18 |
9 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mark Duty, |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Charles Emerson, |
26 |
13 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
|
Joseph Farmer, |
34 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
James Emerson, |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
David Farmer, |
14 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| Conl. |
John Goffe, |
41 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
William Gamble, |
54 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
John Griffen, Junior, |
11 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
l |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
John Griffin, |
23 |
18 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Theophelus Griffin, |
11 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
Joseph Griffen, |
21 |
19 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Goffe, Junior, |
5 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ceaser Griffin, |
18 |
5 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Davis Walton, |
11 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
| Levt. |
John Hall, |
33 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Daniel Hall, |
23 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
l |
|
Abel Huse, |
40 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Isaac Huse, |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Hughs, |
25 |
9 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Enoch Harvey, |
38 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
| Levt. |
John Little, |
31 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
James Gorman, |
25 |
18 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
James Lyon, |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| Capt. |
Samuel Moor, |
32 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
Nathaniel Martin, |
10 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Abraham Merrill, |
38 |
19 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Ensin. |
Abraham Merrill, |
17 |
18 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
Jonathan Merrill, |
16 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
l |
|
Nathaniel Merrill, |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Moses Merrill, |
13 |
11 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
| Capt. |
James Masury, |
13 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
|
William McClintock, |
27 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
|
Michael McClintock, |
13 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
James McNight, |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
James Morrison, |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
William Nutt, |
38 |
13 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Thomas Newman, |
22 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
| Capt. |
William Parham, |
39 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
William Parham Junr. |
37 |
13 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Levt. |
John Parham, |
41 |
0 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
James Peirce, |
37 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
|
Joshua Peirce, |
14 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
William Page, |
1 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Benjamen Pillsbury, |
11 |
14 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
David Rowel, |
16 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
John Ray, |
20 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Jonathan Russ, |
20 |
17 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
|
Ephraim Rollf, |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Gen. |
John Stark, |
61 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
| Ensin. |
Samuel Stark, |
28 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
| Levt. |
Ebenezer Stevens, |
46 |
13 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ezekiel Stevens, |
42 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Henry Stevens, |
17 |
9 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
| Ensin. |
Joseph Sanders, |
19 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Sheldon, |
38 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Hugh Thompson, |
28 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Enos Webster, |
29 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
|
Asael Smith, |
11 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Total. |
�1534 |
15 |
0 |
31 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
It will be seen that the money column in the above list shows an enormous tax,--�1534,--15s--which added to �703--17s--7d--in the March list, amounts to �2273--17s--7d--for that year. But this enormous sum was in consequence of depreciation. Paper money, in which it was to be paid had so depreciated in value, that �100 in paper, which in 1777 was equal to or worth �100 in silver, in 1779, was worth only �13--9s--6d--2q, in silver. So that in reality the money tax in the above tax list was not so very exorbitant, if paid in specie.
Again, in August, 1780, a state, county and town tax was imposed in this town in addition to the one imposed in March of the same year, which amounted to �5707--9s--6d. In the August list a portion of it was to be paid in beef, to meet the orders of Congress on the state for supplies.
The beef rate was �3715--9s--5d; the soldier rate was �1856--15s--8d, and the town and county rate was �1856--15d--8d, making in all �7428--lOs--9d; and for the year �13136--0s--3d. No small tax.
It will be seen, that the taxes had largely increased since the preceding year. This increase was mainly nominal however, and as before in consequence of the depreciation in the currency. In one year, paper money had depreciated so that �100 of it was worth only �2--13s--6d--1q, in March 1780. Upon this basis the annual tax of that year was made. But before September, the depreciation had so continued, that �100 of it was worth only �1--1Os--9d in silver, and the October tax, was made upon that basis, to meet the deficiency and the demands of the state,
To meet the beef tax the town voted the selectmen should furnish the beef. They accordingly bought the cattle where they could get them at the best advantage, hired them pastured, and delivered them at Londonderry, when called for by the State. The number of cattle, cost per head, or per cwt, cannot now be ascertained,--but from their apparent cost, it would appear that there was a large number of them.
The whole cost of the beef was thus, according to the account of the selectmen, rendered and approved.
"1stly Jonathan Russ his Beaf is prime
cost of said Beef, |
�3720 0 0 |
| 2ly to pasturing Said Beef Cattle, |
294 0 0 |
| 3ly to cost of purching [sic] Said Beef, |
108 0 0 |
| Capt. Saml Moore's, his Beef Charges, |
80 10 0 |
| Mr. John Sheldon's Beef Charges, |
22 10 0 |
|
�4225 0 0 |
This was a large amount to be paid by Derryfield--depreciation out of the question; but a further inspection of the Selectmen's account for 1780, shows that the town furnished only 3105 pounds of beef. This amount, at a cost of �4225 was a fraction over �1--7s--2d--2q per pound in paper money.
In 1781, there was another beef tax imposed in this State in connection with the other taxes. The paper money in March had become so depreciated, that �100 of it was worth only �1--6s--8d, in silver. The taxes in this town were made upon that basis, but in June, before the Collector had made much progress in collecting his list, the paper money went down to sixteen shillings in silver for a hundred pounds of paper money! This state of things produced great alarm. A town meeting was called, in the warrant for which, the second article read thus:
Footnotes
1I cannot refrain from mentioning in this place the name of Thomas Haynes late of Concord. He was severely wounded in the encounter for the mastery of this piece of cannon. He was well known to Col. Cilley as a brave soldier, and was selected by him among others, to man and keep the piece. At the time the British rallied, charged, and retook the piece, Haynes was seated astride its muzzle. In this position he fought with desperation, killing two British soldiers in the encounter. One he thrust in the thigh with his bayonet and killed him as quick as if he had pierced his heart. He attempted to run him through the body, but the British soldier struck the barrel of the gun down, and the bayonet struck him in what is familiarly known among soldiers as the "pope's eye," and he fell dead. A second soldier came to the assistance of his comrade before Haynes had fully recovered his piece, and made a thrust at him with his bayonet, but Haines struck his gun out of his hands with his own, and as the soldier stooped to pick up his gun, Haynes thrust his gun through his head. While in the act of withdrawing his bayonet from the discomfited and disabled soldier, Haynes was struck in the side of the face, with a large musket ball, and fell from the cannon to the ground. The ball struck on the right cheek bone passed through his mouth carrying away eleven teeth, about a third of the tongue and coming out in front near the left ear. From such a frightful wound he at once became insensible, and laid as dead upon the field for two nights. When the detachment went round to collect and bury the scattered dead, Haynes was carried and laid down by the "receptacle of the dead," to be thrown in with his comrades. Lieut. Robert B. Wilkins was present with the party, and knowing Haynes well and seeing that his body was not at all stiff, insisted upon it that he was alive. His breast was bared, and signs of life were discovered, and he was ordered to be carried to the hospital, where he soon recovered, so as to be sent to Albany. Here betwixt life and death he lingered in the hospital for months. At length, after thirteen months in the hospital, he joined the army--and continued in it till the end of the war. He long enjoyed a small pension for his wound and his services, and died at Loudon, where he had resided a short time, in 1847, aged near ninety years. Return
2Col. Cilley did not leave the piece again, as Gen. Wilkinson upon visiting the scene of the conflict, says, "I found the courageous Col. Cilley a straddle on a brass twelve pounder, and exulting in the capture." Return
3See Gen. Wilkinson's memoirs. Return
ALHN Hillsborough County
Chapter 20