Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times

by Charles Carleton Coffin

  XXII.

  BRAVE OF HEART.

  The king's plan to punish Boston because the East India Company's teahad been destroyed was not working very satisfactorily. Ten thousandtroops were cooped up in the town with little to eat. They couldobtain no fresh provisions. Lord North was sending many ships, and theship-owners were asking high prices for the use of their vessels; forthe Yankee skippers of Marblehead, Captain Manly and Captain Mugford,were darting out from that port in swift-sailing schooners, with longeighteen-pounders amidships, and the decks swarming with men who hadbraved the storms of the Atlantic and knew no fear, capturing theships dispatched from England with food and supplies for the army. Theministers had paid twenty-two thousand pounds for cabbages, potatoes,and turnips; as much more for hay, oats, and beans; half a millionpounds for flour, beef, and pork. They purchased five thousand oxen,fourteen thousand sheep, and thousands of pigs, that the army threethousand miles away might have something to eat. There were plenty ofcattle, sheep, and pigs within fifty miles of Boston, but General Howecould not lay his hand on one of them. The winter storms were on, andthe ships sailing down the Thames or from Bristol Channel had a hardtime of it before losing sight of the hills of Devon. The people alongthe Cornwall shores beheld the seashore strewn with carcasses ofcattle, sheep, and pigs, tossed overboard from the decks of founderingvessels. The few cattle that survived the six weeks' tossing on thesea were but skin and bones when the ships dropped anchor by CastleWilliam.

  In contrast, Tom Brandon and the soldiers under General Washington hadplenty of good food. It was a tantalizing handbill which Benjamin Edesprinted on his press at Watertown.

  Tom Brandon, on picket at Charlestown Neck, hailed the Britisher a fewrods distant.

  "How are you, redcoat?"

  "How are you, rebel?"

  "Say, redcoat, if you won't pop at me, I won't at you."

  "Agreed."

  "Wouldn't ye like a chaw of tobacco, redcoat?"

  "I wouldn't mind."

  "All right. Here's a plug with my compliments; 'tain't poisoned. Yeneedn't be afraid of it," said Tom, tossing it to him.

  The Britisher opened the paper and read:--

  _American Army._ _English Army._

  1. Seven dollars a month. 1. Three pence a day. 2. Fresh provisions in plenty. 2. Rotten salt pork. 3. Health. 3. The scurvy. 4. Freedom, ease, affluence, 4. Slavery, beggary, and want. and a good farm.

  Other pickets besides Tom were tossing the handbills to theBritishers. Abraham Duncan, going here and there along the streets,saw the redcoats reading them, and night after night soldiersdisappeared, never again to shoulder a musket in the service of theking.

  Shut up in the town with nothing to do, the troops became lawless,breaking into houses and plundering the people. In vain were theefforts of General Howe, by severe punishments, to prevent it; givingone soldier four hundred lashes on his bare back; another six hundred;hanging a third.

  Hard times had come to the people of Boston. In the autumn, GeneralHowe had issued a proclamation, threatening with execution any one whoshould attempt to steal away from the town without his consent; butnow he would gladly have them go, only they must obtain permission. Hecould not supply them with food, neither with fuel. He gave thesoldiers leave to rip the boards from the Old North Meetinghouse, andcut its timbers into kindlings. After much hacking they leveled theLiberty Tree, not only to obtain the wood, but to manifest theirhatred of the tree. Not being able to feed the people, he sent threehundred and fifty from the town, landing them at Point Shirley, tomake their way over the marshes to Lynn as best they could. Otherswere directed to go.

  "We shall not go. I do not propose to let the redcoats make themselvesat home in this house," said Berinthia to the sergeant who asked ifthe family would like to leave the town.

  "What will you live on? Butcher Thurbal, whom General Howe hasappointed to take charge of all the cattle, says he has but six left,and here it is December, with winter only just begun. You will starvebefore spring," the sergeant replied.

  "We have a little flour, and there is a bit of mackerel; a layer ofpork is still left in the barrel. We will not go till the lastmouthful of food is gone," Berinthia said resolutely.

  The knocker rattled.

  "One of Massa Genral Howe's ossifers," said Mark Antony.

  A young lieutenant entered; but seeing a fair-faced young lady heremoved his cap.

  "I would like to see the mistress of the house," he said.

  "I am mistress. What is it you wish?"

  "I come to inform you that Colonel Hardman desires to occupy thesepremises for himself and staff, of which I have the honor to be amember. I am directed to inform you that you can have twenty-fourhours to effect your removal."[75]

  [Footnote 75: Under date of September 13, 1776, is the following fromthe letter of Reverend Andrew Eliot to S. Eliot: "Every house is nowtaken as the officers please. General Clinton is in Mr. Hancock's,Burgoyne in Mr. Bowdoin's."]

  "Colonel Hardman desires to take our house, does he?"

  "That is his wish."

  "Has he ordered you to take possession of it for him?"

  "No, he has directed me to inform you of what he intends to do, thatyou may make preparations at once for your removal."

  "You will please say to Colonel Hardman that we cannot accede to hiswish."

  It was said with such firmness and quiet dignity that the lieutenantwas amazed. He waited to hear some reason why she would not complywith the demand. She stood silent before him, composedly looking himin the face. Not being able to find words to reply, the lieutenantbowed stiffly and departed.

  "You haven't got through with Colonel Hardman," said Abraham. "Helikes the looks of this house, evidently. He is a new officer justarrived."

  "He will find that an American girl can make some resistance toforce," Berinthia replied.

  Once more the knocker rattled, and the lieutenant entered.

  "I believe I have the honor to address Miss Brandon," he said, bowing.

  "That is my name."

  "I am extremely sorry, Miss Brandon, to be obliged to execute an orderof this kind, but I am directed by Colonel Hardman to take possessionof these premises, as you will see by this order," he said, handingher a paper.

  "By what right does Colonel Hardman seize these premises?"

  "Well, really--I suppose--because you are a--a rebel, you know," thelieutenant replied.

  "How does he know that I am a rebel?"

  "I don't mean exactly that. Of course, you are not in arms personallyagainst his majesty, King George, but then, the people are, you know."

  "You mean, that because the king's troops began a war, firing uponthe people at Lexington and Concord, your colonel proposes to turn me,my invalid father and mother, out of our home, that he may takepossession and live in comfort."

  "It is awfully bad business, Miss Brandon, but I can't help it, youknow."

  "I do not doubt, sir, that it is mortifying to you, personally, to becompelled to execute an order of this sort. Please say to ColonelHardman that this is our home, and we shall not leave it voluntarily.If he desires to occupy it, he will do so only by force of arms."

  The lieutenant took his hat, not knowing what to make of a young ladyso calm and self-possessed, who did not cry or wring her hands.

  "Oh, Ruth, you are just the one I want to see," said Berinthia, asMiss Newville entered a few minutes later. "Just look at this! ColonelHardman proposes to turn us out of doors, that he may take possessionof our home."

  "Aren't you going to protest?"

  "I have protested."

  "Aren't you going to do something?"

  "What can I do?"

  "We will see. General Howe is to dine with us this afternoon, and Ihave come to get you to help me entertain him and the others. We willask him what he thinks of such arbitrary action on the part of hissubordinate officer."

  "I will be there to
hear what he has to say," Berinthia said.

  The hard times and the want of fresh provisions ruffled the temper ofPhillis in the Newville kitchen. No longer could she baste a fatturkey roasting by the fire, or a joint of juicy beef, and yet thedinner she was preparing for his excellency General Howe, and Mr.Newville's other guests, was very appetizing,--oysters raw and fried,clam soup, broiled halibut, fresh mackerel, corned beef and pork,plum-pudding and pie.

  Lord William Howe, commander-in-chief of his majesty's forces inAmerica, was a gentleman, polite, affable, who delighted to makehimself agreeable to beautiful ladies. At Bunker Hill he had shown thearmy that he could be brave on the battlefield. The other guests wereBrigadier-General Timothy Ruggles, appointed commander of the militia,loyal to the king, and Captain John Coffin of his staff. General Howesolicited the honor of escorting Miss Newville to the dinner-table;Captain Coffin, possibly preferring the society of the girl with whomhe often had romped to that of the mother, offered his arm toBerinthia, leaving to General Ruggles the honor of escorting thehostess.

  "The state of the times," said Mr. Newville, "does not enable me toprovide an elaborate repast, but Phillis has done her best with whatshe had."

  "I am sure your dinner will be far more elaborate than anything I haveupon my own table," said General Howe. "There being no freshprovisions in the market, I have to put up with salt junk."

  "Do you think the present scarcity of food will continue long?" Ruthinquired.

  "I trust not. It will be some time before the government suppliesreach me from England, but I have dispatched vessels to Halifax andthe West Indies, which, with fair winds, ought to be here in thecourse of a week."

  "It is tantalizing to know there are abundant supplies of vegetablesin the farmers' cellars, not twenty miles away, that droves of cattleand sheep come to Mr. Washington, and we cannot get a joint of muttonor a cabbage," said Mr. Newville.

  "If the provincial pirates do not intercept the vessels, we shall havefresh provisions soon; but they are a daring set of rebels who livedown towards Cape Ann. A schooner darted out the other day fromMarblehead, and captured the brig Nancy and a rich cargo which I couldill afford to lose,--two thousand muskets, one hundred thousandflints, thirty thousand cannon-balls, and thirty tons of musket-balls,and a thirteen-inch mortar. I understand Mr. Washington is greatlyelated by the capture, as well he may be."

  "Cannot Admiral Graves protect the transports?" Mr. Newville asked.

  "Perhaps a little more enterprise on the part of the marine forcewould be commendable. The provincials, I must admit, show far greaterzeal than is seen in the king's navy."

  "It is commonly remarked that the navy is not doing much," saidGeneral Ruggles.

  "The army, although it is not marching into the country, is far moreactive, judging from the firing which I hear through the day,"Berinthia remarked.

  General Howe scanned her face, wondering if there was not a trifle ofsarcasm in the words. He knew he was being criticised by the Toriesfor his inactivity; that Admiral Graves and the officers of the navywere asking when the army was going to scatter Mr. Washington'srabble.

  "I was relying upon the muskets captured in the Nancy," said GeneralHowe, "to supply the gentlemen in General Robertson's command; alsothe loyal Irish Volunteers under Captain Forest, and the Fenciblesunder Colonel Graham, and those whom Colonel Creen Brush, a loyalistfrom New York, expects to raise. I am greatly gratified by thisexhibition of loyalty on the part of the citizens. Doubtless othervessels will soon be here with arms, provided that audacious CaptainManly does not slip out from Marblehead and nab them while thewarships are getting up their anchors. I have sent several ships alongthe shore to obtain supplies if possible, but it seems the madness ofthe people in revolting against our gracious sovereign is widespread.I learn there are many who are still loyal, but who do not dare tosell provisions through fear of their neighbors."

  "I do not doubt it," General Ruggles remarked. "If it were not for thepresence of the troops, we who are loyal would have a rough time. Evenas it is, I see scowls upon the faces of my old-time friends wheneverI go along the street."

  "Since I accompanied your excellency to Bunker Hill and manifested myloyalty," said Captain Coffin, "and especially since I have taken partin organizing the loyal citizens to aid in upholding the government, Ifind some of my former friends, notably some of the young ladies,shutting their doors in my face."

  "I suppose you can hardly wonder at it?" Ruth remarked.

  "Why should they? I have not changed. Everybody knows how I have stoodfrom the beginning," the captain replied.

  "It is not that Captain Coffin is not as agreeable and entertaining asever, but they regard the king as attempting to deprive the people oftheir rights and liberties; the appeal to arms has been made; if youactively support his majesty, do you not cut yourself off from theirsociety? Can you expect them to be as gracious as in former days?"said Berinthia.

  "Perhaps not, from the standpoint you have taken; but it is ratheruncomfortable to have a young lady who has welcomed you to herfireside pass you by on the street as if you were a cold-bloodedvillain."

  "It comes to this," said Ruth. "One cannot be loyal to the king,neither to liberty, without suffering for it. Miss Brandon's brotherTom had to give up his lady-love because he sided with theprovincials. Young ladies shut the door in Captain Coffin's facebecause he adheres to King George. If his majesty only knew thedisturbance he is making over here in love affairs, perhaps he wouldwithdraw the army."

  "Of course he would," exclaimed General Howe. "I don't believe thatside of the question has ever been laid before him. I am sure, MissNewville, if you were to go as special envoy and present the case,showing him how the sword is cutting young heartstrings asunder, hewould at once issue an order for us to pack up and be off, that thecourse of true love might run smoothly once more."

  The company laughed heartily.

  "Perhaps," continued General Howe, "we may have to pack up any way,for want of something to eat. Before I succeeded to the command,General Gage seriously thought of evacuating the town, but had notenough vessels to transport the troops. I could not, when I wasinvested with the command, send a portion away; to do so would invitean attack upon those remaining."

  Berinthia saw a startled look upon Mr. Newville's face.

  "Do you think, your excellency, the time will ever come when hismajesty's troops will take their departure?"

  "I trust not; but this rebellion, which we thought would be confinedto this Province, has become a continental question. Neither the kingnor his ministers anticipated it, but it is upon us, and we shall beobliged to treat it in all its vastness. Large reinforcements are tobe sent. An agreement is being made to employ several thousand Hessiantroops, and everything will be done to put down the rebellion."

  "I expect to see," said General Ruggles, "the army of Mr. Washingtoncrumble to pieces very soon. I hear that the Connecticut troopsdemanded a bounty as the condition of their staying any longer, andwhen it was refused, broke ranks and started for their homes."

  "So I am informed," General Howe remarked, "though, to tell the truth,two thousand fresh men came from the New Hampshire province to taketheir places. I must say the provincials, thus far, have showncommendable zeal and persistence in maintaining the rebellion. Theyhave constructed formidable earthworks on Cobble Hill, so near mylines that they have compelled the warships to drop down the river toa safer anchorage."

  "If by any chance the town should be evacuated, what think you, yourexcellency, those of us who are loyal to the king ought to do?" Mr.Newville asked.

  "That is really a very difficult question to answer. Your loyalty andthat of all ladies and gentlemen who stand by the king undoubtedlywill make you obnoxious to the rebels. The bitterness is increasing. Ifear you will not be shown much leniency."

  "Would you think it strange, your excellency, if they were notlenient?" Ruth inquired.

  "Why should they not be, Miss Newville?"

  "Would t
hey not be likely to regard those who support the king astheir enemies?"

  "Why should they? You have not taken up arms. Of course, GeneralRuggles and Captain Coffin might be regarded as obnoxious, and wouldhave to take care of themselves."

  "But will they not say we have given moral support to their enemies,and is not moral support likely to be as heinous in their sight as thetaking of arms? If we ask them to be lenient, will they not inquire ifthe king's troops were merciful when they set Charlestown on fire?"Ruth asked.

  A flush came upon the face of General Howe. Although he commanded thetroops at Bunker Hill, he had not ordered the burning of the town.General Gage was responsible for that act. He felt a littleuncomfortable over the question, for the latest newspapers from Londontold him the people of England condemned the destruction of the homesof so many inhabitants.

  "I am free to say it was rather hard on them thus to have their homesdestroyed without a moment's notice," he replied.

  "Will not," Ruth inquired, "the provincials think his majesty's forceswere wanting in leniency when they recall what was done at Falmouth afew days ago, where the inhabitants were given only two hours toremove from the town? Not one minute over that would Captain Mowattgrant them, though women went down on their knees before him. Was itnot inhuman for him to fire bombs among the panic-stricken multitude,setting the buildings on fire, destroying the homes of five hundredpeople? If his majesty's officers do these things, what may we notexpect from the provincials, should it ever come our turn?"

  "We will do what we can, Miss Newville, not to have it your turn."

  "I do not doubt it, my lord; but I was thinking of possiblecontingencies."

  Again Berinthia noticed a flush upon the face of General Howe.

  "I will admit, Miss Newville, that in war, the unexpected maysometimes happen, and possibilities are not comforting subjects forcontemplation. I do not anticipate disaster to the troops under mycommand."

  "Shall we drink the health of our gracious sovereign?" said Mr.Newville.

  The others drained their glasses, but Miss Newville's and Berinthia'swere not lifted from the table.

  "What, daughter! What is the meaning of this? Not drink the health ofthe king!" Mr. Newville exclaimed.

  "No, father. I could drink to his own personal welfare, wish himhealth, happiness, and long life, but our drinking to the sentimentmeans approval of his government. I cannot do that. I never can thinkit right to burn the homes of innocent people without a moment'swarning, as was done at Charlestown. The people of Falmouth never haddone anything against the king except to prevent Captain Mowatt fromloading masts and spars on board his ship for the use of the king'snavy. That was their offense, and yet the town was wantonly destroyed.I cannot think such a course is likely to restore the alienatedaffections of the people to the king. More, I fear the contingenciesof war may yet compel us to suffer because of these unwarranted acts."

  Mr. Newville sat in silence, not knowing what to say. He had beenoutspoken in his loyalty. He never had contemplated the possibility offailure on the part of the king to put down the rebellion, but ifGeneral Howe were to evacuate Boston, what treatment could he expectfrom the provincials? The words of Ruth brought the question beforehim in a startling way.

  "Those are my sentiments, also," said Berinthia.

  "I see, Miss Brandon, that you are of the same opinion, which, ofcourse, I expected in your case, but hardly from Miss Newville," saidCaptain Coffin.

  "Yes, I am of the same way of thinking," Berinthia replied.

  "You will not, ladies, decline to drink the health of the queen, Itrust?" said General Howe, as Pompey refilled the glasses.

  "Oh no, I will drink it with pleasure. The queen, of course, does notstand for mismanagement, as does the king, and we will not spoil ourdinner by talking about the sad events," Ruth replied.

  General Howe entertained them with an account of his boyhood days, hisservice with General Wolfe at Quebec, how the troops climbed the steepriver bank at night and won the battle on the Plains of Abraham.Captain Coffin laughed with Berinthia and Ruth over good times he hadenjoyed with them. Yet all were conscious that spectres unseen hadcome to the banquet. The ghost confronting General Howe was whisperingof starvation, of possible humiliation through forced evacuation; theone glaring at Mr. and Mrs. Newville told of a possible departure fromtheir home, to become aliens in a foreign land.

  "May I ask Miss Newville to favor us with music?" said General Howe,when they were once more in the parlor.

  "With pleasure, your excellency," said Ruth, seating herself at theharpsichord and singing "The Frog he would a-wooing go," "The Fine OldEnglish Gentleman," and then with a pathos that brought tears to theeyes of the commander-in-chief, "True Love can ne'er forget."

  During the dinner, and while Ruth was singing, they could hear thedeep reverberations of the cannonade. The provincials in Roxbury weresending their shot at General Howe's fortifications on the Neck, andhis cannon in reply were thundering towards the works at Cobble Hill.

  "Miss Newville," said General Howe, "I cannot express my thanks to youfor your entertainment. While listening to your charming melodies Ihave been thinking of the strange, incongruous accompaniment, theuproar of the cannonade, but I have, in a measure, been able to forgetfor the moment the worries and perplexities that surround me. I trustI may be able to do something to add to your happiness some day." Herose to take his departure.

  "Thank you, your excellency; I am glad if I have been able in any wayto make it a pleasant hour to you and General Ruggles, and my oldacquaintance, Captain Coffin. Your excellency can add much to myhappiness and that of Miss Brandon. One of your subordinate officers,who I think has not been long here, Colonel Hardman, has notified MissBrandon that he is going to take possession of her home to-morrow andturn her and her invalid parents out of doors. Berinthia, you have thecolonel's order, I think?"[76]

  [Footnote 76: "I am by a cruel necessity turned out of my home; mustleave my books and all I possess, perhaps to be destroyed by alicentious soldiery." Andrew Eliot to Thomas Hollis, _ProceedingsMass. Hist. Society_, vol. xvi.]

  Berinthia took the document from her pocket and handed it to GeneralHowe, who ran his eye over it and seemed to be thinking.

  "Is your father loyal to the king, Miss Brandon?" he asked.

  "In the same sense that I am, your excellency. You know that I did notdrink the health of the king because I protest against the course heis pursuing towards the Colonies; my father does the same."

  "You have a brother, I think, in the provincial army?"

  "I suppose that Tom is there. He did what he could to defeat yourexcellency at Bunker Hill. Possibly it was his bullet that wentthrough your excellency's coat. He attempted to defeat the king'stroops just as they attempted to defeat him, and succeeded. You giveyour allegiance to the king; he gives his to liberty, and is fightingfor it just as conscientiously as your excellency is fighting for KingGeorge and the crown."

  "As your father sides with the provincials, and as your brother is inarms against our most gracious sovereign, may I ask if you can giveany good reason why my subordinate officer should not take possessionof your home?"

  "Pardon me, may I ask if your excellency will kindly favor me with anygood reason why my parents should be driven from their beds inmidwinter, that one of the king's officers may have comfortablequarters? Does your excellency think such a course of conduct willtend to restore to the king the alienated affections of his latesubjects?"

  "Then, Miss Brandon, you do not consider yourself, at this moment, oneof his subjects?"

  "I do not. I cannot own allegiance to a sovereign who burns the homesof an inoffensive community, standing for their rights and ancientliberties."

  "I admire your frankness, Miss Brandon, as I do that of Miss Newville.Have you a pen at hand?"

  Ruth brought a pen and ink-horn; General Howe wrote upon the document,and handed it to her.

  "I cannot go back on my promise to do something for you, Mi
ssNewville, to add to your happiness and Miss Brandon's, and I trust Inever shall do anything that will lead you to think I am insensible tothe claims of humanity," he said, bowing and taking his departure.

  Berinthia read what he had written:--

  It is hereby ordered by the general-in-chief commanding his majesty's forces, that Miss Brandon shall be allowed to remain in possession of her home till this order shall be countermanded.

  HOWE, Major-General.

  In bright uniform, with stars upon his breast, Colonel Hardman,accompanied by the members of his staff, knocked at the door of theBrandon home. Mark Antony was unceremoniously pushed aside, and theofficers entered the hall.

  "You can inform the lady of the house, nigger, that Colonel Hardmanand staff have come to take possession of the premises and"--

  The sentence was not finished, for Berinthia, queenly in her dignity,stood before him. Colonel Hardman, obedient to etiquette, removed hishat. It was not an old woman, wrinkled and toothless, but a younglady, calm and self-possessed, confronting him.

  "Is this Colonel Hardman?"

  "I have the honor to bear that name, lady."

  "You have come to take possession of my house?"

  "That is my errand. I trust it will not greatly inconvenience you. Isee you have my order of yesterday in your hand, and so are notunprepared for my coming."

  "It is your order, and I am not unprepared, as you will see," shesaid, handing him the paper.

  He read the writing, bit his lips, grew red in the face, returned thedocument, bowed stiffly, and left the hall, followed by his astonishedsuite.

  "Outwitted by a petticoat," he muttered, with an oath, as he passeddown the street.