The Secret Letters of 75

by C. Fennessy

  Jamie looked angry.

  “Besides me and Robert Newman, the only ones who knew what we did last night were Mr. Revere, and Dr. Warren.”

  “And whoever Dr. Warren told,” Sarah added. Jamie agreed. Sarah began thinking as she watched Jamie and Mr. Roberts painting. Finally she said,

  “I’m going to Dr. Warren to find out who else knew what was going on. Perhaps he has some news about Father.”

  She headed out onto the street. Walking to Marlborough Street, she soon found the doctor’s place.

  Dr. Warren was an old friend of her father’s and had been one of the Sons of Liberty for as long as she could remember. He was an intelligent man with a pleasant manner, and she always felt welcome in his presence.

  It was still early and only a few patients were waiting in the front room. As soon he came out of his office, she asked to speak with him. He told his next patient to go inside the examination room and wait for him. Then he led Sarah to his office across the hall where they could speak privately.

  “Have you had any news about my father?” she asked.

  “No, I haven’t,” he shook his head. “I heard that there has been much blood shed, but most of it is British. I intend to go to Concord after I see my patients this morning.”

  She nodded, “If you see my father, tell him…tell him that if he can come home, to please do so. But if he can’t, I’ll understand.”

  Dr. Warren smiled and took her hands and squeezed them gently.

  “Bless you, Sarah. I know this isn’t easy for you. It isn’t easy for any of us. But this struggle had to come eventually. We must all be brave now.”

  “I know, but I also came to ask you something else. Who else knew about the signal lanterns in the church last night?”

  The doctor rubbed his chin, “Well, there was Paul Revere, of course, and the men who rowed him across the river…and Jamie, Robert Newman, and Dr. Church.”

  “Dr. Church!” she exclaimed.

  “Yes, why?”

  Sarah explained, “General Gates has ordered that Robert Newman be arrested, and has sent out soldiers to capture Mr. Revere for alerting all the towns last night.”

  Dr. Warren looked shocked. “What? How could he know?”

  “Someone has told him everything! Someone is telling him everything that the Sons are doing and who is involved! There’s a traitor in our midst, and I think I know who it is!”

  “Who?” Dr. Warren demanded.

  Sarah lowered her voice and her eyes grew wide as she said, “Dr. Church.”

  Dr. Warren’s forehead knuckled and he shook his head, “No, no, you’re mistaken!”

  “It has to be him! He knew about the lanterns and what Robert Newman was going to do!” she argued.

  “It can’t be him!” insisted Dr. Warren, “He’s been with us for years! If he had been divulging secrets to the British, we’d have known it long before now! He’s a good friend of mine. He’d never betray us!”

  “He’s the only one who could have told the general, other than yourself, sir! Think about it.”

  Dr. Warren stood in stubborn silence, his lips pressed together in frustration. Finally he shook his head, and demanded, “Have you told this to your father?”

  “Yes,” she nodded.

  “And what did he say?”

  She sighed, “Much the same as you, sir.”

  He nodded in satisfaction, “Well, I quite agree with him, and I suggest that you not speak of this to anyone else. I suggest you go home and forget all about this crazy idea.”

  Sarah sighed with frustration. Would anyone believe the truth? How could she make them understand?

  Dr. Warren opened the door of his office for her.

  “I’m sorry, but you must leave now. I have patients waiting and I need to be off to Concord as soon as I can to tend the wounded. If I see your father, I shall give him your message,” he said, ushering her to the door. Before she left he spoke in a serious tone.

  “And please do not tell anyone else what you told me. It could do great harm.”

  She nodded and mumbled, “Yes, sir.”

  The door closed behind her and she was left alone on the steps. As she headed back to the general’s house, her mind kept working on the problem. What would it take to convince them that Dr. Church was the traitor?

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 14: The Battle Fought

  When she reached the house, she saw Jamie talking to a tall, dark-skinned teen and he introduced her.

  Sarah said, “Jamie told me that you helped him yesterday. It was a brave thing you did, since you work for the general. Thanks.”

  Joshua looked around to make sure no one else was near by. He gave a shrug and smiled.

  “You’re welcome. You and I have become friends, haven’t we?”

  Jamie smiled, "Of course!”

  “Have you heard about what happened in Concord and Lexington this morning?” he asked them.

  “Only that there were shots fired and some soldiers were killed,” Jamie said.

  “Dr. Warren told me that most of those were British,” Sarah added.

  Josh nodded and lowered his voice, “There was a big fight all right, and it’s still going on. Word came back that there was a skirmish on Lexington Green. Shots were fired but nobody seems to know who fired first. Some of the rebels were killed and wounded, too.”

  Sarah gasped, “Oh no! My father’s there!”

  “How do you know all this?” asked Jamie.

  “Oh, I’ve got lots of friends who drive British officers and they hear everything. It’s been as busy as market day here this morning. Look! Here comes another!”

  A carriage pulled up and the driver brought the horses to a halt. A marine officer stepped out and hurried up the steps of the house. The driver pulled into the small lane to the carriage house.

  “Whoa!” he called, pulling the horses to a stop. The driver was a young black man. He hopped down lightly and sauntered over to the group.

  “Hello, Samuel,” Joshua greeted, “These are my friends, James and Sarah.”

  Everyone said hello and Samuel smiled smugly, asking,

  “Have you heard what’s happening? Everyone’s buzzing about the fighting going on out in Lexington.”

  “It’s still going on?” asked Joshua.

  Samuel nodded, “Yes, and the British are getting the worst of it. They’re trying to make their way back to Boston but the Minute Men are shooting them down like turkeys!”

  “What about Concord?” asked Sarah, “Has the fighting stopped there yet?”

  Samuel shrugged, “I don’t know, but the British are sending in reinforcements. I’d better turn the carriage around and be ready to leave as soon as the colonel comes out. He’s all in a rush today. I’ll see you later, Josh!”

  Joshua waved as Samuel started up the team of horses and turned the carriage around.

  The officer from the marines came hurrying down the steps and hopped up into the carriage, calling out his next destination. Samuel cracked the whip and the carriage darted off.

  Sarah said, “I think I’ll go back to the Reveres’ to find out if there’s been any news about father.”

  “I’ll see you at dinner this evening. And don’t worry. I’m sure your father’s all right.”

  With a feeling of anxiety, she headed back toward North Square, passing more British soldiers marching towards Boston Neck. She avoided them and wondered what had happened at Concord. What about Mr. Adams and Mr. Hancock? She didn’t know them as well as the others in the group because they had been busy and frequently away in Philadelphia on political business. But she knew they were both important men in the Sons of Liberty and had supported the idea of separating from Britain.

  She worried about Mr. Revere as well. He had seven children and a wife at home waiting for him. If anything happened to him, what would become of them? And if anything happened to her own father, what would become of her?
Would Jamie stay on the farm, or run off to join the militia?

  All these thoughts plagued her as she passed the brick buildings along Fish Street to North Square. As she came closer to the Square, she could hear church bells ringing in the distance, coming from every direction, as a call to arms for the colonists.

  When she arrived at the Reveres', everyone was doing chores, and Sarah went to help Mrs. Revere in the kitchen.

  “Have you heard any news from Concord?” asked Sarah.

  Mrs. Revere smiled weakly at her and shook her head. From the pain visible in her eyes, Sarah realized that she was also worried. Instinctively, Sarah reached out and touched her shoulder.

  “I know,” she said softly, “I’m worried, too.”

  “Oh, child!” Mrs. Revere sobbed, her voice breaking with sorrow. She opened her arms and hugged Sarah. Sarah felt the woman’s shoulders tremble and tears filled her own eyes.

  “We mustn’t lose faith, I know,” Mrs. Revere sniffed, “But not knowing if he’s dead or alive is a very hard thing!”

  “Yes,” Sarah said softly, hugging the woman, “I know. It’s very hard.”

  One of the youngest boys came running in.

  “Mama! There’s a man at the door, and he wants to talk to you!”

  Sarah and Rachel looked at one another, almost afraid of what news they would hear. Rachel and Sarah went to the door. A youth of fifteen or sixteen stood wearing mud-splattered clothes, and his shoes were soaked. His face was red and sweaty.

  “Mrs. Revere?” he asked breathlessly.

  “Yes?”

  “My name is Josiah Clarke. I’ve come with a message for you.”

  Rachel studied his face for some clue as to whether the news was good or bad. Finally, she said, “Please, come in. You look tired. Have you come far?”

  “All the way from Lexington, Ma’am.”

  He stepped into the house and was taken into the large room where there was a fireplace, a table and chairs. After he sat down, Rachel asked her daughter Frances to bring some cold cider. Everyone sat down, waiting for him to speak.

  “The message is from Mr. Revere, Ma’am. He says to tell you he is fine and doing fair. And to tell you that Mr. Harper is well, too.”

  Both Rachel and Sarah sighed in relief with tear-filled eyes. Rachel asked, “Did he say anything else?”

  “He is going to try to come home tomorrow night after dark.”

  “Can you tell us what happened? Were you there?” Sarah asked.

  The young man accepted a cup of cider from Frances and thanked her. He drank deeply and sighed with satisfaction.

  “I was at Concord this morning when the British arrived. Luckily, your husband had warned everyone that they were coming, even though he was stopped twice during the night by soldiers. They took his horse, but he got away and ran to Concord to warn Adams and Hancock. The British marched through Lexington, fighting the militia there, and then came on to Concord.

  “The whole town was ready. They’d hidden just about everything the day before. Paul and Mr. Harper helped Mr. Hancock move the trunk with the important papers onto a wagon, and he and Sam Adams left town with it. By that time we finished burying the cannon in a field, and most of our valuables was already hidden. A large group of militia came out to meet the British troops on the road from Lexington, with drums and fifes playing on both sides! When they got into town, the British was really hungry from marching all night, so they went into the taverns. Some big fat major ordered his men to find the weapons and blow up the North and South bridges. Then the British sat around drinkin’ and braggin’ about how they was going to stir up some Yankee blood. There was a skirmish at Concord Bridge, then the British came back into the Square to wait for reinforcements. The fat major demanded that we hand over our weapons, along with Sam Adams and John Hancock. Then all the bells in Middlesex was ringing, every town was spreading the news that the British had come out to fight, and hundreds of men came out from everywhere to help us. About noon, the major got tired of waitin’ for his reinforcements, so he marched his regulars out toward Lexington. That’s when they really got hit! You should’ve seen the rebels fight! They picked them Redcoats off like ducks on the fly!”

  “But what about the militia? Were any of them killed?”

  “In Lexington, about 8 men were killed and another 10 wounded before everybody ran into the woods for cover. Then they came to Concord and fought at the Bridges. But all the way back to Boston, we kept at ‘em and killed plenty. They’re just marchin’ in at the Neck now. I sneaked in by the river, but I saw them, and boy, they look beat!”

  “But Paul is all right? And Jonathan, too?” asked Rachel.

  “Yes, Ma’am. He’d a come home today if he could, but he can’t take the chance.”

  Rachel smiled, “Thank you, Josiah, for coming to tell us this good news!”

  “Will you be going back to Concord today?” asked Sarah.

  “Yes, Miss. My uncle will be needin’ me to work in the tavern while he’s fightin’ the British.”

  Rachel handed him some coins.

  “Here, take these. I am grateful for your words of hope. Please tell Paul that he is constantly in my prayers, and that I shall look forward to his return.”

  The youth held up a hand, “Oh, no, Ma’am, I don’t want to take your money! Not after what your husband did last night, ridin’ through all the towns and warnin’ everybody that the British was comin’. He’s a mighty brave man to do that! Besides, you may need that money. Well, I’d better get going. Thanks for the cider.”

  Frances appeared with a cloth bundle. She handed it to him, saying, “Here are some things to eat on the way in case you get hungry.”

  The youth smiled and accepted her gift. “Why, thank you, miss. That’s mighty thoughtful of you.”

  They escorted him to the door and as soon as the door was closed, Rachel sighed with relief, "Thank God they're all right!"

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 15: The War Begins

  Early Friday evening, just after dinner, there was a knock at the back door of the Revere’s house.

  “Open up, Rachel, it’s me!” a voice called.

  `”Paul!” she cried and pulled the door open. He stood there with a grin on his face, and was in the house in two strides, throwing his arms around her. The children all cheered and ran to greet their father. Jonathan came in behind him and Sarah hugged him gratefully. Jamie was glad to see them.

  They locked the back door and Paul asked, “Have the soldiers come here into the house looking for me?”

  “No,” Rachel shook her head, “But they’re outside watching the front of the house.”

  He nodded, “We saw them and slipped through the back garden.”

  “Sit down and have some dinner,” she told them, “We’ve just finished.”

  The two men flopped down into chairs at the table.

  “You look tired, sir,” Jamie remarked to Jonathan.

  Jonathan sighed with exhaustion. “Yes, we’ve come a long way.”

  Rachael busied herself fixing some dinner for the two men while everyone sat down at the table to hear the news. Paul and Jonathan told them all the details of the attacks by the British troops in Lexington and Concord, and their terrifying march back to Boston.

  “We must’ve killed scores of them,” Revere said.

  “How many were lost on our side?” asked Sarah.

  “No more than a hundred,” Jonathan said, “But that’s still too many.”

  “There’s going to be a meeting tomorrow morning at John Pulling’s boathouse. We’ll sleep here tonight, but we won’t be able to stay,” said Revere.

  “Where will you go?” asked Sarah.

  “We’re setting up a headquarters in Cambridge, just up the river.”

  Revere said to Rachel, “You and the children will be safe enough here. With all the fighting in Middlesex, you’re better off here for a while longer, and Paul Junior ca
n run the shop without me.”

  Paul junior nodded in agreement. He was often left in charge of the silversmith’s shop while his father was away on business.

  After their dinner, Sarah and Jamie told them of the events that had occurred since they left Boston, including those at the North Church. After an hour of conversation, he two exhausted men went upstairs to rest for the night. Jamie said goodnight and went out to the barn to sleep. He paused at the back corner of the house to look out into the street, and saw two Redcoats pacing back and forth, ready to capture Paul Revere.

  Everyone was assembled at the boathouse the following morning. Jonathan, Paul Revere, Sarah, Jamie, Dr. Warren, Mr. Holbrook, Dr. Church, Mr. Knox, and John Pulling sat around on wooden crates and casks. Jamie and Sarah noticed Dr. Church and nudged each other to keep an eye on him.

  Dr. Warren told everyone that the British had arrested Robert Newman. A shock went through Jamie as he recalled Robert leading him through the dark grave yard. Paul and Jonathan answered questions about the events at Concord and Lexington and what was now going on.

  “Regiments of militia are arriving from everywhere,” Paul told them, “Rhode Island, Connecticut, all over. They’re bringing wagon loads of supplies and even some gun powder, but there still won’t be enough.”

  “And we need more heavy artillery,” Mr. Knox added.

  “Have the Southern colonies been told?” asked Mr. Holbrook.

  Jonathan nodded, “Yes, as soon as the British retreated, we sent out a fast post rider, Israel Bissel. He’ll go straight through New York and Philadelphia to Charleston, letting everyone know and telling them to be ready to fight.”

  Dr. Church asked, “What about John Hancock and Sam Adams?”

  “They’re safe,” Revere replied.

  “And the trunk of those important papers they were guarding?” asked Dr. Church.

  “They’re safely on their way to Philadelphia with Adams and Hancock.”

  Dr. Church asked, “But what will happen if they encounter British troops on the way?”

  Jonathan spoke, “They’re accompanied by armed guards.”

  “By what route will they travel?” asked Church.

  Sarah and Jamie exchanged anxious looks at one another. They knew exactly why Dr. Church was asking these questions and feared what would happen to Adams and Hancock once the information was passed on to General Gage.