579 Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1860, BY CALEB STARK, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of New-Hampshire CONCORD, N. H.: PHENIX BLOCK, MAIN STREET. TO OUR READERS. MUCH of the information contained in this volume was obtained from individuals well acquainted with and even related to officers of the "Seven Years' War," and who afterward served with them in the war of the Revolution, to the principal events of which they were eye witnesses. Their narratives of what they had performed and seen have been familiar to us from childhood. While contemplating the character of the heroes of the Revolution, the scenes in which an important portion of their lives was engaged, and their entire devotion to the cause of their native land, the heart is chilled with the reflection that, of those war-worn veterans-the pioneers of American Independence-a few only now remain, tottering on the verge of the grave, to witness the result of their unparalleled sufferings and victorious toils. Although the ingratitute of the nation to which their valor gave birth, in neglecting to perform what had solemnly been promised to her officers and soldiers in the hour of that nation's direst peril, caused the suns of many of them to go down in clouds of misfortune, it is imperatively incumbent upon those of the present generation to bestow appropriate honors upon their memory. It is to be hoped that their posterity, cheered by the perusal of the annals of the past, and inspired with a due sense of gratitude for their national prosperity, will never become objects deserving the insulting taunt that the spirit of the Revolution, which, like an adamantine rock, withstood the angry billows that dashed against it, has become extinct, with the departure of the heroic souls it once animated. If, in this feeble attempt to throw light upon that desperate and long doubtful struggle, which, under Heaven's favor, founded this now potent nation, it shall be our fortune to rescue from oblivion traits of character and examples of devoted patriotism worthy of imitation, we shall consider our humble labors compensated. 271132 We acknowledge obligations to several gentlemen for information and documents furnished: among whom we name with pleasure, Colonel Henry Stevens, of Burlington, Vermont, President of the Historical and Antiquarian Societies of that State; Charles C. Sheafe, Esq., of Boston; I. S. Hunt, Esq., of Sudbury, Massachusetts; and William F. Goodwin, Esq., of Concord, New-Hampshire; to the authors of the Histories of Concord and Manchester; and J. D. Butler, Esq., author of the address before the Legislature of Vermont, October 20, 1848. Our production, such as it is, we offer to the consideration of the independent freemen of the United States, who will, we hope, receive it with candid indulgence, and cast the mantle of charity over its errors. A people who inherit the enviable privilege of occupying the vast domains of this mighty and only Republic on earth, will, we confidently trust, through future ages, continue to be, what their progenitors of the iron days of '76 were—the undaunted champions and guardians of Liberty. Firm as her hills, may freedom's spirit stand, Repelling despots from her heaven-blest land; And never be her glorious standard furled, Till the dread power who made, shall crush the world. Commission to John Stark.........111 To Hon. Matthew Thornton (Bat- President Weare to Gen. Stark...135 General Schuyler............115 President Hancock to Gen. Stark 139 Ira Allen to N. H. Committee of Resolve of Congress............ ...............118 From Gen. Gates........... Gen. Burgoyne's Proclamation....119 Gen. Schuyler's Proclamation.....119 From Colonel Seth Warner,......121 Hon. M. Weare to Ira Allen......123 Hon. M. Weare to Col. Folsom,..124 Gen. Schuyler to Gen. Lincoln....125 Orders to Captain Patrick.........142 Gen. Gates to Gen. Conway.......143 Gen. Gates to Gen. Stark...........144 James Deane to Gen. Schuyler...145 From Mayor of Albany............146 |
