yelled till he was breathless, urging on the dancers. This seemed to be the finishing touch. The orchestra and dancers seemed to vie with each other as to who should make the greater noise. Their yells were deafening, and, brandishing their knives and tomahawks, they sprang around with wonderful agility. Of course, this intense excitement could last but a short time; the voices of the musicians began to fail, and, finally, with one last grand effort, they all gave a terrible shout, and then all was silence. The dancers crawled back to their places around the inclosure, and sank exhausted on the grass. But soon some supple brave regained enough strength to rise. The musicians slowly recommenced, other dancers came forward, and the "mad dance" was again in full blast. And thus the revels went on, hour after hour, all night, and continued even through the following day. But there was a curious fascination about it, and, tired as we were after the long day, we stood there looking on hour after hour. Finally, after midnight had passed, we gathered our Indian purchases about us, including two beautiful ponies, and began our return trip toward the railroad and civilization. But the monotonous sound of the Indian drum followed us mile after mile over the prairie ; in fact, it followed us much better than my new spotted pony. My arm aches now, as I remember how that pony hung back. And my very heart rejoiced to hear "What a piece of good fortune it is, that they The little ones capered and laughed aloud. What money could buy such a suit as this? O happy winds that shall rock them soft O happy stars of the summer night, THE YOUNGEST SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION. By W. W. CRANNELL. IN the early part of the year 1777, the leaders of the Revolution found themselves faced by new and very perplexing embarrassments. It was reported that General Burgoyne had arrived at Quebec, purposing to advance from the North with a strong support; hearing which, General Schuyler, fearful that the enemy might capture Ticonderoga and then force their way to Albany, strenuously called for reënforcements and supplies. It was also reported that the British were active in and around New York, having received large reenforcements composed partly of German mercenaries. Early in June, Sir William Howe left his head-quarters in New York, crossed the river into New Jersey, and established himself at New Brunswick. In the Continental Army, the terms of service of many of the men who had enlisted for a year or less were expiring; and they, anxious to be released from the severe duties of soldier-life, were returning to their homes. Men were wanted to fill up the ranks thus depleted, and the several States were urged to furnish the recruits. General Knox wrote, "Nothing but the united efforts of every State in America can save us from disgrace and probably from ruin.” To this appeal no State responded more readily than Connecticut; and when the great struggle was over, Washington wrote, “If all the States had done their duty as well as the little State of Connecticut, the war would have been ended long ago." It was during these disheartening times, or, to be exact, on the twentieth day of June, 1777, that Richard Lord Jones, a boy who had but just passed his tenth birthday, fired by the same spirit of patriotism that animated the breasts of the lusty farmers of that day, offered himself as a volunteer to serve in the ranks for his oppressed country. fifteenth day of May, 1767. He enlisted at Hartford, for the term of three years, in Captain James Watson's company of the Third Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Colonel Samuel B. Webb, the father of the venerable General James Watson Webb, and was the youngest enlisted person on the pay-roll of the Army of the Revolution. He was immediately placed under the charge of Bandmaster Ballentine, and instructed to play the fife. In a short time, he showed so much proficiency that he was deemed one of the best fifers in the regiment. About two months after Richard's enlistment, he was sent to the regiment, at White Plains. After remaining there a short time he, with the regiment, went on up the Hudson to Peekskill, the headquarters of General Putnam, whose command embraced the fortified posts in the Highlands on both sides of the river. On the sixth day of October, 1777, Forts Clinton and Montgomery, situated on the west side of the river, were captured by the enemy under Sir Henry Clinton. Putnam with his troops on the east side, unable to render timely assistance, after being under arms all night, started early in the morning and retreated up the Hudson, our young soldier breakfasting, before the start, on a hard biscuit and a slice of raw pork. When opposite New Windsor, Putnam detached one division of his forces under Governor George Clinton, which crossed the river; while he, with the other, continued up the east side to protect the country from the ravages of the enemy, who had removed the obstructions in the Hudson and were on their way up the river. Dick, as he was familiarly called, went with the troops under Governor Clinton, who continued the march until within sight of Kingston, which was found in flames, having been fired by the enemy under General Vaughn, who Richard was born at Colchester, Conn., on the had preceded Clinton by a few hours. During a halt on the way, the arrest of the British spy, Daniel Taylor, was made. From Dick's statement it appears that Sergeant Williams, of Colonel Webb's regiment, and another soldier, strolled away from the camp a short distance, and fell in with two men, one of whom questioned the sergeant as to who was in command. Upon the sergeant's answering "Clinton," the stranger said that he would like to see him; whereupon Williams conducted him to Governor Clinton's quarters. On being presented to the Governor, the stranger appeared confused, and said that this was not the man he wished to see. He then swallowed hastily something which he put into his mouth. This act immediately excited the suspicions of the Governor, who called for a physician and had an emetic administered which brought forth a small silver bullet. Upon its being opened, a note was revealed intended for the British general, Burgoyne, and written by Sir Henry Clinton. It contained the information that "nothing but Gates was between them." (General Gates was then in command of the American forces farther up the Hudson). The man who was captured supposed that he was in the British camp, as Colonel Webb's regiment wore a uniform similar to that worn by the British army; and he was also deceived by hearing the name Clinton," believing it to be Sir Henry, Commander of the British forces, instead of Governor George Clinton, who was in command of the Americans. Taylor was condemned as a spy and executed. 66 At Hurley, a small village west of Kingston, the regiment remained about two weeks. There the news was received of the surrender of General Burgoyne to General Gates, and also of the retreat of the British on the Hudson to New York. The regiment was then ordered to Norwalk, Conn., and was soon after engaged in an enterprise, planned by General Putnam, having in view the destruction of a large quantity of lumber on the east end of Long Island, which was being prepared by the enemy for their barracks in New York. General Samuel M. Parsons was entrusted with the execution of the enterprise, aided by Colonel Webb, who was to land near Huntington. Parsons succeeded in destroying the lumber and one of the enemy's vessels, and returned safely with his entire party unhurt and twenty of the enemy prisoners; but Colonel Webb was not so fortunate, he having encountered in his passage the British sloop of war Falcon." Being in a common transport without guns, he could not offer battle or attempt a defense; so he was obliged to steer for a creek on Long Island. He reached it, but missing the channel, the vessel struck on a bar at its mouth. Colonel Webb and the captain of the vessel then 66 took to the small boat on the windward side, and Dick was called for by the colonel, with whom he was a great favorite; but a stout soldier had already taken him in his arms and was clambering over the side of the sloop, when the small boat upset. The surf was running high, but Colonel Webb caught a rope on the lee side, and regained a footing on board the vessel again. The captain swam the creek and was rescued by some people on shore. In the meantime the "Falcon" had anchored and begun firing, and as there was no chance to escape, the colors were struck and the enemy took possession. When the tide permitted, the sloop was floated off and taken to Newport, R. I., with the colonel, four officers, twenty privates of his regiment, and forty militia, all picked men. Upon the arrival of the prisoners at Newport, they were taken before a British officer for examination. The colonel being called forward was followed by Dick, who was anxious to learn what his own fate was to be. The British officer noticing the little fellow at the heels of his colonel, sternly inquired: "Who are you?” "Can you fight one of King George's men?" "Yes, sir," answered Dick promptly, and then added, after a little hesitation, "if he is not much bigger than I." The officer called forward the boatswain's boy, who had been curiously looking on; then turning to the young continental, asked: "Dare you fight him?" Dick gave the Briton, who was considerably larger than he, a hasty survey, and then answered: "Yes, sir." "Then strip," said the officer, and turning to the British lad, "strip, and do battle for King George." Both boys divested themselves of all superfluous clothing as rapidly as possible, and went to work at once, and in dire earnest. It was a "rough and tumble" fight; first one was on top and then the other, cheered in turn by cries of, “Give it to him, King Hancock!" and "Hurrah for King George!" It was a memorable encounter for both contestants, but at last the courageous little rebel got the better of his adversary. The young Briton shouted "enough," and was rescued from the embrace of his furious antagonist. With a generosity natural to great minds, but seldom displayed during the War of Independence, The regiment wintered that year at Warren, in the vicinity of Newport. In the spring of 1779, the regiment was inspected by Baron Steuben. During this period the men were mustered every morning for exercise. As Dick was sometimes late on parade, the fife-major threatened to send a file of men for him on the next occasion of his tardiness; and one morning, in accordance with this threat, a corporal with a file of men escorted him to the parade, amidst the merriment of the soldiers, who hugely enjoyed seeing three men escort the little lad to the parade ground. At Warren the regiment remained until the British evacuated Rhode Island, on the twenty-fifth day of October, 1779, when it was marched to the island by way of Bristol. About two weeks were spent at Newport, when it was ordered westward. Passing through. Greenwich, Hartford, and New Haven, it crossed the Hudson River at Dobb's Ferry, and brought up on the heights of Morristown, N. J., the headquarters of General WashingThe entire march of about two hundred miles, over rough and frozen ground, was made by Dick with bare feet. Soon after reaching Morristown, the regiment commenced building huts, which were first occupied on the twelfth day of January, 1780. FACE OF BILL PRESENTED BY MRS. MARTHA WASHINGTON TO RICHARD LORD JONES, MAY, 1780. at his father's house in Hartford. After remaining at home a short time, he rejoined his regiment at West Point, which, owing to the loss of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, the military authorities had decided to fortify. Huts were built in the upper edge of the bank, just below the point, and here the winter of 1777 was passed. Early in the spring of 1778, the regiment, under Kosciusko, built Fort Webb, which formed a portion of the works at that stronghold. A chain was stretched across the river above the point, and a battery built at each end, while Fort Clinton, situated on the point, commanded the river. In the early summer, the regiment was sent to Providence, and thence to Tiverton, where it remained for a short time. General Sullivan was in command of the troops in Rhode Island at this time, and our young hero was in all the engagements on the island that had in view the recapture of Newport, and which were unsuccessful in consequence of the failure of the French fleet under Count D'Estaing to coöperate with the continental forces. ton. The winter at Morristown was one of unusual severity, and aggravated the sufferings of the army, which, for want of clothing and the necessities of life, endured as much distress as was experienced the previous winter at Valley Forge. For days the army was without meat, and for weeks it subsisted on half rations. In January, Washington wrote: "For a fortnight past the troops, both officers and men, have been almost famishing." But with spring came encouragement and hope; for Lafayette had returned from France with promises of renewed support. A review by General Washington and his staff being anticipated, the officers of Colonel Webb's regiment cut up their shirts into pieces the size of a collar, and gave one piece to each soldier. At that time, not a private soldier in the regiment had a shirt to his back. The men made an appearance on that occasion that was both ludicrous and pathetic, but they accepted with a proper pride the enthusiastic and appropriate comments on their display of shirt collars. |