FAMOUS FORTS UJ U. 3. HISTORY.
(In The’ Uatibnai Republican) Ry Elmo Scott .Watson
It Fired the First Gun in 'the Revolution. Contrary to popular
opinion, the opening gun of the Revolution was not fired at Lexington
Mass., on April 19th. ,1775. That honor really belongs to Portsmout ■.
1T.H. , where the first overt act in the war for independence took pie ^
December 14th., 1774.
On December 13th,, 1774, Paul Revere, as yet unknown to fame hut
already acting as messenger in the cause of American liberty, rode
posthaste into Portsmouth to warn the local committee of public safe- *
ty that General Gage was planning to reinforce Fort William and ikary . ^
an ancient Fortress of stone in-Portsmouth harbor.
Governor John Wentworth heard of Revere 's arrival and • sent word -
Captain John Cochran, commander of the little garrison of five sold
iers, to be on guard arainst an attempt by the colonists to seize the
munitions in- the fort. Accordingly Cochran mounted three four-pounde
on the walls of the fort- where an attack would most likely come and
ordered a sharp watch kept, that night.
About four o’clock the next morning, a party of 400 citizens, led
py John .Langaon, later a governor or ^ew nampsnxre, ana jom oumvaa,
destinined for fame as the conqueror of the Iriquois confederacy dur
ing 'the Revolution, approached the fort in coats.. Cochran immediate
ly opened fire, but took care to shoot over the heads of the mob, for
he realized what his fate would be i f he killed any of them.
Undaunted by the firing, the colonists swarmed into the fort,
took Cochran and his men prisoners, but released them after they had
carried away 100 barrels of gun powder (some of which, incidentally,
was”returned” to the British from the flaming mouths of patriotic
muskets on Bunker hill a little later)- and other supplies.
Although Governor Wentworth issued a proclamation calling for th.
arrest of these”traitors” to his Majesty, nothing was ever done about
it, and in June, 1775, after his efforts to enlist more men to defend
the fort had failed,he moved to Fort William and Mary with his family
to hold it for King George, By August the situation had become so
threatening that Wentworth was glad to make his escape on a British
warship and immediately after his departure the Americans demolished
the fortress. . Years later another fort was built on this historic .
spojr and it was appropriately named Fort Constitution, a fit success
or to the British For.t William and Mary, where the opening gun of th*
Revolution was fired, c -
CAP TAUT C. W. STIDHAM RETURNS.
Captain C. W. Stidham, faster of the U.S.H.B. James E. Fornance
who has been on a four month’s leave of absence in the states has
returned to his duties. The Captain reports there is no place like '
Alaska and he is glad to &et "back, captain Stidham left Mrs Stidh?v
in Seattle that the hoys might attend school. All his friends alnn*
Lynn Canal welcome the Old Sourdough back again. along
Captain 0. A, Rasmussen who was in charge "of the Fornance during
Captain Stidham’s absence made many warm friends in this vicinitv
who wish him success wherever he may he stationed. ^
(
the
In the
people
CHURCH NOTICE,
absence of the Minister'who is spending the week end with
of Kluckwan, Mrs R. J. Shepard will have charge of the Sun
day Evening Service in the Presbyterian- church. The children of
Haines House will he present and furnish special music If vou haw
never heard the children sing come and enjoy the treat*Sundav EvorHn■■
Sunday School at 1 P.K. Evening service at 7t30 c
- E.3.Bromley, Minister*