The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution

by L. Carroll Judson

BROWN MOSES was welcomed to earth in 1741 at some place in New England—of the precise location we have no record. He was a bold mariner—never liked old England—became an active patriot—commanded several privateers with great success and did good service for his country until he saw her free and independent with the white, red and blue floating in the breeze of Liberty. He lived respected and died regretted in 1803.

BROWN ROBERT was born in Northampton County, Pa. in 1745. He was among the first officers who entered the field against the invading foe and was taken prisoner at the unfortunate affair on Long Island. Being a man of fine sense, pleasing manners and good address, he was not closely confined and was permitted to work at his trade of blacksmith and distributed his earnings among the destitute prisoners. He was subsequently raised to the rank of brigadier-general of militia in his native State—filled many civil stations—was member of Congress for sixteen years—voted for the war in 1812—lived to see mother Britain flogged a second time—spent his last years in the full sunshine of quiescent peace—died at Allentown, Pa. in 1823 most deeply mourned by those who knew him best.

BRYAN GEORGE was a native of Ireland—when he came into the world and made his final exit the record saith not. He came to Philadelphia soon after he reached his majority and became a wholesale merchant and highly respected citizen. He had imbibed no love for England during his youth—in manhood he sternly opposed her innovations upon the chartered rights of his adopted country. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1775. He was subsequently made Vice President of Pennsylvania and in 1778 filled the presidential chair of that State. He adorned every station he occupied with becoming dignity and usefulness. He was a Christian, gentleman and scholar.

BURD BENJAMIN was born at Fort Littleton, Bedford County, Pa. in 1755 and was made a lieutenant in Col. Thompson's regiment of riflemen at the age of twenty. He was in several fights near Boston in 1775. He was at the disastrous battle of Long Island and behaved with great gallantry. In 1777 he was commissioned captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment—was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and in every instance stood highly approved by his superior officers. At Germantown he acted as major. In 1779 he was with the detachment that dispersed the Indians up the Hudson and burnt their towns. After the war he located at Fort Littleton—subsequently removed to Bedford where he lived highly esteemed for his past noble services, uniform virtue and correctness in the discharge of all the duties of a life well spent. He died at Bedford on the 5th of October, 1823.

BURR AARON commenced his remarkable life in Newark, N.J. in 1756. As manhood dawned upon him his genius rose in all the brightness of the sun on a cloudless morning. He was hailed as a brilliant luminary to light up the pathway to the goal of Liberty. He was a powerful advocate in the cause of freedom and exemplified his precepts by feats of noble daring in the battle field. He was aid to the brave Putnam and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. At the close of the Revolution he stood on a lofty eminence and commanded the admiration of the populace. His towering genius was fast ascending to high meridian in refulgent glory. He was elected to the United States Senate where his giant intellect became more conspicuous—his thirst for power more prominent. He was next elected Vice President and made a desperate attempt to supplant Thomas Jefferson as President. He made an unsuccessful Cataline grasp at the presidential chair which blotted out his political sun for ever. Alexander Hamilton made some prophetic remarks upon the prospective danger shadowed by his reaching demonstrations and ulterior designs. He planned and consummated the death of that illustrious statesman. The commingled clouds of wild ambition, consuming malice and fell revenge eclipsed the sunbeams of his genius. A blacker cloud spread its ebony mantle over these. The charge of TREASON veiled the bright morning of Aaron Burr in darkness impenetrable and paralyzed his day-spring of usefulness. His great legal and consummate shrewdness saved him from its technicality—not from the burning curse of a nation of freemen. To render this darkness more visible he was the Promethean vulture that devoured blooming innocence—the blighting sirocco that withered the bowers of domestic felicity. Like an isolated majestic oak with its green foliage seared by lightning fire—he stood alone for nearly half a century exposed to the scorching heat of bitter scorn—the chilling blasts of cold neglect—a fearful warning to those who wander from the path of wisdom—the only path of safety. He died on Staten I. 14th. Sept. 1836.

BUTLER RICHARD is first introduced by the record as a brave lieutenant-colonel in Morgan's rifle corps. For his correct deportment at all times and noble daring on various occasions at the south under La Fayette, he was raised lo the rank of colonel. He was next in command under Gen. St. Clair in his unfortunate expedition against the western Indians in 1791. At the sanguinary and disastrous battle of the 4th of November of that year Col. Butler commanded the right wing of the army with the rank of general and repeatedly led his men to the charge and for a time seemed certain of victory. Bleeding from several wounds he retired for surgical aid and in a few moments was rushed upon by an Indian warrior who gave him a mortal wound with his tomahawk. He immediately killed the savage with his pistol—they slumbered in death together.

BUTLER THOMAS was introduced into the great family of man in 1754. He was brother to Col. Richard Butler just mentioned. There were five brothers engaged in the Continental army. They appear to have been natives of Pennsylvania. Thomas was a law student under James Wilson of Philadelphia at the commencement of the Revolution. In 1776 he exchanged the law office for the camp and proved a brave and efficient officer. He had command of a company to the close of the Revolution and was in nearly every severe battle in the middle States. At Brandywine he received the thanks of Gen. Washington on the field of battle through his aid Gen. Hamilton, for rallying a detachment of flying troops and giving the enemy a severe check. At the battle of Monmouth he received the thanks of Gen. Wayne for defending a defile while Col. Richard Butler removed his regiment from a perilous position. He had command of a battalion under Gen. St. Clair on the memorable 4th of Nov. 1791 and behaved with great coolness and intrepidity. Mounted on his horse he led his men to the charge after his leg was broken by a ball. His surviving brother—Capt. Edward Butler, had great difficulty in bringing him from the field. In 1794 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and put in command of the 4th sub legion. He commanded at Pittsburgh and by his undaunted courage more than by the numerical force of his troops he prevented the whisky insurgents from taking possession of the garrison. He was continued on the peace establishment—made several treaties with the Indians—was persecuted by jealous enemies—charged with misconduct—tried by a court martial—honorably acquitted and died the 7th of September 1805.

CADWALADER THOMAS was ushered into this world in 1743 in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. At the commencement of the struggle for Liberty he was in the front rank of the brave revolutionary generals and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the illustrious Washington. At the beginning of the war he commanded a corps called the "Silk Stocking Company"—rather a problematical name for patriot soldiers as they were—for so perfect was this corps in military tactics that nearly all of its members were made commissioned officers. He was soon made a brigadier-general and put in command of the Pennsylvania troops. During 1776-7 he was constantly on duty—participated in the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth—displaying great courage, skill and prudence on each occasion. He loved Washington better than his own life. When Gen. Conway slandered the commander-in-chief he was at once challenged by Gen. Cadwalader and was dangerously wounded. Supposing he might not survive, he wrote to Washington acknowledging he had done him great injustice. Gen. Cadwalader was an ornament to the age in which he lived. In him the soldier, statesman, gentleman and scholar were all harmoniously blended. In public and private life he filled up the measure of a good man and crowned the design of his creation with an imperishable fame. His career was a continued round of usefulness.

CASWELL RICHARD is first introduced by the record in the capacity of Governor of North Carolina previous to the Revolution. He was an esteemed member of the Bar and remarkable for his kindness to the poor. He was a staunch whig and member of the first general Congress in 1774. In 1776 he commanded a regiment and proved himself a brave and skilful officer. With 1000 minute men he engaged Gen. McDonald with a force of 1500—killed and wounded 70 of his men—took him prisoner with 1500 rifles. This victory gave a fresh impetus to the glorious cause of Independence in North Carolina. This bold patriot ultimately reached the rank of major-general of militia. He was President of the Convention that framed the first Constitution of his State and governor for four years under that Constitution. He was President of the Senate at the time of his death. His life was nobly spent, his usefulness extensive, his reputation unsullied, his death deeply lamented. We died at Fayetteville, N. C. on the 20th of November 1789.

CHAMPE JOHN was introduced on this whirling planet in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1752. He was naturally a soldier. In 1776 he was appointed sergeant-major of Lee's legion of cavalry and gained a high reputation for bravery and noble daring. He was engaged in the hazardous enterprise of apparently deserting to the enemy at N. York for the purpose of capturing and returning Arnold to the American camp that the life of Andre might be saved. Arnold changed his quarters on the very evening fixed for his abduction and thus saved himself and sacrificed one of the brightest ornaments of the British army. Had Sir Henry Clinton complied with the request of Washington and exchanged Arnold for Andre, justice would have been vindicated—humanity honored and England relieved from supporting a base traitor and his present descendants. Champe went south with the enemy—returned to his corps the first opportunity and met with a warm reception from his old companions. Washington rewarded him liberally and discharged him from the service for fear he might fall into the hands of the British and be treated with a halter. He removed to Kentucky where he died in 1797.