The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution

by L. Carroll Judson

SULLIVAN JAMES was born at Berwick, Me. in 1744. He became a bright ornament of the bar and an able advocate of the cause of freedom. He was an active member of the legislature—of the Provincial Congress and of the Continental Congress. He was a judge of Probate and in 1790 was appointed attorney-general of his State. In 1807-8 he was elected governor of Massachusetts and died in December 1808. He was an admirable model of human excellence, adorned those qualities that dignify a man and crowned his life with the lucid exemplification of primitive Christianity.

STEVENS EDWARD commenced his earthly career in Culpepper County, Va. and his bold military achievements at the battle of the Great Bridge near Norfolk, Va. where he commanded the rifle battalion with a bravery and skill that elicited general commendation. Soon after that he was placed in command of the 10th Virginia regiment and repaired to the headquarters of Washington. At the battle of Brandywine his skill and courage in covering the retreat of the Americans astonished friends and foes and saved the army from capture. At the action of Germantown his gallantry was publicly applauded by Washington upon the field of glory. He was subsequently placed in command of the Virginia Brigade and fought with great bravery at Camden under Gates, at Guilford Court House under Greene and at the siege of Yorktown under Washington. From the formation of the republican Constitution of Virginia to 1790 he was constantly a member of her legislature. He was a man of untarnished reputation, substantial talent and usefulness. His patriotism soared above all party considerations—he could not be swayed by demagogues. He went for his whole country—the Constitution and our UNION for ever. He looked upon the Federal Constitution as the Jews did upon their ark—the repository of the safeguards and glory of our Republic. He closed his useful life at his residence in Culpepper, Va. on the 17th day of August 1820—ripe in years and full of honors.

THOMAS JOHN was reared in Kingston, Mass. He was a brave officer in the service of England during the French war. He was one of the first who rushed to the battle field in 1775. At the siege of Boston—on the heights of Dorchester—in every place where duty called him he acted a bold and noble part. He was soon raised to the rank of brigadier-general and ordered to Canada to take command of the troops who had survived the fatigues of the campaign under Arnold and Montgomery where he fell a victim to the small pox. His great experience, ardent patriotism, known courage, untarnished character—all combined to render his loss a great misfortune to his country and his friends.

THOMAS THOMAS was born in the State of New York in 1745. He was among the first and most devoted patriots. He was a brigadier-general and commanded a body of troops in 1776 at the battle of Harlaem Heights and White Plains. In the autumn of that year the British burnt his house and carried his aged father to New York where their proverbial inhumanity soon produced his death. Gen. Thomas was a severe scourge to the enemy—ever on the alert—energetic, bold and shrewd. He was subsequently taken prisoner, stripped of his regimentals and hat and marched through the streets of New York in the most disgraceful manner. He was at length placed on parole and permitted the limits of Brooklyn. After he was exchanged he sought every opportunity to make up lost time until the foe was driven beyond the great heron pond. He then removed to the town of Harrison, Westchester County, New York where he lived respected and died deeply regretted in July 1824. He was several times a member of the legislature of his State.

TRUXTON THOMAS took his station on this rolling planet at Rhode Island in 1755. He was delighted with old Ocean from his boyhood and became an expert mariner at an early age. He loved Liberty and was willing to pay its price without discount. He was placed in command of an armed vessel in 1775 and continued capturing prizes during the whole period of the Revolution without a single reverse of fortune. He made constant inroads on the commerce of Great Britain and was too wary a fox to be trapped, cornered or run down by the celebrated British sportsman of the seas. In 1794 he was put in command of the frigate Constitution. In 1799 the French government became ripe for naval exercise and quite belligerent in its manners. The frigate L'Insurgent made battle with Commodore Truxton and after a brief action surrendered. The French ship of war La Vengeance then met the Constitution and after passing the very significant salutes usual at hostile meetings surrendered at discretion to Com. Truxton. On his return to the United States he retired to Philadelphia where he lived in the esteem of our nation and his friends until 1822 when his cable of life was cut and his soul launched on the ocean of eternity.

WADSWORTH JEREMIAH was a native of Connecticut and early in the field to do battle for his loved—his injured country. He rose to the rank of general and was remarkable for great energy, undaunted courage, ardent patriotism and untiring industry. He was a member of Congress for some time. In public and private life he adorned the virtues that ever dignify the man and passed from the stage of life peacefully in 1804.

WARD ARTEMUS was born in New England in 1727. He was a man of fine parts, strong common sense, thorough education, a zealous patriot. He was the first major-general commissioned by the Continental Congress, his commission bearing date the 7th of June 1775. At the siege of Boston he commanded the right wing of the army resting on Roxbury. His feeble constitution induced him to resign the ensuing April. In a legislative capacity he continued to serve his country faithfully. He was repeatedly a member of the old and new Congress. A more incorruptible man never came from the clean hands of the Creator. He patiently endured a lingering illness for years and was relieved from the toils and pains of earth on the 28th of October 1800.

WARD HENRY was a valued citizen of Rhode Island and stood in the front rank of her noble and daring patriots. He did good service in the tented field—was Secretary of his state—filled up his measure of usefulness and called his friends to mourn over his final exit and perform the last rites of sepulture in 1797.

WASHINGTON WILLIAM was a native of Stafford County, Va. He was a distant relative of George Washington and among the first of the chivalric sons of the Old Dominion to respond to the thrilling war cry—Liberty or death. He commenced his military career in command of a company of infantry in the 3d regiment of the Virginia line commanded by Col. Mercer. Captain Washington first distinguished himself for undaunted courage at York Island and in New Jersey. When Gen. Washington attacked Col. Ralle in command of the Hessians at Trenton, Capt. Washington led the advance of one of the columns. He received a musket ball through one of his hands which was not mentioned by him until after the enemy had surrendered. Soon after the brilliant affair at Trenton and Princeton he was transferred to Col. Baylor's regiment of cavalry with the rank of major and proceeded to Virginia with the regiment to increase its strength with fresh recruits. In 1775 this regiment was surprised by a superior force under Maj. Gen. Grey and nearly annihilated. Major Washington escaped and was then put in command of the consolidated remnants of the cavalry regiments of Cols. Baylor, Bland and Maylan and ordered to report himself to Gen. Lincoln in South Carolina. He was in constant service from the time of his arrival. His corps suffered at the battle of Monk's Corner and at Leneau's Ferry. He then proceeded with Col. White to North Carolina for the purpose of raising recruits. This laudable project was not approved by Gen. Gates for reasons not explained which formed a link in his chain of disasters. Col. Washington proceeded to replenish his regiment and resumed field service under Gen. Morgan. At Cowpens, Hobbick's Hill, Eutaw, Guilford Court House—Col. Washington gained increasing epic laurels for himself and Spartan corps. At the battle of Eutaw he was unfortunately taken prisoner and not exchanged until after the surrender of Yorktown. In 1782 he led the amiable and accomplished Miss Elliott to the hymeneal altar and located at the ancestral seat of his wife at Sandy Hill in South Carolina. He there enjoyed life with his family and friends in the happy way that Virginians well understand and fully exemplify. A braver soldier, a more noble and generous man than Col. Washington did not exist in the human family. He made his final exit in 1810.

WINDER LEWIS was a resident of Maryland and a brave soldier of the Revolution. In the struggle for Independence the best men were not office seekers but sought the good and glory of their country. Many soldiers in the ranks were men of strong intellect and substantial education. So with this veteran. After the close of the war toils he filled various public stations and became governor of his state. He enjoyed the esteem of his country and friends until 1819 when he slumbered in death.