Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply.
Chapter 21
"Thank you for your swift delivery of Mr. Dawes' message," Washington replied. "Rest yourself and your horse."
The man saluted Washington and left. Washington turned to Pitcairn. "Are the new men ready for a long march, Major? The sooner we get to New York, the sooner we can fortify it against a British invasion."
Pitcairn nodded. "They are, Sir. We are going to have to march far into the early hours of the morning to get to New York as quickly as you desire."
"Yes, we will. I will need you and Captain Whiting to strike camp and get the men ready to march. We will start our march to New York as soon as the sun sets. Also please send Mr. Revere to me. I believe I'll leave the false cannons we improvised from logs on Dorchester Heights in case General Howe has any ideas about retaking Boston once we're gone."
"What I know of General Howe is that he is cautious and he will not want to take the chance of his ships being fired on again," Pitcairn replied. He saluted Washington, picked up his hat and left. He rode the four miles to camp, found Kelly and Amos and ordered them to start striking camp then found Paul and sent him to Washington. He and Captain Whiting gathered the men. "Tonight we will begin our march to the Hudson River where we will be met by ships to take us across the river to New York. This will mean marching late into the night at times, but if we get to New York and fortify it before the British arrive it will be to our advantage."
Pitcairn dismissed the men so they could get their gear in order in preparation for the march. He looked up towards the camp and saw that Kelly, Amos, and others were already making good progress on getting the tents down and loading them into wagons. He rode the four miles back to Boston, stopping at the Granville Mansion first. When the servant opened the door he said, "Major John Pitcairn to see Mrs. Worthington." He was asked to wait while the servant went to summon Hope.
"John, what a nice surprise," Hope said coming into the entrance. "What brings you here?"
"I have come to say goodbye as we are leaving Boston and I do not know when I will return."
Hope's sunny expression definitely crumpled at the news. "I am sorry to hear it. I will miss seeing you and your son at services on Sundays. Is there an address where I can write you or possibly you can write me?"
"It will probably be easier for me to write to you," Pitcairn said.
"Please do so. I shall look forward to hearing from you. Charlotte will miss you too. She talks about you constantly."
"I will miss her too. Please tell her goodbye for me."
"I can do better than that if you can wait for a moment," she replied and went back through the double doors from which she had arrived. A few minutes later she came back with Charlotte.
Pitcairn knelt down on one knee so he was almost level with Charlotte. "I have come to say goodbye to your mother and you, Miss Charlotte. My duty as a soldier calls me away from Boston and I do not know when I shall be back."
Charlotte stuck her finger in her mouth, her bottom lip trembling and tears in her eyes. "Can I hug you?" She asked plaintively.
"I shall be very disappointed if you do not," Pitcairn replied opening his arms.
Charlotte gave him a tight hug sniffling. Pitcairn patted her on her back gently. "I shall see you both whenever I come back to Boston," he said straightening up again.
Godspeed," Hope said.
They waved as he left, walking down the driveway and going through the gate. He made sure the gate was securely shut and mounted Regina. He rode to Christ Church and said a brief goodbye to Reverend Byles then returned to the Shaw house. Oliver was just returning from his lesson with Joseph. "Oliver, you need to pack your trunk as Sergeant Kelly and Sergeant Garrigan will be here shortly to pick them up."
"Yes, I know. Mr. Revere stopped by to tell Joseph we're leaving after sundown. Do we have time to ride over to the Adams house so we can say goodbye to them?"
"I do not know, but I hope so," Pitcairn said. He followed Oliver upstairs where he made sure everything was in his trunk that he would need especially his books.
The problem of saying goodbye to Abigail and her children was solved while they were loading their trunks into the wagon Kelly and Amos had driven over that was filled with trunks and supplies of every sort.
Abigail drove the family's wagon up with the children in the back. "Paul stopped by on his way to Philadelphia to see if I had a letter for John and told us you were leaving at sundown."
"Yes, it is imperative that we get to New York before the British do," Pitcairn replied. He picked up Thomas who was standing up in the wagon. Like Charlotte, his bottom lip was quivering. He did not want his major to leave. "Why?" He asked.
"It is because we do not want the British to take New York away from us as it would not be good for Boston," Pitcairn explained. "But if you were to give me a hug it would make my leaving easier." It had worked with Charlotte and perhaps it would work with Thomas also.
Thomas nodded and gave him a big hug, holding on to him tightly. Pitcairn patted him on the back gently as he had Charlotte then set him down again. "Now remember even while I am away, Mr. Beery is still under my command and cannot leave the barracks without my permission."
Thomas giggled. "He don't like that."
Nabby and Oliver were holding hands and talking. "If I can find a way to write to you; I will," Oliver promised.
"If you do, I will write back," she replied.
"Come along children," Abigail called. She turned to Pitcairn and said, "Please take care of yourself and Oliver, John. Godspeed."
"Thank you, Abigail. Please look after yourself and your children. We will see you whenever we are in Boston again."
"Well just make sure it isn't because you were wounded again John," Abigail replied as she got her children back into the wagon and was helped up into the front seat by Pitcairn.
"I will take every precaution so that is not so," Pitcairn promised. He put his arm around Oliver's shoulder and they both waved as the Adams' wagon pulled away.
Mr. Shaw was also overcome by their leaving that evening. "I do not know where this war will take us, but whenever we are able we will come back to Boston, we shall," Pitcairn promised.
"Well, Major, I will always have rooms available for you and your son," he promised. "Please write me so I know you are both well and I will pray for you every night."
"Thank you, Mr. Shaw. You have been very good to me every since I was first billeted with you and I appreciate it."
"Thanks for the nice suit you made me for my baptism and everything else you've done for my father and me," Oliver said.
"Godspeed," Mr. Shaw said as they turned their horses.
"And you also," Pitcairn called back.
They rode side-by-side in the fading light. By the time they got to their former camp, Captain Whiting had the men in formation and ready to march and a long line of supply wagons driven by Kelly, Amos, and others waited behind them. Margaret and her maid, Addie rode on the supply wagons. Following last was the newly formed cannon brigade with the captured cannons. Henry Knox who Washington had promoted to Major General was riding at the back with them. Washington was waiting on Nelson.
Pitcairn rode up and took his place beside him. They waited until it was fully dark before they started out. "Shoulder arms!" Pitcairn shouted. "Left turn! Forward march!"
Oliver rode beside Joseph and Captain Whiting. He was kind of worried about his father riding out in front like he was, but he knew he had always ridden in front of his men in the Marines rather than behind them as a lot of commanders did.
Pitcairn occasionally dropped back to check on his son, his men, the supply wagons, and the cannon brigade to make sure there were no problems with any of them.
They marched until the early hours of the morning then made camp and everybody slept as they were really tired.
They waited until after sunset to continue their march. Pitcairn dropped back to ride beside his son. "You don't think the British will invade Boston again now that we've left, do you?" Oliver asked.
"No. I believe the false cannons that General Washington has left on Dorchester Heights will dissuade General Howe."
"Good," Oliver said. He would be continuing his lessons with Joseph and Henry Knox once they were settled in New York. "I'd be worried about the Mrs. Adams and her family otherwise."
"I have always thought General Howe to be rather cautious by nature so I am sure he will not attempt to retake Boston. New York is a much larger prize for him."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Paul rode into Philadelphia to City Tavern. He tethered Brown Beauty outside and went inside. He ordered the special of the day and a tankard of Ale to go with it. It was almost noon and he knew that the delegates would soon be coming in for their lunch. The barmaid brought over his meal and Ale with a smile and a wink. Paul nodded at her and slipped her a few extra shillings for her seeing to it that he'd gotten his meal quickly. He dug into it as he was hungry from his long ride.
The door opened up and the sound of many different voices could be heard and Paul knew the delegates had arrived. He waved at Sam, John, Hancock, and Franklin and motioned them over to the table.
Sam grinned as he sat down. "Here on another secret mission for Washington, Paul?"
"No, here at Washington's request. I told you when the British ships left Boston, Washington sent Dawes and four other men to follow them. They've been berthed at Halifax since they left Boston being repaired from the damage our cannons caused them. The other morning a rider sent by Dawes informed Washington that Gage as been recalled and General Howe is now in charge of the British forces. He also told Washington that Howe has no immediate plans to sail and that fits with what Pitcairn said about him being cautious in his approach to things. Washington has decided to march to New York. Pitcairn figures that's where General Howe will go next. He also said if the Redcoats take New York then they'll send a regiment to Philadelphia to arrest all of you for treason."
"We'd best not let the delegates know this," Franklin decided. "We're very close to getting a quorum on independence."
"You think they won't figure it out?" Sam asked. "They have to know that the British aren't going to just give up because they lost Boston and they'll be able to figure out New York is their next target for the same reasons Pitcairn said."
"If they do, we will tell them that General Washington is already in New York to prevent the British from taking control of it," John said.
"The victory in Boston did convince a couple more of the doubters that General Washington knows what he's doing," Hancock added.
"General Washington will send me or Dawes right away if it's looking like the British might threaten Philadelphia," Paul said. "You need to get to work convincing those remaining delegates holding out."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
The Continental Army reached the shore of the Hudson River a week after they'd left Boston. The four ships were waiting for them. To Pitcairn they were smaller than the British warships, but looked sturdily built and their compact size possibly made them faster and more maneuverable than the warships.
Washington sent the supply wagons with Kelly and Amos and a crew of soldiers to help them get the camp set up, on the first two ships. Joseph, Margaret, Addie, and the rest of the army went over on the other two ships. When the ships returned, the cannons and their crews supervised by Henry Knox would be taken across the river.
Pitcairn had been charged by Washington with taking Nelson across with Regina. Oliver and Captain Whiting decided to stay with their horses also. They were taken across the river by Burdette's Ferry Service that had been founded by Stephen Burdette in 1758 and his son, Peter who was a patriot now ran the service.*
He knew Regina had not liked the three months it had taken to sail from England and feared deep water. He took hold of her reins and talked soothingly to her as they were steered across the water. When they reached the other side, he led her and Nelson out. Oliver followed with Liberty and Captain Whiting with Devon. The ferry then returned to the New Jersey side of the river to bring the horses across that were pulling the cannons.
The three of them mounted with Pitcairn holding onto Nelson's reins. They galloped into the camp and dismounted. Kelly saluted Pitcairn and Whiting. "Yours and Oliver tent's are over there, Major. Captain Whiting, yours is next to the Major's. I put Dr. Warren's on the other side of ya. Your trunks are inside your tents. The horses we're leaving in that pasture over there until we can rebuild the stable."
"Thank you, Sergeant Kelly. I appreciate your attention to detail," Pitcairn said nodding.
"Thank you," Captain Whiting said. He saluted Pitcairn and asked, "Is there anything you need me to do, Major?"
"Not at the moment, Captain. I would imagine General Washington will want us to place sentries around the encampment once it is established."
"Yes, and he will probably want us to post sentries where they will be able to keep watch for the warships," Captain Whiting replied.
"I'll take the horses to the pasture," Oliver volunteered. He took Liberty's, Regina's, Devon's and Nelson's reins, leading them to the pasture.
"Yes, I'm going to talk to the General and Major General Knox about stationing the cannons where they will be spotted as a threat to the ships. If we need to we can fire on them to prevent them from coming ashore."
Captain Whiting nodded and went into his tent. Pitcairn waited until Oliver came back and went into their tent. They arranged their cots on one side of the tent with their trunks at the foot of their cots and the table and two chairs on the other side, leaving the middle free so Pitcairn could "pace" freely.
Oliver sat down on his cot. "I have to admit after sleeping in a bed at Mr. Shaw's house, it's gonna be rough sleeping in a cot again."
Pitcairn nodded at his son. "Yes at least with a bed you do not have to worry about it tipping over in the middle of the night. I must find out if there is a post office somewhere nearby as I promised Miss Charlotte and Abigail that I would write to them. I will include a letter to Miss Adams if you wish to write to her."
Oliver blushed. "I did promise to let her know how my studies were coming."
"Well then you may include a letter to her whenever I write to her mother."
"Are you really writing to Charlotte or are you writing to Mrs. Worthington?" Oliver teased.
"She did ask me to keep in touch," Pitcairn admitted, his pale skin flushing. "And of course I will include a message for Miss Charlotte as I plan to include a message for Thomas when I write Abigail. As you heard I will be writing to Mr. Shaw also."
"Mrs. Worthington seemed like a nice lady," Oliver said. "But aren't her parents Loyalists?"
"Yes, her father accused me of breaking my oath to the king when he saw I was now a Continental Army officer."
"That's not good being as she lives with them."
"I do not know if you heard her say this past Sunday that her parents were no longer attending Christ Church because her father believes that Reverend Byles no longer speaks for the people who still support the king."
Oliver frowned. "I only heard him talk about forgiveness. Does her father think we shouldn't forgive?"
"I cannot say, but I believe Reverend Byles was speaking about healing Boston and people living peacefully with one another whether they support independence or wish to remain loyal to the king."
"That's what I thought too," Oliver said. "So it might be difficult if you decide to court Mrs. Worthington because of her father's beliefs."
Pitcairn laughed. "I have not decided to court anyone yet, young man." He got up. "I must see General Washington and find out what he wishes me to do first."
"Okay, I'll read one of my books while you're gone," Oliver said.
Pitcairn nodded and walked through camp to the main tent where Washington had area maps spread out on the table. He looked up as Pitcairn entered the tent. He saluted Washington. "Are you and your son settled in your new quarters, Major?"
"Yes," Pitcairn replied. "Captain Whiting and I will be ready to post sentries as soon as everyone has arrived and has gotten settled."
"Good. The terrain is a bit different here. A lot more hills and forests," Washington replied.
"Yes, I noticed that coming into camp," Pitcairn agreed. "Captain Whiting has suggested putting sentries in high places to spot the British warships when they come."
"What way do you think they will come from, Major?"
Pitcairn studies the maps. "The warships will not come straight down the river here; they are too large and cannot spread out as they typically do. My best guess is they will sail down the coast, around Long Island, and come at us that way." His finger traced the path on the map.
"I have decided to split my army into five divisions," Washington revealed. "Three divisions will be deployed in the south-end of Manhattan, one division in northern Manhattan, and the final division in Long Island under Commander Nathaniel Greene and General Israel Putnam. I will remain in charge of the divisions here."
"They are both excellent commanders," Pitcairn mentioned nodding.
"I am also going to build two more forts to bolster our defenses," Washington said.
"Excellent strategy. I believe the British will be surprised when they do arrive," Pitcairn replied. He straightened. "Captain Whiting and I will continue drilling the men to make sure they stay sharp."
"You'd better plan for more new men joining us too and training them," Washington suggested. "In the meantime if you and the good Captain can get our sentries posted."
"Yes, I am expecting that there will be many more new soldiers," Pitcairn replied and nodded. He saluted Washington and returned to his tent. "I need to speak to Captain Whiting for a moment."
Oliver looked up from the book he was reading and nodded. Pitcairn stepped outside his tent and walked to Captain Whiting's tent. "Captain?"
Captain Whiting stepped outside his tent and saluted. "Yes, Major?"
"General Washington wishes us to post the sentries."
General Washington announced during supper that he appointed a soldier as the individual who would be riding to the post office each day and dropping off any mail they had to the people back home and picking up any mail they might have received. "He will be leaving immediately after breakfast each morning so any mail needs to be given to him by then."
After eating dinner, Pitcairn and Captain Whiting went to the war tent where all the maps were. Pitcairn had lit his pipe and was smoking it while he studied them. "We will need to first ride out tomorrow and survey the area around camp as it's hard to determine where to place the sentries by just looking at a map." He rolled up the map, planning to take it with him so they could mark off the areas where they would place the sentries.
"As we had to do after coming to Boston. Governor Hutchinson had never bothered posting sentries and kept the soldiers in Boston solely to protect him."
"I will inform General Washington of our plans for tomorrow," Pitcairn said. On his way back to his tent, he stopped at General Washington's tent to inform him of his and Captain's Whiting plans for the next day.
"Yes, but I will insist on you taking some of the men with you," Washington said.
Pitcairn nodded. "I realized recently that Captain Whiting and I took a lot of chances when we first came to Boston riding out alone at nights to check on our sentries. We could have easily ended up being tarred and feathered had we been caught."
"And now you have a son to think about," Washington pointed out.
"Yes I do," Pitcairn agreed.
Pitcairn returned to his tent. "Captain Whiting and I will be riding out after breakfast tomorrow with some of the men to survey our surroundings so we can best determine where sentries should be posted."
Oliver nodded. "I have my lessons with Mr. Knox first and then with Dr. Warren."
They went to bed early being tired from marching. Oliver was happy his father's cots was close enough that he could reach out and touch it.
Pitcairn as usual pulled a chair over to the side of his cot and laid one of his pistols on it even though any assassins, courtesy of General Gage, were no longer a possibility. He had been happy to hear that the General had been recalled and secretly hoped his military reputation was forever besmirched by the loss of the Massachusetts colony.
Pitcairn rose early the next morning and decided to allow Oliver to sleep in. He would feed and brush Regina himself. He needed to clean her hooves and check to make sure her shoes were not loose. The men would be rebuilding the stable today under Sergeant Kelly's and Sergeant Garrigan's direction. He walked down to the pasture and whistled. Regina came trotting over and he took hold of her halter leading her up to their tent where he tethered her. He placed her feedbag over her head and proceeded to give her a vigorous brushing while she ate. He cleaned her hooves and checked to make sure her shoes were not loose. He had had her shod shortly before they had left Boston.
Oliver came out of the tent yawning and rubbing his eyes in the bright light. "How come you didn't wake me?"
"I thought you must be tired after our long march from Boston and I still enjoy doing this from time to time," Pitcairn replied.
"I guess I'll go fetch Liberty then," Oliver said.
Pitcairn watched as he walked towards the pasture. He knew Oliver was completely safe now, but that incident in Boston had left some residual uneasiness where his son was concerned.
When Oliver was finished brushing and feeding Liberty, Pitcairn showed him how to clean her hooves and check her shoes to make sure they were not loose. They left their horses tethered in front of their tent, washed up, and went to the mess tent for breakfast. Joseph and Margaret were already seated. Pitcairn sat down beside them, placing his hat on the bench next to him and Oliver sat down on his other side.
"I am riding out with Captain Whiting and some of the men immediately after breakfast. We need to survey the area to best utilize the sentries as we did when we first came to Boston," Pitcairn said to Joseph. "Oliver will attend his normal lessons with Mr. Knox and with you."
"Yes, I plan to take him out with me in a few weeks to gather plants and herbs for the medicines I'll need to treat the wounded."
"Oliver has suggested that he could help you in the event of a battle by changing bandages." Pitcairn revealed. "He is very enthusiastic about learning."
"Yes he has mentioned it to me and that would help a great deal," Joseph agreed. "I plan to visit the nearby villages and recruit anyone who has any medical experience."
"I will assign some soldiers to travel with you," Pitcairn replied.
"Thank you John," Margaret said. "That will be a great relief to me."
"You are welcome Margaret," Pitcairn replied. He got up from the bench. "I will return at lunchtime, Oliver."
"All right," Oliver nodded then said, "Watch your backsides."
"We shall strive to do so," Pitcairn replied with a smile. Captain Whiting had finished breakfast earlier and was already mounted on Devon and was waiting with the soldiers whom they had chosen to accompany them. Pitcairn mounted Regina and they rode out of camp.
Oliver went back to their tent to gather his books for his lessons with Henry Knox. He was anxious for the weather to start getting warm and for things to start growing so he could go out with Dr. Warren. He'd avidly read the books on herbal plants that Dr. Warren had loaned him and written down in his copybook, as his father had suggested, anything he didn't understand so he could ask him about it. His lesson with Mr. Knox lasted until almost lunch and he had worked up quite an appetite taking notes on history and learning mathematics. He was looking forward to showing his father what he had learned that day.
Pitcairn and Captain Whiting returned just as lunch was starting. Pitcairn sat down next to Oliver and Whiting sat across from them.
"I'm having a meeting after lunch," Washington said. "You can report what you found on your survey this morning."
"Yes Sir," both Pitcairn and Captain Whiting said saluting him.
After lunch Washington and his officers adjourned to the main tent. Washington pointed on the map and said, "What I am planning to do is construct forts here and across the river here. They will all have cannons. I am also planning some kind underwater blockade that will damage and prevent the warships from moving forward."
"It sounds as if you have this well thought out Sir," Pitcairn said. He unrolled the map he'd taken with him that morning. "Captain Whiting and I believe the best places to station the sentries will be in these areas here to prevent anyone from attempting to breach our encampment." As he spoke Pitcairn's finger circled various areas on the map they had marked. "This will include not only the Regulars, but any Loyalists troops also."
"We would suggest four men in each area so they will always be near enough to each other to summon help should they need it," Captain Whiting added.
"Excellent Major, Captain. I leave it to you to get the sentries posted as soon as possible," Washington said.
They both saluted and left the tent. "I am glad General Washington is going to construct forts and the underwater blockades that will target the ships," Captain Whiting said. "If the Regular forces are delayed from landing, it will give our side a stronger defense."
"Yes and also more time for us to drill the men so they are able to defeat the most powerful army in the world," Pitcairn added.
He entered his tent, but knew Oliver was in Joseph's tent having his lessons. He decided to spend the time reading until Oliver came back. He found his eyes getting heavy and soon his head dropped down on his chest.
Oliver came in from his lesson and saw his father was sleeping. He set his books on the table and then went back to Joseph's tent. "My father's sleeping and it's the middle of the day. I think he needs some of Mrs. Adams' tincture."
Joseph smiled, got the bottle, and poured him a cupful. "Make sure he drinks it all."
Oliver went back to their tent and gently shook Pitcairn's shoulder. He awoke with a jerk, his book sliding off his chest. "Oliver …I must have fallen asleep."
"You did. Dr Warren says you should drink all of this," Oliver said giving him the cup of tincture. Pitcairn made a face, but drank the tincture to please his son. "It must be near dinner."
"About an hour yet," Oliver replied. "I'll go brush and feed Regina and Liberty."
Pitcairn nodded and bent to pick up his book. He dusted it off and laid it on the table. He yawned and shook his head. He must have been more tired than he had noticed.
Oliver came back inside the tent and washed up. "Can I show you what I learned today from Mr. Knox?"
"Certainly you may," Pitcairn answered coming to stand beside Oliver.
Oliver showed him the mathematics he had learned. He frowned. "Learning mathematics is a lot harder than the other subjects I've learned. I don't know that I'll ever be good at it."
"You will do fine," Pitcairn replied squeezing his shoulder. "You have explained it to me and I am able to understand what you are talking about."
After supper Pitcairn sat down to write some overdue letters to Abigail, Hope, and Mr. Shaw. "Oliver, I am going to be sending a letter to Mrs. Adams tomorrow so I will put yours to Miss Abigail in with mine."
"Okay," Oliver said. "I want to tell her about how we got our horses across the river and what I've learned."
"And I must assure Thomas that Regina has a comfortable place to sleep at nights," Pitcairn said.
"Are you gonna write Mrs. Worthington too?" Oliver asked with a grin.
"I am as I did promise her I would," Pitcairn replied. "And a gentleman always keeps his promises."
Oliver finished his letter to Nabby and his lessons for the next day. He gave his letter to his father. "Are you coming to bed?"
"Yes, as soon as I am finished writing these letters."
"All right, but don't stay up too late," Oliver replied.
"No. Captain Whiting and I are riding out tomorrow to station the sentries around camp," Pitcairn answered.
"You better take some of that tincture with breakfast then so you won't be so tired when you get back."
"I shall do so," Pitcairn replied smiling to himself at the unexpected warm feeling in his chest. It was nice to have his son and other people concerned about him now. He had never considered it important before.
*Burdette's Ferry Service courtesy of Wikipediadotcom
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