Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply.
A/N: Any time dialog is taken directly from the miniseries it will be italicized. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 28
Arnold pushed aside the tent flap and came inside. "I hope I am not disturbing you."
"Not at all. Please have a seat," he replied.
Oliver once again moved his books and other things to the other side of the table and sat on the stool so Arnold could have the chair.
"This is my son, Oliver," he said.
Arnold nodded at Oliver. "I am pleased to meet you, Oliver."
"My father told me that you captured Fort Ticonderoga," Oliver said. "Maybe you can tell me the whole story sometime."
"I would enjoy that," Arnold said nodding
What may I do for you?" Pitcairn asked.
"I'm here mainly to satisfy my own curiosity," he confessed.
"In regards to what?"
"In regards to what made you decide to leave the British Marines and side with the colonies."
Pitcairn sat back in his chair in a contemplative mood. "It was not any one thing. It was a culmination of several things," he explained. "I used to have these socials at the home of Francis Shaw where I was billeted and I would invite my officers and the citizens of Boston to attend. I used to walk around from group to group listening to what they were saying. The more I listened, the more I realized that the colonist had legitimate complaints that neither the king nor Parliament were addressing."
"So you became sympathetic to the colonists' positions?" Arnold asked.
"Yes somewhat although I did not agree with their dumping of the East India tea into the harbor no matter what their grievances may have been. That is what made Lord North decide to send General Gage to replace Governor Hutchinson as a military governor and he then closed the harbor and enforced the Coercive Acts."
Arnold nodded. "Yes, it made the other colonies so angry they sided with Massachusetts and a second Continental Congress was convened."
"I had also begun to realize that I was always the face of General Gage's brutality toward the colonists. He gave the orders, but I had to carry them out no matter how I felt about them personally and it had begun to really bother me. When he called a meeting of all his officers to discuss the strategy for the attack on Bunker Hill and revealed he was just going to send hundreds of the men to be slaughtered in battle; I made my objections known. He got angry and ordered me to leave and get my men ready for the battle." Pitcairn paused for a few seconds. It was still difficult for him to talk about General Gage's vengeful action towards him. "When we got to Bunker Hill he ordered the first charge and it was completely routed by the coloniest that had the advantage of higher ground. He ordered a second charge and ordered me to lead it, knowing I would most likely be killed. I was shot and badly wounded, but Oliver and my horse saved me and got me off the battlefield and when the colonists came back to collect their dead, they found us. I was taken back to their camp where Dr. Warren removed the ball and then I was taken to John Adams' farm to recover. General Washington heard about me and visited me there. We talked and he offered me the position as his second-in-command."
'"Have you ever regretted your decision?" Arnold asked.
"The only thing I have regretted is that I was unable to inform the families of my men of their deaths and my own family believes me to be dead also, but other than those two factors I am excited to be part of this new country."
Arnold nodded and stood up. "I thank you for telling me your story, Lieutenant Colonel."
Pitcairn nodded. "And I thank you for listening, Major General."
After Arnold had left again, Oliver said, "He seems nice. I hope he can find the time to tell me about the capture of Fort Ticonderoga."
"Yes and I know General Washington is impressed and thinks a great deal of him." Pitcairn got up and picked up his hat. "I must go and speak with General Washington. Will you be all right while I am gone, Oliver?"
He nodded. "I'll be fine. Dr. Warren's in his tent and he said I could call on him if I needed help."
I shall return shortly then." Pitcairn walked up to the war planning tent and found General Washington in a rare rage. "What has happened?"
"That has happened!" Washington said angrily, pointing at an open letter on the table.
Pitcairn picked it up and read it quickly. "They are saying they are the only ones who can promote the men and we must send our requests to them first so they can approve it," Pitcairn said.
"So it says," Washington replied in a sour tone.
"This means that we cannot give anyone a field promotion as a reward for exceptional bravery or for an idea that achieves victory outside of what the standard battle tactic would suggest."
"How in God's name do they expect me to keep talented men in this army when I may not be able to get Congress' approval to raise their rank? I am aware that they do not approve of some promotions already."
"It is simply ludicrous," Pitcairn replied. "They are saying they know our soldiers better than we who command them."
Washington rubbed his forehead and sighed, "I believe I'll visit Dr. Warren for a headache powder." He left the tent just as Major Whiting was coming in. He looked after Washington with concern. "The general looks unwell. Has he received bad news?"
"Yes in the form of a letter from Congress informing him that he needs to submit any possible promotions to them for approval first. Field promotions can no longer be given," Pitcairn replied pointing at the offending letter lying on the table.
"That is unheard of!" Marius exclaimed. "Even King George or Lord North never demanded General Gage submit his promotions to them before he raised a soldier's rank and they never told him he could not reward a soldier for bravery with a field promotion."
"No. I do wish however that he had been better about listening to my concerns about the soldiers though. Maybe we would have more men who survived Concord. I asked him several times about changing our uniforms so we blended in better with the natural terrain.
Yes and I recall you saying you also asked him to change our training so we would know better how to take advantage of the terrain in this country after the beating we took in Concord."
"Yes, it was madness to march in formation when we could have taken advantage of the terrain and I also suggested to him that we march without those damnable drums!" Pitcairn exclaimed. "The colonials could hear us coming before we were even sighted."
General Washington came back into the tent. Marius snapped him a crisp salute and said, "General Washington, I came to report that Sergeants Kelly and Garrigan have just come back with a wagon loaded with supplies followed by two wagons with new volunteers."
"That's good to hear Major Whiting," Washington replied.
"If you will get them lined up, Major, we can let them know what we expect from them," Pitcairn said, picking up his hat and donning it.
Major Whiting saluted and left the tent. Pitcairn smiled slightly and joked, "I think the word has spread about me that I am a stern taskmaster. I have not had to do as much cursing as previously."
"Or they haven't previously been in a local militia and therefore have no bad habits to unlearn," Washington said.
Pitcairn nodded. "Whatever the reason is it has been much easier getting the men to listen to our instructions." He left the tent and walked down to the training field, but first stopping to tell Oliver where he would be. He saw that Major Whiting already had the men lined up.
Oliver stepped out of their tent for a few minutes to watch his father with the new men. As he watched him he was thrown back to the first time he had ever seen his father when he'd arrived in Kent from London.
"Anything admiss, Oliver?" Joseph asked coming up behind him.
"No." Oliver shook his head. "Watching my father with the new men just reminded me of the first time I'd ever seen him." He pointed down to Pitcairn. "You see the way he's walking in front of the men and stopping to look at each one of them?"
Joseph nodded. "I've noticed before that he does that."
"When he stopped in front of me I thought he looked really fierce and my heart sank 'cause I knew there was no way I could fool him into believing I was 17. I figured I'd be heading back to London right quick."
"But instead he chose you to take care of Regina. He's told me he suspected you might have run away from a bad home or an orphanage."
Oliver nodded again. "He said he needed somebody to take care of his horse, Regina, and hold her reins for him when he dismounted and did I think I could do it? I said yes of course even though I'd never been near a horse in my entire life. He then told me to go over and take her reins from Captain Whiting. I think he wanted to see what Regina's reaction was gonna be, but fortunately for me, Regina liked me and even licked my face!" Oliver explained laughing.
"Regina's a very unusual horse," Joseph agreed. "And obviously a good judge of character."
They watched as Pitcairn and Major Whiting dismissed the men and start back up from the training field. When Pitcairn reached their tent he put his arm around his son. "What do you think?"
"I think if you're going to be up early to start training those men so you'd better take some of Mrs. Adams tincture before dinner," Oliver said.
Pitcairn nodded at his son's suggestion. "The men do not seem quite as unrurly or undisciplined as some of the men Major Whiting and I have had to train previously."
"If after your initial training session tomorrow you will bring them to me I'll give them a checkup and make sure they're all fit for duty," Joseph said.
"I shall do that, Joseph. Thank you," Pitcairn replied. He and Oliver went into their tent. Oliver sat down at the table. "Did you tell the new men what you always tell them?"
"That if they obey orders and show ingenuity then there is no rank to which they cannot rise; yes I did."
"I remember when you were talking to us. I didn't understand some of the words you used like ingenuity, but I guessed you probably meant that we should use our own ideas along with the training we'd get."
"That is exactly right," Pitcairn said then confessed, "I do at times forget that not everyone has had the education I have had."
"But you always ask if anybody has questions too," Oliver replied. He got up and went over to his trunk, opened it and took out the familiar bottle of tincture and poured it into two cups then handed one of them to his father. "Cheers!"
"Hardly that," Pitcairn muttered drinking it. "It never tastes any better than the very first time I had it."
"That's what Nabby says too. Mrs. Adams gives it to them every morning."
"To be fair, despite its awful taste, it has helped me to remain healthy," Pitcairn said.
"And me," Oliver said. "In Nabby's last letter she said she was going to ask her tutor if she could study more about plants."
"That is a good idea as she will be able to help you brew the medicines you will need."
"After I become a doctor you mean?"
"Yes," Pitcairn replied.
"Have you heard from Mrs. Worthington?"
"Yes, she has been telling me about the work she does at the church and about her visits with Mrs. Adams which she and Charlotte enjoy very much and look forward to."
"What kind of work does she do at church?"
"Apparently she, Reverend Byles, and others members are making sure the women and children of men who are out of work, have been killed or permanently injured have enough food to eat as well as feeding any orphaned children."
"That's a really big project she's taking on isn't it? I mean Boston's not as big as London, but there's probably a lot of kids who don't have any parents."
Pitcairn nodded. "I am sure there is and I am glad Hope, Reverend Byles, and other in the church are providing for them."
"When we return to Boston you can court Mrs. Worthington," Oliver said.
"That may be a long time though. She may decide to wed in that time as I am sure she has many suitors."
"I think they're probably all Loyalist though," Oliver remarked. "And she probably isn't interested in them anyway or she would have already married one of them."
Pitcairn had to smile at his son's response.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
The delegates gathered in the Pennsylvania State House on July 2nd for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The completed document lay on a table with an inkpot and a quill by it. Sam picked up the quill and handed it to Hancock, indicating he should be the first to sign the document.
Hancock sat down, dipped the quill in the inkpot and proceeded to sign his name on the document in the largest manner possible.
Sam grinned as he looked over Hancock's shoulder then asked, "Think you wrote it big enough?"
All the other delegates chuckled at Sam's remark.
"Hmm ...yes. Ol' King George should be able to see that," Hancock replied. "Without his spectacles I mean."
"He should indeed!" Thomas Jefferson agreed laughing.
One by one the delegates signed the declaration. Sam was one of the last to sign it. After the very last signature was added, Hancock sprinkled cuttlefish bone powder over the area of the signatures, waited for a few seconds then blew it off. "It's done, Gentlemen."
All the delegates cheered and clapped then headed towards the door to celebrate their great achievement. Franklin stood up. "Shall we join the others and celebrate?"
Hancock nodded as he rolled up the declaration. "I will drop this off at the printer's on the way there and ask him to print copies for all the delegates to take back with them."
"We won't need to send an actual copy to the king," Franklin noted. "His representatives here will make him aware of it and I'm sure and will send him a copy of it also."
John nodded and put his arm over Sam's shoulder. "This day shall be celebrated as the great anniversary festival."*
"I wonder if Paul will be at City Tavern when we get there?" Sam said. "General Washington will want to know its done finally."
"He might be as he hasn't been here for at least a couple of weeks," John replied.
Paul was indeed waiting in City Tavern. "So I hear you got the declaration signed finally." He nodded at the others who were lifting tankards in celebration."
"I'm having it printed, but it might be awhile before they're ready," Hancock said. "They may be ready by the time you come back here on your next ride."
"I'm sure General Washington and Lieutenant Colonel Pitcairn will be happy when I tell them," Paul said.
They sat down and as usual Franklin ordered Ale for everyone and slipped the waitress some extra shillings when she brought it to their table. He lifted his tankard and said, "To freedom!"
"To freedom!" Sam, Paul, John, and Hancock seconded him.
"What's happening in New York?" Sam asked.
"I heard General Washington and Lieutenant Colonel Pitcairn weren't pleased with the letter you sent them telling them that they could no longer give anybody even a field promotion without Congress' permission."
"That was not all of our concern," John said. "It was some of the southern delegates who think that Congress should have power over anything affecting the colonies."
"I know Pitcairn said that even King George and Parliament didn't concern themselves with who their generals chose to promote," Paul replied. "Do these delegates think that Washington doesn't know what he's doing and he's promoting inferior officers?"
Sam shrugged. "Some of them have more faith in their local militia."
"There still is that fact that they haven't won a battle since forcing General Gage to leave Boston," Hancock said.
"But there have been battles won elsewhere though," Paul pointed out. "And Pitcairn did tell them that they can't fight unless there's somebody to fight."
"Has there been any sighting of the British anywhere?" John asked?"
"In New York, no. Of course General Cornwallis is down ravaging North and South Carolina, but we've seen nothing of General Howe yet. Washington does have watchers stationed all along the Atlantic side of the coast, under the command of General Hugh Mercer, because that's how Pitcairn figures they'll return. He said the warships are too big to sail down the Hudson River spread out like they normally sail and Washington does have the river booby-trapped when they try to come up it."
"It sounds as if General Washington has things well in hand," John said.
"Yeah. The man knows what he's doing so Congress should trust his judgment more."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Abigail and Hope were having their usual Wednesday tea. Hope had just come from Christ Church. "Reverend Byles asked me to extend his sincerest thanks for the donations you collected for our fund Abigail," she said.
Abigail shook her head. "Tell him there is no need for thanks. It's a very worthy cause making sure that all women and children have enough food."
Hope sighed. "The war is bound to create even more hardship for people, but in the end they shall be free of another country having control over their lives."
Abigail nodded and smiled. "John wrote me that they finally got the declaration signed. Mr. Hancock is having copies printed so it can be despersed and read at public gatherings."
"I do not imagine the people who still have faith in King George, such as my parents, will be pleased."
"Why did your parents not leave Boston with General Gage?"
"They were considering it," Hope admitted. "But I told them that Charlotte and I would not be returning with them."
"Why wouldn't you have not wanted to go back?" Abigail asked curiously. "This would have been before you met John."
Hope nodded. "Yes. I know it may not seem like it to you, but women in thie colonies actually have much more freedom than they do in England."
"And of course now you don't want to leave John."
Hope blushed. "Well yes." They were both silent for a moment then Hope said, "John has written me about Oliver and your Abigail. He said Oliver is worried that if the war goes on too long she may not want to wait for him."
Abigail nodded. "Nabby says the same thing since Oliver is four years older than her. She worries he'll find her uneducated and unsophisticated by the time he gets back."
"I doubt that will happen as from what John has written me Oliver seems very fond of Abigail."
"I think my husband would not object to a betrothal between them whe Nabby is older."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Revere rode in that morning with the news of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Washington's face cracked into a large smile at the news. "It's about time! I was beginning to believe they would never get it done. Everyone will be glad to hear the news!"
Pitcairn, Major Whiting and several of their men were about to leave to patrol. Pitcairn was under no illusion that Colonel Fanning would keep his word to Washington and would not go right back on the warpath. "It is good to know they have finally gotten it done. The king will here about it from the contacts he still has here I am sure."
"They've taken the final step and that's something to celebrate!" Paul said grinning.
"Oh indeed!" Pitcairn agreed. "But for now we need to keep on eye on what the Loyalists are doing," He mounted Regina and with Major Whiting and ten soldiers then he rode off.
They rode for a half-hour and Pitcairn seeing something in the distance, but unable to make out what it was halted Regina and raised his arm to halt the soldiers. He pulled his telescope out of his saddlebag, slid it out to its full length, and put it up to his eye. What it revealed was the bodies of two men hanging from a tree each wearing a large sign with the word TRAITOR painted on them. "Merciful God!" Pitcairn muttered.
"What it it?" Major Whiting asked in alarm.
Pitcairn handed him his telescope without a word and Whiting put it up to his eye then exclaimed, "Oh my God!"
"I suspect they may be men who refused to join Fanning," Pitcairn said.
They rode up to the tree from which the two men hung. Pitcairn dismounted along with Major Whiting. He motioned to some of the men who had also dismounted. "Please lower them when the major and I sever the ropes."
The soldiers gathered round each of the bodies as Pitcairn and Whiting slashed the ropes tied around the trees holding them up. They gently lowered the two men to the ground. Pitcairn searched their bodies to see if they had any identification on them, but could find nothing.
"Do you think we can find out who they are, Sir?" Private Asher asked.
"I do not think so," Pitcairn replied. "Which means the poor souls will not recieve a Christian burial."
"We should get them buried as soon as possible," Major Whiting suggested.
"You are correct." Pitcairn sent three of the soldiers back to camp to report what they had found to General Washington and to retrieve some shovels. "Keep sharp eyes as Fanning and his troops may still be in the area. If you see them do not engage them, but stay out of sight," Pitcairn instructed the three riders.
A half hour later Pitcairn was surprised to see General Washington as well as Revere and Dawes riding at the head of the soldiers he had sent.
Washington dismounted. "I had to see this for myself." He shook his head. "I knew Fanning was not to be trusted, but I didn't think he would resort to this."
"I assume he wants to make a good impression on General Howe when he returns by cowering the residents here into submission," Pitcairn replied. "He is no less a scourge than Tarleton."
"We'd better get them buried Lieutenant Colonel," Washington said removing his regimental coat and grabbing one of the shovels, he began to dig. Pitcairn shed his regimental coat also, grabbed another shovel, and began digging the second grave. Major Whiting and the rest of the men took turns digging until the graves were deep enough. They placed the bodies of the two men in them and began covering them. Dawes and Revere fashioned crude crosses for their graves.
"Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace." Pitcairn recited aloud. "I am afraid that is the best we can do for them since we do not know who they are or if they had any family."
"It's better than leaving them hanging out here, Lieutenant Colonel, and having the birds feasting on them," Sergeant McFarland remarked.
"That's a fact," Dawes replied as they mounted their horses. He'd seen too many soldiers and Indians in the French and Indian War that it had happened to.
When they arrived back at camp, Oliver was waiting with a worried look on his face. Joseph was standing next to him. As Pitcairn dismounted holding Regina's reins and leading her behind him, he noticed right away the frightened look on Oliver's face.
"I told him you were fine John," Joseph said. He was curious about what had happened, but would ask later when Oliver was not present.
"I ...I heard your soldiers asking for shovels and then I saw General Washington riding out in front of them ...I thought for sure something had happened to you."
"I am fine and I am sorry that you got the wrong impression. I should have asked Private Asher to stop and assure you that we were all fine."
"It's all right," Oliver replied giving his father a tight hug. "I should have known you were fine." He released his father and held out his hand. "Here, I'll take Regina to the stable for you."
"Thank you Oliver," Pitcairn said handimg over Regina's reins to him. He watched as Oliver led Regina to the stable.
"It was bad I take it," Joseph said to Pitcairn.
He nodded. "Yes, we found two men hung I suspect by Lieutenant Colonel Fanning because they refused to join him possibly. There is no way to identify them or inform their famililes of their deaths."
"Which means we'll need to a wary eye on the Loyalists in the area as well as watching for the return of General Howe."
"Yes because Fanning may start hanging the soldiers of the Continental Army also. I must warn Oliver not to ride out alone on Liberty."
"You don't think they'd hang a young boy, do you?" Joseph asked aghast.
"I think that Fanning is only interested in securing the area for General Howe in any way he is able."
At a meeting later in the afternoon Washington had called he leaned on the table and fixed all his officers with a severe look. "From now on I want no man riding alone. I want patrols of no less than eight. Sergeants Kelly and Garrigan, you will be accompanied by eight soldiers on your search for supplies as it would be logical for Fanning to attack you to steal whatever supplies you may have acquired ."
"Aye Sir," Kelly replied saluting. Amos nodded. "We'll keep our eyes sharp, Sir."
"Good!" Washington replied.
That night at dinner Joseph asked Pitcairn if he had time for a game of chess. "It seems we haven't played for quite awhile."
"I would enjoy that," Pitcairn replied.
Oliver sat in Joseph's tent watching his father and Joseph play that night. He still didn't undestand the game, but he enjoyed watching them play. When he got tired he decided to turn in and bade his father and Dr. Warren goodnight. "Don't stay up too late," he joked as he left.
"We will strive to be in bed at a reasonable hour," Pitcairn replied.
Once Oliver had left, Joseph asked Pitcairn the details of what had happened that morning. Pitcairn sighed, put tobacco in his pipe, lit it, and then took a puff. "When we found the men they were wearing signs around their necks that claimed they were traitors. That is what made me think they had refused to join Fanning."
"Well from what General Washington said he does sound very arrogant not unlike another commander we both had experience with."
"If you are referring to General Gage your description is correct," Pitcairn agreed. He sighed and remarked, "I had thought Oliver was feeling more secure lately, but he apparently still fears I will be killed."
Joseph cleared his throat. "Not meaning to bring up thoughts of your death, but you do know that Margaret and I will happily take Oliver into our home should anything bad happen to you."
"I appreciate that and I am sure the Adams' would be willing to help out also," Pitcairn added.
"When do you think the British might be arriving?" Joseph asked changing the subject to something a little less grim.
"Sometime next month I am guessing. I still worry that Fort Washington will not be stromg enough to withstand a barrage from the warship's cannons. I do not want to see soldiers needlessly killed, but I do not see how we can make it strong enough to withstand being possibly overrun unless we were to rebuild it from the ground up and there is not enough time for that."
"Well if General Howe is as cautious as you've said we may not have to worry," Joseph said.
"I recall that General Gage would become quite impatient with what he termed as Howe's "excessive cautiousness" and suggested more than once that a bolt of lightning might be a good cure for it."
"I'm thankful every day that he was sent back to England," Joseph said.
"Not to change the subject, but when are you and Margaret going to be wed?"
Joseph chuckled. "We've talked about it, but we need to find a minister who will marry us first."
"I would think there would at least be one minister somewhere in the towns and villages around this camp," Pitcairn replied. "And I shall be happy to assign my men to go with you if you would like to check."
"I'll talk to Margaret and see what she thinks and let you know," Joseph replied. "Checkmate."
The next morning Pitcairn and Washington were conferring on strategies for the British return when they heard the sound of a horse being ridden frantically and then a loud, "Whoa!" Washington stepped outside the tent, Pitcairn behind him, and the rider jumped down from his horse. He saluted them and said, "Sir, I was sent by General Mercer to let you know that British ships have been sighted."
*httpscolon/wwwdotwashingtonpostdotcom/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/07/02/why-john-adams-saw-july-2-as-americas-true-independence-day/?utm_term=dotc3456be8ad6c
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