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| Soldier's Story about Massacre
Revealed by Yonis A |
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I'm writing to you
from inside a tent that smells like dead people in a pile of dung. The
tent is so cold. It has holes in it, where the snow is coming in.
I am freezing from head to toe, and I can’t sleep at night. Every
time I always get nervous, and scared when the generals come past my
tent. We are sleeping in tents set upon what the locals call the
Common. The Common is where we sleep, because there is no other place
we can sleep or live. When the lieutenants order you to do something,
you do it. If you don’t respond or do the order you get whipped
or you may get another punishment. I don’t know what the other
punishment is, but I don’t want to be in that kind of trouble.
My back still aches from the whipping I received for not cleaning the
chamber pots, and washing the British Soldier’s filthy uniforms.
I fear for my life because I sense other soldiers know I am
planning to desert. Some times I always go to this place where
patriots learn what the king is up to, but I help them a little
bit because if the soldiers back in camp catch me, I will be
killed. I go to this place because i want to be a learn a little
bit about being a patriot.
Last night I was patrolling the area near the Customs House, flipping
my 10 pence in the air while whistling. That’s when I saw people
fighting and people in the crowd yelling, “Fire.” Young boys were
throwing stones at the sentries, calling them names. I had to run
away from the place, I didn’t want to get caught not doing my chores. I
am thankful they didn’t spot me, but when I reached my fifth step, I
heard gun shots. Then I turned around and found that
one of the soldiers fired at a person. That’s when I saw a man on
the floor with blood all over him. I thought I saw myself if the
soldiers caught me departing, they will shoot me, I was terrified at
the sight. Sweat came down my face fast. My body was trembling, I
was about to vomit but I held it back. I heard the sentry yell “Good
riddance!” Here in Boston I feel that I am surrounded by
murderers. It is my utmost believe that very soon there’s
going to be big fight breaking out.
I ran to the camp site, and went into my tent and pulled out my musket,
then I ran back to the site where the colonists were fighting against
the troops. When I arrived at the site the madness was
over, my heart was pounding so hard that I didn’t notice the bodies I
was walking over. I heard my name being called, “Will, what
in the world are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be patrolling
the camp site?” It was Captain Jeremiah who was speaking to me. the
words came trembling out of my mouth. “ I was patrolling the site
but I heard people yelling nasty words to the sentry and fighting
had erupted”. The response he gave to me I will never
forget. “ You filthy maggot don’t you ever go somewhere without
your general’s permission! Now go back to your camp
and get some rest you have seen enough for tonight”. lovely
mother now you see how Boston is going.
Yours truly ,
William Jones
November 14 1770
Dear Beloved Mother,
It’s been a long time since I wrote to you, but every thing is going
well around here. I work at a farm to get money around here, and I do
my best at it, but I get paid a little. But I don’t mind getting paid
less. I am kind to the children but
they call me “Lobster Back”, and other worse names. But I want the
children to be safe from danger, I don’t care if they call me a lobster
back. I will desert the british troops tomorrow and I will try to be a
Patriot. I don’t want nomore of King George III’s nonsense. If I
become a part of the miltia. I will not be a private I will pray to
become a general or a lieutenant.
When the massacre trial happened I was shocked to see my fellow
soldiers on trial, but they deserved it. I don’t think the colonist had
to die. I am just a private, but if I know King George III he might
have a little trick up his sleeve. Some of the soldiers were accused of
manslaughter, they were given branding in their thumb so if they get
caught of manslaughter again they will be hanged.
After the trial, the soldiers were sent to leave except me. I snucked
in to town and went to the pub and found two men fighting. After the
fight there was one man standing he left leaving the other man who was
knocked out. So I crept to him and took of his clothes, and put them
on. They fit perfectly I threw my British uniform in the waste.
Now I have become a Patriot. This is a big step, mother, I hope you
think this is a good choice, too Farewell mother.
Yours truly
William Jones
January 5th 1771
Dear Beloved Mother,
Today I found out that I was not the only British deserter in boston, I
couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Captain Jeremiah and two of his
soldiers dressed in filthy clothes. Maybe they were deserters too
I thought they went with the other soldiers, but I thought wrong. I ran
to them and said “Good day Captain Jeremiah.” The captain
couldn’t believe what he saw.
Good clothes nice good looking man, and he said to himself “Was this my
private who I yelled at, at the end of the massacre. Can you please
help us? I gave him a horse to ride, but the other two soldiers fled
like crazy when the saw me. But I think they saw me as a patriot
lawyer. I took my captain to my house, and introduced him to my wife
and two children. My two children were boys and they liked war.
Now, mother I told you I’m a patriot but I am a soldier in heart,
and I will fight and protect my country .
I think the British soldiers are going to come back and start a war
with us, but me, and Captain Jeremiah is ready for them. In mid day the
captain announced me as lieutenant of the upcoming war. I was excited
now I can call myself lieutenant will. Those British soldiers will pay
for what they did to the colonist, and letting me sleep in a dirty tent
while they sleep in a fancy tent that has a shade over the
entrance. I have a great life here, I am religious, because my
wife is Christian. I hope you visit us mother There is a
great house waiting for you.
Yours truly
William Jones |
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Historical References:
Allison, Robert A
Short History of Boston 2004 library of Gongress
www. Boston Massacre.net April 27 2006
Coiller, christopher, coiller, James , Lincoln. The American Revolution
1763 - 1783. New York: Bench Mark books, 1998.
Hakim, Joy From
Colonies to Countries New York Oxford
University press, 2003
Penn, Lucille Recht. LobsterBacks
New York: 1998
Runyon, Jane. Colonial
Soldiers. March 30th 2006 www.
edhehelper.com/
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