STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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John Lacy

" John Lacy was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on the 4th of February 1755. His paternal ancestor came from the Isle of Wight under the auspices of William Penn. John's ancestor and all his descendants belonged to the Society of Friends. The love of Freedom predominated over the anti-war creed of John and he made up his mind to obtain it, peaceably if he could, forcibly if he must. He took the commission of captain from Congress on the 6th of January 1776 and was at once thrown over the fence by his Quaker brethren. He left his home, his society and his mill to do battle for his country. He served under General Wayne in Canada and performed the hazardous duty of carrying an express from General Sullivan to Arnold when before Quebec. On his return the next year he resigned in consequence of a difficulty with General Wayne. He was then appointed by the legislature of Pennsylvania to organize the militia in Bucks County. He was soon elected colonel. He was now in the midst of tories and Quakers who were acting in concert with the enemy and threatened him with personal vengeance. These threats he disregarded as the idle wind. He brought his regiment into the field and performed feats of valor that at once raised him to a high standard on the list of heroes. His conduct was particularly noticed by Washington and he was honored with the commission of Brigadier-General on the 9th of January 1778 and ordered to relieve General Potter. He was then but 22 years of age. Probably influenced by his refugee neighbors,the British in Philadelphia determined on taking him dead or alive. His duties were onerous, his watchfulness untiring. On the 1st of the ensuing May he was stationed at what is now Hatborough with less than 500 men, mostly raw militia. Owing to the negligence of the officer of his picket guard his little camp was surrounded just at the dawn of morning by about 800 British infantry, rangers and cavalry. He formed his men quickly and cut his way through with such impetuosity that he threw the enemy into confusion and escaped with the loss of only 26 killed with a few wounded and prisoners who were treated with a barbarity that casts savage warfare so far in the shade that their most cruel tortures would appear as refulgent sun light in comparison. This bold maneuvre of General Lacy and his brave Spartans was a matter of applause throughout the country. He was constantly employed by General Washington on hazardous enterprises and in every instance received his unqualified approbation. After the evacuation of Philadelphia General Lacy was made a member of the legislature and served three consecutive sessions. In 1781, he closed his military career and like a good citizen, married an amiable daughter of Colonel Reynolds of New Jersey and commenced a successful career of domestic felicity. He filled various civil offices, lived in the esteem of every patriot (not of all his Quaker relatives) and died at the village of New Mills, Burlington County, N. J. on the 17th of February 1814."

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson