STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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Benjamin Lincoln

" Benjamin Lincoln was introduced on our rolling planet at Hingham, Mass, on the 23d of January 1733. Like Cincinnatus he left his plough and hastened to repel the invading foe. As Colonel of militia he had taken the entered apprentice degree in military tactics and rose rapidly in rank. In 1776 the Council of Massachusetts made him a Major General and in February of the ensuing year Congress conferred on him a similar commission at the suggestion of Washington. He was with him at New York and in Jersey and rendered efficient aid during that trying period. In July 1777 he joined the northern Army and did much toward preparing the way for the capture of Burgoyne. He made his head quarters at Manchester, Vermont. On the 13th of September he sent Colonel Brown to lake George with 500 men who surprised the enemy and seized 200 batteaux, taking 293 prisoners,and liberated 100 Americans with a loss of only three killed and five wounded. He soon united his force with that of General Gates and was second in command. During the bloody battle of the 7th of October he commanded within the lines. On the 8th of October he was severely wounded in the leg and disabled for a long time. He suffered several surgical operations and lost a considerable portion of the bone which lamed him for life. In 1778 he was put in command of the southern division of the Army then in a miserable condition. Near the last of December General Provost arrived with several armed vessels and 3000 fresh troops and occupied Savannah. In September 1779 General Lincoln and Count D'Estaing made a bold but unsuccessful attack upon the enemy. A column under Count Dillion missed their way and were not in the action, to which accident may be attributed the failure of success. In leading on a corps of cavalry Count Pulaski was mortally wounded. General Lincoln then repaired to Charleston and used his best exertions to place it in a state of defence. In February 1780 Sir Henry Clinton arrived and on the 30th of March planted himself in front of that city. After wasting considerable powder he demanded a surrender on the 10th of April which was promptly refused. A vigorous siege was prosecuted until the 11th of May when terms of capitulation were arranged. General Lincoln had kept the enemy at bay much longer than was anticipated by friend or foe. His conduct stood approved by all whose good opinion he valued. At Yorktown he commanded the central division. His conduct elicited the high approbation of Washington who mentioned him particularly in his report to Congress. In 1781 he was placed at the head of the War Department. At the end of two years he resigned and was complimented by Congress with a resolution of strong commendation. In 1784 he was one of the commissioners who made a treaty with the Penobscot Indians. In 1787 he commanded the troops who quelled the rebellion of Shay and Day. The same year he was elected Lieut. Governor. In 1789 he was one of the commissioners who effected a treaty with the Creek Indians and in 1793 with the Western Indians. He was appointed Collector of the Port of Boston in 1789 which office he held until two years before his death which occurred on the 9th of May 1810. In all respects he was a worthy citizen and exemplified every virtue that renders a man truly useful."