So he went into the battle as a private in the company in which his son-in-law was lieutenant, armed with nothing but a cane.

After the first volley was exchanged he crossed the bridge and took the cartridge-box and musket of one of the two British soldiers who were killed, which he used during the day.

The gun was preserved for a long time in his family, and came to my grandfather, after his death.

It was the first trophy of the Revolutionary War taken in battle.

Such things, however, were not prized in those days as they are now.