USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Walks & talks about historic Boston > Part 23
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Failing to win him over, he was held under strict surveil- lance and forbidden to leave town. He was, for a time, con- tented to remain. He was happily married and his store was paying him well, particularly the stationery, printing and binding departments, for he had no competition. When the first shot was fired at Lexington, April 19, 1775, he could no longer remain away from the cause he held so dear, and he and his wife left the town secretly that night, his wife carrying in the lining of her cloak the sword he had worn in the militia service.
British and Tories might now ravage his shop as they pleased, henceforth his place was in the patriot ranks. With that sword he was to carve out his fortune. For better or worse he was now with the defenders of the patriot cause On his arrival at the American camp he was offered a com- mission, but declined, for a time, to accept one, preferring to serve as a volunteer. He had studied military science and engineering and he planned and superintended a line of fortifications around Boston. He planned and built the fort on Roxbury Neck, known as Roxbury Fort. which com- manded the sole exit from Boston. When General Wash- ington examined the works built by Knox. he expressed great pleasure and surprise at their situation and utility.
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General Nathaniel Greene, with his Rhode Island contin- gent, was at Cambridge, and he and Knox became fast friends and were constantly together. Glover, Knox and Greene, were men drawn from the ranks of the people, and were suddenly transferred fom civil to military pursuits, each one of whom won distinguished honor as soldiers, being brave, resourceful and energetic.
They enjoyed the fullest respect and confidence of Wash- ington, and on their part they were thoroughly loyal and devoted to their great chief. Knox expressed his pleasure at the ease and dignity with which Washington filled his exalted state as Commander-in-Chief. During the siege of Boston, siege guns were sadly needed. The fertile and ac- tive mind of Knox conceived the daring enterprise of send- ing to Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain and dragging from thence the ordnance captured by Ethan Allen, when the fort was surrendered to him, and which was lying there un- used. He submitted his plans to Washington, who, after careful thought, gave them his approval.
Knox's plan was to go to Ticonderoga while the snow and ice continued to render streams passable and roads feasible for sleds and sleighs. He thought $1000 might cover the expenses of such a journey, but the actual ex- penses were over $2500. General Philip Schuyler of New York was instructed by Washington to render Knox every possible assistance. Knox reached Albany December Ist. The winter was severe, the roads unbroken, and the snows deep. He reached Ticonderoga on the 5th of December and collecting the coveted ordnance, began his homeward jour- ney. His inventory shows that he took away 8 brass mor- tars, 6 iron mortars, one howitzer, 13 brass cannon, 30 iron cannon, a barrel of flints, and a quantity of lead. The heaviest artillery were brass, 14 and 18 pounds. He wrote Washington under date of December 17, detailing the diffi- culties of the expedition, and says: "I have had made 42 exceeding strong sleds, and have provided So yoke of oxen to drag them as far as Springfield, where I shall get fresh cattle to carry them to camp. In 16 or 17 days' time, 1 hope to be able to present to your excellency, a noble train of artillery." The route was over the Green Mountains, through the hill country of New England, by roads that never bore a cannon and have never borne one since. One stormy night while on his way to Ticonderoga, he slept on
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the floor of a rude log cabin. His bed fellow was Major Andre, who had been taken prisoner by General Richard Montgomery at St. John, and who was on his way to Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, to await an exchange. As was well known, Andre was a most genial and companionable man. and he and Knox talked far into the night.
In 1778, General Knox served on the tribunal, which sen- tenced Andre to the ignominious death of a spy. It was a hard position for a man of his kind heart and susceptibility, and especially remembering his pleasant interview with Andre two years previous. On January 5th, Knox sent his wife a very lively and entertaining account of this wonder- ful and historic journey. There was great rejoicing in the American camp as Knox entered with his treasures and the hearts of the patriots were inspired with fresh hope and courage. After the evacuation of Boston, Washington, who saw and greatly admired the energy, ability and patriotism of Knox, detailed him to lay out fortifications for points along the coast that had been molested and threatened by the enemy. Knox was close by the side of Washington in the operations around New York in August, 1776. It was his habit to cross over to the Long Island shore with Wash- ington every day to inspect and direct the lines of defences that were being thrown up by the Americans. He drew up a plan for the increase and efficiency of the body of artil- lerists and he was placed at the head with the rank of Brig- adier-General, and thenceforth in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Germantown and Monmouth he especially dis- tinguished himself by the work of his artillery. He helped to repair the error of Lee and at Yorktown his battery, as usual, was most gallantly served. He was meanwhile em- ployed in various counsels and negotiations of the war call- ing for skill and judgment and in planning with Greene and Clinton the defence of the Hudson, and in the counsels on the state of the Army at Valley Forge.
Knox saw the weakness of the militia at the battle of Long Island. He continually urged the necessity of trained men. of a standing army, and gave good reasons why it was nec- essary. Being a very brave man he could not brook cow- ardice in a soldier. Knox and Green supported Washington in his determination to abandon further defence of New York. At Kip's Bay, three miles above New York, Knox. while removing ordnance and stores, narrowly escaped cap-
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ture by the British. Colonel Aaron Burr, with a force, was close at hand and guided Knox and his force to the Bloom- ingdale road.
Knox seized a boat, made his way up the East river to Harlem, where he was received with great acclamation by his brother officers, who had given him up for lost. Wash- ington greeted him with an affectionate embrace. It was at this time that Mrs. Murray served the patriot cause well by entertaining and detaining General Howe and his pursu- ing troops at her hospitable mansion. Putnam was con- ducting the retreat of the American army, and while Howe dallied over the refreshments furnished most liberally by Mrs. Murray, the Americans escaped an encounter with a greatly superior force. Thatcher says : "Ten minutes would have been sufficient for the British to have secured the road at this turn and entirely cut off General Putnam's retreat." Ever afterwards it was a common saying among the Conti- nental officers, "that Mrs. Murray saved this part of the Continental Army. Murray Hill, New York, now 34th Street, was named in honor of this noble, patriotic woman. The outlook of the American cause in the Fall of 1776, was a very serious one. Even Washington, was, at times, al- most discouraged, but Knox was of a hopeful and buoyant temperament, and had a firm and resolute belief in the ulti- mate triumph of the patriot cause.
The victory at Trenton inspired all hearts with fresh courage and here Knox and Glover worked hand in hand like true heroes. The stentorian voice of Knox on the shore as he superintended the embarkation of troops could be heard far and near above all clamor. The day following that battle, Knox received his commission as Brigadier- General. It was well deserved by that brave and skilful soldier. He was an active participant in the campaign through the Jerseys. When the army was in quarters at Morristown, and enjoying for a while a season of rest, Knox was sent to New England to oversee the casting of cannon, and the establishments of laboratories for manufacturing powder and other material. The works today represented by the splendid United States Arsenal at Springfield are the result of his wise and well directed efforts. After the battle of Yorktown, General Knox was especially recommended by General Washington to Congress for promotion. "The resources of his genius," says Washington, "have suffered on
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this and many other interesting occasions, the defect of means. His distinguished talents and services equally ini- portant and indefatigable. entitle him to the same mark of approbation of Congress, that they may be pleased to grant to the Chief Engineer" (meaning the French officer, Gen- eral Duportail, commanding the Corps of Engineers). In the closing operations of the war General Knox bore a con- spicuous part. In the summer of 1782 and the following
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Harrard College in Colonial Days
year he was in command of West Point, supporting Wash- ington, and on the evacuation of New York by the British, he came down with his troops from West Point and en- tered the city at their head. When Washington on the 4th of December took that memorable leave of his officers at Frances Tavern in New York, Knox was the foremost who responded to the invitation to take his hand, and as they met, tears flowed down the cheeks of each, the Commander- in-Chief kissed his faithful friend, an example which was followed with the other officers. In 1785 Knox was ap- pointed Secretary of War, which called forth the congratu- lations of Washington. When the Government was organ
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ized under the Federal Constitution, Washington, as Presi- dent, called him into his Cabinet to still occupy the same position. As a cabinet officer at the national capital, Knox and his wife held distinguished positions, for both were great favorites. He was a brilliant conversationalist and always in good humor, and she was a lively and amiable so- ciety leader. He remained as Secretary of War until 1794, when he retired from public life and took up his residence in Maine near Thomaston, where he had an estate thirty miles square. In his later years General Knox spent most of his time in Boston. Maine at that time being under the same government as Massachusetts, he filled a seat in the Council Board of the State. He was active in public affairs and was at one time talked of for Governor of Massa- chusetts. His active and useful career was suddenly closed by an accident. He died at the age of 56 at his home in Thomaston, from an inflammation caused by swallowing the bone of a chicken.
On the 22d of February, 1911, the Massachusetts Sons of the American Revolution fittingly observed Washington's Birthday by placing a tablet to his friend and fellow soldier, Major General Henry Knox, near the site of his birthplace. The tablet was placed on the Essex Street side of Hotel Essex and was unveiled by Nathan Warren, Esq., President of the above society, who was a good soldier in the Civil War, that saved the Union.
The Charles River Bridge
The subject of a bridge to connect the north side of Bos- ton with the main land was a subject for discussion for
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The First Bridge across the Charles River
many long years, but it was not until the year 1720, that the citizens at a town meeting thought it expedient to build it.
When, however, they learned that the construction would require a large amount of money the project was aban- doned.
The matter was again agitated in 1738, and a design was made and submitted to the Selectmen and the people to consider but this effort failed to materialize, in all probability from the same reason as before. It was not until 1786 that the bridge was finally built and opened to the public. It
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was the first bridge that stretched out from the shores of Boston and to the residents of Boston, and of the neighbor- ing towns and villages it was an event of great importance.
It not only promoted quicker transit between the metrop- olis and the outlying country, but it was continually add- ing to their prosperity. "The whole work was completed in thirteen months." All emoluments arising from tolls were vested for forty years in the company that built it, the Pro- prietors of the Charles River Bridge. The picture of the bridge and the following description was copied from the Massachusetts Magazine for 1789. "The exercises attend- ant were witnessed by upwards of 20,000 people. The cere- monies were ushered in at daybreak by the discharge of thirteen cannon from Breed's Hill, Charlestown, and from Copp's Hill, Boston, accompanied by the ringing of the bells of Christ Church. A long line of civic and military bodies, headed by the different branches of the legislature. started from the Old State House, as a salute was fired from the Castle. On their arrival at the bridge, the proces- sion formed two lines, between which the president of the bridge company, Thomas Russell, and the other individuals forming the company, passed on to the centre of the struc- ture and orders were given to fasten the draws, when the procession passed over.
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The Exchange Coffee House
One hundred years ago there stood on the corner of State, Congress and Devonshire Streets, the large and imposing building depicted on next page. Compared with other build- ings of its day it was certainly an immense structure, and considering the size of the town, we do not wonder that its projectors were driven into poverty. It cost $100,000 and at that time was the largest hotel in America. It contained a large dining room, 200 apartments, a splendid ball room, and a Masonic hall. Built in 1808 it was destroyed by fire November 3, 1818, It was in the busy part of the town and during the ten years of its existence it was a great gathering place for merchants and professional men, for social and busi- ness purposes. Many a project has been discussed and set- tled over its dining tables. In 1812 the news of all naval engagements were registered here and it was on that account a resort for the "solid men of Boston." The writer of "Glimpses of Old Boston," published in the Boston Post, in his description of this building gives an interesting account of events which occurred there during the War of 1812. He says: "Two of the heroes of that war upon the sea, in which Britannia did not rule the waves, were honored guests here. Captain Hull lived at the Coffee House when his ship, the redoubtable 'Constitution,' was in port. He had none of the egotism often engendered by success, and after the 'Consti- tution' escaped from the British fleet in 1812 he wrote in the registry 'Whatever merit may be due for the escape of the Constitution from the British fleet belongs to my first officer, Charles Morris, Esq.'" After the memorable victory of the ship over the "Guerriere," Captain Dacres, the British Com- mander, was an unwilling guest at the Coffee House, until he could make arrangements to get to England. In February 1813. Commodore William Bainbridge, who had succeeded Hull as Commander of the "Constitution," brought his ship to Boston, after sinking the British ship "Java," off the coast of Brazil.
Bainbridge was a man of fine figure, very erect and of mil-
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itary bearing, and was easily discernible as he walked with uncovered head. Other famous heroes marched with him in the short parade. Captain Rodgers, Commodore Hull, Brig- adier General Welles and Colonel Blake. "A band was play- ing on the balcony of the State Bank. Under the banners and streamers strung across State Street the procession passed, while cheer after cheer from the citizens greeted the victo- rious Commander. An ensign was suspended across State
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The Exchange Coffee House.
Street from opposite houses, on which was written: 'Hull, Jones, Decatur and Bainbridge, famous names in the War of 1812.' The cheers for the two heroes, Hull and Bain- bridge, were long and loud and could be heard for many blocks. That evening Bainbridge was a guest at the Federal Street Theatre, on the corner of Federal and Franklin Streets, the play for the evening being 'Macbeth,' and as the distin- guished guests entered, they arose, and gave them a hearty welcome. His appearance so affected the veteran actor, Cooper, who had the principal part, that he forgot for the moment all his ambitions, which Lady Macbeth was stirring in his breast, and he threw his bonnet in the air and joined lustily in the cheering."
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On the third of March a great public dinner was given Bainbridge and his officers, attended by Governor Gore, Har- rison Gray Otis, Israel Thorndike and other notables of Bos- ton. Commodore Bainbridge treated Capt. Lambert of the "Java," with extreme and rare courtesy. This British officer was severely wounded in the fight and Bainbridge had him brought to the "Constitution," and placed him in his own cabin where he could have the best of care. Before leaving his ship Bainbridge brought the British officer's sword which had been surrendered and returned it with a little speech which showed the moral calibre of the American officer and must have deeply affected the gallant British commander.
This great hotel was destroyed by fire a few years later and was replaced by a much more modest structure. This second Coffee House stood until 1853 when this second building was taken down and a business block erected in its place.
In this connection a little incident concerning Captain Hull may be interesting. At the Authors' Guild Dinner at Salem in 1894. the President related several incidents concerning Captain Hull, who commanded the "Constitution" in her famous fight.
"Just before the war, the 'Guerriers' was on our coast and Hull entertained the English officers on board of his vessel, probably at the Charlestown Navy Yard. They fell to talking of what they would do if there were war, and Hull said he would bring them all into some American port. Dacres offered to bet one hundred guineas. Hull said no, but he would bet him a hat. When the 'Guerriere' was taken and Dacres gave up his sword on the quarter deck, Hull returned it to him and said 'But I will thank you for my hat.'"
"The double granite mansion which formerly stood on the corner of Beacon and Somerset Streets was built after the War of 1812 by David Hinkley, a rich merchant, who bought the land in 1810 of Jeremiah Allen, High Sheriff of Suffolk County. After Mr. Hinkley's occupancy, for a few years before his death in 1825. it became the home of Benja- min W. Crowninshield, who died in 1851. In 1852 the house became the home of the newly-formed Somerset Club, and was so used for 20 years, when the Club acquired by pur- chase the mansion house of David Sears on Beacon Street. The Easterly house on Beacon Street was occupied by Ben- jamin Wiggin, merchant, whose death occurred about the year 1825. In 1825 the house was sold to Joseph Peabody
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of Salem, whose daughter had recently married John L. Gardner of Boston, and the Gardners resided in the house for about forty years. In 1872, the combined houses came into the possession of the Congregational Society, which constructed stores on the first floor and used the upper part for society purposes.
In 1904 the Hinkley Houses were taken down and a new building erected on the site. It is now a portion of the store of the Houghton & Dutton Company."
The Hinkley Houses.
The Public Garden
No city in the country can show a more charming or attractive spot than the beautiful Public Garden of Boston. A hundred years ago it was marsh lands and flats and for twenty years the territory was occupied by five long rope- walks. The town granted the lands, rent free, to the rope- makers after the destruction of their buildings in Pearl and Congress Streets by fire in 1794, for two reasons : to prevent the erection of buildings in a district they endangered and to help the crippled proprietors. These five ropewalks were burned in 1819 and the ropemakers decided not to rebuild but to cut up the land into building lots, and sell it for dwelling and business purposes, as the land had greatly in- creased in value, owing to the opening of Charles Street in 1804. The Mill Dam project of the Boston and Roxbury Mill Corporation was then under way and when that should be completed, the marshes and flats would be converted into dry land. The territory then commanded an unobstructed view of the Charles River and the opposite shores. The people saw that it was an ideal spot for a public garden and they strongly objected to the scheme of the rope- makers. As they insisted on their rights under their agree- ment with the town, the matter was left to referees, who decided in favor of the rope makers. By the payment of $50,000 the city regained possession of the territory which the town had given away. But this did not stop the agita- tion, for buildings and residences on this land-it continued until 1859, when by vote of the city and an Act of the Legislature, this little spot of 24 acres was reserved as a public park, one of the lungs of this great city. The city then began to beautify the grounds, which work has gone steadily forward, and it is today what its name really indicates, a Public Garden, with dainty flower beds, plants, shrubbery, grass plots, stretches of closely-clipped lawns, and narrow winding gravel paths. In its midst is a pretty pond, ir- regularly laid out, and in the summer time this is bright with gaily canopied pleasure boats. An iron bridge, with granite piers, and imposing design, spans it, and the wind- ing walks along its margin; and the seats under the few large trees near its brink, are much sought on pleasant afternoons. There are several statues in the Garden. The equestrian statue of Washington, by Thomas Ball, stands near the Arlington Street entrance, opposite Common-
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wealth Avenue. It is said to be the largest of its kind in America. The movement for its erection began in the Spring of 1859. The first substantial contribution to the fund was from the receipts of an oration by the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop in Music Hall that year, and in November fol- lowing, a great fair for its benefit was held with gratifying success. All the work upon it was done by Massachusetts artists and artisans. The height of the statue is 22 feet and with the pedestal reaches 38 feet.
The Public Garden
The Ether Monument was a gift to the city in 1868 by Thomas Lee. It has an excellent location and is a fine piece of work of granite and red marble. A medallion on the side represents a surgeon operating upon an injured person under the influence of ether.
The Charles Sumner Statue stands in the Public Garden, near Boylston Street, facing Beacon Street. The figure is
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of bronze, about 10 feet in height, and mounted on a ped- estal of Quincy granite. His attitude is firm and graceful and his left hand grasps a roll of manuscript. The funds for this statue, as in the case of the Edward Everett Statue, were raised by popular subscription. The sculptor who designed it was Thomas Ball. It was unveiled in December, 1868.
Equestrian Statue of Washington
The most recent addition to the statues in the garden is the Edward Everett Hale Statue on the Charles Street side, near the central entrance from that street. The statue stands facing the garden and is a faithful representation of the face and form of the man so familiar to two generations of Bostonians, who was so loved and admired for his humanity and broadmindedness.
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Statue of Charles Nummer
Statue, of Rev. Edward Everett Hale
Panorama of Public Garden, Boston, Mass.
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Public Garden.
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Public Garden.
Boston Schools
The men who settled Boston, under John Winthrop in 1630, were, for the most part, of sound learning, far sighted vision, and noble spirit. They were stern and austere in their re- ligious views, but their sentiments regarding political pros- perity were sound and healthy, and they laid deep the founda- tion for social and public happiness.
They knew that liberty, civil and religious, for which they
Thomas Sherwin, Master English High School
had sacrificed so much, could never be maintained if the people were ignorant. Governor Winthrop in his journal in 1645, writes, "that divers free schools were erected," and it is quaintly observed in the law establishing these schools, "that the stronghold of Satan consisted in the ignorance of the peo- ple, and all means should be employed to counteract the ould
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