Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 Excerpt:... Hardly had this order been given, when clear and sharp came General Ward's command, "Present arms!" This order was obeyed within a short distance of the spot where to-day the motto, "Obedience to Law is Liberty," is carved on the present Court House. With military tread General Ward and his party passed up the hill. Presenting fixed bayonets, former officers, neighbors, and friends of General Ward greeted his approach. Nearing the entrance, he was met by bayonets that pierced his clothing. Steadfastly refusing to retreat, General Ward heard the drums beat and the order given to charge. In wrath the old officer faced his soldiers:--"I do not value your bayonets; you might plunge them into my heart; but while that heart beats I will do my duty; when opposed to it, my life is of little consequence; if you will take away your bayonets and give me some position where I can be heard by my fellow-citizens and not by the leaders alone, who have deceived and deluded you, I will speak, but not otherwise." The muskets, at the clear note of command in the speaker's voice, were dropped. A way was made, and Chief Justice Ward for two hours addressed the people. Eventually abandoning Worcester as the scene of their uprising, the Shays leaders scattered their forces over other parts of Massachusetts, always pursued by the vigilance of General Ward. Relentlessly he followed them, even when they camped opposite his own house and the sparks of their camp-fires snapped in front of the very threshold over which he passed to and from his labors. Eventually he stamped out the rebellion and put the last misguided soldier to flight. So in Worcester began and ended the notorious Shays Rebellion, which but for the iron hand of the old Revolutionary gene...