12 March 2004

American Revolution: Bethuel Newcomb, 1751-1826

From B.M. Newcomb's book:

Mr. Newcomb was a soldier in the patriot army of the Revolution. He entered the service 15 May 1775, in the Company of Capt. James Clark of Lebanon, 6th Co., Col. Israel Putnam, Third conn. Regt., and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was discharged 15 Dec. 1775.

Bethuel Newcomb's account of the Battle of Bunker Hill: "I fired my gun until it became so hot I couldn't hold it; stepped past where a soldier had fallen-- caught his gun. We kept hearing someone calling 'Retreat!', but thought it was someone running away. Soon Gen. Israel Putnam came on horseback-- on a dead run, bareheaded, calling out: 'God curse you why don't you retreat. The British have almost surrounded you.' Then we turned and ran up Bunker Hill-- the grapeshot cutting down the grass between our legs as we ran. I was never wounded."

In 1776 he volunteered for three months in the Company of James Pineo, to go to New York. After leaving the service he went in search of his father [Jacob Newcomb 1724-1777], who disappeared during the war.

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