21 August 2011

Bethuel Newcomb 1751-1826

Frolm DAR lineage books:

American Revolution: Entered the service in Capt. James Clark's company, Colonel Putnam's 3rd Connecticut regiment, and was engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1818 he applied for a pension and under the act of 1838 his widow's claim was allowed.

From John Bearse 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 some one 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.

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