Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/41

Rh miles south of the Mohawk Valley and settled by the strictest Scotch Presbyterians. The town of Florida consisted only of a Meeting House, tavern, black-smith shop and Store with a few farm dwelling houses in sight. My stay there was nearly two years, but I did not improve in my studies to suit the wishes of my father. The Schoolmaster was for a higher class than boys on the rudiments and, in consequence, I was brought home and then placed at a Boarding School at Greenwich under a Mr Smith, with some 30 scholars. It was situated just beyond Potters field and opposite what was called Ludlows field, on, then, the outskirts of New York, inhabited by the class of people that had gathered from all quarters of the Globe and inhabiting the houses and Shanties which had been built during the Yellow Fever outbreak a few years before. They were a kind of rowdy set and opposed to all the upper class of Boys and the terror of our school and war was openly declared between these parties. Various conflicts had taken place and generally the Smith boys were driven in, the older boys not having the pluck to stand their ground and the younger ones, of whom I formed one, were often the sufferers and the Ludlows field being generally the contested ground. We seldom ended our play, particularly on a Saturday afternoon.

The Livingstons, Lovets and Depuysters of the first class did not show a disposition to fight it out, but the younger boys felt the deprivation and disgrace of being driven in by a set of Butchers Boys and Ragamuffins and it was determined a stand should be made and a pitched battle fought, to conquer if we could. Under this resolution we organized and the fight came off. It was well contested and was well fought on both sides with Stones & Brickbats hurled with a will. Finally, after two or three hours, the ragged urchins and butchers boys gave way & were closely pursued and it was brought to a close by a half brick which I had thrown at an older butcher boy, which struck him in the head and over he fell. This produced great consternation and the fight closed under the impression that the Butcher boy had been killed. He was carried off.

On turning round, two other boys & myself saw our Retreating comrades making full retreat and we were soon followed by ½ dozen grown men to the School to see Mr Smith, and, as they said, to have the boy who had thrown the brickbat pointed out and arrested. Mr Smith immediately summoned all the larger scholars and they were confronted with the accusers but could point out no one; and then the whole school was brought out but no one was to be identified when, feeling that I had been the culprit, if there were any in the affray or fight, I stepped forward and admitted I had thrown the missile. This, as I was among the youngest, they discredited. It was proved the Butcher boy, when struck, had his hat full of stones and was one of the most conspicuous on the opposite side. Mr Smith decided he would not permit me to be taken unless under a warrant, and the parties simply took my name and we heard no more of it. The Butchers boy, whose name was Moore, was a brave lad and was one of the last in the retreat of his party, some 30 strong who were beaten off the field. I have always held him in high