Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/79

Rh exhibited and bewailed as the martyr of their cause. As the Light Horse retired, it was discovered they did not exceed twenty. About a hundred of Shays' men rallied, and returned to Shrewsbury, following a foe whose celerity of movement left no cause to fear they could be brought to an encounter. Search was made for the town stock of powder, removed by the vigilance of one of the Selectmen, Col. Cushing, whose house they surrounded, and whose person they endeavored to seize, but he escaped. Consultation was held on the expediency of marching directly to Worcester, and encamping before the Court House. Without clothing to protect them from cold, without money, or food to supply the wants of hunger, it was considered impracticable to maintain themselves there, and on Saturday they marched to Grafton and went into quarters with their friends.

The party left at Holden, found one object of their meeting, the junction with the insurgents at Concord, frustrated. Those who belonged to the neighboring towns were therefore dismissed, with orders to assemble in Worcester on Monday following. Shays retired to the barracks in Rutland, and sent messengers to hasten on the parties from Berkshire and Hampshire, in anticipation of meeting the militia of government at Worcester.

On Sunday evening, the detachment from Grafton entered the town, under the command of Abraham Gale, of Princeton, Adam Wheeler, of Hubbardston, Simeon Hazeltine, of Hardwick, and John Williams, reputed to be a deserter from the British army, and once a sergeant of the continental line. They halted before the Court House, and having obtained the keyes, placed a strong guard around the building, and posted sentinels on all the streets and avenues of the town to prevent surprise. Those who were off duty, rolling