Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/83

Rh finding that no benefit could be derived from their presence, sent orders for their return to their homes, and the insurgents enjoyed the triumph of holding undisputed possession of the town.

On Wednesday, December 6th, they went out to meet Shays, who arrived from Rutland with 850 men. As they re-entered the street the appearance of the column of 800 was highly imposing. The companies included many who had learned their tactics from Steuben, and served an apprenticeship of discipline in the ranks of the Revolution: war-worn veterans, who in a good cause would have been invincible. The pine tuft supplied the place of plume in their hats. Shays, with his aid, mounted on white horses, led on the van. They displayed into line before the Court House, where they were reviewed and inspected. The men were then billeted on the inhabitants. No compulsion was used: where admittance was peremptorily refused, they quietly retired, and sought food and shelter elsewhere. Provision having been made for the soldiers, Shays joined the other leaders in council. At night, he was attended to his quarters, at the house of the late Col. Samuel Flagg, by a strong guard, preceded by the music of the army, with something of the state assumed by a general officer. Precautions against surprise were redoubled. Chains of sentinels were stretched along the streets, planted in every avenue of approach, and on the neighboring hills, examining all who passed. The cry of "all's well," rose on the watches of the night, from those whose presence brought danger to the Commonwealth.

Committees from some of the neighboring towns, and many of the prominent members of the conventions, assembled with the military leaders, on Thursday, the 6th of December. Their deliberations were perplexed and discordant.