Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/137

 yohn Stark.

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��The conquest of Canada, in 1760, put an end to military operations in Nortii America, and Capt. Stark, not being desirous of continuing in the British army, tendered his resigna- tion, which was accepted by Gen. Amherst, with the official assurance that if inclined hereafter to reenter the service he should not lose his rank by this retirement. But fate determined that the experience thus gained by him during five years' ser- vice under the banner of the king of England was but the requisite soldierly education which fitted him to success- fully lead his compatriots against the same English banner in the Revolu- tionary struggle for the independence of his native laud.

From 1760 to 1765 Capt. Stark re- mained at his home, devoting his attention to the cultivation of a large farm in Derryfield. and to the man- agement of his other lauds and his mills, both in Derryfield and Dunbar- ton, in which latter town he was also a large proprietor.

When the country became seriously agitated in 1774 upon the abridgment of its liberties by the crown, he uni- formly espoused the cause of his countrymen, and from his military experience and respectable standing was looked up to as the natural leader of, the patriots of his vicinity. He was appointed as one of the Commit- tee of Safety, and discharged the difficult duties devolving upon him with firmness and moderation, en- deavoring to the utmost of his abili- ties to promote union of sentiment, and preparation for action should that become necessary.

The news of the Battle of Lexing- ton on the 19th of April, 1775,

��reached Capt. Stark the next morn- ing. He was at work in his saw-mill. Without a moment's hesitation the mill-gate was closed, and he returned to his house, a mile distant, changed his dress, mounted his horse, and proceeded towards Med ford, encour- aging all that he met to join him there, telling them that the time had arrived when a blow should be struck for liberty. He was followed by many of his old soldiers and hundreds of citizens, who answered his appeal to their patriotism. And when the preliminary organization of the first New Hampshire regiment was made by election, it was so much a matter of course to choose Stark for their colonel, that the vote, a hand one, was unanimous. This election was afterwards confirmed by a commis- sion from the state authorities.

The story of the Battle of Bunker Hill is an oft told tale. It will not be repeated in this paper ; but we may properly dwell upon the fact that the steady and cool courage of John Stark was one of the important factors in that engagement. His men were brought into action without fatigue. Their deadly work at the rail-fence, on the Mystic river side of the hill, so nearly annihilated the veteran British regiment immediately opposed to them, that, believing they had won the day, they obeyed the orders to retire with unwillingness ; and the deliberate manner in which they covered and defended the final retreat held the enemy in check, and undoubtedly prevented a rout.

After the evacuation of Boston, Col. Stark was ordered, with two reg- iments, the 5th and 25th, under his command, to proceed to New York

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