| Citation |
BEP(F.745.016
8 Jul 1745:12,21 (517)
A letter from one of the chaplains in the army, dated
Louisburg, June 19. . . [21, line 6]
As Capt Bennet arrived in the night, he first carried the
general and commodore's dispatches to his Excellency, then
at Dorchester, and on his return, communicated the joyful
tidings to the Hon. Col. Wendell's company of militia, then
on duty as a military watch, who, (not able longer to
conceal their joy) about 4 o'clock, alarm'd the town, by
firing their guns and beating their drums, and before five,
all the bells in the town began to ring, and continued
ringing most part of the day. The inhabitants thus
agreeably surprized, laid aside all thoughts of business,
and each one seem'd to strive to out-do his neighbour in
expressions of joy. Many persons were gone to Cambridge to
be present at the commencement, came to town to rejoice with
us, as did many other from the country, and the day was
spent in firing of cannon, feasting, and drinking of
healths, and in preparing fire-works, &c. against the
evening. And to add to the pleasures of the day, Col.
Pollard and his company of Cadets were under arms, and made
a very fine appearance. Now the churl and the niggard
became generous, and even the poor forgot their poverty, and
in the evening the whole town appeared as it were in a
blaze, almost every house being illuminated. In some of the
principal streets were a great variety of fire-works, and
curious devices for the entertainment of the almost
numberless spectators, and in the fields were several
bonfires for the diversion of the less polite, besides a
large one in the Common, where was a tent erected, and
plenty of good liquor for all that would drink. In a word,
never before, upon any occasion, was observed so universal
and unaffected a joy; now was there ever seen so many
persons of both sexes at one time walking about, as appeared
that evening, the streets being as light as day, and the
weather extreamly pleasant. And what is very remarkable, no
ill accident happened to any person, nor was there any of
those disorders committed, which are too common such
occasions.
There has likewise been great rejoicings at many other
towns, on the glorious success of his Majesty's arms.
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