One item of a large file <A HREF="http://www.winchestermass.org/winch_war.html">Winchester at War</A> THE WHITE HORSEMAN by Ellen Knight While the nation remembers its War of Independence, it is a fitting opportunity to look back into Winchester's history and retell the story of the "white horseman." On the 19th of April in 1775 when word was spread to gather in Lexington, news of the British advance came to Cambridge Street where Hezekiah Wyman, fifty- five years of age, mounted his white horse, and, with musket in hand, set off for Lexington. Like other men from Woburn, he was too late for the fighting at Lexington Common but, continuing up the road, met with British soldiers returning from Concord. All along the route back to Boston was made the legend of the white horseman who charged again and again against the British, killing and wounding a number of the enemy, but always escaping untouched by the shower of bullets around him. According to the newspaper account (first printed in the Boston Pearl, reprinted in the Woburn Journal, 29 July 1887), "his exploits were well nigh fabulous." "When he met the British he began blazing away at them vigorously with his deadly firearm. Mounted on his strong steed, he rode furiously in the direction of the British ranks. His aim was taken at close quarters, and his shots were sent with a constant fatal effect. "His tall gaunt form, his gray locks floating in the breeze, and the color of his steed distinguished him from the other Americans, and the British gave him the name of 'Death on the Pale Horse.' The utmost endeavors of his enemy to kill him were unavailing. He passed through the whole melee unscathed and unhurt. Once a bayonet charge drove the old man and the party with which he was acting to a distance from the foe; but he was out of ammunition and was then compelled to pick up some. But he ere long returned to the charge and this time killed an officer, and after that exploit the report of his piece was frequently heard till the close of the fight. His powerful white horse, careering at full speed over the hills, with the dauntless old man on his back, was continually to be seen. The British learned to dread the frequent appearance of this dire rider at unexpected points along the route of their passage, for his aim was true, and the economical principals in which he was trained forbade his wasting powder or ball. "He lingered at Arlington long enough to aid in a plot laid by Ammi Cutter for taking the British baggage-wagon and their guards [with the old men of Menotomy].... The story says that Hezekiah pursued the British even after they had entered Charlestown and that he followed the enemy to their very boats; and then, turning his horse's head, returned to his home." Wyman's name appears on a list of those who either paid for others to serve or did their own personal service in Captain Samuel Belknap's company and is listed for five months service at Ticonderoga and three months in Jersey. In March 1777 the Town of Woburn voted to pay him 8 pounds, 16 shillings, and 10 pence in part for his service in the war. Wyman survived the war--as did the white mare, which he willed to one of his sons--and lived out his days, until the summer of 1779, in his house not far from the corner of Cambridge and Wildwood Streets. He owned a large section of land, upon which much of the West Side is now built, where generations of descendants succeeded him. The neighborhood was often called Wyman Plains and, until recently, the family name was perpetuated through a succession of Wyman schools. http://www.winchestermass.org/winch_war.html

Strafford County, NH http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nh/county/strafford/military.htm#alpheus

Springfield, Vermont http://www.usgennet.org/usa/vt/county/windsor/WCSpringfield.htm

Lists, In my records I have references to both a Col. Seth WARREN and a Col. Seth WARNER of the Vermont Militia during the American Revolution. Does anyone know if this the same individual? Thanks, Cordah Robinson

http://www.footguard.org/chapter13.html TWO HUNDRED YEARS http://www.footguard.org/book.html THE SECOND COMPANY GOVERNOR'S FOOT GUARD 1775 - 1975 Chapter 1 Beginnings of the Foot Guard Samuel Wyllys was the first Captain of the First Company and the Company's first parade was an escort to Governor's Trumbull and the General Assembly at Hartford on the second Thursday of May, 1772. Meantime, with Governor Trumbull's approval, a movement was put on foot to establish a Second Company of the Governor's Guard at New Haven, by James Hillhouse, Jesse Leavenworth and Benedict Arnold.

An address helps ...... http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~british41st/41stregt_deserters.htm Jan

This may be of interest to some genealogist who cannot find their ancestors names on shiplists. The transcriber gives his email address and indicates the transcription is from the Canadian Archives. Jan

Information and questions about the Purple Heart were posted on several lists. I hope I have managed to reach everyone with a question. The URL for the official history of the Purple Heart is http://www.purpleheart.org/history.htm. This is the official web site of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an officially recognized veteran's organization. The following is extracted from a longer recitation compiled from U.S. Army Official Historical Records. There were two awards created by Washington. One was a badge of merit "in the form of a chevron to be worn on the left sleeve of the uniform coat for the rank and file who had completed three years of duty 'with bravery, fidelity and good conduct.'" This award was much like the modern Good Conduct Medal. The Badge of Military Merit, which evolved into what we now call the Purple Heart, was to be awarded for "any singularly meritorious action." In answer to the previous questions about whether there were two awards, the answer is Yes. In answer to the question, Were there only three Badges of Military Merit awarded, the answer is again, Yes. There were as many of the awards of Merit for three years of honorable and faithful service as there were soldiers who met the criteria. I hope that answers the questions and clears up some of your genealogical queries. Arthur McGinley mcginley@chartertn.net --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It is God's job to forgive Usama bin Laden. It is the job of the Marines and Special Forces to arrange the face-to-face meeting."

For those interested there is a difference in the type of award authorized by General Washington and spelled out in his General Orders. There is a separate distinction between the two awards the one for service Badge of military Merit being worn on the sleeve for 6 yrs honorable service and that of the "Purple Heart" which was to be worn over the left breast. A book of merit was to be kept and as of this writing and to my direct knowledge it has never been found, transcribed or examined from the time of its existence. The orders are clearly specific on the three men who received the "Purple Heart" and mention no others. A point of info while the award was established at Newburgh N.Y. the men examined and the Boards of Officers meeting were conducted at the New Windsor Cantonment. The NATIONAL PURPLE HEART MUSEUM is under construction here at New Windsor N.Y. and will included a computerized data base of all those known to have been awarded the medal since its re-establishment in 1932. In addition the original unmolested Badge of Military Merit "Purple Heart" issued to Sgt. Churchill is on display along with other personally owned items of his. Sgt. Churchill was born in nearby Florida, Orange County N.Y. <A HREF="http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/historic.cgi?p+17">http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/historic.cgi?p+17</A> <A HREF="http://nysparks.state.ny.us/info/purpinfo.html">http://nysparks.state.ny.us/info/purpinfo.html</A> <A HREF="http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year01/may28_01.htm">http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year01/may28_01.htm</A> <A HREF="http://www.thepurpleheart.com/">http://www.thepurpleheart.com/</A> Glenn Marshall New Windsor Town Historian Ref: Purple Heart – Badge of Military Merit General Orders Hqts. Newburgh Wed. Aug. 7, 1782 Parole – Winchester Countersign York, Lancaster Honorary Badges of distinction are to be conferred on the veteran Noncommissioned officers and soldiers of the army who have served more than three years with bravery, fidelity and good conduct; for this purpose a narrow piece of white cloth of an angular form is to be fixed to the left arm on the uniform coat. Noncommissioned officers and soldiers who have served with equal reputation more than six years are to be distinguished by two pieces of cloth set in parallel to each other in a similar form; should any who are not entitled to these honors have the insolence to assume the badges of then, they shall be severely punished. On the other hand it is expected those gallant men who are thus designated will on all occasions be treated with particular confidence and consideration. The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military Merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward. Before this favor can be conferred on any man, the particular fact, or facts, on which it is to be grounded must be set forth to the Commander-in-chief accompanied with certificates from the commanding officers of the regiment and brigade to which the candidate for reward belonged, or other incontestable proofs, and upon granting it, the name and regiment of the person with the action so certified are to be enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officer are permitted to do. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one. General Orders Hqts. Newburgh Sun. Aug. 11, 1782 Parole Amsterdam Countersigns Belhaven, Cumberland In order to prevent misapplication of honorary badges of distinction to be conferred on the noncommissioned officers and soldiers in consequence of long and faithful service, through any mistake or misapprehension of the orders of the 7th,instant the general thinks proper to inform the army that they are only attainable by an uninterrupted series of faithful and honorable services. A soldier who has once retired from the field of glory forfeits all pretensions to precedence from former services; and a man who has deservedly met anignominious punishment or degradation cannot be admitted a candidate for any honorary distinction, unless he shall have wiped away the stain his reputation has suffered by some very brilliant achievement, or by serving with reputation after his disgrace the number of years which entitle other men to that indulgence. The badges which Noncommissioned officers and soldiers are permitted to wear on the left arm as a mark of long and faithful service are to be of the same color with the facings of the corps they belong to and not white in every instance as directed in the orders of the 7th instant. General Orders Verplanks Point Mon. Sept. 9, 1782 The Inspector General (or in his absence, the Inspector of the Northern Army), the Adjutant General, Brigadier General Huntington, Colonel Greaton and Lieut. Colonel Barber or any three of them are appointed a Board, to examine the pretensions of the Noncommissioned officers and soldiers who are candidates for the Badge of Merit. The board will report their opinion to the commander-in-chief. All certificates and recommendations will be lodged with the Adjutant General, who will occasionally summon the board to assemble. General Orders Verplanks Point Thurs. Sept. 19, 1782 The Board of officers appointed in the orders of the 9th, of Sept. to examine the pretensions of the candidates for Badge of Merit will be pleased to inquire into the grounds on which the badges for long and faithful services have been conferred in the different corps; they will correct any errors they shall discover to have taken place, and ascertain the most unexceptionable rules for introducing uniformity of principal and practice in extending there honorary distinctions to all whom merit them and to no others agreeably to the original intention. The board will decide any questions that may be referred to them on the subject and report their proceedings from time to time to the Commander-in-Chief. General Orders Verplanks Point Fri. Oct. 11, 1782 The board appointed the 9th ultimo to examine the pretensions of the candidates for the Badge of Merit are requested to meet tomorrow at 10 o’clock at the Inspector Generals marquee. General Orders Thurs. April 17, 1783 The Board of officers consisting of Brigadier General Greaton, Colonel’s Stewart and Sproat and Major’s Fish and Trescot will assemble at the New Building (Temple) on Saturday next at 10 o’clock a.m. to take into consideration the claims of the candidates for the Badge of Merit, and will report thereon to the Commander-in-Chief as soon as possible. The papers at the Orderly office and all other certificates and papers relative to these claims are to be put into the hands of General Greaton before Saturday Certificate for the Badge of Military Merit Hqts. Of the American Army May 1, 1783 To all whom there presents shall come, sendeth greetings. Whereas it hath ever been an established maxim in the American service, that the road to glory was open to all, that honorary rewards and distinctions were the greatest stimuli to virtuous actions, and that distinguished merit should not pass unnoticed or unrewarded; and Whereas a Board of Officers whereof Brigadier General Greaton is President, hath been constituted and appointed for the purpose of investigating the several pretensions of the candidates for the Badge of Military Merit; and said Board having reported in the words following, viz: That Sgt. Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Regiment of light Dragoons, in several enterprises against Fort St. George and Fort Slongo on Long Island,in their opinion acted a very conspicuous and singularly meritorious part; that at the head of each body of attack, he not only acquitted himself with great gallantry, firmness and address; but that the surprise in one instance, and the success of the attack in the other, proceeded in a considerable degree from his conduct and management. Now therefore know ye, that the aforesaid Sgt. Elijah Churchill hath fully and truly deserved, and hath been properly invested with the Honorary Badge of Military Merit, and is authorized and entitled to pass and repass all guards and military posts as fully and amply as any commissioned officer whatever; and is hereby further recommended to that favorable notice which a brave and faithful soldier deserves from his countrymen. General Orders Sun. April 27, 1783 The Board appointed to take into consideration the claims of the candidates for the Badge of Merit. Report that Sgt. Churchill of the 2nd Regt. of Light Dragoons and Sgt. William Brown of the late 5th Connecticut Regt.. Are in their opinion severally entitled to the Badge of Merit and do therefore recommend them to His excellency the Commander-in-chief, as suitable characters for that honorary distinction. The Commander-in-Chief is pleased to order the before named Sgt. Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Regt. Of Light Dragoons and Sgt. Brown of the late 5th Conn., Regt. To be each of them invested with the Badge of Merit. They will call at Headquarters on the third of May, when the necessary certificates and badges will be ready for them. General Orders Sun, June 8, 1783 Sgt. Daniel Bissel of the 2nd Connecticut Regt. Having performed some important services, within the immediate knowledge of the Commander-in-Chief, in which the fidelity, perseverance, and good sense of the said Sgt. Bissel were conspicuously manifested; it is therefore ordered that he be honored with the Badge of Merit; he will call at Headquarters on Tuesday next for the insignia and certificate to which he is hereby entitled. A Board of Officers will assemble at the Public Building on Tuesday at 10 o’clock a.m.to decide upon such pretensions for the badge of merit, as shall be exhibited to them. General Orders Mon. June 9, 1783 In consequence of the orders of yesterday, the board whereof Brigadier Greaton is president will assemble at the New Building tomorrow at 10 o’clock, to decide on the claims of the candidates for the badge of merit.

Thought these might interest some! Rhonda Houston National Purple Heart Museum Enfield, Connecticut (Military) ... National Purple Heart Museum Memorial honoring service and sacrifice of America's. veterans. Hours limited, phone ahead. 1296 Enfield St. Enfield CT 06082. ... http://www.ohwy.com/ct/n/napuhemu.htm Museums ... Enfield. Purple Heart Museum Old Town Hall, Enfield, CT Telephone: 860-745-1729 Open: May - November, Sundays 2 - 4:30 pm. ... http://www.visitconnecticut.com/nocen/places/museums.htm The National Purple Heart Museum First Lieutenant Nugent personally supervised delivery of water to a rifle company which was located in close proximity to the enemy. Enemy action had punctured the containers and it was necessary that that a new supply be made immediately available. With... http://www.nphm.org/form.html CT MUSEUMS: Hartford County, Connecticut Museums ... Enfield Purple Heart Museum: Old Town Hall, Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082 203-745-1729. Farmington ... http://www.connquest.com/connecticut/directory/museums/hartford.html http://www.findthefun.com/lists/vxCT01.htm Art/Museums in CT/ http://www.findthefun.com/venues/v0009167.htm National Purple Heart Museum 11 Pearl St, Enfield, CT Phone: 860-745-2321 with a map: http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=11+Pearl+St&csz=Enfield%2C+CT &Get+Map=Get+Map http://www.enfield.org/BOEMinutes/1998/032498MN.HTM ENFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION see BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS http://www.flattext.com/demo/museumus2.txt Interestingly, this url came up! -----Original Message----- From: Robert Bissell [mailto:r2macb@webtv.net] Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 1:59 PM To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [A-REV] Badge of Merit - awarded to only 3 men and they fromCT! There is a Purple Heart Museum in Enfield, CT, I believe. I'm a collateral descendant of Sgt Daniel Bissell. An out of print book, " The Glory Trail " by Thompson relates Daniel's exploit as a spy for Geo Washington. The high school in Windsor has a fife and drum band dedicated to Daniel. Robert Bissell in CA ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237

LOCATED GRAVES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS IN MISSISSIPPI http://www.telapex.com/~dar/graves.htm

JOURNAL OF MAJOR HENRY LIVINGSTON, OF THE THIRD NEW YORK CONTINENTAL LINE, AUGUST TO DECEMBER, 1775. http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/henry/revdiary.htm

George Washington, about 16 years old, transcribes Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation at his Ferry Farm home near Fredericksburg circa 1744 (original errors in numbering have been silently corrected; original spelling is unchanged) http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/manners/rules2.htm

The Badge of Military Merit Purple Heart of the American Revolution <A HREF="http://www.ctssar.org/articles/badge_of_military_merit.htm">The Badge of Military Merit</A> http://www.ctssar.org/articles/badge_of_military_merit.htm

Farns wrote: > (with thanks to Earl Tourgee aka E1091@aol.com, for finding >these 2 websites) > >As far as is known only three men were ever awarded this Badge of Military >Merit. They were Sergeant Elijah Churchill of Enfield, CT, a member of the >2nd Continental Dragoons, Sergeant Daniel Brown of Stamford, CT a member of >the 5th Connecticut Regiment Continental Line, and Sergeant Daniel Bissell of >East Windsor, CT, a member of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment Continental Line. > Hopefully more of the men who earned the Badge will turn up. The three we know about are because their cloth award survived. Washington's original order stated that all would be entered into a 'Book of Merit' -- a book which hasn't been discovered yet. Someplace, in some archive, is the book which will list them all. Remember that the medal itself was forgotten for 150 years & only discovered by accident. Maybe the book will turn up for the Tri-Centennial Washington's birthday bash. The post that made me wonder about this was the post on Washington's Guard by Carole - jhollin@pacifier.com ; [quoting from a book on the guard she wrote] " of the men enjoyed the highest confidence and respect of their immediate officers and the Command-in-Chief, and most of them thereafter rendered long, honorable, and faithful service whereby they became eligible to the Badge of Merit, a distinction second in rank to the Purple Heart, of which we shall hereafter speak. " [did he refer back to the "Badge of Merit" later, Carole? Might there have been a "Badge of Merit" *and* a "Badge of Military Merit"? [Confusing nomenclature is an enduring military tradition.<g>] Searching for "Badge of Merit" turned up this interesting bit; http://www.wellblack.com/cgi-bin/line/journal.cgi?folder=mun "1783 - Oliver Cromwell, an African American soldier who served in the Revolutionary War, receives an honorable discharge signed by George Washington. Cromwell, who will claim to have been with Washington when he crossed the Delaware and in the battles of Yorktown, Princeton, and Monmouth, is cited by Washington as having earned "the Badge of Merit for six years' faithful service." " That sounded suspect to me until I saw this autograph site; http://www.frontrow.com/autographs/autogal.html [a framed document for $20,000] #545 Document Signed, June 8, 1783, as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Washington signs a discharge for a Revolutionary War soldier, Joseph Branch, of the Third Continental Regiment. The folio, document states that the bearer " . . . having faithfully served the United States from January 1, 1777 ... and being enlisted for the War only, is hereby discharged from the American Army." On the bottom it records that Branch "has been honored with the Badge of Merit for six years faithful service." One the back of the document is a note where Washington stipulates that the discharge shall not be effective "until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of. Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough." http://www.ulysses.ny.us/trumansburg.html Mentions a Trumansburg, NY soldier who was allegedly awarded the Badge of Merit. [Abner TREMAN - served in MA & NY Regiments] http://www5.pair.com/vtandrew/ramsdell/i0012432.htm A genealogy site which claims James RAMSDELL was awarded the Badge of Merit "for six years faithful service. " http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jtrue/Hewett.htm Says there are copies of the papers for William HEWITT's Badge of Merit in the "book William Hewett and his Descendants by Evelyn Hewett" I stopped looking at this point-- but there is certainly enough there to make me wonder if there were two awards, or if the 'only three were awarded' truism isn't so true after all. It's enough that I won't just write off as idle family-legend if I hear about someone other than 'the three' who was awarded a 'Badge of Merit'. Jim

(with thanks to Earl Tourgee aka E1091@aol.com, for finding these 2 websites) As far as is known only three men were ever awarded this Badge of Military Merit. They were Sergeant Elijah Churchill of Enfield, CT, a member of the 2nd Continental Dragoons, Sergeant Daniel Brown of Stamford, CT a member of the 5th Connecticut Regiment Continental Line, and Sergeant Daniel Bissell of East Windsor, CT, a member of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment Continental Line. The first Badge of Military Merit ("a heart of purple cloth with a narrow lace or binding") was awarded to 26 year old Sergeant Elijah Churchill of Enfield, Connecticut, a member of the Fourth Troop of the Second Continental Dragoons. They were led by Major Benjamin Tallmadge of Brookhaven, Long Island, a 1773 graduate of Yale College. http://www.ctssar.org/articles/badge_of_military_merit.htm see also (and also from Earl) <A HREF="http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/reference/PurHrt.htm">THE BADGE MILITARY MERIT/ THE PURPLE HEART</A>

There is a Purple Heart Museum in Enfield, CT, I believe. I'm a collateral descendant of Sgt Daniel Bissell. An out of print book, " The Glory Trail " by Thompson relates Daniel's exploit as a spy for Geo Washington. The high school in Windsor has a fife and drum band dedicated to Daniel. Robert Bissell in CA

Most of the records dealing with the War of 1812 will be found in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. However, some are located in state archives of the states that existed for the years 1812-15, in private archives in those states, in city and county records, and even in Canadian and British collections. Ancestors who were involved in the War of 1812 may have been members of the volunteer U.S. Army, of the regular Army, Navy or Marines, members of state or territorial militia organizations who were never made members of the volunteer U.S. Army, unofficial or semi- official (city, county, or regional) groups of private citizens who acted against the British or their Indian or Spanish allies. The volunteer Army was made up of soldiers who joined the U.S. forces during this time. They often were members of previously existing state and territorial militia units which were transferred to federal service. The majority of servicemen were members of state militia raised in the states and territories and then subsequently transferred to U.S. service. The regular U.S. Army, Navy and Marines were composed of professionals who made the military their career. During this period each state and territory maintained a militia, an organization of properly qualified male citizens which was trained for emergencies such as insurrections, invasion and outbreaks of lawlessness. The records of these militia units will be found in state archives, private archives and in county and city records; also there are the unofficial, quasi-official and semi-official groups which saw combat action in the war. Among these are the privateers — armed ships owned by private persons which may or may not have had government sanction to attack and capture enemy ships — and a few civilian groups which gave military service especially when the British invaded coastal cities and areas. http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/syft/military/syftrm0004.htm

I would like to know if there is any resource that might help explain how a soldier died during the War of 1812. Pvt. Samuel RIPLEY of Jefferson, Lincoln Co., Maine. He was in the U.S. Army--not militia. I obtained what the Federal Archives had on Samuel, but there was no explanation of how and where he died. any information appreciated, thanks, Charles