Source:  History of Charlestown, NH, the old Fort 4              by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson, Claremont, NH 1876 p.108 In the summer of 1777 not only a large proportion of the citizens of Charlestown were engaged in the military service of the country, but the same was true of many other towns in the County of Cheshire.  When an order came from General Stark, dated Brumley, (Bromley, Vermont, now Peru) August 6, 1777 to Colonel Hunt of Charlestown, "To mount the cannon at No. 4 immediately, and get all the cannon from Walpole brought up to No. 4, and fix them on carriages," Colonel Hunt wrote to the Council of Safety at Exeter the next day, "That so many of the inhabitants of this county are now abroad in the service that it is extremely difficult to hire workmen; nor do I know where it is possible to procure iron; nor can timber that is seasoned and proper for that business be handily got," consequently the mounting of the cannon was postponed. At this time there was a company of volunteers from Charlestown with Stark, under the command of Capt. Abel Walker, which was embraced in Colonel Hobart's regiment, which, we have reason to believe, did good service in the Battle of Bennington, which followed a few days after.  Burgoyne's movements had excited intense interest in all the towns along the Connecticut River.  After the evacuation of Ticonderoga, by our army, most of the militia from New Hampshire who had gone forward to assist in the defense of that fortress, on finding that they could render no service towards that object, immediately returned to No. 4, where a copy of the General's express had preceded them; directing that the militia should be sent to Bennington, towards which the main army had retreated, and where it was proposed that a stand should be made.  After becoming acquainted with the contents of the express, the officers and militia met in a body to consult in relation to what they would do in respect to complying with its direction.  But, on consulta- tion, they all finally concluded to return home and wait till they should receive further orders from the General Court.  Not one company of militia therefore from the state went forward at this time to join the Continental Army. When the militia left for their homes, Charlestown and the other towns similarly situated had no protection whatsoever.  Meantime,the British General in the exposed situation of the frontiers, embraced the opportunity to play upon the feelings of the people, by exciting their fears in every way that lay in his power. He artfully caused rumors to be spread for the purpose of concealing his real intentions; that he was about to make a descent on some point on the Connecticut River, but, designedly that he might create a wider alarm, left the place undesig- nated on  which his veangence might ultimately fall.  Many of the towns on the river, therefore had their fears excited and none more than Charlestown on account of its position, as lying in the war path of the forces of New Hampshire, and on the old military road.  We shall better understand the excitement of the people, by reference to despatches and letters written at that time. "Letters giving warning of the advance of the British troops. from Joel Mathews to General Bailey. Sir: - I have this moment received intelligence from Otter Creek of the motion of the Enemy, viz. That yesterday they were at Rutland and that this day they will be at White's, nine miles this side, with an intent to march to No. 4; also another detachment to march to Cohos.  This intelligence comes by way of Windsor to me.  I have ordered to raise the militia in these parts.  We have sent to Colonel Marsh, who likely will also send to you.  I still wait your orders tho' I shall march what men I can raise to oppose the Enemy.                                  In haste I am sir Your Hum'l Serv't,  Joel Matthews. Gen Bailey Hartford, July 19, 1777 Letter from Beza (Bezaleel) Woodward, Esq. "To the Committees, Military officers and good People of the State of New-Hamp- shire. Post called on me this moment with the Letter from which the above (from Mr. Matthews) is a copy.  As you regard the safety of this Frontier for God's sake come forward without delay.  The bearer's Messrs. Wood and Longfellow are sent for that purpose.  Pleas forward them with dispatch.                                                              Bez Woodward, Clk. Com'tee of Safety for Hanover.           Hanover, Midnight, Saturday night, July 19, 1777. Assembly at Exeter are earnestly requested to send forw'd arms and ammunition for the People in this County as well as men. Capt. Storrs returned home this day.                                                               Beza Woodward, Clk." A similar letter, by Major Francis Smith of Lebanon, was despatched to the Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire, July 20th, 1777, imploring immediate assistance in arms and ammunitions, etc., and Lieutenant Jonathan Freeman of Hanover was despatched as agent to the General Assembly at Exeter to make representation of their case. Colonel John Hurd, July 21st 1777 wrote from Haverhill to Honroable Meshech Weare: "Sir: - We were alarmed yesterday by news from No. 4 that the regular army (British Army) were upon their march towards Connecticut River.  But this afternoon we have seen a copy of another Letter from Strafford, a township lying West of Thetford, opposite Lime, requesting immediate assistance to them, for that one half of the people of that town were gone off to the Regulars.  This seems to be an alarming circumstance as we apprehend these people who have been known to be Tories, some time past, have held correspondence with the Regular Army and know their designs of marching towards the River.  So that now we may most certainly expect a visit from 'em, if our people do not muster strong enough to repel them, which we hope will be the case; for by reports we have, the whole country seems to be highly exasperated, since the unfortunate and unexpected loss of Ticonderoga and its dependencies.  The people in this Quarter are most of them, we trust, spirited to exert themselves all in their power but are much in want of good fire arms.  If there's any fire arms belonging to the state to be spared, a proportionable part ought to be sent this way for the use of Colonel Marcy's Regt. What comes to Cohos may be intrusted to Colonel Johnston and Major Hale on whose care you may depend to distribute them, and take such security from each man as the Committee of Safety shall direct.                                               Sir Y'r most hum'l Serv't,  J. Hurd" To the Hon. Meshech Weare."       Letter from Colonel Jacob Bailey, relating to the same matter,                                                   "Lyme, July 21st, 1777 Gent'n, Sundry Expresses have arrived from Windsor informing of the Enemy pressing towards No. 4 and Coos; and this day we find that about thirty men have deserted from Strafford and Thetford to the enemy which obliges to move at least twenty famililies and at least four hundred cattle and sheep across the River at Lyme; neither can we secure what is left at Strafford without help, unless the militia now raised march to Otter Creek, which if they doi we will operate with them, which will make us secure: - otherwise five hundred men will not be able to guard this River, - beg you will take the matter under your consideration and act therein as you think proper.                             I am Gent'n your very Hum'le Serv't  Jacob Bailey" Walpole and other towns below Charlestown were equally excited.  Colonel Ben- jamin Bellows who had been in the army but had returned home on account of the indisposition of his father, Colonel Bellows, Senior, wrote, on the 13th of July 1777 to the Committee of Safety as follows: "Gentlemen,  You no doubt have heard of the disaster we have met with at the westward; so shall not undertake to give you the Particulars, but to sum it up in short; we have lost all our Stores and Baggage with some of our men, the number I am not able to ascertain.  I shall represent to you something of the distressed situation of our Frontiers, especially of persons who are easily intimidated as well as women and children, - and it is my humble opinion if some resolutions are not adopted and speedily and vigorously carried into execution the people's hearts will fail and conclude it is a gone case; and this part of the country, I fear, will be de- serted and left without anybody to receive hay and grain, etc.  I submit to superior wisdom, as to the best manner to prevent those evils we dread, and hope the most strenuous efforts will be made by Government at this most critical time; and as the inhabitants on the other side of the river, in New York State (now the State of Vermont) would try to keep their ground, if they could in some measure be support- ed, if we could lend them any assistance, it would answer as good a purpose as tho' done to ourselves, as there must be a frontier.  The people of Otter Creek have many of them moved off already.  Should think it best to keep out the frontier in New York State (Vermont) if possible.  By the best information I can get, there is not short of six or seven hundred men above this place on York side of the river that are destitute of fire arms; if there could be any way found to supply them it would answer a good purpose.  I must further inform you that when we retreated from Ticonderoga, that many of the Continental troops, instead of following the Army steared for their homes.           I am, Gentlemen, your very humb'l Servant                                                       Benjamin Bellows. To the Hon'ble Com'tee of Safety."                                           ------------------------------------ To be continued Part 2 Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth