Noble Deeds of Our Fathers; As Told by Soldiers of the Revolution Gathered Around the Old Bell of Independence (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888. Excerpt: ... THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS After tea, when the children had retired, the visitors asked Mrs. Harmar to contribute something to the entertainment. "I have no personal recollections, for the latest events of the war occurred in my early childhood, but in my portfolio is a song written by Judge Francis Hopkinson while the British were in Philadelphia. It is called 'The Battle of the Kegs.' Perhaps some of you can explain certain parts of it that are not quite clear to me." "Read it, Mrs. Harmar, read it," they all responded. Mrs. Harmar complied, and rendered, in a pleasing manner and with evident satisfaction, the following facetious account, which illustrates at once the spirit of the age and the literary taste of that time: --THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS "Gallants, attend, and hear a friend Trill forth harmonious ditty; Strange things I'll tell, which late befell In Philadelphia city. "'Twas early day, as poets say, Just when the sun was rising; A soldier stood on log of wood, And saw a sight surprising. "As in amaze he stood to gaze, The truth can't be denied, sirs, He spied a score of kegs, or more, Come floating down the tide, sirs. "A sailor too, in jerkin blue, The strange appearance viewing, First rubbed his eyes in great surprise, Then said, 'Some mischief's brewing. "'These kegs now hold the rebels bold Packed up like pickled herring; And they're come down to attack the town, In this new way of ferrying.' "The soldier flew, the sailor too, And, scared almost to death, sirs, Wore out their shoes to spread the news, And ran till out of breath, sirs. "Now up and down, throughout the town, Most frantic scenes were acted; And some ran here, and some ran there, Like men almost distracted. "Some fire cried, which some denied, But said the earth had quaked; And girl...