Editor's Note: This is Part II of the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson. Judson condensed hero biographies into short bios. The editor has categorized them in alphabetical format for easier navigation. This page lists the heroes of the American Revolution from McClintock to Muhlenburg.
Nathaniel McClintock
McClintock NATHANIEL commenced his earthly career in New Hampshire on the 21st of March 1757. He received a finished education and was a favorite in every circle where he moved. He was courted by the hirelings of the crown with the promise of high honors. He was affianced to Liberty and could not entertain their propositions. Soon after the war cry was raised on the heights of Lexington he entered the army with the commission of lieutenant. He rose quickly to the rank of major over older captains which created dissatisfaction among them although they fully agreed that his talents and services made him worthy of the promotion. He proved the noble magnanimity of his soul by at once resigning that perfect harmony might be restored. He had fought bravely at Trenton--at Ticonderoga and in all the battles with the troops of Burgoyne up to the time of his surrender. On leaving the army he entered on board the private armed ship General Sullivan of 20 guns, Capt. Manning, as second lieutenant. In 1780 this ship was captured by two British cruisers of much superior force after a severe engagement in which Maj. McClintock was killed. Thus prematurely fell one of the brightest and most promising sons of New Hampshire.
John McKinstry
McKinstry JOHN is first ushered into historic notice at the battle of Bunker's Hill where he acted a brave part in repelling the overwhelming force of the enemy. From that time to the surrender of Yorktown he was constantly in the field with a commission of captain often commanding a partisan corps in bold and daring enterprises. In Canada, he had become a terror to the enemy. At Cedar Keys, 30 miles above Montreal on the St. Lawrence, he was taken prisoner and soon bound to a tree by the savages and surrounded with faggots. All hope of escape had fled--a torturing death seemed inevitable--the torch was ready to be applied--the war dance was arranged--the Captain uttered what he supposed was his last prayer. At that awful moment, Heaven reminded him that he was a Mason and had heard that the ruling chief Brandt, belonged to the same time-honored fraternity. He gained his eye--gave him the proper sign--was instantly released--treated with great kindness and exchanged in a short time. Many instances are on record of a similar character and others of a different nature where a brother has been rescued from the jaws of death. Gen. Free gift Patchin, of my native place, was rescued by Brandt when a prisoner in Canada under exactly similar circumstances. I have often heard it from his own lips. If all mankind were true Masons and no black sheep in the flock--a harmony would succeed before unknown. The instances above cited should silence every objector to an institution pure in principle but sometimes dishonored by the unworthy.
Capt. McKinstry resumed the business of agriculture when the army was disbanded and lived in the esteem of his countrymen in the town of Livingston, N. Y. until 1822 when his mourning neighbors performed the last solemn duty of placing him in his grave.
William McPherson
McPHERSON WILLIAM was born in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1756. He was made a cadet in the British army when but 13 years of age. At the commencement of the American Revolution, he was adjutant of the 16th Regiment of the king's troops. This did not make him a loyalist. His innate love of freedom induced him to at once tender his resignation which was not accepted till 1779 when he repaired to the American camp. Having been stationed at Pensacola up to this time he had never drawn his sword against his country. He had been long personally and favorably known to Gen. Washington who at once made him a brevet major. He was an aid under Gen. LaFayette for some time and subsequently placed over a corps of cavalry in Virginia. On all occasions, he acquitted himself nobly. On the 19th of September 1789, he was made surveyor of the port of Philadelphia--in 1792 inspector of revenue--in 1793 naval officer, which station he held until 1813 when he was called from time to eternity.
James Madison
MADISON JAMES was born in Orange County, Virginia, on the 16th of March, 1751. Although young at the commencement of the Revolution he took a deep interest in its success. After the close of the struggle for Independence, he was among those who clearly saw that the old Articles of Confederation could not preserve the priceless Liberty obtained. He has the imperishable honor of proposing the Convention that framed the inestimable Federal Constitution that has thus far held our ship of state to its moorings amidst the dashing waves of party spirit--the roaring breakers of political fanaticism--the angry purges of impolitic ultraism. His fame as a far-seeing statesman stands on a lofty eminence. His voluminous writings bear the impress of giant intellect--unalloyed patriotism--sterling integrity and untiring industry. He succeeded Thomas Jefferson in the Presidential chair and served two terms. He steered the ship of state through the second war of Independence and run her close to the wind. His life was a continued course of usefulness--his demise left a vacuum in our nation not readily filled. The curtain of death closed upon him in 1836.
John Manly
MANLY JOHN commenced his earthly pilgrimage in Massachusetts in 1734. He was one of the first who met the enemy on her favorite element. He was put in command of the armed schooner Lee on the 24th of October 1775 and cruised in and around Massachusetts Bay. His success was beyond all anticipation. He made numerous captures of great value to the American army and embryo navy. His noble daring and consummate skill were hailed as germs of future greatness. He was transferred to the privateer Hancock and launched out upon a more extensive cruise and captured the British sloop of war Fox and several other prizes. On his return, he was received with great enthusiasm and transferred to the privateer Jason. Soon after he sailed he was attacked by two English privateers of 18 and 10 guns. He ran the Jason between them before he fired a gun and in a few brief moments, they both surrendered. On his return passage with these prizes, he was captured by the Rainbow of 40 guns on the 8th of July 1777 and was confined in Mill Prison and at Halifax until near the close of the war and treated with the proverbial cruelty so often before noticed. In 1782 he was put in command of the frigate Hague. During his cruise, he was run on a sandbank near Guadaloupe by a 74 gunship which was joined by three other ships of the line. They opened a tremendous fire upon the frigate which was continued for three days. On the morning of the fourth day, the Hague swung clear, hoisted the Continental colors--fired a farewell salute of 13 guns, and returned to Boston. Charges were there brought against this gallant captain by one of his officers. Those were partially sustained before a court-martial but appear not to have been placed upon the public records nor well understood by the community. His unsurpassed bravery may have operated in his favor. He died in Boston on the 12th of February 1793.
John Marshall
MARSHALL JOHN was born in Virginia in 1756. He was one of the noble sons of the Old Dominion who threw themselves in the breach made upon our country by the corrupt British ministry. He was a long time in the tented field under Washington and acted a bold and glorious part in the achievement of our Independence. He was a man of superior talents--sound education and strong mind. In 1797 he was an envoy to France--Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson and soon after was made Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court which station he dignified to the close of his life. He wrote an elaborate Life of Washington. He was universally esteemed as an ornament to the bench, his country, and to every circle in which he moved.
Thomas Mathews
MATHEWS THOMAS is first spoken of as a citizen of Norfolk, Virginia, and a brave officer of the Revolution. It is painful to the historian in search of facts relative to the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution to be unable to ascertain even the birthplace of many who did good service in the glorious cause of independence. So in this case. Mr. Mathews was a prominent man--rose to the rank of general--was speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia and nobly performed the public and private duties of life that devolved upon him. He died at Norfolk, Va. on the 20th of April 1812.
Hugh Mercer
MERCER HUGH was born and educated at Aberdeen, Scotland. He became a physician and was a surgeon's mate at the battle of Culloden Moor, Scotland, where the young Pretender was defeated by the Duke of Cumberland in 1745. He came to Pennsylvania in 1746 and was actively engaged in the border wars. He was with Gen. Braddock in 1755 and witnessed the awful slaughter on the day that general was mortally wounded. He formed an intimacy with Washington during that campaign. The next year he served under Gen. Armstrong and greatly distinguished himself at the battle with the Indians at Kittanning above Pittsburgh. He there narrowly escaped being captured--had his right arm broken with a ball--became separated from his companions and was alone in the wilderness two weeks before reaching Cumberland without any food but water and the flesh of a rattlesnake that he fortunately killed. The city of Philadelphia presented him with a splendid medal for his bravery on that occasion. In 1763 he removed to Fredericksburg, Va. where he enhanced his importance in society by leading Isabella Gordon to the hymeneal altar. He soon gained a good practice in his profession and the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. He was an ardent Whig and was among the first to repel the enemy by force of arms. He was at once made a brigadier-general. His brigade was a part of the left-wing of the American army at the Battle of Trenton in December 1776. On the 3d of January following he commenced the attack at Princeton with 350 men. Before the main force could be brought to his support he was charged by the whole regiment commanded by Col. Mawhood. His line was broken--he was surrounded in person and compelled to surrender after which he was mortally wounded. At that moment Washington came up and quickly routed the enemy and rescued the brave Mercer. He lived but one week and was buried at Princeton. His death was not only deeply deplored by his friends, the army, and Congress but was a most serious loss to the country at large. His age, experience, talents, high character--all combined to render him one of the most important men of our nation at that eventful era. In the memoirs of Gen. Wilkinson, he is placed next in rank to Washington in point of prospective usefulness. His whole soul was enlisted in the glorious cause of Liberty.
Return Johnathan Meigs
MEIGS RETURN JONATHAN was a native of Middletown, Conn. At the commencement of the struggle for FREEDOM, he had his military lamp trimmed and burning brightly with the fire of patriotism. He was in command of a splendid company of infantry volunteers in beautiful uniform, well-armed, and eager for service. He marched to Cambridge immediately on receiving intelligence of the battle of Lexington. He was soon raised to the rank of major and endured the fatigues of the expedition to Quebec under Arnold. In the desperate attack on that fortress, he commanded a battalion and was among the first who scaled the walls and entered the city where he was taken prisoner and was not exchanged until near the close of 1776. In 1777 he was made a colonel and performed many astonishing feats of valor. On the 23d of May of that year he proceeded to Sag Harbor, Long Island, with 170 men--destroyed 12 British vessels fully laden with supplies for the army then in New York--killed six of the enemy--took 90 prisoners and returned to New Haven without the loss of a man. For this bold and successful enterprise, Congress voted him an elegant sword. In 1779 he commanded one of the regiments under Gen. Wayne at the storming of Stony Point. He was a reliable man on all occasions and under the most trying circumstances. In 1787 he was one of the pioneer colony that located at the mouth of the Muskingum River on the Ohio. He was their esteemed governor until the officers of the territory arrived. He formed a code of regulations that were subscribed and placed upon a venerable oak where they were as frequently and more usefully consulted than the oracle Apollo at Delphi. He was a man of great philanthropy--a warm friend of the injured red men and accepted the agency of the Cherokee station. He gained the confidence and love of that noble nation who named him "_the white path_." With them, he lived usefully and died peacefully on the 28th of January 1828 strong in hope, rich in faith with a full assurance of a glorious immortality.
Thomas Mifflin
MIFFLIN THOMAS commenced his earthly career in Pennsylvania in 1744. He was an influential Quaker until he was read out of meeting in 1775 because he dared strike for Liberty. He was an early, warm, and able advocate of equal rights. He was an efficient member of the Congress of 1774. He was commissioned Quarter-Master-General in August 1775. He was one of the most successful stump-orators of that time. No one could more effectually excite the populace--when incited to action it needed a cooler head to direct the tornado and rule the storm of passion. He was very useful in rousing the militia to rush to the rescue. In 1787 he was a member of the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution. In October 1788 he succeeded Franklin in the chair of the Executive Council of the state. He aided in forming the first republican Constitution of Pennsylvania and was the first Governor under it. He was eminently useful in terminating the whisky rebellion. In all that he undertook he executed with great steal and energy. His life was devoted to the good of his country--he filled his measure of usefulness and left the theatre of life at Lancaster, Pa. on the 20th of January 1800.
Henry Miller
MILLER HENRY is first introduced as one of the bravest officers of the Continental army. He rose to the rank of colonel and was a thorny customer of the enemy when retreating through New Jersey. At numerous battles, he was distinguished for cool and undaunted courage. At the battle of Monmouth, he had two horses killed under him while leading his men to the charge. He commanded a brigade of militia at Baltimore the last time mother Britain attempted to chastise her truant child. He filled several civil offices and dignified them with old school civility--an article rather on the decline in these modern days of new-fangled notions. He died at Carlisle, Pa. on the 5th of April 1824.
James Monroe
MONROE JAMES commenced his busy life in Virginian in 1759. He entered the Continental Army at the age of 17 and proved a noble and brave boy. He distinguished himself in the battles of Harlem Heights, White Plains, Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. At the latter, he was aid to Gen. Sterling. At the close of the war, he held the commission of Captain. He then read law with Thomas Jefferson--became a member of the Virginia legislature--was elected to Congress in 1783--in 1790 was a member of the United States Senate--in 1794 was minister to France--in 1799 governor of Virginia--in 1803 minister to France, the same year minister to England--in 1804 minister to Spain--in 1806 minister to England--in 1811 Secretary of State under Madison--then Secretary of War--in 1817 President of the United States and served two terms--labor and glory enough for the life of one man. James Monroe came from the searching crucible of all these responsible stations like gold seven times tried--free from dross and full in weight--a fact that renders the eulogy of words on his fame imbecile. He made his last bow upon the stage of life on the glorious 4th of July 1831 when the curtain of death dropped and hid him from the admiring view of a gazing world.
Richard Montgomery
MONTGOMERY RICHARD commenced his journey in this world of fickle spirits in the north of Ireland in 1737. He was one of the noblest sons of the Emerald Isle. His genius was brilliant--his education finished, his manners accomplished, his soul patriotic--the whole man was worthy of admiration. He fought for Great Britain under Wolfe and fell on the very ground where he had joined in shouts of victory in 1759. He came to America to remain permanently in 1772--purchased an estate near 100 miles above New York City--married a daughter of Judge Livingston and became a prominent citizen and a warm friend to the cause of Liberty. In 1775 he was appointed Major General and in conjunction with Gen. Schuyler placed over the northern forces. In October the illness of his colleague left him in sole command. He captured Fort Chamblee, St. Johns, and Montreal by the 12th of November. He then proceeded to Quebec and formed a junction with Arnold at Point Aux Trembles. On the 1st of December, a siege was commenced on Quebec and continued until the 31st of that month. On the memorable last day of 1775, the gallant little band under these two ardent soldiers was led to the storming attack of the town in four divisions with strong fortifications to overcome and double their force within the walls. The first gun that was fired upon the division led by the gallant Montgomery killed him and his two aids. His death spread a general gloom over our land and was deeply lamented in the mother country. Congress caused a monument to be erected to his memory in front of St. Paul's church in the city of New York with a suitable inscription. By direction of the legislature of the empire state his remains were brought from Quebec and deposited near this monument on the 8th of July 1818. His widow lived to see the last vestiges of the husband of her youth--our nation rejoiced to have this noble hero repose in the bosom of our own soil. The fame of Gen. Montgomery is above eulogy. It will grow richer with age--time cannot corrode it.
Daniel Morgan
MORGAN DANIEL was a native of Durham, Bucks County, Pa. From there he removed to New Jersey and then to Virginia where he was a common laborer for some time and by his industry and economy saved money sufficient to ultimately purchase a farm in the county of Frederic. When a common laborer his company was not of the highest order--his habits not rigidly moral but in that company he was the ruling spirit. He was with Braddock when defeated by the French and Indians and received a wound that marked him in the face for life. Like many more with a rough exterior, he had a noble heart within him--a heart full of daring courage, patriotism, and philanthropy. He was among the first who rushed to the standard of Washington at Cambridge with the commission of Captain. He was with Arnold in his memorable expedition to Quebec and was taken prisoner during the attack on that city. On being exchanged he returned and took command of the celebrated rifle corps that so often carried death into the ranks of the enemy. At the capture of Burgoyne, the carnage produced by this corps was terrific--especially among the bravest of the British officers--contributing very largely in achieving that splendid victory that first rolled back the tide of war upon the conquering foe. Of this, all seemed sensible but Gen. Gates who did not award to him his just share of credit in his report to Washington and Congress. For a time he left the service. When Gates was ordered to the command of the southern army he personally solicited Col. Morgan to accompany him. He was plainly referred to past improper treatment but the Colonel ultimately repaired to that field with the commission of Brigadier General. He became the hero of the Cowpens for which Congress voted him a gold medal. That brilliant affair has been previously described. About that time Gen. Greene succeeded Gates. A disagreement occurred between him and Morgan as to the route to be taken in the retreat. Morgan took his own way--joined Greene at Guilford courthouse and then left the service. He subsequently commanded the Virginia troops in the campaign against the whisky boys in Pennsylvania. He was elected a member of Congress and filled the station with dignity. He ultimately located at Winchester, Va. where he lived in the high esteem of his fellow citizens--became a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and died in 1799. He was possessed of strong common sense--a brave but sensitive soldier--a good citizen--a worthy and honest man.
John Morgan
MORGAN JOHN was born in Philadelphia in 1735 and became an eminent physician and sterling whig. In 1765 he was elected Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Medical College of Philadelphia. In October 1775 he was appointed chief physician of the hospitals of the American army. Jealousy and envy put her tongue of slander in motion and induced false accusations against him and succeeded in effecting his removal in a few months. He did not again enter the thorny course of public life and died in Philadelphia in 1789.
Gouverneur Morris
MORRIS GOUVERNEUR commenced his earthly pilgrimage near the city of New York in 1752. He was liberally educated and became an eloquent and sound lawyer. He was a member of the Provincial Congress of N. Y. in 1775 and on the committee that drafted the first constitution of that state. In 1777 he was a member of the Continental Congress--in 1781 was associated with Robert Morris as assistant superintendent of Finance--in 1787 a member of the Convention that framed the Federal Constitution--in 1792 minister plenipotentiary to France and in 1800 was elected to the U. S. Senate where his extensive acquirements and Ciceronean eloquence shed fresh luster on that body--on his country and his own high reputation. Mr. Sparks has published his speeches and writings with an interesting biographical sketch of his life. He was an ornament to every circle in which he moved--an honor to every station he filled--a particular star in the galaxy of the Sages of his day and generation.
William Moultrie
MOULTRIE WILLIAM was ushered upon this mundane sphere in England in 1730 and came to Charleston, South Carolina to enjoy Freedom. When mother Britain violated that inherent privilege he was among the first to resist the invading foe. He was a prominent member of the public meetings and conventions that prepared the people to vindicate their rights. He was appointed colonel of one of the three regiments raised in his adopted state in 1775. He superintended the erection of the Fort Sullivan's Island that bears his name. So hastily was it constructed and so slender was its formation that he was advised to abandon it on the approach of the British fleet. On the 28th of June 1776, Sir Peter Parker came up with eight ships of war and opened a tremendous fire upon this fragile fortress and the presumptuous rebels. To his utter astonishment streams of flashing fire gleamed from the American battery--a storm of iron hail came crashing among his ships. Splinters flew--rigging dropped--blood flowed--men fell. For ten hours Sir Peter raved and foamed with anger and urged his men to renewed exertions. At length, a rebel cannonball kissed off the nether part of his silk breeches which he considered a personal reflection upon his dignity and sullenly retired with his fleet after having been badly cut up. This brave defense by a few raw militias against an overwhelming veteran force was a theme of enthusiastic praise throughout America and Europe. Col. Moultrie was raised to the rank of brigadier-general and in 1779 was made a major-general in the Continental army. He participated in the most trying scenes of the south up to the surrender of Charleston on the 12th of May 1780 when he became a prisoner and was not exchanged until near the close of hostilities. He then returned to his home and aided in perfecting measures to preserve that Independence for which he had so nobly fought and conquered. He was elected governor of his state and filled several minor offices with usefulness and dignity. He died at Charleston S. C. on the 27th of September 1805.
Peter Muhlenburg
MUHLENBERG PETER was born in Pennsylvania in 1746. His father was the Patriarch of the German Lutheran church in the Keystone state. This son was liberally educated and became the Rector of an Episcopal church. He loved his flock well but loved his country and her freedom more. At the commencement of the struggle for Liberty, he exchanged his gown for regimentals, his pen for the sword, his pulpit for the tented field. In 1776 he received the commission of colonel--raised a regiment and marched it to headquarters. The next year he was raised to the rank of brigadier and near the close of the war to the rank of major-general. He was a prudent, deliberate, brave, and reliable officer. He had the unlimited confidence of Washington and performed his duty nobly on all occasions. At the siege of Yorktown, he acted a bold and conspicuous part. After the war closed he was Vice-President of the Executive Council, member of the legislature, a U. S. Senator, Supervisor of excise, and Collector of the Port of Philadelphia at the time of his death which occurred on the 1st of October 1807 at his country seat in Montgomery Co. Pa. As a Christian, minister, soldier, general, civil officer, citizen, husband, father, relative, and friend--he acted a noble part and fulfilled the design of his creation.
