Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

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Chapter 21: military History.

Military organization.

-- expedition against Gorton. -- Narragansett War. -- energetic services of Major Gookin. -- reasons why old men of sixty years are not to train. -- long service of Capt. Samuel Green. -- soldiers in the Wars from 1690 to 1740; old French War, 1744 to 1748; French War, 1753 to 1763. -- Memorial of Capt. William Angier. -- Gen. William Brattle. -- Troop of Cavalry. -- War of the Revolution. -- rolls of Cambridge soldiers in the Battle of Lexington. -- some events during that conflict. -- more persons killed in Cambridge than elsewhere. -- Monument in memory of the slain. -- Capt. Samuel Whittemore desperately wounded. -- damage to property. -- troops stationed in Cambridge. -- College buildings used for barracks. -- hospitals established. -- Battle of Bunker Hill. -- Col. Thomas Gardner. -- arrival of General Washington. -- Headquarters. -- military Works in Cambridge. -- disposition of the troops. -- military operations. -- evacuation of Boston. -- difficulty in obtaining military stores. -- Gen. Burgoyne's troops. -- Cambridge officers and soldiers engaged in the Revolutionary War. -- War of 1812. -- Cambridge not enthusiastic in its favor. -- Light Infantry. -- War of the Rebellion. -- Cambridge organizes the first military company for the defence of the Union; roll of that company. -- Richmond surrendered to a Cambridge officer. -- officers and soldiers furnished by Cambridge during the War. -- soldiers' Monument erected by the City; names inscribed thereon. -- nearly forty-six hundred men, about one sixth part of the entire population of Cambridge, rendered active service in this internecine conflict

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At the second meeting of the Court of Assistants after their arrival at Charlestown, Sept. 7, 1630, ‘half a year's provision’ was made for ‘Mr. Patrick and Mr. Underhill;’ and at the next meeting, three weeks later, the sum of fifty pounds was assessed upon ‘the several plantations, for the maintenance’ of the same persons.¹ These were the commanders of the incipient militia. Of Daniel Patrick, Winthrop says, ‘This Captain was entertained by us out of Holland (where he was a common soldier of the Prince's guard) to exercise our men. We made him a captain, and maintained him.’² He resided a short time in Watertown, but came to Cambridge before May 1, 1632,³ and remained here until Nov. 1637, when he removed to Ipswich, and subsequently to Stamford, Connecticut, where he was killed by a Dutchman in 1643. During his residence here, the tract of upland surrounded by marsh, on which the Powder Magazine stands at the foot of Magazine Street, was granted by the town to him; and since that time it has been known as ‘Captain's Island.’ Thus, for five years, from 1632 to 1637, Cambridge was the Headquarters of one of the two principal military commanders. And when a more perfect organization of the militia was made, Dec. 13, 1636, the whole being divided into three regiments, Cambridge had a large share of the honors. Thomas Dudley, one of the founders of the town, was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the first regiment; and seven years later he was elected Major-general of all the militia. It was further ordered, ‘Charlestowne, Newetowne, Watertowne, Concord, Deddam, to bee another regiment, whearof John Haynes, Esqr., shalbee colonell, and Rogr. Herlakenden, Esqr., leiftenant colonell.’⁴ Both were Cambridge men; the former had been Governor of