Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

[p. 42] On Oct. 7, 1777 (the day of the Battle of Stillwater), he was promoted to ensign, so we can save the story, but change the scene. Francis Tufts, at Stillwater, seeing the standard-bearer fall, caught up the flag and holding it high in air bore it at the head of the regiment over the redoubt. He was commissioned ensign that day by General Gates. Afterward he received several promotions and was made adjutant in 1780.

The day after the battle General Gates determined to attack Burgoyne, and sent General Nixon against what he supposed was a detachment of the enemy, but which proved to be the main army. Warned at the last moment, Gates recalled his men. Thankful, indeed, was Medford when the news reached here, for more than half of her men were in Nixon's brigade.

Burgoyne surrendered. His army was sent captive to Massachusetts. The officers were placed on parole. The Hessians were quartered at Winter Hill; the English at Cambridge, in the barracks occupied by the Americans during the siege of Boston.

Porter's tavern, in Medford, which stood at the corner of Main and Ship streets (then the driftway leading to the distillery), was a favorite resort for British and Hessian officers. These men were very respectfully treated by the inhabitants. Dr. Osgood frequently received the Hessian chaplain. Benjamin Hall entertained him at dinner, and English officers were frequent guests at tea-drinkings and parties. Old-fashioned hospitality would not refuse to make endurable the enforced stay of their conquered enemies.

Some of the Hessians made the vicinity of Boston their permanent home. One Huffmaster has descendants in this city.

After the surrender of Burgoyne most of the Northern army was ordered South to join Washington.

Those Medford men who were in Colonel Greaton's regiment remained at Albany.

Captain Bancroft and his company, under Lieutenant-