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Yorktown, Virginia O, say can you see By the dawn’s early light The acrid smell of
gunpowder lingered in the cool early morning air. The foul stench of death
rose from those wounded in the now twenty days of battle at The brave soldier for the
Colonial troops surveyed the great loss around him. Bodies
of soldiers clad in the red jackets of the British lay strewn about amongst
his fellow Patriot brothers. Friend and foe shared a common resting place, as
their lifeless corpses littered the bloody battlefield of Yorktown.
Painting of the
Battle of Yorktown It was not the
first time this soldier had experienced the aftermath of such a siege, but as
he clutched his wounded shoulder in a vain effort to stem the blood flow, he
knew of a certainty that it would be the last. Jonathan J. Frayne,
valiant soldier for the American colonies, would not leave He had received a
blast at close range from a Loyalist musket. With each passing breath,
additional blood spurted from his shoulder, making his chances for survival
minimal. Jonathan had fought
bravely for the Patriots in their quest to gain freedom from Though Jonathan had sought
adventure, his father hoped to find a better life for his family in During the long voyage,
Jonathan’s parents fell ill and finally succumbed to the unhealthy
conditions. The young Irishman was left alone. He knew he could return to his
homeland, but he remembered the wonderful stories his father had told him
about Not long after his parents’ death, Jonathan befriended
another Irish lad on the ship by the name of Timotheus Mangan. Timotheus’
parents had passed away in As soon as they had met, the
two boys became inseparable companions. Perhaps their souls were knit by a
kindred sense of adventure; perhaps their common state as orphans firmly
melded their bonds. Nonetheless, the two lads formed a brother-like union. What
so proudly we hailed At
the twilight’s last gleaming? Jonathan
and Timotheus settled in the colony of At the conclusion of
the French and Indian War, The increased taxes
strained relations between the Colonies and Jonathan heard that the great
Patriot, Benjamin Franklin, declared in 1769 that the British ministry should
“Repeal the laws, Renounce the Right, Recall the troops, Refund the money,
and Return to the old method of requisition”.”
Painting of our great
Statesman, Benjamin Franklin However, Several Patriots warned that
the British would take measures to assure their domination of the colonies,
and Lord Frederick North, Prime Minister of England, proposed the Tea Act,
which resulted in the Boston Tea Party in December 1773. The ensuing actions quickly
escalated and resulted in the outbreak of war between Jonathan and
Timotheus eagerly gleaned bits and pieces of the forthcoming information from
their fellow Patriots. As rumors spread of an inevitable revolution, both men
vowed to defend Whose
broad stripes and bright stars, Thro’
the perilous fight, In
1775 General Thomas Gage of the British army was ordered to close an
assemblage of Patriots in At
Painting of “the
shot heard ‘round the world” “Stand your ground…
if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” Captain John Parker, Lexington Militia Jonathan and
Timotheus eagerly signed up to serve with the Patriot army in its efforts to
gain independence from the powerful nation of Great Britain. Both men counted serving in Though several
soldiers signed up for the cash bonus and the promise of a future land grant,
Jonathan and Timotheus were eager to defend their adopted homeland. Both
proudly wore the navy blue uniforms chosen by the New York Infantry. Upon sight of the
Continental Flag, first raised on
The Grand Union Flag,
officially adopted by the Continental Congress in 1775. This flag represented
the Continental Congress for two years, after which it was replaced by Old
Glory (the predecessor of our modern flag, featuring 13 stripes and 13
stars). Of course, Jonathan
had to amend his opinion of the most beautiful sight he had ever seen as the
army sojourned briefly at Ossining in the early spring of 1776 to gather more
troops. Families traveled with their sons to bid them adieu, knowing these
brave, selfless soldiers may never return to them. One family traveled from a
neighboring community to bid farewell to their two oldest sons. A father, mother, and daughter were among
the group who had accompanied the incoming soldiers. The father choked back proud
tears, as the mother clung to her beloved boys. The sobbing woman kissed her
sons’ cheeks, knowing she may never kiss them again. Jonathan watched
from a distance as the sister, a lovely girl with curls the color of sand,
tearfully embraced her older brothers. As the young lady walked past him,
Jonathan gallantly bowed and handed her a handkerchief with an “F” carefully
embroidered upon its corner. The young lady shyly
fluttered her sandy lashes, her graceful cheeks flushed a becoming shade of
crimson. When she looked up at Jonathan, her brilliant china blue eyes caused
him to gasp. Taken aback by her beauty, the handsome soldier flashed her a
crooked smile. The two struck up a conversation, and instantly a powerful
attraction was felt between them. Beatrice, as she was
called, promised to write to the young soldier, and gave him a lock of her
sandy curls upon her departure. Jonathan fondly recalled their chaste goodbye
kiss often during the many hardships he faced as a Patriot soldier. He and Timotheus
formed a bond with Beatrice’s brothers. The eldest, Benjamin, served as a
medic to the troops. He counted it an honor to use his skills as a physician
to gain And
the rockets’ red glare, The
bombs bursting in air, The
skirmishes between the British and the colonists grew in intensity. In the
first year and a half of war, On Malachi Belden
fought the good fight and finished his course on the morning of
Painting of General
Washington crossing the *see Author’s note
at end for fun History fact* After defeats at
Brandywine and Germantown, General Washington led his weary troops to Valley
Forge. Several of Jonathan’s brothers-in-arms died that winter due to
exposure and disease. Death and desertions depleted the army to half its
former size. Jonathan, Timotheus and Benjamin suffered through the remainder of
the winter with the rest of the hungry, dispirited, poorly-equipped troops. In spite of the vast
odds against them, the Patriots began gaining ground on the Redcoats.
Finally, a major victory was won at Though the victory
was great for Timotheus Mangan’s
black eyes were lifeless as Jonathan cradled the head of the man who had been
closer than a brother, in his arms.
General Burgoyne
surrenders The war raged on.
Much to the surprise of the powerful Benjamin received
word that his youngest brother, Richard, had assisted in gaining the
Patriots’ small navy a most surprising victory. The teenaged privateer was on
board the barely seaworthy American ship, the Bonhomme Richard, which was commanded by John Paul Jones. The highly inferior American vessel engaged
the British warship, Serapis, in
the Richard Belden,
youngest son of Philip and Harriet Belden, bravely sacrificed his life for
the cause of liberty on
Against all odds,
the barely seaworthy American vessel, Serapis,
defeated the great British warship, the Bonhomme
Richard. It was here that
the Father of the American Navy, John Paul Jones, uttered the famous phrase,
“I have not yet begun to fight!” Some casualties
of the war were not penned by historians, for they involved the death of
dreams, rather than soldiers. The only record of such heartbreak dwelt in the
souls of the suffering. The American troops heard of
loss amongst their families at home. Mothers, fathers, sisters, wives, and
children succumbed to attacks from the enemy, as well as the effects of war.
Sweethearts grew weary waiting for their lovers’ return and forsook their
soldier boys, preferring to be courted by men at home. Occasionally, the
Patriots lost those they loved most out of their loyalty to Benjamin had been engaged to a
lovely maiden, her wealth and social standing only surpassed by her sweet
temperament and fair countenance. As the war ravaged on and as he faced the death
of his beloved brothers, Benjamin took comfort in the missives he received
from his dear fiancée, Martha. However, in the
spring of 1780, a letter of great importance was delivered to the young
medic. He anxiously ripped open the envelope, fearing bad news from his
family at home. Jonathan watched as his friend’s brown eyes filled with tears
as he pored over the news from Finally, Benjamin soberly rose
to his feet, crumpled the letter in his strong hands and tossed it into the
campfire. Without a word of explanation, he strode away, bitterness evident
in every step. Jonathan learned
later that Martha’s family had sided with the British. Choosing to depart for
Gave
proof thro’ the night That
our flag was still there. The
smoke from the muskets going off around him practically choked Jonathan as he
wearily fell to his knees. He removed his freckled hand from the wound in his
shoulder, and grimaced at the amount of blood he saw in his palm. The battlefield was a
cacophony of utter chaos and suffering, as the echoes of musket fire mingled
with the weeping of the dying. Dust, along with gunpowder, filled his
nostrils as he lay upon the ground below. Crimson puddles pooled on the dirt,
mingling with the blood that had already been spilled by his fellow soldiers.
Old Glory "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from
our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have
separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing
liberty." Desiring one final glance at
Old Glory, Jonathan painfully pushed himself to an upright position. He
furtively looked about the battlefield for the standard bearer who proudly
carried the flag into battle. In 1777, Congress had forsaken the Grand Union
flag used earlier in the war and voted upon a new style for the American
flag. The Continental Congress had
decided the Jonathan
crawled upon the ground, dodging the bodies of English soldiers clad in their
redcoats, as well as the corpses of his fellow Patriots who had already
answered death’s call. Slowly he made his way through the field of shells,
blood, and lifeless bodies. After searching for several
minutes, Jonathan located the young boy who served as the standard bearer. He
laboriously turned to the right and made his way to Old Glory, thinking it
would be a great honor to die within sight of the symbol of freedom. Painfully he
struggled to reach the standard. Though the loss of blood was making him
disoriented, Jonathan watched as the lad carrying the flag was struck by a
cannon’s blast. Through the utter confusion of the battle, Jonathan focused
on the anguished cry of the boy bearing the colors. The young patriot, perhaps
not even a teenager, wobbled unsteadily and fought to keep Old Glory raised
high. “The standard!”
Jonathan cried, pointing to the boy bearing the flag. “The standard bearer
has been wounded! Someone help him! Keep the flag high!” His cries were futile
as they became lost in the battle chaos. Fearing the sacred symbol of freedom
would fall to the ground, Jonathan gathered every ounce of his remaining
strength. The brave Patriot painstakingly rose to his feet, mustered his
adrenaline and limped as quickly as he could to the lad’s side. Jonathan made it to the boy
just in time to pry the pole from his hands, as the standard bearer sank
lifelessly to the bloodstained ground. “Must keep… keep the
standard high,” Jonathan gasped, clutching the oozing wound in his shoulder
with his free hand. He wobbled about, trying to remain upright. Knowing he
would soon succumb to his wound, Jonathan cried desperately, “Someone… help
me keep the standard high!” “Jonathan,” he
vaguely heard someone choke out. He opened his eyes and made out the
slightly-blurry form of his companion. “Benjamin,” he
sputtered, blood dripping from his lips. “Take the flag… Wave it… high.” Instantly, the medic
dropped his bag, grabbed the flagpole from Jonathan’s clutches and wrapped a
strong arm around his friend. “You’re wounded.” Jonathan nodded, his
knees buckling under him. “Earlier… a musket blast… my shoulder…” Benjamin assisted
him to a laying position, carefully keeping Old Glory high above the ground.
“I can’t help you with this in my hands. Let me find someone to take the
flag, and I’ll—” “No,” Jonathan
interrupted, as he coughed out some blood. “I’m dying… Tell… Tell Beatrice…
that I love her.” “I will,” Benjamin
vowed, tears pooling in his eyes. Alarm mingled with sadness as he watched
Jonathan fight to raise upright. “What is it, my friend?” “I need… in my
pocket…” Battling the hazy feeling overwhelming him, Jonathan dug into the
inner pocket of his uniform’s jacket until he clutched a sandy curl in his
freckled hand. Satisfied that he had accomplished his task, he settled back
onto the ground and waited for death to overtake him. “My dear… Beatrice…”
Jonathan murmured, fighting the urge to fall asleep. “ ‘Twas not… ‘twas not
meant to be…” His breath grew ragged,
as each desperate gasp for oxygen became more painful and difficult to
receive. “How goes… the battle?” “We’re winning, my
friend,” Benjamin informed him, pride shining through his tears. “General
Washington is of the opinion that Cornwallis will surrender soon.” “Cornwallis…
surrender…?” Jonathan whispered as he wistfully gazed up at the red, white
and blue flag his comrade held high in the air. “ “Yes, my friend,”
Benjamin assured. “ “I wish… Timotheus
had… had been here to see it…” Jonathan gasped, life quickly fading from him.
“And Malachi… and the others…” “Their descendants
shall see it,” Benjamin comforted. “The children of all who remain shall
never forget your bravery. As long as we live, we shall always remember those
who gave their lives for our freedom.” Oh,
say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
“The flag!” Jonathan rose
slightly, and then relaxed to see it still waving in all its unfurled glory.
“Is it high?” “The standard is
safe, my friend,” Benjamin soothed, knowing the end was near for his
companion. Ever a soldier,
Jonathan Jay Frayne used the last of his strength to straighten the lines of
his once-crisp New York Infantry uniform. The cuffs of his coarse, navy blue
waistcoat were ragged due to years of hardship. His linen cravats and
breeches, once a pristine white, were now yellowed from wear. Both the jacket
and the breeches had several red spots on them. The bloodstains upon the
fabric included those of Timotheus, as well as his own. Just as he began to
close his eyes in death, a large white horse passed by and halted briefly
beside the flag. The rider sat erect upon his steed, as he surveyed the
losses endured in battle. He gave an approving nod to Benjamin for holding
the standard high above the ground, and then his gaze settled upon Old Glory
as he reminded himself of the cause. The dignified rider’s eyes
left the flag and fell upon Jonathan. The white-haired General knew the young
soldier’s life was but a passing vapor, as he beheld the lad’s face growing
paler and the ground beneath him growing redder. Humbled by seeing the Jonathan’s chest
swelled as he watched the great General, who had served his country so
faithfully, salute him. The beautiful American flag wafted in the breeze, a
proud symbol of liberty and justice for all. Before he took his last breath,
Jonathan returned General Washington’s crisp salute, and then closed his
green eyes in death, the sandy curl of his beloved still clutched in his
grasp. The Patriot died,
so that O’er
the land of the free, And
the home of the brave?
Cornwallis
surrenders to Washington on October 19, 1781
If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m extremely patriotic. I had
been thinking about our country’s humble beginnings and how God Himself
surely helped us gain our victory to become a free nation. I’ve always been
fascinated studying our country’s history, not only the battles we fought,
but also the men who fought them. How privileged we are to live in a land
where there is liberty and justice for all! Thank you to all the men and women
who have so bravely defended our country, during peace and wartime. You shall
never be forgotten. I tried to keep the background history of this story as accurate
as possible. With the exception of my Revolutionary Bob-Whites and their
families, all people are real. This story took a monumental amount of
research, but it was a labor of love. I wanted to write a story honoring our noble heritage, but still
wanted to give the story a BWG feel. I decided that since our beloved
characters were so civic minded and honorable as teenagers, their ancestors
would be of the same mold. All comparisons between the series’ characters and
this story’s characters are totally intentional. Thank you to those on the message board who researched the Frayne
family line. While doing all my Revolutionary War research, I was strapped
for time. Thank you to those who traced the Fraynes to President George Washington was indeed a land surveyor. As you all
probably guessed that fact was included as a tip of my hat to my PROFESSIONAL
surveyor hubby. It was also no coincidence that my favorite BWG surveyed with
‘Twas also no accident that Bobby’s Revolutionary counterpart
served with the Navy. That was a nod to my baby brother. *sniff, BEAM, sniff* I bet I surprised you that I killed off my favorite first. *VEG*
Malachi Belden was supposed to die from a musket blast to the stomach, but
during my intense research, I discovered that only two Patriot soldiers died
at Trenton when Washington crossed the Delaware, and both perished from
hyperthermia. To make this as factual as possible, I changed it. Carefully study the flag in the background of the painting of The story of John Paul Jones’ defeat of the Serapis was one of the most amazing things I had
ever read. I was teary-eyed just reading about this incredible battle. I
heartily encourage everyone to read detailed accounts, especially if you or a
loved one has served in the Navy. It will truly make you proud. I hated to make Honey’s ancestors be Loyalists, but I wanted to
get the Harts back to The notion of the standard bearer has always given me goose bumps.
Those who proudly bore our colors during battles were often prime targets for
the enemy. Several brave men and boys who carried our flag lost their lives
because of the precious standard they hoisted. And the soldiers around them
always, ALWAYS, gave 100% to make sure the flag never touched the ground. At
all costs, we must keep the standard high. Jonathan’s utterances of “ ‘Twas not meant to be…” Jonathan
bravely sacrificed his life for the cause of liberty. However, years later
wrongs were righted when a new wealthy family moved to Sleepyside and
frightened orphan boy hid inside the old Ten Acres Mansion. History has a way
of repeating itself… I’ve often read accounts where great men like Washington and
Lincoln saluted dying troops, and I wanted to include that in my story. I
believe this shows what humble men they were and for a man to be truly great,
he must be humble. Only those who are humble can serve others, and only those
who serve others, can be truly great. I’m thankful that the beautiful Star-Spangled Banner still waves
o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless America, and
if you see a veteran, be sure to shake his or her hand and tell them thanks!
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