|
LESLIE'S RETREAT |
| Map to our Location |
| Our Menu |
| Our Story! |
| Back to Dining Guide |
The Story...
Listen my children and you shall hear...
Of Leslie's Retreat, before Paul Revere
On the 19th of April, sure everyone knew,
Of that famous day and glorious year,
But at Salem, not Concord, it is known by but few,
That fifty days earlier, are you aware?
First Blood was shed for the red white and blue
and Empires flag felt its first tear.
It all began about quarter past two,
As Reverend Barnard's Voice filled the stale air,
At the old North Church, he was only half through,
When a Minuteman shouted, "the British are here!"
Everyone turned around in his pew,
To look at John Pedrick, who was just standing there.
"To arms, to the bridge, they're coming, it's true!
Some 300 Redcoats are marching, I swear!"
And out of the church every man and child flew...
As Barnard and the women offered their prayer,
From this town that was feared for its famed witches brew,
The bold men of Salem were willing to dare.
Marching up North Street, they came into view,
The blood red, the rifles, the bayonets glare,
At the bridge dividing the old town from new,
The Minutemen stood protecting their lair,
And in North fields beyond, where wild grasses grew,
The cannons were hidden with caution and care.
"I've come for the cannon you must let me through,"
Cried Leslie. the Colonel, who soon was aware,
That the draw bridge was up, and their spirits were, too,
Over taunting and drumming, and North church bell's blare,
He said, "Lower the bridge or we'll fire on you!"
"Fire and be damned!" said John Felt with a flare.
"You'll be in the river and dead if you do,"
Looking down at the icebergs, then at Felt's icy stare,
That war was about to begin, Leslie knew,
"We'll wait here a week, or a month, I declare!
We'll stand here a year, if you force us to."
"You can stand there forever," said Felt, "we don't care!"
Boats at the river's edge, there were but two,
The Redcoats and Minutemen raced for the pair.
With rocks, Sprague and Wicher stove them both through.
"To sink my own boat," said Sprague, "might be quite rare,"
And he got a good laugh from the Minuteman crew,
As Wicher danced "round like a clown at the Fair."
He called Leslie "an ape that should live in the zoo,"
"Let your monkeys wait there 'til their coats are threadbare!'
A Redcoat then stabbed him, and first blood he drew.
Blood flowed from his chest, but Joe seemed unaware,
For Joe Wicher continued to cat-call and "boo,"
But the crowd was aroused, and for was were prepared.
The cursing and shouting, it started anew.
Barnard was there now, all done with his prayer,
And he pleaded with Leslie, as hostilities grew.
"For the sake of our God, and the lives you can spare,
Cross over the bridge, but march only a few,
Then turn back and march to Marblehead Square,
Where your ship at town landing is waiting for you."
So, all the King's men did what Barnard thought fair.
The bridge-leaf was lowered, and then they withdrew.
Except for Joe Wicher, they harmed not a hair,
But, Leslie was shipped off to Scotland to stew,
And Wicher, the black man, for a day, was made mayor.
- Robert Ellis Cahill