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Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) to James Bowdoin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03425 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: Brookfield, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript letter Date: 27 January 1787 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 31 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Written from Brookfield, likely in Massachusetts. Marked "copy." Relates how he led his troops to the aid of General Shepard. "Writes, Gen'l Sheppard expects hourly an attack by the whole force of the Insurgents:- Shays marched with the party under his immediate command, about as is said: one thousand yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock to the front of the Magazine; General Sheppard sent an officer to him to warn him of his danger if he passed over a certain line, which was described; Shays laughed at the information & continued his march until he approached within a few yards of the line; then halted for a moment or two & then again moved: the moment he passed the line described Gen'l Sheppard ordered a Field piece fixed in a different direction from the party, in hopes to deter them from progressing further, but it had no affect; he then fired two field pieces into their column, which dispersed them." Explains that three of Shays' men were killed and several were injured, but he and Shepard still expect an attack. Also refers to an enclosed letter (not present) from several Shays supporters who want to make a compromise with the government.

[draft]
Brookfield Jany 27 1787
Dear Sir, 10 o clock in the morning
I rec'd about four hours since your several favors from the Stage. . -
By my last informed your Excellency that we were preparing to march for the support of General Sheppard.- We left Worcester yesterday morning about Six o'clock & arrived here the last evening; part of our Troops are in front at Western about four miles; some are in the road, but all to the westward of Princet'n; we expect to march again in about one hour & reach Springfield as soon as possible, for that Gen'l Sheppard expects hourly an attack by the whole force of the Insurgents:- Shays marched with the party under his immediate command, about as is said: one thousand yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock to the front of the Magazine; General Sheppard sent an officer to him to warn him of his danger if he passed over a certain line, which was described; Shays laughed at the information & continued his march until he approached within a few yards of the line; then halted for a moment or two & then again moved: the moment he passed the line described Gen'l Sheppard ordered a Field piece fixed in a different direction from the party, in hopes to deter them from progressing further, but it had no affect; he then fired two field pieces into their column, which dispersed them; they left three dead on the field, some badly wounded & retired to Chapins five miles on their side of Springfield;- Shays brought up but about one half his force; those from Birkshire remained when my informant left that town on the West Side of the river.- Gen. Sheppard is very apprehensive of an attack this morning by their whole force; this makes it necessary that we march with all possible dispatch for his relief; we have sent on a party of horse & some light troops to show themselves to Shays which, I hope, as he must know that we [2] are on the march, he will consider as our advance; I think we shall soon be up; this may deter him from attacking again.
The enclosed rec'd last Evening by a person who lives at Pelham. It is said to be one of Shays' warm adherents; he was accompanied by several others; they urged my attention to it, but I observed to them that I had no power from Government to make a compromise with them, & that if they really wished, as they professed, to prevent then shedding of blood, the line of Duty was clear before them to lay down their arms & submit to the clemency of their Country.-
I am
Dear Sir with Esteem
Your obed. hum. serv't
B Lincoln

Copy

[Docket]
Brookfield Jany 27th 1787
Copy of a Letter from Genl Lincoln
To Governor Bowdoin

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790
Shepard, William, 1737-1817
Shays, Daniel, 1747-1825

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