Please know Joshua was a courageous soldier in the cause of Liberty. He will be dearly missed by all who love Freedom.

With my prayers our Merciful Lord will assuage your grief, I remain,

Your very humble servant,

Samuel Adams

After reading the letter, I could think of nothing to say. So I stood and wrapped my arms around my father and we wept together.

Since it was late and raining again, the Casselmans insisted Father and I dine with them and remain overnight. When supper was finished, Mrs. Margaret Casselman hustled David’s six younger siblings upstairs, leaving David Sr. and Jr. and my father and me alone at the table.

After some talk about the ground being too wet to plant and a brief discussion of plans my father drew up for an addition to their home, Mr. Casselman Sr. said, “James, in the morning, let me send a slave and an extra horse with Nathanael so he can get to Williamsburg and tell Paul about Joshua before he learns about what happened from others. Word of what transpired in Massachusetts on the 19th will spread very quickly through the committees.”

Father thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, “No. Thank you, David. I will go myself. I’ll leave after Rev. Thruston’s service tomorrow. Paul is near to finishing his second year at ­William & Mary and I’m concerned this will be a distraction from his examinations. I will stay there until he completes them and we’ll ride home together.”

“Do you wish to have me go with you, Father?” I asked.

“No, Nathanael. We shall go together to Rev. Thruston’s service in the morning and I will ride from there to Williamsburg. I want you to stay here and meet on Monday with the commander of one of our Frederick County militia companies. He was here this afternoon for the meeting with Pastor Muhlenberg,3 and Rev. Thruston4 when the courier arrived to deliver the terrible news of what happened to Joshua in Massachusetts.”

Despite a gulp from the cup of cider before me, my mouth was dry when I asked, “Does this mean there will be a war?”

Father nodded and said, “Yes. This means war. And it will require the service of every brave Patriot good with a rifle. You are an expert marksman with a rifle. You are fit. You ride well and have grown up hunting. And now you have reason to fight beyond fidelity to cause or colors. Our enemies killed your brother.”

“With whom do you want me to meet on Monday?”

“Captain Daniel Morgan.”

Endnotes

1. The Glen Owen Farm owned by the Casselman family in 1775 was, as described here, between the Shenandoah River and what is now Berryville, the Clarke County, VA Seat of Government.

It should not be confused with Glenowen Farm in Loudoun County, Va.